The monsoon rain has poured down almost everyday for a whole week. We had to stay at home most of the time as the wind and rain have been unrelenting. So, when there was a long pause in the downpour, I went out for a walking exercise. I decided to survey how the street food vendors around the old market have been faring in rainy season. This market area should become lively and crowded as it sits among the old Chinese community.
The easiest way to get there is to take the local minibus and get off just before the crossroad. The footpath on both sides of this narrow road are busy with people shopping around for their food, snacks and sweets. This area is one of the most versatile and cheapest street food where familiar Chinese shoppers visit as a routine. So, most vendors know their customers for years making it very difficult to increase the prices.
I could not find any expensive brand name handbags or shoes anywhere in this place. All shops sell locally made goods at very cheap prices, and of course people still make a good bargain. I just enjoyed watching people of all sizes in ordinary clothing, no famous brand name shirts could be seen here; how simple life has become as people all have to queue up for their rice noodle in pork and green vegetables.
Local drugstore with Chinese name which means that you could find a traditional Chinese herbalist and buy Chinese medicine in this drugstore.
Vendors selling fruits, vegetables and jasmine garlands along the footpath.
I love to walk around this old style market atmosphere where I could get connected subconsciously with hard working people and the reality of everyday travail of human beings. They all tried their best to make a living while passively accepting their circumstances. I have lots of admiration for their perseverance and hopeful outlook. They are all smiling even though half of their customers have disappeared.
ฝนตกหนักม่กเกือบทุกวัน ทำให้เดินทางไปไหนก็ลำบาก เพราะการจราจรติดขัดและนำ้ท่วมถนนหลายแห่ง เราก็รอจังหวะตอนที่ฝนหยุดพักใหญ่และท้องฟ้าเริ่มเปิด เราก็รีบออกไปเดินออกกำลังกายทันที เราอยากไปเดินเที่ยวตามตลาดและดูร้านอาหารที่ใกล้ตลาดว่าเป็นอย่างไรในช่วงหน้าฝน เราก็นั่งรถสองแถวที่วิ่งผ่านตลาดเพื่อลงก่อนสี่แยกไฟแดง แล้วเดินข้ามถนนไปดูร้านค้า ตลาดเซ็นหลุยส์เป็นชุมชนจีนที่เก่าแก่มากมาตั้งแต่สมัยรัชกาลที่5 เพราะที่นี่อยู่ไม่ไกลจากตลาดบางรักและถนนเจริญกรุง แถวนี้จึงมีร้านค้าของคนจีนหลากหลายมาก มีอาหารและขนมให้ลองชิมมากมายในราคาที่ย่อมเยาว์ เราชอบอาหารที่นี่มากกว่าแถวถนนเยาวราช คุณภาพสดใหม่แต่ราคาถูก
เรามาเดินหาของอาหารเย็นและมาหาขนมไทยๆ เพื่อร่วม #thaiphotocontest74 by @thaiteam ไปด้วยพร้อมกัน ร้านอาหารอร่อยไปจะไปแอบอยู่ตามตรอกเล็กๆ พอเดินเข้าไปก็จะแปลกใจกับความหลากหลายของอาหารที่ขายในราคาถูกมาก เราไปตามหาผัดไทยเจ้าเดิมที่ทำถูกใจเรามาก เขาอยู่ตรงกลางซอย
Finally I found my PadThai vendor, I thought she would not come as it rained heavily in the afternoon. I got my take away PadThai before going to search for some Thai sweets.
I had my special PadThai without meat but lots of extra tofu. This is the best place for traditional PadThai for me. Then I found both old style Chinese sweets: boiled job tears, monk beans, red beans, black sesame milk, lotus roots and lots more.
Most old style Chinese and Thai sweets are mostly boiled or steamed; with rice flour as the main ingredient.
เราเจอร้านขายของหวานทั้งจีนและไทยหลายอย่าง มีตั้งแต่ถั่วเขียวต้ม ลูกเดือยต้มจนถึงขนมปากหม้อและสาคู เราชอบขนมหวานแบบโบราณมาก็เพราะว่าอร่อยราคาถูก และดีต่อสุขภาพถ้าไม่กินมากเกินไป เราชอบพวกนํ้าแข็งใสมากในหน้าร้อน แต่ตอนนี้ถ้าได้ถั่วแปบหรือขนมต้ม เราก็ดีใจมากแล้ว เราคงต้องค่อยๆชิมขนมทีละอย่าง จะได้รู้ว่าเจ้าไหนอร่อยที่สุดในย่านนี้
These are just a few examples of what could be found in this market area. It would take time for me to taste these sweets, one by one, so I could decide which stalls are really good.
Wishing you all a very nice day.
Stay strong and healthy.
Was a very interesting walk through the old market.
It seems that I was next to you :-)
But I see that not everyone is wearing masks in a crowded place.
Glad you enjoy the old market area with me. Then you could smell of all the food cooking on stoves. My nose was quite bombarded by all the chili smell!
Yup! People are getting tired of wearing masks for almost six months. Some know that the risk is very low.
Yes, the walk with you was pleasant, but I would not mind smells either :-))
And in Cyprus, the situation with Covid-19 is getting worse :-(
Very busy area, hustle and bustle of city living, fresh food plentiful and look great.
Thanks for taking us out into the old market area enjoying the sights in your region @kaminchan
@tipu curate
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Thank you so much for the tip.
Thank you very much for your encouragement and generosity. So glad you like this old Chinese community and market area in Bangkok. I prefer this area to the more popular and expensive Chinatown.
Old markets draw you in to a much friendly environment, people tend to enjoy spending time there unlike big markets where it is more frenzy buying and getting home.
Yah! You are spot on! That’s really what’s happening!! Old market is much nicer and more friendly too.
What a wonderful walk post the city seems so busy and full of life
Thanks for joining Wednesday Walk :)
Thank you! This wasn’t crowded at all! About half the usual number of shoppers have disappeared! Hoping that economic activities will pick up soon!
I see Covid has hurt so many businesses will be good when we finally get past it
I like street food
Yup! Street food here is fresh and very clean!! You’ll have to visit Bangkok one day.
I believe it!
What an interesting walk. It’s the same all over with customers staying home and many businesses suffering the loss. The food looks good.
I noticed not everyone was wearing a mask.
Yep! It’s very sad to see many big hotels are closing down and lots of factories are closed. I do hope the corruptions among politicians would be curtailed in this situation, but it’s my wishful thinking.
People are getting tired of wearing masks. Lots are still full of overwhelming fear of terrible death which has been drilled in by the authority. Some know that it’s all part of a game to control people. The doctors here could heal an infected person in less than one week. But it’s kept quiet for fear of political implications.
It seems the whole world is kept in fear about this virus. I’ll be happy when it finally disappears off the face of the earth.
Some stores here request you wear a mask when entering.
Yup! Most big stores have staff taking people’s temperature and customers have to wear masks. But more people are beginning to take off their masks from time to time and wear them side way!
The virus has mutated hundreds of times so it is not as lethal as its original form, but it spreads very easily. Taking lots of vitamins C, D3 and zinc tablets everyday is a big boost to the immune system.
Looks delicious! I'm surprised to see so many people not wearing masks. Here in France at markets, etc they are obligatory and have been for a while now.
People are getting masks fatigue! Most people know the risk is very low as the country has been shut for almost six months. They are not so afraid of the virus that much nowadays.
Thanks for the mention.
Wow your country looks like mine in Cebu Philippines.. i love your post...
Thank you very much. Yup, Asian food looks very similar.