Flying to Eat Aunt Jad's Duck Curry, Visiting Mom in Bang Bo, Bought 3 Ducks from Tiakui Huad Shop: 2 for Curry, 1 for Stir-fried with Holy Basil

Flying to Eat Aunt Jad's Duck Curry, Visiting Mom in Bang Bo, Bought 3 Ducks from Tiakui Huad Shop: 2 for Curry, 1 for Stir-fried with Holy Basil

Bang Bo, Samut Prakan is not only famous for its salted fish or the riverside atmosphere that firmly preserves traditional ways of life, but also for local foods that I, mr.hotsia, must say you absolutely must not miss—especially Aunt Jad's special duck curry.Aunt Jadwhom I flew directly here to taste this time.

First, let me tell you that Bang Bo is a lowland area adjacent to Samrong Canal and several smaller canals. It used to be a rice farming and nationally famous salted fish breeding area (if you want to know more about Bang Bo salted fish, read atBang Bo Salted Fish). The richness of brackish water and red worms in the canals makes the salted fish here plump and flavorful with a sweet, rich taste unlike anywhere else. I grew up here, have seen the changes, and still deeply love everything about this place.

This trip, I intended to visit my mother at home in Bang Bo and took the opportunity to buy fresh ducks from a famous local shop calledTiakui HuadThis shop is well-known among duck lovers in Samut Prakan. Located by the main road, people stop by all day. I bought 3 ducks to bring to Aunt Jad for her special cooking.

Aunt Jad is a local cook famous for her spicy duck curry with an aromatic curry paste scent that makes anyone drool. I ordered 2 duck curries and 1 stir-fried holy basil duck. The stir-fried holy basil dish was inspired by my hometown style and my own bold holy basil sauce (if you want to try this special holy basil sauce, see details atMr.hotsia's Bold Holy Basil Sauce)

). When the duck curry was freshly cooked, the aroma of southern Thai curry paste mixed with Thai herbs like kaffir lime peel, kaffir lime leaves, and holy basil filled the air. My first taste revealed a rich, flavorful broth that was spicy but not overwhelming. The duck meat was tender with no gamey smell. Aunt Jad told me the secret is selecting fresh, firm ducks daily from Tiakui Huad and making the curry paste fresh by hand without relying on ready-made curry pastes, giving the dish its unique character.

As for the stir-fried holy basil, I loved the perfect balance of chili and holy basil leaves Aunt Jad used. It was dry-fried, not watery like usual, making the duck meat richly flavored with authentic holy basil aroma. I ate it with hot steamed rice, which was very energizing.

After the meal, I invited my mother and family to stroll through the old Bang Bo market, not far from home. This market still preserves much of its traditional wooden architecture and the atmosphere of a once-thriving floating market is clearly felt (if you want to see the 150-year-old Bang Phli old market nearby, check out150-Year-Old Bang Phli Market)

). The Bang Bo market I walked through offered local foods, Thai desserts, and fresh ingredients used daily by the community, along with shops selling antiques and simple household items that tell the story of the riverside people's simple lifestyle. I enjoy markets like this because they truly reflect local life, not touristy setups.

For those wanting a deep experience of Bang Bo's atmosphere, besides tasting Aunt Jad's duck curry, I recommend exploring Samrong Canal and nearby canals, which are peaceful and natural, and observing the villagers' way of life who still use boats as their main transportation and trade method (if you want to learn more about life along Bang Bo canals, read the storyBan Rakat)

). Before we part, I want to say that Bang Bo's charm is not just in its delicious food or beautiful views, but in the bond between people and their hometown, a lifestyle that has not been swallowed by modern times, and food flavors that deeply tell the community's story. I, mr.hotsia, will definitely return here with more ducks from Tiakui Huad and Aunt Jad's delicious duck curry that will make you fall in love with Bang Bo as I have.

If you like articles like this, don't forget to follow my travel stories here. And if you want to know more about Samut Prakan, besides Bang Bo, there are also fun stories likeMr. Hotsia's Silly Trap Competition, Annae On Tour, Bang Bothat will show you another side of this community.