Posted by
foxmulder
17 yrs ago
I have hunted high and low for Thai herbs such as holy (sweet) basil, lime leaves, galangal, lemongrass, coriander and green peppercorns. Ginger and garlic are readily available.
Someone suggested I go to the street market in Wanchai -- but couldn't get any of the above.
I have found one chap in Graham Street who has the occasional bunch of coriander but, otherwise, no luck.
Someone also mentioned Thai sugar. Never heard of it before, but seems that it is good for sweet chili sauce
How is a guy to impress a girl with his culinary skills if he does not have the wherewithal to do it?
Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Incidentally, and strange though it may seem, I prefer Basmati to Thai sticky rice -- anyone know where I can get Basmati?
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I think you can get coriander and Basmati rice from the Indian Provisions Store in Causeway Bay. Not sure about the others though.
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Go to Kowloon City opposite the old Kai Tak airport. There are loads of Thai grocery stores where you will find everything you need.
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Park N Shop sell sweet basil and packs of lemon grass - I've brought lime leaves in Great and Graham Street market. Graham Street market also as lemongrass and coriander bunches but the coriander took some shopping about.
Not sure about your galangal though.
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You can find Thai basil plants at the Wellcome in Repulse Bay. Specifically the flower store part. They have it most of the time.
"lime leaves, galangal, lemongrass, coriander"
These can all be found in the "Tom Yam Soup" mix packages in the veggie aisle. Look among the mint leaf and fresh chili pepper packages.
"I prefer Basmati to Thai sticky rice -- anyone know where I can get Basmati?"
Wellcome Repulse Bay has Basmati. They were out a few weeks ago but have it in stock it again now. Rather pricey though. You can also find it (and much cheaper) in Indian food stores.
BTW I would bet good money you can find all this stuff at Great.
"How is a guy to impress a girl with his culinary skills if he does not have the wherewithal to do it?"
Yes indeed! Best of luck to you.
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Thanks guys, much appreciated. Now, where's that recipe for sea bass stuffed with lemongrass, coriander and garlic.....?
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You weren't looking high or low enough - the stuff you're after IS in Wanchai! If you come out of the MTR (Johnston Road??) and face the market area you'll see a small outlet clothes shop that has a large sign saying Angel-something-or-other. Go down the little road to the left of that, where there are a couple of wet-market fish stalls and opposite them are two little Thai shops, among others in the area. Just look for the Thai script shop signs above the doors. These two stores are really small but they sell all the fresh produce such as galangal, birds eye chillis, fresh green peppercorns, lemon grass, lime leaves and holy basil etc. (ask for them as they're kept in the fridges) as well as palm sugar, which Thais use instead of granulated, pastes (if you haven't he time to make them yourself) and other ingredients that you'll need for Thai cooking.
As mentioned above, quite close by at 34 Bowrington St in Wanchai is the Indian Provision Store for basmati rice, or there's Chunking Mansions over in Kowloon where a couple of ground floor shops sell Pakistani and Indian brands.
All the above heaps cheaper than the supermarkets.
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Thanks, Thames. I got exactly what I wanted in Wanchai although, strangely enough, the Thai shops only sell long coriander for soup. I had to find "ordinary" coriander in a Chinese shop - and then it was hidden under the counter! Must start cooking. Now, where is the creamed coconut.....?
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thanks, mangotango (do you?). In fact, since I live in Hollywood Rd., Graham Street is much more convenient. Just finished my first Thai dish with all my new ingredients: stir-fried chicken with green beans, garlic, ginger and chili. Lots of Holy Basil and lime leaves. Yummy. Now I just need the girl to impress.....
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Id be just as happy with only the food mate that does sound yummy
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in wanchai you can find everything for thai cooking, the street on the left side of Seahorse shop, you can find couple of thai shops there i think about 5 of them, side by side. the tai cooking sugar os brown color...and normally if you buy it still a bit wet and a bit hard. I cook thai food as well once in a while and wanchai is my main destination when I need the ingredients, and also the saleslady they speak english thats why when I need something in particular i ask them and they show me. you can also buy a fresh curry paste there, then you dont need to make it yourself. fresh one is much better then the one you can buy in the pot or sachet
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