

About two months ago I received an email (in Thailand)…
It went something along the lines of this:
“Hi Mark Wiens, we’ve seen your YouTube videos, and we like how you express your passion for food. We’re producing a food tv show documentary about Thai food, and we’d like you to be part of it.”
At first I didn’t know what “part of it” meant, so I asked for more information.
A few emails later, I realized the production company was asking if I’d be a host for a Thai food tv show.
Traveling around Thailand and eating delicious Thai food, is something I love doing, and something I already do, and so I agreed to be part of the show.
After a few months of the production company arranging all the details, and just 1 meeting with the producers and the entire crew, we were ready to get started.

One of the things that enticed me about this particular tv show, was that they showed me some examples of what we’d be filming, and it was about real Thai food, not touristy toned down Thai food, but real Thai food.
We’d travel around Thailand searching for some of the best tasting Thai dishes, things you shouldn’t miss eating when in Thailand.
Food TV Show
I’m quite excited to announce to you that for the next two months or so, I’ll be traveling around Thailand, filming a Thai food documentary show (I’m still not sure where it will be shown, but it’s some Thai cable station).
It’s my first time to ever do something like this, the only person I’ve stood in front of the camera for so far is my wife – so it will be a little different this time.
I know it will be a great learning experience, and an adventure.
(NOTE: I’ll still posting videos to YouTube on schedule as normal during this time)
What can you expect from me?
During the next few months, while I’m traveling around Thailand, I’ll be posting frequent blog updates, probably not daily, but every couple of days I’ll try to post some photos and an overview of what we did and ate.
As I write this update, we just finished filming two days of the food show, and it’s been quite a packed two days already.

Day 1: Silom, Bangkok
The first episode of the food show is about Thai salads, known in Thai as yam (ยำ).
We started the very first episode at the food court in Silom Soi 10. The funny thing is, Ying and I had just filmed a video about the Silom Soi 10 food court a few weeks before (I had no clue we were going again for the show).
At the beginning of the food section of the Silom Soi 10 food court, there’s a famous Thai salad stall, which attracts quite a line each day for lunch.
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For the show, we ordered yam woon sen (ยำวุ้นเส้น), a very popular Thai mix salad, and also yam hed (ยำเห็ด), Thai mushroom salad.
They were both quite good, the dressing was nice and sour and spicy, but I’m not a huge fan of luncheon meat and hot dogs. I mostly prefer my yum woon sen with more natural meats, like minced pork, as opposed to tube steak.

After polishing off the salads and completing the footage at the food court, we headed off to Thanon Chan to go to another famous food stall serving Thai salads.
The owner of the restaurant was extremely nice, and she allowed me to cook with her and talk to her about all sorts of different ingredients in the different salads that she was whipping up furiously.

After filming the salad preparation, the crew proceeded to order a whopping 10 different Thai salads for me to eat on camera.
Pictured above in yam mamuang (ยำมะม่วง), a green mango salad with shrimp, onions, peanuts, and cilantro, all dressed in a spicy lime and chili sauce.

Out of all the 10 different Thai salads, my favorite was the yam pla meuk (ยำปลาหมึก), a squid salad.
The squid was blanched, and then mixed up with white onions, mint leaves, and a dressing of lots of lime juice, chilies, and just a hint of sugar to balance it out . It was marvelous.

Day 2: Vegetable Farm in Bang Khae, Bangkok
Bang Khae is a district, located about 45 minutes to 1 hour from central Bangkok, and the area is home to the Khlong Lay Mayom floating market as well.

We woke up really early on day 2, and took a van out to Bang Khae, and to continue on with the Thai salads theme, we headed to a small organic vegetable farm.

We arrived just as the sun was rising, and a few farmers were already tending to the crops.
The goal for visiting the farm was to mainly walk around and see some of the main local herbs and ingredients used in popular and traditional Thai salad recipes.

There’s a term in Thai known as pak suan krua (ผักสวนครัว). There’s no direct translation, but it sort of means easy to grow, everyday types of vegetables.
Things like basil, lemongrass, chilies, ivy gourd leaves, long beans, and a number of other vines and herbs can be included.

Eating raw vegetables and herbs, like chilies, sweet basil, lemongrass, and even traditionally winged beans (ถั่วพลู), are just a few of the many small vegetables that were thriving in this garden.

One of the highlights of my morning was walking around the garden, sampling marvelous herbs right off the vines and bushes, with one of the owners of the farm.

Among the many herbs I ate (by the end of my herb eating session, my mouth was tingling from all the peppery fresh herbs), one of my favorites was red holy basil (ใบกระเพราแดง).
Normal holy basil, used in making pad kra pao, is found in every market in Bangkok, but the red stuff is very hard to find. It has a slightly stronger flavor than its green sibling.

Another herb I hadn’t eaten before, but got to eat handfuls of, was bai yeera (ใบยี่หร่า), or jeera leaves.
It had an amazing strong herb flavor, and the lady told me it was especially delicious stir fried up with wild pig. My mouth started watering immediately, but too bad we didn’t have any wild pig on hand.

After spending a while eating a huge amount of herbs in the garden, I was able to hang out for a bit with a man, who taught me how to pick a few of the essential Thai vegetables.
One of the vegetables he was harvesting, he called watercress, and it’s not common at Thai markets, but I do see it in grocery stores in the organic section.
The watercress was just slightly bitter, but had a lovely green healthy flavor.

One of the most common Thai vegetables is pak bung (ผักบุ้ง), or Thai morning glory.
I’ve eaten uncountable plates of morning glory at hundreds of restaurants throughout Thailand, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen it being grown, and for sure I had never harvested it myself.

To grow morning glory, it takes a lot of water.
At the farm, they water the morning glory using sticks that look quite a bit like lacrosse sticks, and just sort of fling water from the canal ditches across the plot of morning glory.

Normally after picking their stock of morning glory, they sell it at the local nearby market.
They kindly gave us a bundle of fresh morning glory to bring home, which I was extremely grateful for.

After filming the herb and vegetable gardens, we then headed under the shelter to do some filming about making a Thai salad using some of the ingredients I had just freshly picked.
For dressing, Thai salad mostly uses lime juice, fish sauce, chilies, and a hint of sugar. This is the balance of flavors that Thai food is so well known for.

I mixed up some of the vegetables and herbs into a healthy Thai salad that was quite complex with different herbs. I used quite a generous amount of red holy basil to give it a serious kick.
I couldn’t get enough of that red holy basil (ใบกระเพราแดง).

During the day at the farm, I got to hang out with Grandma, who was awesome.

After finishing up at the farm, we had a quick lunch, and then headed over to a restaurant known as Ran Soei (ร้านเส่ย), a place I had never been to, but I can assure you I will be going back.
The restaurant was located right at the Sam Sen railway station, quite close to the glories of Ratchawat and Gaeng Pa Sriyan.

We went to the restaurant to prepare and eat a Thai salad known as plaa goong (พล่ากุ้ง).
I stood with the owner’s wife as she whipped up the combination of ingredients, and I watched in awe at the creation.
She mixed up a sauce, full of wonderful herbs and flavors, and then piled it onto half cooked shrimp, which were already butterfly cut.

I’ve had plaa goong (พล่ากุ้ง) quite a few times in Bangkok, but it has never even compared to the version at Ran Soei (ร้านเส่ย).
The jumbo prawns were meaty and buttery, and drenched in an extremely sour and spicy dressing, then covered in chilies, raw garlic, and slices of lemongrass.

Finally, to round out our second day of filming, we also had a few plates of gaem pla too (แก้มปลาทู), or what translates to deep fried mackerel cheeks – but really they were more like mackerel jaw bones.
They were incredibly crispy, like a fish chip, and absolutely amazing tasting.
Conclusion
Again, I’m really excited and honored to be a part of this Thai food tv show.
We’ve only filmed for two days so far, and already I’ve had some very fun and unique food experiences.
Along with keeping you updated with a blog post every couple of days, I’ll also be posting current updates and photos on Facebook and Instagram.
This is something totally new for me, I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I’m pretty excited about the filming, and especially the EATING!
That’s it for now, I’ll keep you posted, and thank you for your continued support.
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High Rated Gabru
2 years ago
Nice blog. Keep writing.
Jay
4 years ago
Hi what’s name of the show n where can I watch it?
hamid
6 years ago
hi mark wines- I love your videos-please go to iran and eat the persian foods-its very good
hamid
6 years ago
hi mark wines-how are you-i love your videos-please answer me-thank you for making videos
Alex
9 years ago
This is awesome! I’m excited to watch the show when it comes out.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you Alex
Shanta
9 years ago
Hi Mark!
We have the red holy basil plant here in Trinidad we call it Tusli, Hindus use it in prayers and worship it smells wonderful .
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hi Shanta, thank you for reading this post, good to hear you have the red holy basil in Trinidad. I would love to visit someday.
Olivian
9 years ago
My cousin posted your video/blog on FB today and I immediately subscribed to Migrationology. I was born/raised in Honolulu and watched your video on Thanksgiving. Broke da Mout, Mark! Esp. on the Ahi Poke/rice/Kim Chi. Auwe! I am now a Foodie and Follower. Will be planning a trip to Thailand; hopefully, around Chinese New Year. I am of Chinese, Korean, Portuguese descent, lived overseas in Tel Aviv, England and Paris and traveled the world eating the local food. BTW, I LOVE your facial expression after putting a morsel of delectable food in your mouth. I think it’s a face exuding the Nirvana you feel on your taste buds. Way to go! And much success to you!
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hi Olivian, great to hear form you, thank you for watching my videos. Yes, so cool that you love to eat as well, ah I’m dreaming about some poke and kim chi right now! Thanks again, hope you are having a great day.
Elizabeth
9 years ago
I adore winged bean!! Wish I ate more of them. Just delicious!! The number one thing I will miss if our family ever leaves Thailand will be the vegetables. Such a variety! I’m a gang som addict and just had it with ( not sure how to spell it but it’s pronounced as ) fak, may be called wax gourd in English? Tastes almost like a melon texture wise. Any veg I get I love here.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Elizabeth, great to hear from you, glad you love vegetables, so many delicious fresh vegetables in Thailand.
Marv.n.Jo
9 years ago
Wow! Congratulations on this gig Mark! We’re so proud of you for what you’ve built, and we love the photos…especially of the vegetables before harvesting (we usually only see them on the plate already). Keep up the great work, and keep on eating the incredible food and sharing it with the world!
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Great to hear from you Marv and Jo, and thank you very much. Hope you are both doing great as well.
Saung
9 years ago
You are doing really great :). I’m happy for you. I love morning glory vegetable. In our country, Burma, we eat this too :).
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you very much Saung.
Alexis
9 years ago
I love the Thai morning glories too!! My mom use to plant them when she was a poultry farmer. Only because she checks on the chickens twice a day and she would have to take off the boots to wash them which then lead to masses of water puddle. She planted around the puddle with organic fertilizer too. LOL! We ate it fresh with laab, papaya salad or stir fried it, etc. I’m looking forward to see the scene with the Thai morning glory!!
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Alexis, great to hear that, thank you for sharing. Morning glory is such a fantastic vegetable.
KlaasB
9 years ago
Very happy for you Mark and good luck with this next step in your career.
I am so glad I will be visiting BKK again at the end of October (even if it is for just one weekend).
3 times breakfast, 3 times diner and 2 times lunch. And I am only going to eat food that you have recommended in your show. So you better not disappoint me 🙂
Tips are welcome.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Klaas, very cool to hear that, sounds like you’re ready to eat!
Charlie
9 years ago
Congrats! Would love to see this show. I adore Thai food and can’t wait to try more when I arrive in Thailand in January. I hope the show finds its way online one day.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you very much Charlie. Glad that you’ll be coming to Thailand soon.
Sacha
9 years ago
Wow, what a great experience! And it looks delicious as always, lucky you. Good luck with the show.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you Sacha.
Sebastian
9 years ago
Hi Mark,
Congratulations on your new venture. Been always looking forward to any of your new videos or posts. Cheers
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you Sebastian.
Ade Long
9 years ago
Hi Mark,
I want to wish you the best with the new show. Looks like you’ll need to up your cardio to burn some of the added carbs you’ll be consuming.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you very much Ade!
Lindsay
9 years ago
Congrats Mark! You will make a great television host – I would love to see you on mainstream American tv, too! Is the show in Thai or English? Will you be able to post links to the episodes!
Love seeing the fresh vegetables and learning all their names. There are still so many veggies here that are a mystery to me.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Lindsay, thank you very much. The show will be in English with Thai subtitles. I’m not sure if I’ll have the rights to post anything, but I’m hoping it will be available online somehow.
Joy
9 years ago
Congrats, Mark! Well deserved opportunity! I do hope the show can be uploaded somewhere! Would love to see more Thai food in depth!! Again, congrats on this new journey! I will have a drink for you. =P
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you very much Joy, will let you know.
Michael
9 years ago
Congratulations! These dishes look delicious and the pictures are beautiful. Great article! I really like your blog and all the inspiration I get from it – keep going, you’re doing great!
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you very much Michael.
Steph (@ 20 Years Hence)
9 years ago
Congrats on this fantastic opportunity, Mark! I’ve really enjoyed your many Thai food videos and learned so much from your site, so I’ll be eagerly following along as you pursue this new endeavor! Happy eating (& filming!)!
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Steph, I really appreciate it, thank you for your support.
Ying Sirin
9 years ago
Congratulations !! About your beautiful adventure .My son he love to watch and push me to and now we aways watch yours every day by dinner and he very happy when you respond him back and he love to eat Thai food more now thank for making wonderful thing to show us
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you very much Ying, and also to your son. Glad he loves to eat Thai food too.
Ashley @ Ashley Wanders
9 years ago
Congrats!! This sounds like perfect gig for you! Hopefully we will be able to view them online at some point.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you very much Ashley.
Diana (Sweet y Salado)
9 years ago
OMG!!! I can’t tell you how excited I am to hear this news! Congratulations! And don’t be nervous, you’re perfect for a show like this, so just keep doing what you’ve been doing and you’ll do great. I would love to see the show, so please let us know if that’s possible. =)
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you very much Diana. Will let you know about more details, thanks again.
Clay
9 years ago
Congratulations man! That is absolutely HUGE. You’ll do great, just act like the camera is a long time friend and don’t get antsy around it. I filmed a small show for about 8 episodes and that was my biggest struggle on it.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you very much Clay, and I appreciate the tips. We’ve filmed 2 days already, and I think I’ve been a little nervous / stiff, so trying to loosen up, I appreciate it.
Paul
9 years ago
Fantastic, I’m so happy for you Mark! They will never find a better eater of Thai food!
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you very much Paul.
Josias Lopes
9 years ago
Mark,
I’m really happy for you. You deserve this.
One question: Since not everyone has access to Thai Cable TV, will you upload them eventually?
Cheers,
Josias Lopes
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hi Josias, thank you very much. I’m still not totally sure how exactly it will be aired, but I don’t think I’ll be able to upload them directly myself. I’ll keep you posted, and I will for sure be blogging the whole adventure.
Josias Lopes
9 years ago
I’m curious… Is this show in English, or Thai?
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Josias, it’s in English with Thai subtitles.
Eddie Shroff
9 years ago
Mark youre moving up and you deserve it as youre a self made man. I honestly wish you the very best.
Ill be arriving Bangkok on the 10th August.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you Eddie. How long will you be in Thailand this time?
ameer
9 years ago
Congrats bro!
Ure moving up!
Who knows someday u will be Thailand Food Ambassador!!
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you Ameer.
Susan
9 years ago
Conratulations !!! 🙂 I would like to folow that show.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
I appreciate it Susan, will keep your posted about details.
Michael Hodson
9 years ago
Congrats! Great news and what looks to be a fun project. Keep up the good work.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thanks Michael.
Dwight
9 years ago
Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudeeeeeeeeeee!
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thanks man.
Kevin
9 years ago
I’m so excited for you, Mark. You’re an inspiration to me and so many other travelers, bloggers, and eaters out there. Nobody deserves this more than you.
Kevin
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Kevin, thank you man, really appreciate it.
Ryan @ Pause The Moment
9 years ago
This is huge news, Mark! Congrats on your new venture. Best of luck!
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thank you Ryan!