Have you been to Golden Mile Complex? I’ve been going there recently and enjoying the exploration of unfamiliar food – some of which I find quite scary-looking. When was the last time you tried food that you don’t know the name of?
On weekday mornings, while browsing the supermarket aisles and discovering interesting ingredients, I give a silent prayer of thanks that such a wonderful place exists! Unlike modern swanky brightly-lit malls in Orchard Road, this one is old and tiny. Situated at Beach Road, the building is sometimes called Little Thailand because it’s an enclave for the Thai population in Singapore. There’s nothing much there other than a supermarket that stocks Thai and Vietnamese groceries, eateries (street food and Mookata aka Thai-style BBQ), and random stores selling beauty supplies, clothes and bags, cellphones, fresh produce and fruits (imported from Thailand), and northbound coach tickets to Malaysia and Thailand.
I’ve been to Golden Mile Complex many times over the years but only recently grew to appreciate it. It’s my destination for respite when I experience post-Bangkok trip withdrawals and some, though not all, stuff that I’ve eaten, seen, or bought there can be found here. The fun part for me is discovering new food there but I can’t read nor speak Thai. It’s cool to see different vegetables, herbs, bottles of sauces and spices that spark my imagination on what I can possibly do with them though.
TBH, I don’t cook as often anymore so I’m happy to pick up ready-to-eat food and stock up my fridge. Come, let’s feast our eyes together – some I know the names of and what they are, some I had to guess and don’t know what they’re called in native language.
Follow me meandering through the aisles of Golden Mile Complex for Thai food.
Moo Ping (grilled pork skewers). My absolute favorite street food in Bangkok! These barbecued skewers of sweet chewy pork are awesome; best eaten with steamed glutinous rice. S$2 each or S$5 for 3 sticks at Golden Mile Complex.
I’m still very touched to this day that Chef Duu who taught me how to cook Thai food in Bangkok years ago bought this especially for me from the morning market after I told her I was eager to try. Such a kind gesture, I will never forget it. :’)
Larb Moo. I’ve always loved this minced pork salad ever since I was introduced to it in NYC in my late teens. I eat this with steamed glutinous rice, or as topping to instant noodles, or with a serving of raw cabbage and long beans. This particular version is kick-ass because it’s not just plain ground meat but full-on embellished with liver and intestines (heart eyes). Oh so beautiful. S$4 each.
Even though I dunno what it’s called in Thai, it’s okay because I recognize this: Bamboo Shoots.
This one was displayed in a large plastic tub where I stood in front of and stared at for a while, from one of the random eateries on the first floor. At first glance, it looked like crab meat but I had my doubts so I asked the Thai aunty behind the counter what it is. She gestured with one hand trying to describe something large and round. She didn’t speak enough English to answer me, but I managed to guess this is Shredded Jackfruit Salad (never had it before, so I bought some to try).
Anyone reading this and well-versed/fluent in Thai, please leave me a comment below with the names of these dishes – thank you!
Steamed Glutinous Rice! Choice of white rice or purple rice to accompany the food above. I also like that when I buy the salads, I get a free bag of raw veggies (usually cabbage, sometimes morning glory stems) to eat them with.
….. Ohhhhkay. This fills me with excitement and trepidation at once. It is Green Mango Salad with Raw Crab.
I used to order green papaya salad, thinking that green papaya and green mango salads are very similar in flavors anyway but NO! Green mango salad is crunchier, more tart, more flavorful, and doesn’t go all soggy like green papaya salad. IMO, better. I only recently tried the version with raw crab. If the word raw isn’t enough to induce paranoia, the mini crab looks like it’s been fished out of the sewer!
Is it just me or does this look like Alien vs. Predator to you too?
(I strategically put the red chilli bits on top in an attempt to diffuse the horror.)
I bought this salad once before, from one of the unnamed stalls with dim lighting in one of the narrow corridors of Golden Mile Complex. I took each bite nervously and… admittedly, the raw crab gives an extra dimension of umami to the salad and the delicious factor kicked through the roof. Nothing happened afterwards, no tummy ache, no food poisoning, PHEW. Which is why it emboldened me to buy it again, although I’m alarmed to see the raw crab so much bigger and muddier this time. What are you supposed to do with the raw crab anyway? Eat it or set it aside?
Mee Krob (crispy rice vermicelli). I know this one coz I often had it as a teen in NYC too. The one I used to see there is always orange, but it’s gotten more colorful now. I was deciding between a green one and a pink one at Golden Mile Complex; the shopowner told me they’re the same thing, no difference in flavor, just coloring.
I eat this as dessert because it’s sweet and sour. Or as a snack while I park myself in front of the telly. Addictive! S$5 for a box.
Cassava with Shredded Coconut. Feels retro because my mom used to make this when I was just a kid. Did I pay S$6 or S$7 for this, I can’t remember?
I wrote above that there’s a Thai supermarket inside Golden Mile Complex, right? I picked up this little jar of Crispy Anchovy (tom yum flavored) there, because I like sprinkling it on top of my green mango salad for crunch. (I’ve decided from the start that my lips wouldn’t be going anywhere near the raw crab.)
While at the Thai supermarket, I couldn’t resist buying several packs of these instant noodles/rice noodles. S$2.50 for a pack of 5, so I got different flavors. The serving portion in each pack is quite small, so I have no qualms having this for supper from time to time.
My preference for rice noodles over yellow noodles prevails.
It’s awesome that the Thai supermarket stocks fresh produce imported from Thailand. I got these Thai eggplants to add into the Thai Green Curry that I made during the week. I’ve bought sawtooth coriander and rau ram (both are Vietnamese herbs) from the supermarket too.
I’ve had my favorite Thai dishes since when I was living in NYC and I’m happy that they’re as authentic as the ones I’ve had in Thailand and also Singapore. Interestingly, how is it that I learned more about Thai food while living in the US compared to living in Southeast Asia!? I was more well-versed in Thai food back then than I am now!? I reckon it’s because over there, restaurant menus have both the Thai name of the dish and its English description, so I had the opportunity to learn something new whenever I ate out. There were (are) also lots of Thai restaurants in the neighborhood where I lived in, ie. Elmhurst. Incidentally, I also happened to live with a Thai family since I was 17-18 years old; they’re my landlords who live upstairs in a separate apartment until I moved to Singapore.
I fell in love with a dish I bought previously, similar to (or maybe the same as) Larb Moo so I took a photo so that I can buy it again next time. But I literally can’t make out the head or tail to what’s scribbled on the takeout container, I don’t even know whether this photo is upside down or not!? Also, when I look at the writing, isn’t it kinda long for just two words (larb + moo)?
If you’ve been following me on social media, you’d have probably guessed that I’m a huge fan of Korean culture. You may also know that I started learning the language because I love Korean food, want to know more about it, and converse with native speakers about it. I love Thai food too, so maybe… I should learn how to read Thai? Maybe.
If you have not been following me on social media, well….. ahem, why aren’t you? I’ll post more food pix from my adventures at Golden Mile Complex on my social media channels next time. :)
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