Chatuchak Market Food Series 4: R.S.T Spices
September 26, 2008 – 10:50 pm by wiffyHow can a trip to Bangkok be complete without lugging back some spices?
It was spices galore at Chatuchuk Market in Bangkok, Thailand.
R.S.T Spices on sale at Chatuchuk Market, Bangkok
(Almost ) every herb and spice imaginable - such as vanilla, pepper, rosemary, poppy seeds - adore a charming spice shop named R.S.T at the corner of Chatuchuk Market. I love the simple, back to basics and clean packaging as well as the attractive prices. The pastes are vacuum sealed for freshness (the pastes contain no artificial colours or preservatives according to them) and with the wide variety, a foodie like me has found heaven on earth … I am simply spoilt for choice.
Some of the spices I bought - tom yum paste, red & green curry, dried ginger and phad-thai.
Fortunately, I have great foresight (for once hehe) when it comes to this gorgeous ‘lemon grass and pandan leaves herbal tea’ and bought 3 packets … It tastes and smells awesome! It is similar to the lemongrass scent and herbal tea one finds at spas … and each packet (which lasts a long time) only cost a low, low, 40 baht (US$1.20, S$1.70). This is such an unbelievably great buy! I think the leaves can be used as a backdrop for product photography too, hehe…
The owner of the store told me that this is the hottest spice they sell at their store. When a Thai tells you something is hot, don’t ever take them lightly ;p She said you can just add this to curry and tom yum paste or in stir fries to up the spice meter =D
Best of all, the spices come with English instructions. You won’t have an excuse for not using it because you can’t figure out how to ;D
R.S.T Natural Herbs & Spices
Chatuchuk Weekend Market (25th section), Bangkok Thailand
Opened on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Looking back at the photos, I realised to my horror that there are so many spices I missed buying!! This means I should plan a trip back to Bangkok soon, even if the trip’s only mission is to buy spices! ;D
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I will be updating this post with a link whenever I have a blog recipe which uses any of the paste I bought.
(Update)
29 Sep 08 - Tom Yum paste used to cook Tom Yum Seafood. It is not hot at all, so you need to add your own chilli padi/ground chilli powder… but otherwise the tom yum taste is definitely there, with the wonderful, familiar sour tangy taste. Perfect for those who like to adjust the fiery meter of their tom yum according to who they are cooking for.
8 Oct 08 - Red Curry paste used to cook Curry Chicken with Potatoes. Again, it’s not hot at all for us, but it’s nothing a tsp of the tremendously hot & satisfying Queen of Chilli powder can’t fix ;p Love the aromatic spice of this one.
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Tags: Bangkok, chatuchak market, herbal tea, herbs, natural herbs, pastes, spices, tom yum paste
Posted in Bangkok, Food Reviews
21 Responses to “Chatuchak Market Food Series 4: R.S.T Spices”
You are good!! I didn’t see any of the food section at chatuchak. Else I would have buy some paste back too. I think I see vanilla at the background of your last pic.
The lemongrass herbal tea looks really lovely. I like lemongrass tea, so refreshing.
By didally on Sep 27, 2008
I am sooo jealous!!!! I will have to bookmarked this for my reference next time going to Thailand.
By Cecil on Sep 27, 2008
What a great find! First time heard of lemongrass herbal tea, sound good!
By Little Corner of Mine on Sep 27, 2008
NC, I want to go shopping with you! Your access to such a selection of herbs and spices is enough to make me pout.
By Marysol on Sep 27, 2008
wow!! I didn’t know Bangkok is famous for spices.Lemmongrass with pandan!! Today I learn something new here!.Shame to said I never been to Bangkok:((
By beachloverkitchen on Sep 27, 2008
I missed this! It was hot, the kid was crabby… aaargh! I think a spice buying trip is perfectly reasonably. On The Spice Route with The Noobcook sounds like it should be on the AFC
Sign me up.
By Dee on Sep 27, 2008
I have been wanting to go to Bangkok for a long time!!!
By Ning on Sep 27, 2008
Now, what will you make with those hot hot chiles?
By Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) on Sep 28, 2008
Wow I never realized how many spices there are in the world! What a great place. It sounds like you picked some good ones.
To answer your question, that was my lunch. Is a tea break like a snack?
By Katie on Sep 28, 2008
Wow! What a fruitful trip! Chatuchak is indeed a shopping heaven to me. Just wonder whether what the shelve life is for these spices.
By lk on Sep 29, 2008
didally, so nearby, I think you can start planning a trip back soon ;D vanilla is good? used for baking? I didn’t buy it =P
cecil, hehe … yes you must check out the store if you’re going Bangkok ;p
LCOM, yes this is such a great find! The tea is really good
Marysol, I want to go shopping with you too
beachloverkitchen, lemongrass with pandan is a new combo for me too, hee … aww hope you have a chance to visit bkk in the near future =)
Dee, lol you are too funny girl
Ning, hee hope you have a chance to visit soon =D
Lydia, first I must surf your blog for some fantastic chile recipes for inspiration ;p
Katie, yes tea break is like a little snack… I asked because the portions are quite small for lunch! opps this is a reminder that I should watch my waistline =x
lk, they printed the expiry dates for the pastes which is next year, and for spices, a bit longer. It helps to keep opened packages in the freezer or fridge compartments ;D
By wiffy on Sep 29, 2008
i worry if i went to this place…i’d be tempted to buy the shop lol and the owner as well kekeke
By rita on Sep 29, 2008
I bet the red curry paste is going to make you lots of great curry. Thai food is just amazing. i had only been there once and I got culture shock that I didn’t get anything at all the whole trip. Yup.
By Andie Summerkiss on Sep 29, 2008
rita, now you’re making me worry if you go to the store too, hee … ;p
Andie, aww you gotta make a return trip just to carry back some spices, hee =D
By wiffy on Sep 29, 2008
Lucky you….really spoilt for choices. What is a good brand of Thai Green Curry and Red Curry pasta you would recommend to buy in SGP ? You made me crave for Thai food leh!
By tigerfish on Sep 29, 2008
tigerfish, I dunno any good brands in Singapore, coz I didn’t buy here b4 hehehe
By wiffy on Sep 30, 2008
Hi,
Will be going to BKK with hubby and daughter in December. Can’t wait to get to the herb and spices shop.
Any recommendations where to stay? Most of the hotels we were looking at is fully booked
By Audrey on Oct 22, 2008
Hi Audrey, I stayed at Asia Hotel, the webby is at
http://www.asiahotel.co.th/asia_bangkok.htm
It’s only 3 stars but clean & decent, and the hotel is linked to one of the train stations, so it’s pretty convenient to get around.
By wiffy on Oct 23, 2008
thanks..
By Audrey on Oct 23, 2008