The Greatest Thai Mystery

[Sigurris]

As someone who has realised that the longer I live here the less I know, I rarely try to understand things that happen here. It just is. Without that stress life is very pleasant for me here.

BUT!

There is one thing I really would like to understand.

What is it with Thai's and MK? Thailand has delicious and tasty food on the streets in the markets and malls all over. There are countless chains from Japan and the rest of the world everywhere. In short good food is available and cheap wherever you are.

Yet at midday in any mall you are likely to see a queue waiting for a table at MK!!! Why? The food is bland boring and overpriced. I vowed 3 years ago never to go again but yesterday succumbed to my gf and went for lunch. Nothing has changed. Even she said lets go to Fuji next time (thank god).

Is it just me? But I have never seen farangs in MK unless they are with Thai partners.

[RottingCorpse]

A great Mystery indeed, ranks alongside the disappearance of Jim Thompson....

I'd say that MK seems to have a bit of 'status' attached to it as it seems to be 'in vogue' at the moment, though try telling the missus you'll be taking her to MK for your next big night out and see her reaction then....

[Costas2008]

OP, I do agree with you.

I don't want to go to MK but the wife and her sons drag me in there.

Never understood what's good about it, never enjoyed eating there.

But when the boss commands...........I have to obey.

[PiPiFFS]

Personally I like it. It is good, clean food that isn't that expensive. I love the duck and the dim sum. I don't see the appeal of McDonalds but others seem to as most are packed. horses for courses as they say.

[h90]

Food on the street....some people don't like MSG, sugar and getting diarrhea.....

Fuji: I don't like Japanese food, my wife doesn't like it as well.

[BoonToong]

I love the Moo-daeng there and the ability to order a stack of vegetables and cook them to my own liking (less than a minute for the spinach). I wouldn't go there every day, but I do always enjoy my food from there.

[brewsterbudgen]

I love MK - the crispy pork and duck are great and the whole cooking in the pot is very social. What's not to like?

[eeeya]

Mk is just "wet food". I hate it. Wife loves it, so sometimes I must eat it. Yuk

[Beetlejuice]

What is it with Thai's and MK?

I would also ask similar questions; what attracts farangs to MacDonalds, KFC and Burger King? The worse types of crap food eating houses in the world, that in comparison make MK appear like eating at the Ritz.

Regarding MK, there are several reasons why Thai people like to dine at MK restaurants, it`s not expensive, comfortable air conditioned premises, they serve as a cheap means of taking out the family and as a meeting point for friends.

I often dine at MK, very convenience when out and about or on a shopping trip and so do many of my farang friends. Like everything else, it`s all a matter of what you fancy and preferences.

[ChiangMaiFalung]

Hate MK. Horrible food. Tried 7 years ago 2 x, and again 1 time last year. Yuk.

[Eliot Rosewater]

Perhaps its that dance they do that keeps em' coming back:)

[Banzai99]

Its not too bad in MK I go quite a lot, quick cheap and easy.

[krisb]

Me not like. I find the soup base very watery and tasteless for sure.

Wife, loves.

I am yet to try the duck. From what I've heard it's meant to be really good.

[kurnell]

I thought you were going to ask why Thais get onto an escalator before stopping, turning around and getting off again??

[AYJAYDEE]

and I never understood how farangs can eat at macdonalds. another great mystery to ponder.

[Jingthing]

Not really a fan of MK but the hot pot doesn't have to be bland. Spice it up with the sauce, chili, and garlic and you're set.

I wish some big company like MK would try to make SECHUAN hot pot popular in Thailand, with the numbing Sechuan peppercorns, but I've been told Thai people generally find that experience disturbing.

MK is just the (corporate) mass market version of Thai style hot pot.

[peterb17]

Im not a great fan of the soup- but order lots of duck / crispy pork and broccoli in oyster sauce- Dim Sum also.

It's a case of I don't like it too much, but Thai friends and family do see it as a bit of a treat and enjoy it. So I think of what they like and make sure they have a good time and don't worry about myself.

[mihalis]

I like it, my wife likes it.. Id rather eat Mk, than KFC, Maccas crap............

[dotpoom]

I agree with you OP. Another mystery to me is why do people buy water in food courts when there is free water available? ....Ah heck...while I'm at it...why do people wear hats and sunglasses indoors? Is it because they think there might be a sudden burst of rain coming in through a hole in the roof or a sudden shaft of light might shine directly in their eyes and maybe blind them?....maybe for the same reasons....to be cool. Another word for it could be... vanity.

[ManaoBkk]

I also find MK boring and bland and overpriced for what you get

I love the Chinese style hotpot - great food and great soup/sauce..

Found a great place in Gateway who do all you can eat buffet style for around 400 baht - mix your own dipping sauce - the soup however is nothing special..

[belg]

did any of you MK lovers ever watch the calories per person (you get that together when the bill comes), i am always shocked

also the sodium content per person is very high

[Gandtee]

It's a bit insipid but if you spark it up with sauces they provide, then just about edible. Not something I would go out of my way for. The food served in the food halls is much better. Cooked in front of you, tastier and cheaper.The added bonus is that you can people watch.

[alanrchase]

Tis to be seen eating there. Not a fan myself.

[alanrchase]

The duck is very nice. What is the drink they give you?

[DP25]

I've never been able to understand MK either. Bland and expensive. I don't even go there if someone else is paying, it's just awful.

If you want hotpot there are lots of Moo Kata restaurants that provide much better food at a better price.

[finnomick]

The greatest mystery to me is........how DO they eat that stuff ?

[alanrchase]

The greatest mystery to me is........how DO they eat that stuff ?

Food is OK. Had to take four family members there once, wedding or suchlike. 3,000B for a few boiled vegetables.

[CMHomeboy78]

The duck is very nice. What is the drink they give you?

+1

The roast duck is quite good, and my wife makes an excellent Suki with the ingredients she orders there.

Otherwise, the place is nothing special, and it's not cheap.

[alanrchase]

Is it worrying that that the more upmarket food outlets seem a bit empty these days?

[fullcave]

Street food is loaded with MSG, every dish, in particular noodle soup contains loads of this brain toxin..