Another Thai Delicacy

By Talen on Feb 13, 2008 in Thai Food

On my recent trip to Thailand I went up country to a province called Mukdahan just across from Laos and where the Friendship bridge resides that connects the two countries. I went to meet my girlfriends family and experience rural Thailand…it didn’t disappoint.

While at the family house one afternoon an old woman came by with a basket of folded palm leaves tied with twine. The women of the household started opening up the green packets and in the first picture you can see what was inside. At first it looked like hominy to me but then I swore I saw it move…and it looked like a few ants were crawling on it too. Then I realized what I was looking at and just why there were a few ants around…it was Ant Larvae!

I had heard that this was a delicacy but I never thought I’d see it. Of course several packets were bought and cheaply at 20 baht a packet ( about 60 cents ). Lucky me it was ant larve season and I was soon to have a taste. The larvae was taken to the kitchen and cleaned of any ants or debris and then boiled for 5 minutes or so…and here it is

It doesn’t look like much and the first spoonful had to be coaxed in by the girlfriend but I would have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The boiled ant larvae tasted just like buttered sweet corn to me. I actually ate my plateful of larvae and was quite impressed with it. I’m not saying I would go looking for it but if it crosses my path again I won’t be put off…as far as bugs go ant larvae gets 5 stars!

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5 Comment(s)

Hi There. I envy you because you’re able to taste this while I lived there for few years and never really had the chance to taste any Thai ‘delicacies’.

I am definitely coming back to read more of your posts, I am not a Thai national but I consider the country home.

Sawasdee

Thess | Feb 13, 2008 | Reply
Hmmm I’ll trade the delicacies of Thailand if I could live there for a few years

It’s funny that I just happen to be in the right place at the right time when the unique food pops up…and it’s usually a little scary but always turns out well taste wise.

Anyone that has spent any time in Thailand tends to consider it home. I don’t know if it’s the inviting atmosphere or the comfortable feeling I get but when I land I smile and think ” it’s good to be home”.

I hope you do come back and I’d love to hear any tales you have as well.

talen | Feb 13, 2008 | Reply
Reminds me of the time I came across fried crickets at a Thai market in Chiangrai. I didn’t try it even though the guide was egging me on. Hmm… perhaps I should have…

C K | Feb 13, 2008 | Reply
hi ! I stayed with my wifes family near udon thani , we all went fishing and shared a meal of raw minced fish mixed with live ants and freshly picked “leaves”-it was very spicy and very good !

chris | May 20, 2008 | Reply
The Thai’s definitely have some interesting dishes they never sound too good when you hear about them but they usually taste great. Were they live ants or live ant larva…the larva I can handle but the thought of eating ants might throw me off a lil.

Talen | May 20, 2008 | Reply