Day 318: Chinatown & Calypso Cabaret

Began our day with breakfast inside a local’s home; the mother and daughter cooked in the back while the husband took orders and delivered them on his motorbike. The “restaurants out of houses” have been our most cherished experiences through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. There is something precious and loving about families who turn their living rooms into tables/chairs and serve the communities out of their home. Children run up to pick up food for their parents or neighbors stop by for coffee. The food is also amazing. We order fried morning glories, coconut chicken soup, and pad ew see with crispy pork.

Inspired by yesterday’s museum, we go for a Thai massage today. Thai massages are different than other techniques because they focus on stretching and assisted yoga positions to relax and strengthen the body. Our two ladies were very sweet because they recognized how tight we were and our limitations (ticklish feet and sports injuries). What should have been quiet and serene turned into a giggling session between us and the ladies, and it was perfect. The massage lasted an hour and you are served tea afterword.

Next on the docket, Bangkok Chinatown! Motivated by KPOP group Blackpink’s Lisa who is from Thailand, we visited the famous Yaowarat Road. She paid an entire block of vendors to shut down for her music video celebrating Thai culture and her new label (freedom from YG Entertainments strict rules).

Bangkok Chinatown is probably our favorite street food night beyond Taiwan! So many stalls, colors, smells, food, and diversity jam packed in this area. Highlights include crispy friend pork belly in hand rolled noodles, Mary surviving Thai spicy salsa on octopus, and delicious oysters from Tung Chae oyster bar, who yells at customers and creates a fun environment. He even gave us free mangos for sitting down in front. Other food included stir fried noodles, Thai mini pancakes, and dumplings. Love love love this Chinatown.

Final celebration of Thai culture for the evening, we located Calypso Cabaret which is a Thai transgender cabaret with kathoey, ladyboy, and drag performers. The cabaret opened in 1988 in defiance of perceptions that the Thai ladyboy culture was “seedy”. This would be Kieran’s first official live drag show and he was a bit nervous. We discussed it a bit beforehand because straight men at drag shows in America are occasionally singled out and heckled a bit. We also talked about sexuality and how it’s okay to find performers attractive.

We pregamed the show with 3 bottles of soju and a lovely call with friends tailgating back home in 30 Fahrenheit degree weather. Thank you Steph and Tommy for setting up the call and we are sorry the phone died towards the end. It was amazing (stole a screenshot of Dan because he looked like the terminator).

The Cabaret group performed 12-13 acts in 60 minutes; songs included a mix of modern pop songs with Taylor Swift and Rihanna, big jazz cabaret numbers, and a few traditional Thai dances and costumes. We had so much fun; the performers and costume changes were amazing, they included humor in the pieces, and the Thai numbers were immaculate.

Kieran loved the show and even got a “big sexy man” compliment during pictures. We didn’t drink enough water so pretty toasted after 1.5 soju bottles each. Either way, great night of food an entertainment!

Food:
Fried morning glories
Pad ew see with crispy pork
Coconut chicken soup
Hand rolled spicy soup
Grilled octopus
Fried noodles
Dumplings
Oysters
Thai salty and sweet pancakes

Spots:
Chinatown
Asiatique on the River
Calypso CabaretRead more