This Sunday, Gabe and I ventured into unknown territory. I have heard wonderful things from other food bloggers about the
Wat Mongkolratanaram, also known as Wat Tampa. I came in with knowledge that Wat Tampa is a Thai Buddhist Temple that offers a Sunday Market, every Sunday between 10:30am and 2:00pm outside of the Temple. The market has volunteers that serves you authentic Thai cuisine in exchange for donations.
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| Wat Tampa Buddhist Temple |
Let me tell you, Wat Tampa is a Thai food lovers fantasy. Upon first pulling in at 11:30, we noticed the place was crowded. Not too bad, as I am now accustom to standing in long lines for Food Truck Rallies, but you did have to wait in line for about 10 minutes to get a dish. Upon instruction from other bloggers, I made my way over to the noodle station promptly. I ordered Beef Guiteow and Gabe got Pork Guiteow (Noodle soup). My photos of both dishes did not turn out as I had a very bad issue w/ shadows.
I did however get photos of our two sides, chicken spring rolls and Kanom Krok (coconut custard). Both of which were to die for. The spring rolls were amazing. They were made fresh and where I generally order my spring rolls with shrimp, the chicken was really good with the peanut sauce. The Kanom Krok was a first for both of us. They were these little airy coconut savory pillows, I could have ate the whole lot - and I don't like coconut!
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| Chicken Spring Rolls & Kanom Krok |
After drinking two Thai Iced teas ($1 each, how can you beat that), I bounced around the market snapping photos to share with my readers:
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| Zen Views |
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| Fried Bananas! |
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| A variety of Thai Desserts |
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| More Thai Desserts |
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| Making Kanom Krok |
Our entire lunch cost us $22. As much food as we consumed, you cannot beat that. Wat Tampa offers a variety of dishes, Grilled pork or chicken on a stick, Grilled chicken
"Phat Thai" - vegtable and noodles, Various chicken curry dishes with vegetables, Egg rolls, "Guiteow" - Beef or pork noodle soup, "Som Dom" - Thai Papaya salad, Fried bananas, taro root, and sweet potatoes, A wide variety of Thai deserts, Thai tea. You can also purchase your favorite Thai fruit trees and vegetables here. It is cash only.
Do not go to Wat Tampa without checking out the Temple. Trust me when I say to go spend a beautiful Sunday day here. You will leave feeling a sense of Zen. If you have a pup, you can bring him/her along too!
Tampa Wat is so lovely, what great pictures!! That reminds me I have GOT to make some fresh spring rolls. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was so impressed with the whole experience. I did not feel like I was in Tampa. It was calm & relaxing, even with the lines!
DeleteI have never been here, but I totally want to make a trip! I absolutely love Thai food, so it would be right up my alley - and now that the temperatures are getting more tolerable, the outside aspect sounds fabulous!
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