Thursday, 20 August 2009

Masjid in Bangkok


Masjid Indonesia also known as Masjid Polo is located at 71/1, Soi Sanamklee(Soi Polo 5), off Wittayu Road. It's not far from the American Embassy and the Lumphini Park. Another nearby landmark is Wat Mahatai (Mahatai Temple) on Soi Ruamrudii.

Click on map to enlarge




Masjid Darul Muslimeen - Soi Nonsi 20, Yannawa (near Rama III Road & Narathiwat Ratchanakharin Junction)

Click on map to enlarge


This Muslim food stall near the masjid is open on weekdays only.


Masjid Ban Thuek Din, Khao San.


It's pretty difficult to get to this masjid as it's located in a small alley in the midst of cramped houses. Look for the Ratchadamnoen Post Office and it's in the small lane right after the post office as in the photo below. The signage at the entrance of the lane is in Thai only.


Click on map to enlarge.




Masjid Muhajireen, Ratchadapisek



Click on map to enlarge.


It's located on Soi Chan Mueang, behind JUSCO (Carrefour is no longer there), Ratchadapisek Road. The nearest MRT station is the Thailand Cultural Centre Station.



Masjid Cakraphong is situated in a small lane called Trok Surao on Cakraphong Road, in the area of Banglamphoo, not far from Khaosan Road and Phra Athit Pier. It's also near the Roti Murtabak Restaurant, which is at the corner of Phra Athit and Phra Sumen Road, just across the Phra Sumen Fort. In the evening you'll find Muslim vendors selling food near the fort.
Click on map to enlarge.

Trok Surao leading to Masjid Cakraphong.
Trok Surao is located opposite of Tang Hua Seng Department Store. Muslim food is available along the way to the masjid.


Masjid Darul Aman is located on Phetchaburi Soi 7, which is about 300m from the Ratchathewi BTS Station and about 1km from Platinum Fashion Mall or Pratunam Market and MBK Shopping Centre.



Masjid Mirasuddeen is located on Silom Road Soi 20, about 1km from Surasak BTS Station, 1km from Nong Chongsi BTS Station and 1.6km from Saladaeng BTS Station. It's about 360m from Tamil Nadu South Indian Restaurant (Silom Soi 11).

Click on map to enlarge.
The Foundation of Islamic Centre of Thailand is beautifully designed and built on Ramkhamhaeng Road Soi 3.


There are three masjid in Nana area (Sukhumvit Soi 3 & 5):

1. on 1st floor in Sahara Hotel, Sukhumvit Road Soi 5;
2. on first floor in Shahrazad Restaurant, Sukhumvit Road Soi 3/1; and

3. in the alley next to Sky Inn Hotel, behind Petra Restaurant (Soi 3/1) -Masjid Nana.

Will post the pictures later, InsyaAllah.


Masjid Ban Oou has been around since 1912. It is located on Thanon Charoenkrung Soi 48, between Centrepoint (Robinson's Dept Store) and Shangri La Hotel (Chao Phraya) and about 200m from Saphan Taksin BTS Station. To get there by BTS, take the Silom line and alight at Saphan Taksin Station. Take Exit 1 and as you swipe your card look towards right and you'll see an alley. Walk on the alley and you can see the Food Centre on your right. Walk further till the end and Masjid Ban Oou is on your right.


Masjid Zhohirul Islam is on Sukhumvit Road Soi 55 or better known as Thonglor. It's between Thonglor Police Station and Mercedes Benz showroom, not far from The Clove Condominium and Thonglor Soi 20.
Masjid Haroon is located at Charoenkrung Soi 36, not far from Silom Road and Sathorn Road.
It's near the Home Cuisine Restaurant and the Oriental Pier, opposite of the French Embassy and about 1km from Saphan Taksin BTS Station.


Tuesday, 18 August 2009

Coconut Water can prevent Influenza A(H1N1)

Dr Palaniappan, a former associate professor of ecology at Universiti Malaya who has written several books on complementary therapy called, 'Ecological Healing System', said his 33 years of research had shown that high acidity in the body resulted in loss of immunity, thus making people more susceptible to viral diseases like Influenza A (H1N1).

Hence, to prevent acidity, it is essential to consume alkaline food and drinks that could neutralise excess acid in the body.

Dr Palaniappan recommends coconut water, which is alkaline, and therefore could be used as a herbal medicine for the prevention of H1N1.

For example, he said, those who feel feverish and develop a burning sensation while attending to a call of nature because of extreme acidity, could neutralise it by drinking coconut water, twice a day, for three consecutive days.

He also recommended orange, lemon and pomelo which, despite containing citric acid, are very rich in potassium and therefore, would not disturb the body's immunity.

According to Dr Palaniappan, excessive physical activity like running a marathon should be avoided as it produces acid due to excessive metabolic activity.

Similarly, he said, keeping late nights without adequate sleep and working without proper rest could also increase the body's acidity which in turn, lowers immunity and makes the body vulnerable to viral attacks.

Dr Palaniappan's discusses the therapy in more detail at:

Saturday, 8 August 2009

Provinces of Thailand

I'm currently living in Bangkok and hope to travel and visit all the provinces of Thailand during my stay here. Below are the 76 provinces of Thailand and the ones highlighted in red are the provinces that I've been to.

Provinces of Thailand
Capital: Bangkok

North
Chiang Mai · Chiang Rai · Lampang · Lamphun · Mae Hong Son · Nan · Phayao · Phrae · Uttaradit

North-East
Amnat Charoen · Buri Ram · Chaiyaphum · Kalasin · Khon Kaen · Loei · Maha Sarakham · Mukdahan · Nakhon Phanom · Nakhon Ratchasima · Nong Bua Lamphu · Nong Khai · Roi Et · Sakon Nakhon · Si Sa Ket · Surin · Ubon Ratchathani · Udon Thani · Yasothon

Central
Ang Thong · Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya · Chachoengsao · Chai Nat · Kamphaeng Phet · Lop Buri · Nakhon Nayok · Nakhon Pathom · Nakhon Sawan · Nonthaburi · Pathum Thani · Phetchabun · Phichit · Phitsanulok · Samut Prakan · Samut Sakhon · Samut Songkhram · Saraburi · Sing Buri · Sukhothai · Suphan Buri · Uthai Thani

East
Chanthaburi · Chonburi · Prachin Buri · Rayong · Sa Kaeo · Trat

West
Kanchanaburi · Phetchaburi · Prachuap Khiri Khan · Ratchaburi · Tak

South
Chumphon · Krabi · Nakhon Si Thammarat · Narathiwat · Pattani · Phang Nga · Phatthalung · Phuket · Ranong · Satun · Songkhla · Surat Thani · Trang · Yala

Click here to view the map of Thailand and to listen to Thailand national anthem.

Friday, 3 July 2009

Mi-yuk Gook

Today, I received a special gift from my Korean classmate, Jong Suk. It's a recipe of a traditional Korean seaweed soup called 'Mi-yuk Gook' together with the main ingredient which is the dried 'mi-yuk' seaweed from Korea. I tried cooking it for today's dinner and it turned out to be very delicious. So, here I am, sharing the delicious recipe with you.
Mi-yuk Gook is also known as the “birthday soup” in Korea as the seaweed soup is considered a must for pregnant and nursing women, as eating seaweed is an effective way of stimulating healthy breast milk production. Besides that it is also good for students as seaweed is believed to support optimal brain function. Naturally low in calories and fat and high in calcium, iron, and protein, it is a light and healthy soup good for any meal of the day.
To prepare this dish, firstly, you need to get dried seaweed. Ask for the kind used to make seaweed soup (mi-yuk gook) and not the thin kind used to make kimpap or sushi.
1 package of dried seaweed (1oz is enough for four servings)
6 cups of broth (depending on the kind of meat you want to use. Vegetable broth can be used to. Since I used shrimp, I boiled the heads with 1 bulb of onion and 2 cloves of garlic and used the broth for the soup.)
meat (depending on your preference: chicken, beef, seafood etc)
2 teaspoons of sesame oil
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
salt to taste

Soak seaweed in water for two hours or until soft. Drain, rinse really well, and squeeze out all the access water.

The dried seaweed straight from the packet.

After being soaked for about 2 hours.

Cut into about 2-inch pieces.

In a pot, saute seaweed in sesame oil for about 3 minutes.
Add garlic and continue to saute for another 3 minutes.
Pour in the broth and add in meat.
Let it boil and add mushroom (optional).
Add salt and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.


In the pot.


Ready to be served.

Koreans traditionally enjoy this seaweed soup with a bowl of white or brown rice. I like to have my rice together in the soup. It tastes really good and I'm glad that my sweetheart loves it very much.
p.s. the original recipe doesn't call for mushroom but I added in mine as I'm always crazy about mushrooms!!!

Friday, 26 June 2009

Vegetable Kimpap aka Sushi

Today, after seeing my friends eating kimpap at school, I decided to try making it on my own. So, right after class, Mi Young and I dropped by at Villa Market to get the ingredients needed to make kimpap. I got:
a pack of seaweed
ebiko

chuka wakame


golden mushrooms, zucchini and baby asparagus.


I have never made this before and really have no idea of where to start. Luckily there's a set of instructions on the seaweed pack. It says:
Step1: Place Nori onto sushimat ( since I dont have a sushimat I used foil paper.
Step2: Spread sushi rice (rice mixed with vinegar, sugar and salt) onto the seaweed. I didnt have the measurement for this. Wanted to check online but unfortunately internet was down. So I just mixed 3 tablespoon of apple cider with a little bit of salt and sugar. Since I dont have Korean or Japanese rice, I used a mixture of Thai Jasmine rice with Thai brown rice.


Step 3: Arrange fillings across the rice.



Step 4: Moisten edge of seaweed and roll lightly.
Step 5: Apply firm pressure all the way and make sure to overlap to seal.

Step 6: Moisten knife, slice into 8 equal pieces.


# You can add any fillings as desired. The next time around I'd like to try Kimchi Kimpap.

Sunday, 21 June 2009

Stuffed crab recipe

Ingredients:
4 crabs with shells
½ cup minced chicken or shrimp
2 cups crab meat
2 tablespoons Light Soy Sauce
3 garlic cloves
1 tbls plack peppercorns
3 coriander roots
2 tbls chopped spring onions
1 egg
cooking oil
Clean the crab, remove the claws and empty the shell by removing the meat and any eggs of the crab.
Clean the shells thoroughly and leave to dry.

Mix the crab meat with minced chicken.
Pound the garlic with peppercorns and coriander roots and add to the crab mixture.
Add light soy sauce, spring onions and egg, and mix them well.
Stuff the crab shells with the crab mixture, and steam them for 10 minutes.

Heat oil in a frying pan over a medium heat.
Fry the stuffed crabs with meat side down for 2 minutes.

Serve hot with the chilli dipping below:

Sweet chilli dipping
5 red chillies
1 garlic clove
1 coriander root
2 tbsp Sugar
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)

Pound or grind the garlic with chillies and coriander root.
Add sugar, fish sauce, salt and vinegar.
Warm in a saucepan until the sugar is dissolved.
You can add more sugar if you want it to be sweeter.

Saturday, 20 June 2009

Rambutan jelly recipe


Ingredients:
2 tbsp of 'halal' gelatine; can be purchased here
1/2 cup of cold water
1 cup rambutan flesh; cut into four
2 1/2 cups water
4 tbsp of castor sugar or as desired

Add gelatine into cold water, stir well and let it set for about 5 minutes.
In a pot, pour in water, sugar and rambutan flesh and let it boil. Remove from fire and add in gelatine solution. Stir well until gelatine solution dissolves.
Scoop mixture into mini cups and let them set in the refrigerator.

p.s. If you want it coloured, add colouring essence just before removing the pot from fire.

Monday, 15 June 2009

Farida Fatornee - Halal restaurant in Bangkok

Click on map to enlarge.
Farida Fatornee Restaurant is located on Phetchaburi Road, between Soi 7 and Phayathai Road. It takes about five minutes to walk from Rachathewi BTS Station (Exit 3) and also not very far from Masjid Darul Aman ( Phetchaburi Soi 7).



If you go shopping at Pratunam, take a cab or tuk-tuk from Platinum Mall or Panthip Plaza. Taking either the cab or tuk-tuk will cost you not more than THB 50 to get here as it's about 1km only from Pratunam.



Khun Faridah, the owner, hails from Southern Thai and speaks Malay. Her other half cooks very delicious Southern Thai delicacies. You shouldn't miss his deep fried ox tongue (lin thot) and deep fried mutton (pe' thot). Both are finger licking good!!! Try the ox tail soup (sup hang wua), too. If you cant take spicy food like me, don't forget to say 'phet nit noy' ( a little spicy) or simply say 'mai sai prik' means no chilies at all. Their degree of 'mai phet' (not spicy) could still be very spicy to some of us, he,he,he.


Phat prik kung - Stir fried shrimp with chiliSup kai - chicken soup
Phat kana pla kem - Stir fried kailan with salted fish

Plaa sam rod

Tom yum plaa muek (squid tom yum)

Home Cuisine Islamic Restaurant - Halal restaurant in Bangkok

Click on map and picture to enlarge.
Home Cuisine Islamic Restaurant is situated on Charoenkrung Soi 36, near Masjid Haroon and opposite of the French Embassy. Masjid Haroon is the oldest masjid built in Bangkok.

Home Cuisine Restaurant serves msg-free Thai and Indian food. You musn't miss trying the samosa and briyani. I love the refreshing lime and mint shake. The noodle with fish soup is delicious, too.
Menu


The restaurant



Dining area




Delivery to offices or meeting venues can be arranged by contacting:


Home Cuisine Islamic Restaurant


188, Charoenkrung Soi 36,Thanon Charoenkrung, Bangrak,Bangkok 10500 Thailand. Tel: +662 234 7911


Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 1100-2200hrs
Sunday: 1800-2200hrs


#click on the pix to have it enlarged.

Monday, 1 June 2009

Jim Thomson Sale 2009


Sales of Thai Silk Products, Cotton Fabrics and Accessories

Date: 5-7 June 2009

Venue: Hall 106,The Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) Bangna, Bangkok.

Time: 10.00-17.00 hrs
Contact information:
Jim Thompson: Tel: (0) 2632 8100, 2762 2600
BITECTel: +(66 2) 749 3939

Jim Thomson Farm Tour: 18th Dec. 2010-9th Jan. 2011

The Jim Thomson Farm Tour is back!
Click the title above for details.