This is probably one of the dishes that a lot of people (foreigners) don't know about.. It's more like a dish that you either like it or hate it. I personally love it a lot because how flavorful it is and such a variety of stuff all in one dish. Even cooler that you can always customize the dish and have the taste just the way you prefer.
Khao means rice
Kluk or Klook means mix
Kapi means shrimp paste
Just like its meaning, it literally rice mixed with just the right amount of shrimp paste. Some kinda stir fry it in the pan a bit and some just do it raw just like that. I personally love it fried a little more so the shrimp paste doesn't smell so shrimpy or fishy.
Now other than that, here come the fun part. There are different things people love to add into the Khao Kluk Kapi as toppings. Mainly, there are green mango (sour ones), red onion, fresh chili, sweeten pork, deep fried sliced Chinese sausage, omelette, cilantro, lime juice and so on. I don't think there's anything fixed here but if all mentioned are added, I imagine you can imagine how flavorful it could get.
Before diving in, we just mix everything all together. The sauce from the sweeten pork will make the dish not too dry, then all the flavors of all things combined, it's just lovely.
I have been living in Chiang Mai for months now and I have been enjoying cafe hopping and trying all the new food almost every single day. One day, I went to this hip cafe called 'Brewgenning' and saw this small but well decorated restaurant just across the street, Kapi Kapor. For sure they serve Khao Kluk Kapi but without knowing what kind of other food they serve, I was just ready to just get in and check the place out.
Small and cozy space with a Thai-fusion decoration in a soft green theme.. Totally made me feel calm.
I always love going to places that they have their specialty with such a niche. We can really be sure they gotta be that good. Also, less choices, less time spent on picking what to order. This place is exactly just that. They literally serve only Khao Kluk Kapi -- Lovely!
The Khao Kluk Kapi dish here's serve so presentably.. The deal is also, because it's more of a customizable dish, let's say if you'd like it more spicy or sour, you can always ask for more of what you'd like without any additional cost.
I didn't expect the tea but here it is.. All the set of 144THB (Yes, the only set and kind of food they offer), comes with a fresh herbal tea set. As fresh as it could be.. A ceramic cup with a basket of a few herbs on the top served with a small kettle of hot water on the side ready to get dripped!
They have a card explaining why hot herbal tea after the Khao Kluk Kapi dish. Because the dish is quite oily with a little smell (from onions and shrimp paste), this tea will not only clean the pallet but also refreshen you up and get rid of the smell a bit. Makes so much sense to me and the tea set looks fancy too.
My final thoughts, love the look, love the taste, love the place and the service. I totally think they did a good job on all things so totally one of my favorite places here in Chiang Mai. Plus, the fact that it's not that easy to find Khao Kluk Kapi like you find Pad Thai or Khao soi, this totally gives them some advantages.
I would sure love to visit again when I feel like having the dish. Maybe walk across the street for a great cup of coffee after at Brewgenning would be just a perfect afternoon.
https://goo.gl/maps/Rh37C1Qs742KnZ2H8
