Thread: Somtamslap builds a Somtam Shack

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.

Originally Posted by somtamslap

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.

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.

Best of luck. Hope it works out well.

^^ Ain't that the truth.

Originally Posted by Norton

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Super Swan

Best of luck. Hope it works out well.

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

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.

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

Good luck.

Where are ya in Issarn?

Originally Posted by spliff

Where are ya in Issarn?

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.

Originally Posted by terry57

Good on you matey, I always respect people that give new cracks a venture.

Good luck.

me too

Cheers for the comments folks.

Originally Posted by benbaaa

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.

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.

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

Originally Posted by Fabian

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

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.

Originally Posted by somtamslap

There's also many Germans in Pak Chong

Have you considered manufacturing glass topped coffee tables?

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

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

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.

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:

Round the back of the house, a few fields away, we have a plot of land full of noi naa (custard apples). Here's a pic ( sorry the pics are shit,they were taken on my phone cos some mongrel stole my camera) of one side of the land (about 5 rai):



They too are almost ready for harvesting and will be sold at the restaurant as well:

Try straining the custard apple juice and mixing with vodka and ice.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Try straining the custard apple juice and mixing with vodka and ice.

I'm not a big fan of custard apples but I'm sure the vodka would take the taste away, but I don't drink spirits anymore as they fuck me up badly.
I'll try mixing it with lau kau instead and punting it onto the locals (seriously). Never know, might catch on.

Originally Posted by somtamslap

I'll try mixing it with lau kau instead and punting it onto the locals (seriously).

Save me a drop somtam. We'll wet the babies head with it.

Originally Posted by withnallstoke

Save me a drop somtam. We'll wet the babies head with it.

We've only got 5 rai's worth, not sure that'll constitute a decent session. But anyway, get yerself up here lively yer northern tart.