Phuket - LEMONGRASS

doyley · #1 07-01-2008, 00:48

Can you ask restaurants to leave the Lemongrass out of there dishes?
My wife and 2 kid's hate the stuff.
Surely you can enjoy Thai. food without it being swamped with the taste of lemon.
"Is there anyway in Thai. to say...."Leave it out!""
Any helpful advice would be welcome!
Many Thanks and A Happy New Year!

Soupdragon · #2 07-01-2008, 01:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by doyley

Can you ask restaurants to leave the Lemongrass out of there dishes?
My wife and 2 kid's hate the stuff.
Surely you can enjoy Thai. food without it being swamped with the taste of lemon.
"Is there anyway in Thai. to say...."Leave it out!""
Any helpful advice would be welcome!
Many Thanks and A Happy New Year!

Sure you can do that.
Learn the phrase "Mai Ow" (not sure of the spelling but that is how it sounds).This is a polite way of saying "I don't want" So saying "mai ow lemongrass" when you are ordering food will achieve what you asked about. This phrase is useful when walking around amongst the touts trying to sell you stuff, a quick "mai ow krapp" usually stops them pestering you.

dawsey · #3 07-01-2008, 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

This phrase is useful when walking around amongst the touts trying to sell you stuff, a quick "mai ow krapp" usually stops them pestering you.

Very true. One of the most useful phrases to learn after sawatdee krap and used all the time to be polite to the beach sellers and persistant sales staff.

MadNomad · #4 07-01-2008, 01:21

as a chef I will say that it seems alot of thai food is par made. If not, you shouldnt have a problem having them leave it out. I suggest bringing a picture of lemon grass and bring it with you. Show it to the waiter when ordering and say NO!!! However I think lemon grass is a very subtle seasoning and doesnt have a strong flavor...very mild. Maybe its another ingredient

Dodger · #5 07-01-2008, 01:32

Madnomad, maybe youv'e never been to thailand and never eaten lemongrass here??? as all your assumptions are wrong. Why not learn from Soupy, someone who lives here and does know, instead of making up your own incorrect opinions and trying to pass them on as if correct?

Lemon grass is not mild here, it does have a strong flavour and the OP's family know they do not like it and it is Lemongrass they do not like. They do not need to bring a picture, just need to say is mai ow, dont want.

Hunter Valley · #6 07-01-2008, 01:55

Maybe it is Coriander!!

faultytowers · #7 07-01-2008, 02:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by doyley

Can you ask restaurants to leave the Lemongrass out of there dishes?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter Valley

Maybe it is Coriander!!

Nope , he definately said Lemongrass !!!!

Hunter Valley · #8 07-01-2008, 02:12

Indeed he did...

Soupdragon · #9 07-01-2008, 02:24

Cool stuff this lemongrass. You can eat it, drink it, wash with it, make incense or even artwork. Maybe I should learn to like it.

doyley · #10 07-01-2008, 02:42

Yep!!!!!
Definately said LEMONGRASS.
We spent a month in Patong, so wife and kids got to know the taste of the stuff.
Many thanks for your help Soupdragon + Dawsey.
If I end up with a slap across the chop's then I know you've had a good laugh at my expense.
Thanks!
Doyley.

aussie dollar · #11 07-01-2008, 02:54

Im not keen on lemongrass,and find theres plenty of dishes made without it.

Dodger · #12 07-01-2008, 08:02

I cannot stand the stuff and used to ask for it reguarly not to be included in my dishes, but as AD says there are an awful lot of dishes that does not include it, so have tended to gradually favour these instead.

Nuntanabkk · #13 07-01-2008, 09:21

I love lemongrass... give me a good healthy and also when i use a lotion that producing from lemongrass then mosquitoes run away....

If you don't like "Mai OW Takrai" Takrai (Lemongrass)....

Dingo's · #14 07-01-2008, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodger

I cannot stand the stuff and used to ask for it reguarly not to be included in my dishes, but as AD says there are an awful lot of dishes that does not include it, so have tended to gradually favour these instead.

Dodger, I'm the same and don't like it but the same, it's not going to spoil the meal for me if it is included.

What kind of meals would you find it the most? Is more like the brothy type soup/meals? Do you find much in curry's etc?

Schmeen · #15 07-01-2008, 09:42

surely mai sai takrai would be better?

georgelondon · #16 07-01-2008, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadNomad

as a chef I will say that it seems alot of thai food is par made. If not, you shouldnt have a problem having them leave it out. I suggest bringing a picture of lemon grass and bring it with you. Show it to the waiter when ordering and say NO!!! However I think lemon grass is a very subtle seasoning and doesnt have a strong flavor...very mild. Maybe its another ingredient

i think madnomad is on to a winner here. maybe download some pics from
"asianstreetmeat.com" carry them around, and at the appropriate moment pull one out pointing, and say to bargirl "YES PLEASE"

erik1 · #17 07-01-2008, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by doyley

Can you ask restaurants to leave the Lemongrass out of there dishes?
My wife and 2 kid's hate the stuff.
Surely you can enjoy Thai. food without it being swamped with the taste of lemon.
"Is there anyway in Thai. to say...."Leave it out!""
Any helpful advice would be welcome!
Many Thanks and A Happy New Year!

it is a free world afterall

Nuntanabkk · #18 09-01-2008, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmeen

surely mai sai takrai would be better?

Surely, it's the same thing....We would understand them all....

Schmeen · #19 09-01-2008, 16:18

You have obviously never been a farang trying to get your point across have you....55555555

sundancekid · #20 09-01-2008, 18:48

But surely they would understand both. I think Thais are more used to hearing farangs saying “mai ow” anyway.

Don’t’ care much for the stuff either, but if you order a curry dish, lemongrass is mostly already mixed into the paste. Think you would have to wait for an hour or so for them to remix / pound it. Not sure they would be too happy about it either, and most would not bother.

Personally I try to avoid the bergamot leaves (either whole or slices) that is added to most curry dishes. This one also carries a distinct limey flavor that I find rather unpleasant. My local restaurant is now able to make my curry to perfection

My tip: Get some Thai write it down for you.

Schmeen · #21 09-01-2008, 22:36

Really?...and what would they hear most frequently from a Thai? You know, people who speak correctly?

I'm sure they would sunderstand both, forums are not the best place for of wry humour, especially when i don't bother with those piccy things.

Nanook · #22 09-01-2008, 23:31

I love lemongrass. Although the lemongrass we can buy here seems to be less strong than the one my GF uses when cooking.

Sometimes the coriander may be more bothering for some people.

Soupdragon · #23 10-01-2008, 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmeen

surely mai sai takrai would be better?

Teaching the Thai's Thai. Way to go dude.

sundancekid · #24 10-01-2008, 06:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmeen

Really?...and what would they hear most frequently from a Thai? You know, people who speak correctly?

I'm sure they would sunderstand both, forums are not the best place for of wry humour, especially when i don't bother with those piccy things.

Oh, so the Thais WOULD (s)understand both? Then what is your point exactly?

Advice: Try getting your OWN point across first. Or was it perhaps your own unique attempt at "wry" humour? In any case, I would not bother with these “piccy things” either if I were you.