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Chiang Rai Huay Khee Lek Village Homestay - Akha (Iko) Tribe Homestay Experience with the Hill Tribe and Akha Cuisine
Huay Khee Lek Village Homestay - Akha (Iko) Tribe Homestay Experience with the Hill Tribe and Akha Cuisine http://www.hotsia.com > Wherever I travel, whichever village or tribe I visit, I enjoy cooking and sharing meals with the local people. I love trying new and unusual foods, and I also enjoy cooking. So when I stay at a homestay, I like to showcase my cooking skills and leave something for the hosts to try. If they like it, maybe they will cook it themselves in the future.
I taught the Akha people how to make salty fried chicken. Today, I chose to make salty fried chicken again because chicken is easy to find in any village; everyone raises and eats chicken. The reason for making salty fried chicken is that leftovers can be eaten the next day or transformed into other dishes. Plus, it’s simple to make with just galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, rice grains, and a little bit of liquor.
Actually, the liquor is optional, but I add it to give a nice aroma. When I ask if there is any wild liquor to add, it’s kind of cool to do so, haha. The cooking process is a group activity where I teach and cook together with them. Don’t just show off alone; ask them what to add and if this or that ingredient is good. At first, I cook, then they cook while I guide them on what to add. It’s fun. Today, since we had salty fried chicken, the host uncle also prepared some boiled vegetables.
Omelet with Chom Chu onion. Chom Chu is an onion grown for its roots, which the hill tribe and Akha people love very much. I like it too because it’s fragrant and delicious. When I made the omelet with it, it was so tasty that I memorized the flavor to crave it again. During my stay with the Akha, I ate at many houses, not just one. Each house cooked different dishes and invited me to join their meals and conversations. I shared stories about various tribes with them.
I really liked Huay Khee Lek village. The villagers are very friendly, smiling throughout the village, and eager to welcome guests. Any tourist who visits this village wants to come back again. The fermented egg chili paste is very delicious. One thing I learned during my stay here helped me understand why the Akha are such a friendly people. P’Yanyong told me, "For the Akha, if you visit another village and hang your bag at a house’s front door, that house is traditionally obliged to take good care of you for three days."
That’s such a great tradition. I think I’ll get a bag and travel around Akha houses. Haha. But I’m not sure if the Akha in Laos and Vietnam follow the same custom. If they do, I could easily tour Akha villages across Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. I’ll update you with tips soon. I’m currently researching the Akha in Laos. Tomorrow is the Akha Red Egg Ceremony.
They will fetch sacred water early in the morning. I will wake up and go with them. Stay tuned as we follow the water fetching, pounding rice, and the Red Egg Ceremony. After that, we will continue exploring Laos and Vietnam in the style of Hotsia.com - thrilling travel through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam... Early April 2010 (Mr.Hotsia). Almost forgot to mention: when staying at the Akha homestay, after eating, don’t leave until the tray is cleared and the host finishes sweeping the house. Knowledge about 'Mida' from the authentic Akha people.
Contact for Huay Khee Lek Village Homestay: P’Yanyong via K. Den, Tel. 085-449-5940. My salty fried chicken dish was invited to another house. I went to eat and chat with a true Akha mountain teacher. Simple morning coffee like this, sitting and chatting at the Akha meeting crossroads in the village center. In the morning, there is a kettle of hot water for anyone who wants coffee to pour themselves. The shop sells coffee packets for 4 baht each. After pouring hot water, just brew the packet—no need to look for coffee grounds. Everyone uses these coffee packets :)
My conversation companions went to another house to eat, and it was delicious again. This is the original Akha style cooking, dry roasted Akha style, incredibly tasty. The trip with Mr.Hotsia solo exploring hill tribe homestays: solo trip to Tai Lue homestay in Sri Don Chai and Akha homestay in Huay Khee Lek Village 1, farming with Akha girls, cooking at the Akha house, on the day of the Red Egg Ceremony.
