We spent a fascinating day visiting the historic city of Ayutthaya which was Thailand's capital from 1350 to 1767 (more on this in a future post). We stopped for lunch at Sampaonava สำเภานาวา - a nice, small restaurant beside the Chao Phraya River. We had a relatively light meal of four dishes 🙏 which included a pair of amazingly delicious Thai giant river prawns.
Parking is right in front of Sampaonava สำเภานาวา. Limited lots but assisted by an attendant.
The "heritage hip" interior has two sections, both comfortably furnished, air conditioned and have murals depicting scenes from the Ayutthaya period.
Outside seats were set in a little garden and patio facing the Chao Phraya River and Wat Phutthaisawan temple. Ayutthaya has more than 300 temples, old and not so old (while Bangkok has 500, in comparison).
A little hot here today during lunch but I imagine that in the evening, these riverside tables are well sought after.
We started with pumpkin stir fried with sweet basil and topped with pulled crab meat. The pieces of pumpkin soft and sweet were in a heap with aromatic and sweet herbs and spices. The soft pulled crab meat gave the dish a bit of crustacean sweetness.
Winged bean (kacang botol in Malay) salad with shrimp. Tiny pieces of crunchy winged bean enveloped in a flavourful wet, thick sauce which is spicy from chili, sweet from raw onion, and umami from dried shrimp.
Run Juan curry with sea bass. Thick soft pieces of soft fish in a mildly hot and salty stew of spices, chili, onion, Thai basil, etc.
Last but not least, "grilled prawns". Yeah, listed on the menu as "grilled prawns" which is a gross understatement.
These charcoal grilled Thai giant river prawns are flavour and umami bombs. Price Baht 820 (about S$33) for a palm size piece.
The snowy white meat was thick as rope. It was firm with a crunch to the bite and some parts had a sinewy chewiness like tendon. (I've had soft, and soft-tender giant river prawns before. This one was firmer.) The meat tasted delicately sweet.
Spread the rich orangey colour
In Thailand, I have a couple of sweet young coconuts a day - thirst quenching and so refreshing!
Come to Thailand, must eat Thai giant river prawns. I know of friends who eat at least one giant river prawn a day whenever they are in Thailand 😮 I want to be like them too 😋 When you are in Ayutthaya (which is a must visit 1.5 hours from Bangkok), Sampaonava สำเภานาวา is a good place to eat Thai giant river prawn.
Written by Tony Boey on 16 May 2022
Is it $33 per prawn? How much is the total bill for all meals?
ReplyDeleteIt is per prawn (Tony)
ReplyDelete