Chatuchak Weekend Market & Mon Nom Sod Toast and Milk
September 12, 2009 | 7,303 viewsPrevious post – Bangkok Street Food – Grilled Fish @ Pratunam …..
The myriad of colours and flavours @ Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok
On our fourth day in Bangkok (given that it’s a Saturday), we took a cab from our hotel (S2S Boutique Resort @ Pratunam) to Chatuchak Weekend Market to fulfill that insatiable lust to shop (not me, the gals’ of course!), and in search of good Thai food. The ride cost us 80 baht/RM8 per way, which can be considered a steal, in comparison with the common cut-throat rides here in Malaysia.
Breakfast @ a random stall in the market – Pork Noodle Soup, Chicken Noodle soup and the lady smelling her own cooking!
You see, the phrase ‘The Early Bird Gets The Worms’ may not necessarily fit all occasions. Especially when the traders only start setting up their stalls and commencing business at a rather late hour, about 9.00-9.30 am (Thailand timezone) if I’m not wrong. That translates to about 10am Malaysian time! So much for an early excursion (gleeful smiles turned to frowns when everywhere we turned to, the stalls remained closed at 8am+!!), we hurriedly went in search for breakfast.
Thai style chicken rice resembles our very own Hainan Chicken Rice, complete with the smooth poached chicken, sliced cucumbers, garnished with coriander leaves, and served with a bowl of chicken soup. But notice THE only difference?
Thankfully, most eateries were already opened for breakfast. Not intending to stuff ourselves silly, we omitted the famous stalls selling rice and dishes which were already thronged by the early morning crowd. Instead, we chose a rather obscure stall that sells chicken rice, and various type of noodles. Kind of reminds me of a typical Chinese food stall in our very own country.
The chicken rice (yeah yeah …initially tended to abstain from too much carbo early in the morning, and I went for the chicken rice. Ironic?) was good, almost reminded me of the Hainan style chicken rice being sold here in Malaysia. With no options for roast or poached chicken, I was only served with the poached version. The chicken was firm and tender yet not tough nor under-cooked. And surprisingly, the piece of coagulated blood added much texture to the overall dish, not to mention the complementing aesthetic value. What? You think that dark greyish piece of blood ain’t tempting?!
The dishes were priced from 25-30 baht (RM2.50-RM3) each.
The charming souvenir shop at one of the corners
Navigating around Chatuchak Market may need some really good sense of directions, or a handy map to prevent yourself from going around in circles thus destroying your aims of shopping ‘intelligently’ (minimal time, maximum buy). There are more than 15,000 stalls (!!), separated into 26 sections, covering a massive 35 acres of land. Remember, if you’re entering from the any of the main entrances, get a free map that’s being distributed, or walk over to the nearest location guide on the boards. If all else fails, don’t worry. There is an information centre around Section 25, and various patrolling guards.
Stopped for a customized shot of caffeine at this stall – Aromatic & lovely, just perfect to perk up your day!
There is a freshly-brewed coffee stall, but poor me had no recollection of its exact location. But you can either ask the locals or guards where this stall is, OR let your nose leads you to the aromatic scents of the brewing beans. Choose your coffee beans, and let the girl manning the stall works her wonders. The ratio of coffee to milk (if you’re ordering the white version, or you can just go black to fully savour the robust flavours of the beans) was perfect, a heaven sent caffeine shot to jump-start that rickety engine.
The coffee is priced from 25-30 baht (Iced) and 25-35 baht (Hot).
Way better than a Petting Zoo !!!
One of my personal favourite section in Chatuchak Weekend Market, is the Pets & Pet’s Accessories sections (Section 9,11,13 and 15). There are a lot of puppies being sold here, with every breed imaginable, at almost a fraction of the market price here in Malaysia. Best of all, you can pet them, squeeze them (not recommended, really), pose with them and snap some photos, or if you wish, BUY them and save them from their poor fates of being caged in a restricted enclosure. But if you’re intending to bring them back to your home country, be sure to check the rules, regulations and requirements before getting ahead of yourselves! You wouldn’t want to see your puppy being transported here and there, and ended up at the airport wandering like lost sheep.
Other ways to get to Chatuchak Weekend Market include taking the buses or the skytrain to Mo Chit station, about 5 minutes’ walk to the market. Not too worry about getting lost, as you’ll notice the ‘herd’ heading towards the same destination. Thus follow the crowd and never get lost. Unless, you’re there on a weekday, and start to curse J2Kfm for supplying you with the wrong information. Ahem, they’re called Chatuchak WEEKEND Market for a reason, ya?
Typical, rebellious Motormouth. =P
Anyway, we did not go crazy with the purchases as the weather was horrendously warm that morning, and the lack of circulation plus wearing the face masks (it was the PEAK of the pandemic that time, mind you) rendered us almost incapacitated to shop, bargain or even cover most of the sections. IWhich by the way, may not be possible unless you’re doing a marathon around the market, running across every stall there is, as imagine passing by 15000 stalls in a day …. surely you’ll be seeing stars.
Sweet and Delightful Toasts served in a variety of manners, and the colourful beverages
One of the more interesting outlet we visited for teatime at MBK Shopping Centre was Mon Nom Sod, a kopitiam-like outlet in the shopping centre, serving nothing but toasts and drinks. But unlike our very own Old Town White Coffee, the toasts here are served in a variety of interesting options, such as steamed or toasted, and with a number of mind-boggling toppings ; from the usual kaya (pandan and an orange-coloured version), to thick & rich chocolate sauce, marmalade and even condensed milk! The steamed bread came in soft, warm cubes, meant to be dipped into your choice of dipping jam, while the crispy, buttered toast was smothered/drizzled generously with the delectable toppings. The chocolate sauce was good, almost too sinful for a teatime snack.
The flavoured milk can be served cold or warm, and went really well with the toasts. Especially the warm strawberry milk, which was not reeking of artificial flavourings, but just a mild hint of strawberry essence.
Mon Nom Sod (or Le Mond, from the logo outside of the shop) is routinely crowded especially come teatime whereby we had to queue for some time. But if you’re tired of the usual food courts, and fast food outlets, and your feet ain’t listening to your pleas anymore, you know where to stop by for some treats.
The toast looks better than the kopitiam here…
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 12th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
seconded. the toasts served at the kopitiams here are plain …. boring.
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Believe me or not… although I’ve been to Bangkok several times but I’ve never been to Chatuchak market!
The puppies look so adorable…
Uh oh.. there’s “no camera” sign and you still dare to take a picture? LOL
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 12th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
of course I didnt use flash, nor tripods. heheheh ….
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and now…………….
i must seriously plan a trip to BKK.
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Oh the puppies are too cute for words! I hope they all find good owners.
.-= Life for Beginners´s last blog ..Little Marvels =-.
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I like this market, so huge you tend to get lost.
swadi krap
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the sinful toasts looks so scrumptious! shall pop over to MBK to try it the next time i’m there. btw, your new blog looks fab!
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 13th, 2009 at 8:36 am
thanks sc. they’ve a branch in banglamphu as well, within walking distance from Khao San Road.
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Ahhhhh…….I miss Mon!!!! Maybe u shud think of bringin’ in the franchise over to Malaysia?…Since Msians can tolerate the high-level of sweetness too!!!!
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 13th, 2009 at 8:39 am
erm, Fuji would be a better option of a franchise, I’ll say.
dont you think so?
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Congratulations for having your own domain name …. keep up the good work !
.-= Timothy Low´s last blog ..Grand Steamboat Garden =-.
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I got told off for not taking pictures in quite a number of areas in Bangkok…
A few security guards came to me when they saw me snapping pictures….
I will try my luck again, going to Bangkok end of the month, fully sponsored!
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 13th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
least Bangkok there was no problem, unlike the stupid Hanoi guard at HCM Mausoleum !!!!
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Ahh ….. finally up …. congratulation man !
.-= email2me´s last blog ..Food POI Celebrating 2nd Year Anniversary at Yee Man Exotic Food Restaurant With Malfreemaps Community On Their 1st Annivesary =-.
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 13th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
thanks ken. your assistance is much appreciated!
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Welcome to WordPress
I think I been to that shop in MBK. Nice toasts with delectable toppings
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OK, 4th attempt to leave comment here :-S Can’t seem to get them to verify my blog!
80 baht fr Pratunam to Chatuchak is a deal! The lowest we ever get to fr Khao San to Chatuchak is 100 baht. Also the morning opening times of food stalls screw up our best laid plans too! We try t to Chatuchak at 8AM hoping to grab a bite before serious shopping and end up waiting another hour before we’re fed!
.-= 550ml jar of faith @minchow´s last blog ..The Meat of Merrymaking, Bavarian Bierhaus, The Curve =-.
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 13th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
hey u succeeded!!! hahahah …. good thing.
as i’ve always loved your thoughts to pondered upon.
and how true, the stalls open WAY too late for the breakfast crowd.
so a word of advice : If you’re planning for breakfast at Chatuchak, go after 9.30am!
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Hi,
There is a business trip coming up in Bangkok next month. I may take the opportunity and go a day earlier. is the Chatuchak market open on a Sunday and what are the opening hours. Assuming I arrive on a Sunday afternoon, can I still make it in time before the market closes?
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 13th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
yup, they’re opened from morning, until late afternoon. Try to reach before 12pm though. to be safe.
plus it can get VERY humid come afternoon hours.
they’re opened on Sundays.
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One question here. How many days do I need to spend there roughly in order to finish looking at every stall? Not just see and go, but pausing around 3-5 mins on each stall. Is two days possible?
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 13th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
EACH AND EVERY STALL?!!!!
no way … you’ll be lost in no time. as the stalls are lined in ‘stacks’, meaning that each section has probably at least 4 rows of stalls, parallel to each other. there’s no way to track which stall you’ve been to, and which stall not.
word of advice : go for the sections you like, then BARGAIN AND BUY whatever you see fits.
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Beautiful and clean lines template.
Haha.. Ken got himself atr client?
Loved tht bread shop in MBK..need some sugar aft all tht shopping u knw! *wink*
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 14th, 2009 at 8:10 am
sugar rush all the more welcoming …. hahaha ….
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Thai Style Chicken rice with coagulated blood looks inviting…this is a rare find in Penang.
.-= ck lam´s last blog ..Miraku Japanese Restaurant – Salmon & Bonito Tuna September Promotion =-.
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wah Chatuchak! hot and memorable place.
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HI J2kfm
am planning a trip to bangkok and pattaya end of this year…
read that you have visited the floating mkt and death railway this trip. may i know did you join a gp or pte tour? what are the charges? and are u happy with the service? reason for asking is that, i was told that Tour with Tong is v good (not sure if you have heard of this guide) but pricey, cost about S$300 for a day tour to railway mkt, floating mkt, bridge over river kwai,death railway and erawan falls. Not sure if it was worth the $ to get her or just any tour shop in Bangkok will do…
another thing, do u know if the S2S boutique resort has interconnecting rooms? i am looking for a place to accomodate 2 adults and 3 kids near to the BTS.any recommendations?
finally, any food blog about bangkok food which you can recommend? i will surely read yours but would like to see if there are other places i can go for good food over there.
thks
regards
octopusmum
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J2Kfm Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
hi Octopusmum,
this is a group tour of sorts.
we searched for a tour company in Khao San Rd itself, meaning that luxury’s the least on our minds.
not to say the trip was bad, or half bad, for that matter.
that’s a little pricey, S$300 per day! our trip which covered Floating Market and Death Railway (with optional stop at Tiger’s temple – additional RM50 per person per entry) came to only 450 baht/RM45 per person. with some bargaining of course.
we did not go to the other places you mentioned, namely railway market and erawan falls, hence the price might differ.
S2S is NOT the closest you can get to a BTS, you’ll still need to walk a considerable distance to one. I’ll suggest you search for more convenient accomodations if you’re bringing children.
BKK offers so much good food, it all boils down to WHAT you’re seeking (street food/restaurant/cafe?) and where you’re staying. Its almost ridiculous to hop on a train to a far out place for a meal, when shopping centres already offer so much delicious fare not commonly found here.
have fun!
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[...] Motormouth from Ipoh also has an amazing breakdown of the eats around Chatuchak. Check it out. [...]
Hi J2Kfm,
I am traveling to Bangkok from the U.S. for the first time in May. I’ll be on my own for the first day since my friend is not arriving until later that night. Is it safe for an american woman to go to the Chatuchak market alone just to wander around and buy some souveniers? Also, should I be wary of eating the food there, as far as being warned that “street food” could upset your stomach if you’re a foreigner?
Thanks so much!
barbaraj78
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Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok is the largest market in Thailand
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In Thailand many chicken rice shops/stalls are owned by Muslims. If you see the green crescent moon and star logo it means that the owner is Muslim. (and there’ll be no blood tofu)
Khao man kai (which means oil chicken rice) is just the Thai version of Hainanese chicken rice. Similar cooking methods.
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THX 4 sharing.
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[...] Interesting squares of bread topped with whipped cream and cornflakes, jams, almond flakes or chocolate chips. No name for this, but I figure that this could be a pedestrian version of Mon Nom Sod? [...]