STREET Treats
When the economy is souring, the value of the baht is plunging but your salary slip still shows the same amount of income, nothing seems to be more perfect for the Street Treat column than something that's really inexpensive but able to fill your stomach while truly delighting your finicky taste buds.
At a ramshackle streetside eatery called Moo Tord Je Jong, or Je Jong's deep-fried pork, located behind Tesco Lotus Rama IV, a hefty takeaway meal for one can cost as little as 13 baht.
Of course, that's not the only reason why the shop was picked as this week's highlight. With regularly packed business and a number of positive reviews pasted in front of the shop ever since it opened in 2004, Je Jong's isn't treasured by locals and the media solely for its inexpensive prices but also for the scrumptious value-for-money treat it specialises in.
A long queue of customers - sometimes as many as 30 people - in front of Je Jong's shop along the narrow street under the harsh sunlight is a common sight for passers-by. Every morning, as early as 7am, customers (mostly motorcycle taxi drivers and office messengers) start to line up for the cheap fill.
"I've been eating here almost every day for a year now. The food is tasty and it has helped me save a lot each month. I think it's a food heaven for the poor," said Niran, a motorcycle taxi driver.
While Neng, an office chauffeur said, "Considering the price and the taste, I think this is a real bargain although the pork is a bit too fatty."
As its name suggests, the main product of the shop is deep-fried pork. Every day before dawn, 140 kilogrammes of pork - red meat and moo sam chan (three-layered pork with the fat and skin intact) - are marinated in sauce and seasonings for hours until the meat absorbs the flavours. Then the pork is lightly battered and deep-fried in a huge wok before being cut and served with spicy jaew sauce on the side.
The crunchy, tasty and succulent moo tord is priced 20 baht per 100 grammes. If you want to enjoy the pork with steamed rice, expect to pay 13 baht for a regular portion, 16 baht for a large order and 21 baht for an eat-in order that comes with free refills of rice.
Side items such as tord mun (fish cake), goon chieng (Chinese sweet sausage), poo ja (deep-fried crab cake) and boiled egg are offered at an extra cost.
Though the queue is usually long, especially around lunch time, the delivery of orders is very quick. The shopkeepers always smile and the food is always hot. However, because of its dingy dining area, Je Jong's is best recommended as a spot for takeaway orders.
Moo Tord Je Jong is open daily except Sunday, 6am-3pm. It is located on Thang Rod Fai Sai Kao Road behind Tesco Lotus Rama IV branch. Tel 083-013-2574 and 02-671-8606.
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