Eating with Mom Part 8/11: Mr. Hotsia Eats with Mom at Bang Bo Gourami Fish

Eating with Mom Part 8/11: Mr. Hotsia Eats with Mom at Bang Bo Gourami Fish

Bang Bo, Samut Prakan Province, a land many might overlook, but for me, mr.hotsia, this is my hometown full of stories and deep memories about the famous Bang Bo gourami fish. Today, I want to invite everyone to come eat with mom in a simple atmosphere by the Ban Rakat canal, where Bang Bo gourami fish are carefully raised to become a renowned local specialty.

I clearly remember when I was a child, my home was next to a canal branch of Samrong Canal, the main canal of Bang Bo district used by locals to raise gourami fish. Raising gourami fish in Bang Bo is different from elsewhere because the area is a brackish lowland, creating red mites which are natural food for the gourami. The fish have firm, plump flesh and a sweet, rich flavor unlike any other. I grew up swimming in the canal and witnessing the villagers’ way of life closely tied to the water and gourami fish.

Bang Bo was once rice farming land, but locals dug fish ponds in the low areas of the fields, called “tin na,” to allow gourami fish to live and feed abundantly. The caught gourami fish were made into sun-dried gourami or salted fish to keep for the whole year. Anyone who has tasted Bang Bo fermented gourami fish will understand how its unique taste and aroma differ from other places.

Simple Home Cooking with Mom at Bang Bo Gourami Fish

Today, I, mr.hotsia, bring my mom back home to the dining table, still featuring the main dish: sun-dried gourami fish, carefully made by mom herself. Mom’s sun-dried gourami is not too thin or crispy but tender, with the fragrant scent of the sun and marinated seasonings making every bite full of happiness and a homely flavor you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Besides gourami fish, mom also makes simple local dishes like fresh vegetables grown at home and spicy shrimp paste chili dip that pairs perfectly with the gourami. I like that mom cooks traditional holy basil stir-fry using a special sauce recipe I once made and sold myself, which isSpicy Holy Basil Saucethat’s both intensely spicy and fragrant with real holy basil.

Eating with mom by the Ban Rakat canal is more than just a meal. It’s family togetherness, witnessing the Bang Bo lifestyle that still preserves simplicity and a close bond with nature.

Bang Bo Market and Riverside Lifestyle

After eating, mom and I took a walk around Bang Bo Market. In this area, a few old markets still remain. Although roads have replaced boat-based living, the canal-side market remains lively with fresh produce, local foods, souvenirs, and dried gourami fish raised and sun-dried by locals as a main source of income.

Bang Bo Market is one of the old markets I recommend visiting because it’s not just a regular market but a place that tells the story of the community and authentic riverside lifestyle, as I once wrote in the article150-Year-Old Bang Phli Old Marketwhere old markets in Samut Prakan still hold charm and historical traces to experience.

Bang Bo Gourami Fish and Its Everlasting Legend

Speaking of Bang Bo gourami fish, many may wonder why the fish here are famous nationwide and exported abroad. I, mr.hotsia, as a true Bang Bo local, will tell you the main factors come from the suitable environment, brackish water that creates red mites which are the gourami’s favorite food, and the traditional raising methods passed down from grandparents.

Bang Bo gourami fish have firm flesh and just the right fat content, so when made into sun-dried gourami, they have a tender texture and a unique fragrant aroma that everyone loves. Additionally, locals use careful sun-drying and marinating techniques to preserve the best quality and flavor.

If you want the full story, I have shared the history and raising methods of Bang Bo gourami fish in the articlesBang Bo Gourami FishandBang Bo Gourami Fishwhich I recommend reading to understand the true background.

Activities and Fun in Bang Bo

Besides food and gourami fish, Bang Bo also offers fun activities I, mr.hotsia, have participated in, such as the 'Ai Ngo' trapping competition, a fascinating traditional method of catching shrimp and fish. I once competed with friends inMr. Hotsia’s Ai Ngo Trapping Competition On Tour at Bang Bowhich was as fun and exciting as any other activity anywhere.

If you come here, don’t miss the chance to learn about the villagers’ way of life and try these activities to experience genuine local fun and warmth.

mr.hotsia’s Impressions from Bang Bo

Returning to my hometown and eating with mom at Bang Bo gourami fish is an unforgettable experience for me, mr.hotsia. This place is not just a famous gourami fish source but a community full of stories, lifestyles, and family warmth connected to nature and water.

If you want to experience the true Bang Bo gourami fish, don’t forget to visit Bang Bo Market and try the traditional sun-dried gourami recipe. To get to know the villagers’ lifestyle more, I recommend walking around Samrong Canal and theBan Rakatarea to feel the peace and simplicity rarely found in big cities.

Ultimately, eating with mom in my hometown Bang Bo fills the heart and passes on love, memories, and unchanging flavors to everyone who visits.

If you’re interested in watching a video clip of the atmosphere eating with mom at Bang Bo gourami fish, you can watch it here:Eating with Mom Part 8/11: Mr. Hotsia Eats with Mom at Bang Bo Gourami FishYes