Day 31 Vegetarian Thai Food: Ending with Grilled Mushrooms and Black Sesame Rice

If you’re joining us for the first time, we’re attempting to eat vegetarian Thai food for the entire month of July 2011 in order to raise money for charity. Follow us for everyday blog updates and read more about the cause here.
Welcome to the last day of the vegetarian Thai food challenge in Bangkok!

Grilled Mushrooms
One of the best vegetarian Thai food courts in Bangkok is Baan Suan Pi, just off the Ari BTS station. That’s exactly where I headed to get my final vegetarian fix and complete the challenge.
Probably one of my favorite things to order is the skewers of grilled mushrooms sticks that are served with a lime infused dipping sauce. This is a pretty bold statement, but in my opinion, they are as good (if not better) as beef!

Black Sesame Rice
I also really enjoyed the rice mixed with black sesame seeds, a few kernels of corn and some chunks of pumpkin. The black sesame seeds really took it away and added a lovely fragrant flavor to the rice.

Larb Woon Sen
Also tried the larb woon sen, clear mung bean noodles mixed with the usual larb ingredients. It was excellent!

Gaeng Som Fuk
Lastly, I ate a plate of gaeng som, which unfortunately was way to sweet and not exactly the way I like it. All the other dishes I had were superb, especially those grilled mushrooms!
In the evening Dwight and I both met with the families we helped through the vegetarian challenge and I’ll admit that I had a few first bites of chicken!
Thanks to everyone that followed this Bangkok eating challenge and please check out the round-up page for Vegetarian Thai Food!
– Mark
Asia
4 years ago
Hey Mark!
I remember following this when you first posted this blog, and going down to Ari station to order these back in 2011. Do you know what these are called in thai? (Hed yang?). I’m going back to Thailand for the first time after 9 years (having had lived there for nearly 2 years). I would really love to eat this again!
Thanks!
P.s I re-ordered your update thai food guide because that basically became my guidebook when I lived there :)
anusha
6 years ago
Thai food is love. I remember my first visit to Rachada in Bangkok and eating vegetarian thai food. Amazing share. Thank you :)
Nicole le Strange
9 years ago
Hi Mark!
I don’t suppose you’ve come across a recipe or technique for making those mushrooms, have you?
When I lived in Chiang Mai, I used to eat regularly at an amazing veggie food stall inside Maya, which was run by a lovely lady called Mind. I asked how she made the mushrooms, and she just told me that she dry-fries them… but I’ve tried several times to replicate them, to no avail!
Thanks in advance!
Ciao,
Nicole
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Hey Nicole, thank you for stopping by. Hmm, I’m not really sure either. Tastes like they might be marinated in a bit of soy sauce, then I’m not sure if they are grilled all the way to cook, or maybe they are boiled or steamed before being grilled? I’ll let you know if I find any sources.
Nicole le Strange
8 years ago
Thanks for replying Mark; I’ve not been able to find anything yet.. I guess I’m going to have to keep experimenting.
I’ll let you know how if I come close!
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Sounds good Nicole!
Adrian Fleur
10 years ago
Mark, please tell me you found out what those mushrooms are called! They are my absolute favourite here in Chiang Mai and Thai people won’t or can’t give me more of an explanation than “mushroom”. I want those in my life all the time! ;)
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Adrian, I have since figured out they are shitake mushrooms, but they only use the stems – that’s why they are so good and beefy!
Veronica
12 years ago
Do you know what kind of mushrooms those are?? I ate some SUPER delicious mushrooms in Thailand, and yes, they tasted just like some cooked yummy meat, but I couldn’t figure out what type of mushrooms they are….. Any clue??
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Hey Veronica,
I’m going to ask around and get back to you for the name of these mushrooms. They really are like meat!
Thanks for stopping by!
เครื่องมือสำรวจ
12 years ago
That rice looks so delicious, I will go to Ari BTS station tomorrow and check that out :)
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Definitely check it out, there is a lot of good food!
เครื่องมือสำรวจ
12 years ago
That sesame rice looks so nice! Yummy!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Thanks Daniel! I really liked the sesame!
Jack
12 years ago
Congrats Mark…..
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Thanks Jack!
Leslie
12 years ago
The mushroom skewers at the top look really tasty! I wish I had your guide in Bangkok. I’m a vegetarian and couldn’t find any of the “vegetarian restaurants” listed in Lonely Planet.
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Yah! Next time you come back we’ll have to eat at some of these great vegetarian restaurants!
Those mushrooms skewers were really incredible – they really were the steaks of mushrooms.