Sawatdee ka,
My mom bought me a box of souvenirs when she came to visit me a few weeks ago.
When I opened the box I saw these strange looking things.
They are ไข่เค็ม /kài kem/ or salty eggs from Surat Thani’s Chaiya district where they are famed for their distinctly red yolks and having the right balance of saltiness. ไข่เค็ม /kài kem/ are traditionally made with duck eggs because they are slightly larger than chicken eggs, and they have a bigger yolk.
The text printed on the box is the information that specifies the date until which the eggs can be fried, after which they are recommended to be boiled only. When you rinse the soil harvested from termite mounds (ดินจอมปลวก din jom bpluak) off you will see the beautiful clean white eggs inside.
My favorite salty egg dishes are ‘salty egg spicy salad’ ยำไข่เค็ม [Yam Kai Kem], and ‘Somtam with salty eggs’ ส้มตำไข่เค็ม [Som Tam Kai Kem]
Do you like Kai Kem?
🙂
Mod
Delicious! I like them in congee and in som tam:) the century eggs are really tasty too!
I wonder what is that black covering. Surprised to know those eggs were inside termite mounds! By the way, Yam Kai Kem your mother cooked looks so delicious. 🙂 Thank you for introducing us your wonderful culture, Kruu Mod. Kop Khun Krup.