Baetong. (Baetong Chicken Rice Shop) - ข้าวมันไก่เบตง

My father kept telling me that there's this new Baetong Chicken Rice shop on the way to Mae Jo University, and how the chicken rice is SO good there. Naturally, I had to try it...and he was right. The chicken rice here is great!

...But... What is Baetong Chicken Rice? I've heard of Hainanese Chicken Rice, which is where chicken rice originated, but Baetong?

Baetong is actually a district in Yala, Southern Thailand. It's also the name of a species of chicken that was brought over to Thailand when the Chinese immigrated to Baetong District over 100 years ago.

Baetong species of chicken, I've read, have a soft-chewy texture and crispy skin with less fat than the species that are normally used.

To add to the confusion, "Baetong" here is also the name of the eatery, as well as the name of the dish served, and the name of the species of chicken used!

So, Baetong (as in the name of the shop)'s Baetong chicken rice, is, as mentioned earlier, is great. The rice is perfectly cooked and fluffy. The chicken is plump and juicy. The soup has a soft, slightly sweet, mild flavour - a perfect compliment to the dish. The sauces are wonderful. I love, particularly, the sauce on the left hand side (see photo below). Both sauces have ginger and chilli, but the sauce on the left also has dao jiew (bean paste), which adds another dimension to the complexity of flavours. It's perfect on the chicken and rice.

As with other chicken rice restaurant, we can also choose fried chicken instead of steamed chicken. I'm more of a traditionalist and don't tend to order the fried chicken - chicken rice, but apparently, it's very good as well.

If you can't decide which one to go for, you can always ask for half steamed chicken and half fried chicken. I think I'll do that next time just to see what the fried chicken is like. There are other combinations available too - e.g. steamed chicken with innards; steamed chicken, fried chicken and crispy skin pork on chicken rice..... Boat noodle is also served here.

Price: from around 40 baht.

Baetong Chicken Rice Shop
Location: Mae Jo-Phrao Rd



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Wasana Gaeng Pak Tai (Wasana's Southern Curry)

As lunchtime approaches, I catch a whiff of Southern Fried Chicken (Thai style!) from the Southern Thai food restaurant behind the office. The smell of deep fried garlic and herbs used to marinate the chicken is too much, and our salivary glands instantly go into overdrive! Next thing we know, we're on our way to this simple (and a little grubby) restaurant.

Several pots are already set up in the front table. This is today's menu - various types of curries, including Escargot Curry, which I wasn't too game to try out!

Ah, and here is what we come for - one of the yummiest fried chicken...ever. The chicken is marinated with a secret recipe of herbs and spices, as well as heaps of garlic. Actually, my favourite is the crunchy and quite salty deep fried garlic pieces. We often do take away, and go over to the market and buy some sticky rice to go with the chicken (and garlic!). Delicious!

This time, we opt to eat in. We also try this excellent and extremely spicy pork ribs curry. Warning! The food here is great, but almost every dish in this restaurant is extremely spicy!

For some great very spicy southern curry (and fried chicken), Wasana Gaeng Pak Tai is a good place to check out!

Please note: This restaurant isn't the cleanest! Eat there at your own risk!

Wasana Gaeng Pak Tai

Ruamchoke Market

Mae Jo Road