Thayer Thai
As many years as I’ve been here, and as many times as I’ve walked or driven by Thai Market, I have been in but two times – both to pick up take out food from the counter on the left. Those of you who have been or walked by and looked know what I’m talking about. I always thought the food was okay, and we preferred to go to Thai Derm. Everything changed when I went exploring this weekend.
Finding a comfort zone
One of my biggest fears walking into the store was that I would be totally overwhelmed, not know what I was doing, and look like a total cracker. I did, but that’s okay. I went in initially to get ingrdients to make chicken panang. I assumed I would need panang curry paste and coconut milk, but there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of cans of curry paste. And rows of cans with coconuts on them that may or may not contain milk.
I sucked it up and asked the woman at the front counter for help, and she didn’t even bat an eye. Walked right to the red penang curry paste in the “Wall of Tin” and handed me the proper stuff (click the thumbnail images for larger pictures). When I asked what coconut milk to get, she walked me over to where it was, handed me a can and said, “This is exactly what you need.” Done. I trust her implicitly now.
I asked her about the sweet little crunchy things we sometimes get on top of mango and sticky rice at Thai Derm. She nodded in understanding and said, “mung bean.” Took me to a different section and handed me a red bag filled with dried beans. *Not* what I was expecting, and I think she saw it in my face. She carefully explained how the beans needed to be soaked, as with any dried beans, but then here’s the kicker: chuck ‘em in the deep fryer until they’re crispy, golden, and delicious. I’m really starting to like this woman.
Exploring Thai food beyond the takeout menu
Now that I had established a certain comfort level, I began to explore on my own. If you’ve ever had Thai coffee, you know how delicious that dark brew and sweetened condensed milk can be. Not only did I appear to find the coffee secret (Café du Monde Coffee and Chicory), I found something we regularly shop for and have trouble finding. We make cold coffee concentrate, and the best stuff for that is chicory coffee. Whole Paycheck rarely carries the caffeinated kind, so this is like a Festivus miracle for us.
Starting to get adventurous, I looked at what appeared to be popular snack foods. Have you ever had Tom Yum soup? It’s that amazing lemongrass soup served at most Thai establishments, sometimes with chicken or shrimp – one of my all-time favorites. Well, the swell people in Thailand decided to take that flavor and turn it into a crunchy shell around peanuts. Really. This stuff rocks. As does the packaging. And then, last but not least, Headless Ching Chang Anchovy with sesame. Crunchy little fish with a sweet and spicy glaze, spinkled with sesame seeds. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
Given that I didn’t buy the coffee, all this still came up to less than $9.00. Very impressive. Chicken panang is going on this weekend, and I’ll be back for more. You should go. And put yourself in their hands. Trust me on this.
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The only downside to this market is that it doesn’t have a sweet name like “Hung Phat” in Wheaton.
Yeah – the naming options are endless with stuff like this.
I like that place, but I’m going to have to keep avoiding it for the most part until they drop the $15 minimum for credit… I’m not even sure it’s possible to spend $15 there…
They called me on it, too. Had I not had a 10-spot in my pocket, I would have started buying random crap to meet the minimum. Might make for another good story.
I love that place, and I wouldn’t knock the takeout either – kind of the greasy-spoon version of Thai food. Last time I had their drunken noodles they were delicious, surely because of the high fat content. But that was quite a while ago – I would go a lot more if they stayed open after 7 PM.
I have only been in when a shrimp chip craving hits – may needto explore more. Can’t blame them for $15 min credit charge with how much bank proessing nicks off them and CC bank and Suntrust ATMs are across the street anyway.
True about the 7pm closing time. I work outside of Silver Spring, so grabbing dinner there is usually prohibitive. I haven’t been in for lunch, but I would hope they get a good crown.
I wonder – so they supply a lot of the restaurants in the area? What’s the Silver Spring (and surrounding area) Thai population like?
A minimum credit card charge limit is in violation of their contract with the credit card companies. You can report them.
Yes, I too love the Thai Mkt. Have been shopping there pretty regularly for a few years now. Although I shop less now since I discovered H Mart a few miles north of us on Georgia Ave in Wheaton. Talk about selection, wow! But the family that runs TM is super nice and as you say Eric, super helpful. It’s very nice to have someplace close to pick up bean sprouts, Thai basil, lemongrass, rice, curry paste etc. But we need to make sure that the new Hillerson development doesn’t crowd them out.
That place has the best chicken satay! It puts the puny versions at other Thai eateries to shame.
That place has the best chicken satay! It puts the puny versions at other Thai eateries to shame.
The guy who owns the place is a notary public too. Handy if you ever need some documents witnessed AND some Cafe Du Monde.
I highly recommend the market and the carryout. A great neighborhood place with a good selection of Asian groceries.
The Silver Spring Thai population is rockin, but most people go to H-Mart cause it’s bigger… like the Asian Shoppers. Anyways, I’ve been going to the Thai Market – Forever, seriously since I was a kid (25+ years). I love it. Plus when you go there a bunch everyone knows you and it’s so conveniently located so if you want to make a Thai dish you can get the supplies and run across to the Fellini Safeway and get protein or veggies to supplement your dish. Luv it!