Kap klaem

Kap klaem (Thai: กับแกล้ม, pronounced [kàp klɛ̂ːm]), also known as ahan kap klaem (Thai: อาหารกับแกล้ม, [ʔāː.hǎːn kàp klɛ̂ːm]) or ahan klaem lao (Thai: อาหารแกล้มเหล้า, [ʔāː.hǎːn klɛ̂ːm lâw]), is the Thai term for "drinking food": foods commonly eaten while drinking. The term kap klaem can also refer to Thai drinking culture.

Kap klaem
Drunken noodles, a dish commonly eaten with alcoholic beverages
Alternative namesAhan kap klaem, ahan klaem lao
CourseSnack
Place of originThailand
Associated cuisineThai

Thai drinking culture

In Thailand, drinks are almost always accompanied by food, no matter how simple the foods.[1]: 2 [2] According to Haaretz, the term kap klaem is also used to refer to the Thai drinking culture in general.[3]

Kap klaem is served in homes, on the street, and in specialty restaurants that open in the late afternoon and are open until very early morning.[1][3][4] According to Haaretz, a typical kap klaem eating and drinking session can last three hours.[3]

Foods

Many foods commonly eaten while drinking are also served as snacks or parts of a meal, but some are seldom eaten outside the context of drinking, and these are usually salty, chewy, crunchy, sour, and/or spicy, but generally not heavy or rich.[1]: 3 [3] Strong flavors and heavy spicing are typical.[3][5]

There are few foods specifically defined as drinking foods, and many dishes can be turned into drinking foods by adjusting seasonings and portion sizes.[3] Drinking foods are seldom served with the rice that typically accompanies actual meals in Thailand.[3][6]

Kap klaem is common throughout Thailand, but the foods typically eaten while drinking vary regionally.[3][7] According to chef Kris Yenbamroong, the foods typically are “something a group of people can share, which is an important aspect of it".[4] Vogue described the foods as "irresistible food that's somewhere in between a snack and a meal."[8]

Common aahaan kap klaem include lap mu thot, phat khimao (which translates to "drunkard's stir-fry"),[9] thua thot samunphrai,[6] and nam phrik.[2]

Drinks

Lagers such as Singha are popular in Thailand.[3] Beer is typically poured over ice.[1]: 74 

Rice whiskeys such as lao khao and ya dong are common distilled liquors.[1]: 40 [3][6] A common cocktail is Whiskey Soda, which is a generic term for any brown liquor mixed with soda water.[1]: 162 

According to Andy Ricker, many bars in Thailand are BYOB; customers pay for their mixers and food.[1]: 162 

See also
  • Anju, Korean term for food eaten while drinking
  • Hors d'oeuvre, French term for food often served with cocktails
  • Meze, snacks served in the Mediterranean, often while drinking
  • Sakana, Japanese term for snacks served while drinking
  • Tapas, Spanish small plates which originated as bar snacks

References
  1. Ricker, Andy; Goode, J. J. (31 October 2017). The drinking food of Thailand. Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. ISBN 978-1-60774-774-1.
  2. "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown". CNN. 1 June 2014.
  3. Vered, Ronit (10 April 2018). "Some like it hot". Haaretz. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  4. Bass, Penelope (2 October 2017). "The culture of Thai drinking food". Imbibe. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  5. Thompson, David (2002). Thai Food. Ten Speed Press. p. 501. ISBN 978-1-58008-462-8.
  6. Ricker, Andy (21 December 2017). "Inside a rice whiskey distillery in Thailand". Eater. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  7. Tomicki, Hadley (1 November 2017). "The secrets of Thai bar food". UrbanDaddy. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  8. Luckel, Madeleine (31 October 2017). "Do you know what Thai drinking food is?". Vogue. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  9. Ricker, Andy (2 November 2017). "Eating drunkard's stir-fry with Anthony Bourdain". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
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