If you find yourself wandering down the Sukhumvit Road after midnight in need of a good feed then head down to the street stalls between soi 7 and soi 15. There are lots of options such as noodles, curry and rice dishes or barbeque delights. However, what we suggest, especially if you are in a group, is Dim Jum.
Dim Jum is a dish with Chinese origins. You will find it in Bangkok and some parts of Northern Thailand. We tried a search on a Google – but nothing came up. This is a real classic and something only the locals know about.
Dim Jum is a traditional hot pot dish. What you get is a charcoal burner with a pot on top. The pot is filled with stock which bubbles away. You then order trays of food which you add to the stock and cook for yourself. What you put in is up to you. The selection normally includes noodles, vegetables, offal, fish and chicken. When you think everything is cooked you ladle the soup mixture into individual bowls to eat. The meal can go on as long as you want. You just order more ingredients for the pot if you are still hungry.
An insider’s tip is that they will serve you beer whilst you eat, but only in a plastic cup as it is illegal to sell alcohol after 12 midnight in Thailand without a special license.
The process of ordering Dim Jum can be a bit intimidating if you don’t speak Thai. However, with a bit of patience you can do it. Walk along the street and locate the stalls by looking out for someone else eating the same thing. Order by pointing normally works. The vendors won’t speak much English.
Here are a few basic Thai words to help you on your way:
Vegetable = pahk
Morning Glory = pahk bong
Glass noodle = wun sen
Chicken = gai
Shrimp or Prawn = gung
Water for the pot = nam rawn