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somtamslap

We're in quite a good area to give an eatery of some description a blast, so the Mrs and I decided as we're just about in the North-East of Thailand, we'll give and Issan style 'restaurant' a try, right out the front of the house.
Surprisingly there aren't to many places round here that sell the likes of somtam, gai yung, sticky rice, larb, yam nam tok etc so I've set aside a 20k budget (cheap fecker aren't I) and hopefully it'll make some cash. One can only try, can't one.

First things first, a spot of land clearance. I cleared the earth I'm standing on down to the bear soil, this is where I want the main structure to be:



Fortunately, I managed to get hold of a trusty strimmer and go through the rest of the greenery in no time at all.

somtamslap

Once the stacked piles are dried and burnt (been pissing it down here) I'm gonna put some nice trees and plants in as well as some seating - really small sala type things.

So, once that was done I ordered a couple of 10 wheelers to tip some soil into the bear patch of soil so it can be built up to a decent level. Unfortunately there was a misunderstanding (shock, horror) and the dippy chap dumped it next to where I wanted it. Without a tractor available, I have to move this bloody great pile by hand, alone!



That's until I managed to collar an old pisshead off the street, who was very eager to make a few baht: Not a bad grafter the lad.



More tomorrow, cos I'm still slogging away at this and the pissheads buggered off.

Norton

Good luck. With your big investment budget, nawt much to lose in trying.

The lack of locals selling somtam, gai yung, sticky rice and the like will soon change if you're successful. They will be setting up shop right next to your resturant.

Super Swan

Best of luck. Hope it works out well.

mobs00

^^ Ain't that the truth.

somtamslap

Thankyou gentlemen, hopefully it'll be a nice income supplement!

Loy Toy

Yep nothing ventured nothing gained and just tell your missus to make the best Isarn Food in the area, good quality and good portions. Make sure you also charge a premium but it has to be "aroy mak mak"!

Then when the others turn up to pick up on your idea everyone knows your product is the best and you can dump your premium price just a little to compensate for the cheaper prices they will probably offer.

Being the first is always an advantage and good luck mate.

terry57

Good on you matey, I always respect people that give new ventures a crack.

Good luck.

DrAndy

me too

spliff

Where are ya in Issarn?

somtamslap

Just on the outskirts, a smallish town called Pak Chong, which is near Kao Yai National Park and about 80 km's SW of Korat City.

benbaaa

It's one of the joys of Thailand - finding a som tam shack that does it really well. I used to go to one near my house in Hat Yai when I lived there, and the place was always packed out.

I like mine som tam Thai style, 2-3 chillies, so not too spicy, sweet and sour with no crab and lots of nuts. The papaya has to be really fresh and crispy.

So good luck with your project slappy.

__________________
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somtamslap

Cheers for the comments folks.



Whenever we go into a somtam place, my wife always heads straight into the kitchen and makes ours herself. Its definetly a very versatile dish and there are many ways to make it. To cater somtam for someones exact needs isn't easy ( too many chilli's, not enough sugar, too much fish sauce etc etc). I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what happens here.

Managed to locate a tractor, but he didn't show up as planned this evening. Gonna slog on tomorrow and hope he turns up at some point.

Fabian

Som Tam, you should offer german food. Thais like that.

somtamslap

Funny you should say that actually. My wife's auntie's husband is German and is over at the moment living next door to us. With him, he brought me over 5 packets of saurkraut (very very tasty and healthy), 2 big sausages 'mit gouda' well nice and a couple more packets of other wursts. I said I'd be selling them out the front with the Thai grub.
There's also many Germans in Pak Chong, a new pub has just opened.

Marmite the Dog

Have you considered manufacturing glass topped coffee tables?

Rural Surin

I believe our Nawty resides {now} in Pak Chong as well.

natalie8

Great thread somtamslap. Looking forward to more work-in-progess pics.

Mr R Sole

Go on Somtam, That's the way to do it you know what I mean mate. take care Trangs fecking lovely...off to the waterfalls in a min mate, will try to get back on today if not tomorrow.

somtamslap

Well I'm still waiting for the bloke with tractor to move the rest of this soil who is "definetly 100 per cent" coming this afternoon at some point. so in ther mean time I thought I'd tidy the garden up a bit, the grass was getting a tad out of hand around our small plantation of dragon fruit (30 trees):



They're coming along quite nicely, ready for harvesting in a month or so. We're gonna sell these by the kilo in the restaurant too: