TikTok Users Fascinated by German Tourist’s Passion for Thai Salted Mackerel

[webfact]

Photo via TikTok/ @manuelcalumet

 

A German tourist's culinary adventure in Thailand has captured the hearts of Thai TikTok users, as Manuel Calumet’s video featuring his newfound love for a traditional Thai dish, salted mackerel, went viral. Whilst exploring a local market in Krabi, Calumet documented his quest to uncover the identity of a fish that had left him and his family smitten.

 

In his viral TikTok post from March 14, Calumet, clutching his daughter, passionately narrated his experience in English, asking Thai netizens to help him identify the delightfully tasty fish.

 

"Yesterday, I bought a fish at this market, and it tastes so good," he exclaimed, expressing a desire to purchase more, and calling upon the Thai community for assistance in naming his newfound favourite food.

 

The video quickly garnered attention, with many Thai viewers playfully speculating about the dish, initially guessing grilled fish, a staple of Thai market cuisine. To their surprise, Calumet’s beloved dish turned out to be salted mackerel, or Pla Too Khem — a humble, regional delicacy marinated in salt and sun-dried, typically enjoyed with chilli, shallots, and lime.

 

 

 

In the video, Calumet was seen eagerly buying up the entire stock of six mackerels, despite his unsuccessful attempts to glean the dish’s name from the vendor. Thai TikTok users soon flooded the comments with the correct name of the dish, both in Thai and English, amidst heartwarming anecdotes about their foreign family members' fondness for this traditional treat.

 

"My older sister’s German husband buys Pla Too Khem every time he comes to Thailand. He even packs them to take back to Germany," shared one user, echoing the cross-cultural appreciation for the dish. Another comment noted, "My Chinese husband loves it too!" while a third added, "My Norwegian husband likes this fish very much. He also loves eating fermented fish with sticky rice."

 

The TikTok sensation has not only highlighted the universal appeal of Thai cuisine but has also sparked a sense of shared joy across cultures, bringing a touch of humour and warmth to the vibrant online community. As Calumet’s culinary curiosity continues to enthral, his video stands as a delightful reminder of the delicious surprises travel can offer, reported The Thaiger.

 

Photo via TikTok/ @manuelcalumet

 

 

@manuelcalumet

Do you know the name of the fish? 🇹🇭

♬ Originalton - Mänü

 

-- 2025-03-19

 

 

[flyingtlger]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

featuring his newfound love for a traditional Thai dish, salted mackerel

 

Rookies....