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Travel Advice- South East Asia- Plaa Raa Makes Your Stomach Upset

The delicacy known as Plaa Raa, or fermented fish, is the number one culprit for mild stomach illness in South East Asia.

No one is immune from its effects- I have indulged in it and it is not surprising I fully understand the words "stayed home from work with an upset stomach" in the news announcement below and why these maybe the most common words in the Thai lexicon for every person with epicurean tendencies.

Even the Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is sick today from plaa raa or the flu.

And while it is unlikely that Mr. Sundaravej got sick on his trip to Laos, it is much more likely he got a flu during this wet time of year, it is still worth noting that most people in northern and north eastern Thailand love plaa raa and eat it as a staple food.

They even have a fermented fish village where the villagers make a good living making plaa raa and fish sauce.

If you travel there, please make sure when you get green papaya salad you ask for Sam Tam Farang, NOT Sam Tam Plaa Raa.

Whatever you do, never say you DO NOT like Plaa Raa in Thailand. It is very offensive. Many Thai's from the North and East consider it a national dish and unless you are Thai or speak Thai very well you do not want to risk an incident. In cases where it is pushed on you, it is better to eat it graciously and take your antibiotics later.

This goes for just about anywhere else in the world you want to travel too.

And while you are there do not confuse it with my own favorite which I recommend to everyone called Khao Yam Pak Tai or sweet and spicy rice salad.

Plaa raa is not to be confused with what Asian people like- fish sauce (nam plaa). At least in America and South East Asia. Fish Sauce is also made from fermented fish but is purified so its salty font of fishy goodness is always there to season your favorite dishes. If you ever feel adventurous enough to try it, I recommend these excellent recipes a fried green onion omelet (kai yat sai) and sticky rice or ginger chicken (gai pad khing) and sticky rice (kaew neuw).

After eating like this for several years, let alone a lifetime can you imagine how weird a giant hamburger looks when you first see it?

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August 11, 2010 at 2:21 AM
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