MaxValu Mystery

oh man, that purple mystery snack is almost definitely kanom bua loi or something similar. it's a chewy little taro or sweet potato dumpling in coconut milk, usually served warm. maxvalu has a whole section for frozen thai desserts, check the freezer aisle near the imported goods. next time you're there, grab the green ones too, they're pandan flavored and way better than the purple tbh

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The purple snack you found was likely "khao niew moon" or sticky rice with coconut milk dyed with butterfly pea flower, but the texture you're describing sounds more like "thong yip" which is a chewy egg yolk and sugar candy. MaxValu on Sukhumvit 71 has a particularly weird selection of these traditional Thai sweets in the dry goods section near the Japanese imports. If it was slightly chewy and not at all sweet, it might have been a savory taro cracker from the local brand "Mae Pranom" which they stock in bulk near the checkout counter.

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Yeah that's almost certainly a taro snack, they're everywhere here. Next time just look for "pueak" (เผือก) on the package, that's taro in Thai. MaxValu has a ton of random stuff from Japan and local suppliers that don't always have English labels.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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