Ancient Cuisine and Jungle Spirits: Thailand's Northern "Barbarians"

[@OTRontheroad]

Cheers all. No restaurant pins for this week, but here's Daidib- the accommodation where we stayed in Pua. If you manage to make it up there, just ask for Dad to bring you into the jungle. maps.app.goo.gl/uyJ5cQwvBd6e1XzR7

[@TKGoose]

i liked this departure from your more traditional videos. The segment titled "A Life in the Mountains" is quite amazing, it feels raw, unfiltered, and powerful

[@beccathib3656]

Dad was one of my favorite but I'm afraid I'd have to stay & help mom...😅

[@Pattrapim]

I am literally so happy that you made a video about Nan!! Most of my foreign teachers who’ve been in Thailand for years don’t even know that this special little place exists. My mother was born and raised here when she was a child, and got a strong sense of nostalgia just from this video. I was born in the cities, but I’ve always felt connected with the culture/nature! :D

[@nobeeguyman5877]

Hi , I'm half Tai Lue - Chinese (My mom is a Tai Lue from Lampang and my dad is Cantonese) . Thank you for acknowledging us! even some Thais doesn't know about our existence . My mom's side still speaks a mixture of Tai Lue and northern dialect of Thai (the elderly fully speaks Tai lue) . My mom's side especially my grandma , cooks absolutely amazing foods . I'm going to visit my grandma's house in Lampang in a couple months!

[@Mryodamiles]

It’s interesting how we are all a generation or two away from this “primitive” living off the land lifestyle. My grandparents grew up in type of farming / hunting gathering lifestyle as children in 1950 - 1960 rural Isan. So much knowledge about the land and what vegetables are edible are disappearing along with this generation…

[@benf8706]

Here in the US, some of us have gone back to this. My meat for the year is the fish we harvest, the venison we get, and the beef/pork/chicken we slaughter. We get rice and beans from the grocery, as well as salt and seasonings. The Cargill salt mines are close, so we know where to get it if we had to. We grow almost everything else. It's well worth the few hours of work after a normal job. Without electricity, we would have to modify preservation methods.

[@austinhornbeck5060]

This was such a raw documentary. Getting hurt on the rocks, coming back with limited food, and doing it all in a day really shows perspective what many of us in the city don't understand. I mean even someone like me who grew up in rural Indiana, is eye opening. Fascinating stuff.

[@thehmongoose]

I’m going to steal that and put it my novel: “We need the jungle, but it doesn’t need us.” We Hmong people do the same when go into the forests or jungle; we stare our food with the forest spirits for their protection. Adam, I respect you more than Werner Herzog who tried to defeat the jungle.

[@DomyTheMad420]

15:00 :O that is SO cool! this guy just casually inventing new recipes "in the old style" (using what you have to try and replicate recipes) using limited tools in a freaking jungle i love this man. so pure! sidenote: i really hope some of the tourtists hear about his pizza place & shortage of ingredients; bring along some cans of tomato & cheese for him as a treat xD 25:00 please never start cutting out these locals talking life, their philosophy, thoughts, .... these are the conversations and moments many travel far and wide for. The wisest lessons can be learnt by just talking to random strangers from all over the world. 30:30 yeah, that's not 'farm to table' , it's 'jungle to fire-pit' xD kickin' it pre-historic! 🤓 overall a great video as usual, your formula is a gem for foodies, historians and just aaaa 10/10 mate

[@OTRontheroad]

Thank you! Appreciate the running thoughts.

[@kwhatten]

I've often wondered whether the locals with kwai could make their own mozzarella?

[@Niksg9424]

I love when my daily morning routine of coming home from work at the bakery and checking for an OTR video pays off. Time to grab my cooking supplies and the mini stove, it's time to cook by the TV with OTR. Love yall, keep it up

[@Benni777]

I seriously cannot believe how hard y’all work on your documentaries! 🙌🏻There needs to be more subs and views; your quality never ceases to amaze me!

[@JayPipatpon]

Finally! My hometown

[@vanhkeoprasert8111]

Same. Finally as well for me

[@jbalasavage-ns8jp]

I'm a new follower, I've been binging hard-core on your videos. Thank you for all you do and go through. I'm 58, and as I watch, I wish I had listened to my younger self and seen the world. Primarily all of Asia. I love the culture and fantasize about the true flavors of the dishes, not what the western flavors are. I loved this episode and learning about forest and what it shares. I loved that the meal was shared back with the forest and the prayer. So much respect. Each video is better than the last. I don't even know how I came across your video's, what I do know is you have a fan for life. ❤

[@OTRontheroad]

Thanks so much for the kind comment. Glad you enjoyed this video by the way- one of my favorites as well.

[@1whyvonne]

Uncle speaks of respecting and co-existing with the woods, farang’s mindset is that of conquering or being defeated by the woods. Uncle had your back. Props for giving it a go. If you stayed longer, you’d eventually begin to synchronize with the rhythm of the life there. I Appreciate that you were comfortable expressing your vulnerability when you were at the clinic. That’s how we learn and grow. Also appreciate the amount of screen time you give to the local experts rather than over-narrating yourself.

[@OTRontheroad]

Can we not use "farang" in that context? This is not the place for racism or stereotypes. I'd say about 99% of the Thai people I know who come from cities would be exactly as out-of-place. This "us and them" language has no place anywhere, but especially here.

[@beccathib3656]

​@@OTRontheroadWhat is Farang? 🙏

[@Desperatevirgin]

That’s it I’m addicted to OTR 😂😂

[@dammeedee]

คิดถึงบ้าน ขอบคุณที่พากลับบ้านค่ะ

[@alludevices1658]

I grew up in this part of the country from when I was a child until I was 11 years old, before I migrated to Canada. I still remember going jungle hunting as a kid. Yes, I enjoy this documentary very much. Thank you for your hard work.

[@crixtus]

Every time Adam steps into frame in his jeans and windbreaker and sneakers in the jungle, "poor CITY SLICKER" keeps bouncing around in my head. Bird's dad reminds me so much of my late maternal grandfather who lived in the fringes of the jungle (near a National park) about 20 km from Kuching during the Japanese occupation during the 2nd WW. The knowledge that my grandfather managed to pass on to me isn't too different from Bird's dad's monologues, right down to the spirits of the jungle and the respect that is due to them when we traipse through their living room. Its the gist of the message from this old knowledge that transcends language and cultures. The floppy hat, the denim shirt, the rubber boots and the rattan basket, all scream "Grandpa" to me, as my grandpa would have dressed exactly in the same way, albeit with a parang strapped to his waist.

[@beccathib3656]

I'm glad i watched this. The mother's smile as she showed her delicacies, the father's words as he prayed, the water buffalo's sweet nature & gentle eyes; all were beautiful...thanks for sharing! 🙏😌

[@w1ngnut4]

This was such an incredible video. An incredible place, its people, and their way of life shaped by their surroundings. I have to share.

[@anndebaldo7381]

What a wonderful show! Loved it and would love to visit...hats off to those who work to preserve their culture and way of life! And hats off to the video that shows it in great detail. thanks and ATB

[@KTx-nj8ei]

I’m so happy to see this video especially since I haven’t visit Thailand since my family moved to the USA for a chance of a better life. I left when I was very young, a young child who had never been to Kindergarten in Thailand and Nan is the city I was born in. My family moved from city to city at times but my family once lived like the family in this video in the country side of Thailand and we grew rice, cows, pigs of our own while farming and lived off the land from the jungle, as the jungle was part of the provider for our survival too. Thank you so much for sharing and I love your channel.

[@Renwar1]

'Old man' is the true essence of a hiker. Truly majestic and a call back to our human roots. Well done OTR!

[@Yvonmoua]

1976 I was in refugee camp in Namyao, Pua, Nan, Thailand.

[@bifcake]

Your videos get better and better with each and every upload. I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this. Really well done! I take my hat off to you and Dennis and everyone else involved in producing this video.

[@dennisnatrayon213]

🙏🙏🙏

[@AiJaiDeeSaMer]

This is one of the best documentary from Thailand. You two made me hungry by watching you eat those delicious natural local food from the jungle with sticky rice. Superb.

[@ved746]

I am so glad I discovered this channel. Eery video I learn something new and sometimes when India is mentioned it motivates me to research more on that.

[@cwinasia]

Bravo. Getting close to Chef’s table level here 🙏🏼. Lovely story !

[@chogemm7070]

Great video as usual but this one is extra special! Cheers!

[@advantasian]

One of my favourite videos on this channel. What a beautiful revelation of traditional Thai food's deep connection to nature 🌿With Adam being a true hero of the jungle 😆

[@eligahhh3743]

Shame this doesn't have more attention

[@paul-martintandetzki731]

33:03 the fact that he even prayed for you guys is heartwarming 🙏🏽 35:14 my man craved and NEEDED that cigarette 😂 37:14 the clinic was excited hearing old man's story & seeing you 😅

[@jadpatrick4692]

Love your channel. This episode was so beautiful. This man was so full of wisdom, and your respect and reverence shows! It was delightful to watch

[@BWVLA]

I have been waiting for OTR to have an episode like this. On my last trip to the north in Thailand I noticed on several occasions people foraging on the sides of mountains. I’ve been curious as to just what all they seek and what creative dishes are the final result. It’s also very nice to know there are homestays out there where one can visit and learn more. Good work on this one.

[@sueanoimm]

Beautiful documentary. I laugh a bit when you were unable to translate the dialects directly but it's good enough to understand. His praying in dialect includes you when he said he came into the forest for food and he brought (a) white person (s) here in purpose of learning. and that he's sharing his food as a sign of respect. He asks the guardian spirit to take care of you and him for a safe journey home (probably include your camera man? Thai language does not specify number as clearly as english).

[@vanhkeoprasert8111]

On the spot. That's exactly what he said.

[@tana00720]

You put a lot of effort into your work, I appreciate that. There's so few of Thai related documentary, Thanks.

[@kwhatten]

Those small brown puffballs used to be one of the big contributors to Chiang Mai's "smoke season". The hed daeng are all over the trails of Doi Suthep right now along with something that looks like a chantarelle.

[@tokayrepublic]

lol you really think that was the main cause of the smok? what about contract farming corn/maize in Shan state?

[@unicornkimchi]

Visually stunning video! And the story of their lifestyle really warmed my heart ❤

[@dutchsmith7375]

This channel should have a million subs. It reminds me of what National Geographic used to be, combined with Parts Unknown

[@cratorcic9362]

The first new OTR video to drop after I subscribe. Awesome!

[@Benni777]

Welcome! 🙏🏼

[@admaker07]

I love your story. Thanks for showing these adventures to us😍

[@redletter8547]

My favorite content from you guys have to be the ones that involve a road trip. Thanks for your work.

[@adrianalexandrov7730]

At Encounter and Road Back you guys seem pretty relaxed about seatbelts. Be safe

[@marin4311]

Always the nicest of Thailand, as usual, with an appropriate deep dive into both the people and the historical and cultural context. Your channel is exceptional.

[@МарияСавельева-н7п]

Such beautiful people and such an amazing episode.

[@chanakanboonnawa501]

Beautiful episode 🙌

[@phillipsmith770]

I’ve really enjoyed this channel since I found it but gotta say this was my favorite. Please dig deeper like this than just Bangkok. Thanks.

[@biancadasilveira]

I can’t get over watching your content. Living in Thailand now, I’m always amazed of how much deeper you get to know culture through food. After working in restaurants and cooking for more than half my life (I’m 38), this is the stuff I’m living for. Wish I could join your adventures! If you need an intern to help you in anyway, I’m here! 😅 awesome job as always

[@VuTrinh-c9n]

Been waiting patiently for another OTR video. It’s going to be a good day

[@GeckoOnTheWall]

Loved this, more please! Only when all the wilderness is gone, people will realise you can’t eat money..

[@ThailandThomas]

Amazing Video. That water buffalo did not even know you were on it back. Going down the Nan river is an epic trip.

[@dondobbs9302]

NICE!! Strange; my wife and I were JUST thinking about going up to Nan!(?) (We're low on funds + motivation, oh well)Love to stay at that place some day though. Bit like that here, about 30 Km. south of Chiang Mai. That Hed Tot (EarthStar) is great stuff! I've made a few pizzas with them but they're best like that, in some jungle curry. Auntie's cooking there/\is the real deal! Even home made fermented fish sauce, which almost no one does, even out in the boonies here. Did they use that "stink horn" (the really strange looking one with the "skirt",)mushroom in the Nam Prick Hed? Never see anyone eat those. Glad you've got out of the big city, sorry you got hurt. I laughed when you got back to the cart and lit up a smoke, saying that you're completely out of water.

[@twinflowerfioretta]

Great episode OTR, top notch content again, i love it ❣You always find hidden secrets, it`s your masterful ingredients of your channel ! Thankyou so much for all your fascinating research and work, i appreciate it , i like the music as well🙏👍 😊Happy Birthday to you ! 🎉

[@twinflowerfioretta]

i would love to taste this jungle food, it looks really delicious !

[@leannep.2022]

The experience living in nature fulfilled all. Great job.❤

[@allanbeesey1006]

great production, well done. A bit more on the Tai Leu would have added to the video. The Tai Leu (not Leur more like Leuu) are a very distinct Tai group, mostly found in Nan in Thailand but with discrete groups in Laos & Shan State. And up to a million in southern Laos where only this century were overtaken by the Han as the primary economic group in Sipsongpanna.

[@OTRontheroad]

Yeah I had originally written in a full additional segment and tried (through the first half-dozen drafts) to work it into the video, but it kept throwing off the pacing of the story we needed to tell, and ultimately I decided to focus this video more on this family, and just give the necessary context. One day we'll do another story on the community in general.

[@vanhkeoprasert8111]

Awesome. I can be your Leuu translator.

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

A wonderful post, I hope that your boo boo healed well 😊. That meal looked absolutely gorgeous 😋. Like deployed 👍

[@Lukasz-nw2pb]

Amazing episode!

[@surapolp]

This is truly Fantastic!!!!

[@sasayt-b5o]

Amazing episode! Something different😊

[@pierrejohnson6264]

Excellent

[@chinoyhealingfoodstravels8888]

Greetings from Redondo Beach 🇺🇸nice narration and video🌷🌷

[@kazka2592]

jungle spirit ooowweee

[@hudsonfrank1121]

It's amazing what you can learn off youtube these days. I have learned a lot of crafts of off it and some of the videos people post are just as good as cable tv. Cable tv is relatively limited and cable tv is getting worse with a lot of it being ai written now. I enjoy little finds like these channels.

[@annon231]

Made my day. Thanks

[@jeremytanhonchai2119]

Awesome content!

[@GreenCasaConGatto]

Wow very good video, thank you for sharing this video of the world

[@MarcMeltzer-e2c]

New subscriber - well done! Wahoowa! ‘83

[@OTRontheroad]

Oh man- the Sampson years. And Easters. Must have been a good time.

[@MarcMeltzer-e2c]

@@OTRontheroad 4 years without missing a single home bball game and traveled to two ACC tournaments. At Ralph’s final home game they introduced Ralph’s parents and the crowd chanted “make more babies” - ridiculous, funny and kinda witty.

[@fletcherb4728]

It's good the dads prayer included Adam from what I could make out "farang"

[@feiryfella]

New OTR *happy sigh*

[@fillerkiller1986]

Brilliant stuff!

[@dreamygazes99]

so good!!!

[@ginettevandenkerckhove6593]

Wow amazing 👍

[@arronsong3913]

My Hmong people in Thailand and Laos are living in the rural villages are poor who are famers and we foraging foods in the jungles. Our ancestors are from China, the Han Chinese had chased the Hmong, many of our great great grand parents has fled southward to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Mymma. Many of us in Laos has helped the Fench and US fought the Vietnam war and some of us end up in the third world such as US, French, England, Canada, ..etc.

[@Johnne009]

Mycologist here. The mushroom isn't a puffball (big white round mushrooms that tastes like chicken), those are Earthstars ( pops in your mouth when you bite on them). People commonly mislabel them

[@OTRontheroad]

Well that’s what we explained in the video, it’s an Earthstar, the Astraeus odoratus. The local people call them puffballs, but that’s just a nickname

[@Mellisa026]

Great to hear a discussion between mycologists, chefs and local foragers. More of these conversations are needed to discover the wealth of indigenous peoples knowledge of fungi, as both food, and a source of medicine.

[@ManagementPuaTranquilVistaHome]

When we researched almost a decade ago for somewhere to settle in Thailand Nan province was top of the list based on the rainforest covered mountains, culture, isolation, history and infrastructure. It was our third trip to the province we found Pua and two more trips later we purchased land in Sila Laeng. We are 1.5 kilometers from Daidib Daidee and we know from online reviews and local feedback that they offer a unique travel experience. We really hope this type of foraging remains sustainable as it really is a key part of the local culture. Unfortunately like much of northern Thailand we see the local forests including the steep mountain and river valley slopes being burnt each year, much of it for land clearing but also a lot to promote the growth of those mushrooms. The western border of the Doi Phu Kha NP is very close to us and it seems more and more encroachment is happened every year. But overall enjoyed the video.

[@BadHeff]

Brilliant

[@steventurner197]

you should check out the island of Koh Kret in the district of Pak Kret

[@justinirek6859]

This is why Farmville and the other digital farming games were popular; it's in our ancestral genes to farm.

[@aaronbecker5617]

I just spent a sweaty couple of days farming.....it's not in my genes just mud 😅

[@tsxplora5420novraineneos]

That encounter with ball of light is not the first reported encounter. Many people had reported to encounter ball of light in jungles. This planet is interesting.

[@tleilaxu42]

Khammon has the spirit of one hundred hardcore Oregonian mushroom foragers.

[@afptoronto1]

I love a road trip video! btw, how's the leg?

[@OTRontheroad]

Hah- healed in no time. Thanks for asking. Got a nice scar to remember the trip.

[@afptoronto1]

@@OTRontheroad Yep, I have scars from my time in Thailand too!

[@jimshelley8831]

Happy birthday

[@flavs_o_travel]

Thank you for this video. Im going to visit Thailand and I would love to join a foraging walk/workshop, can you give me contact info please?

[@Lostboy811]

Makes me want to try some Thailand pizza. I wouldn't be surprised if they cultivate certain areas to forage. Where they will leave or seed certain areas for example mushrooms are pretty easy to grow and have done so myself so making areas suitable for such growth and seeding it to grow what you want does two things makes sure you never over harvest the area, and keeps areas near you were you can pick up in the wild if needed. I just wondering because I know a few people who still gather root vegetables and other fruits and things in the wild who maintained areas and created the best environment for certain things to grow just so when they go out they can see if it grew. Its not something they take care of like people do, they just plant and if it grows then great if not then it just means they have to search other areas.

[@tktyga77]

Be sure to check out the areas bordering the other countries, not just Isaan & you'll find more regional cultures & even regional food kinds of said neighboring counties that not many know bestand/exist such as the Upper & Lower regional Laotian kinds

[@kwhatten]

All my trips to Laos always included lots of "jungle" food.

[@mono2go]

there goes my evening.

[@Rainnone]

You really need to invest in a pair of good trek pants for this kinds of travel. They are much comfortable to wear allround. Hiking in jeans is difficult.

[@punmatsapong4696]

เป็นปกติของคนไทย นิยมใส่ยีนส์เดินป่า แม้กระทั่งหน่วยทหารลาดตระเวนชายแดน...ก็นิยมใส่ยีนส์ เพราะกางเกงมันทนทานต่อการขีดข่วน..ฉีกขาด..จากสิ่งกีดขวางต่างๆตามธรรมชาติ และหนาพอจะป้องกันสัตว์มีพิษขนาดเล็กกัดผ่านเนื้อผ้า

[@narachaimk007]

แม้เราคนไทยเอง ยังฝันว่า ช่วงสุดท้ายของชีวิต ก็อยากย้ายที่อยู่ ไปอยู่สถานที่แบบนี้ ในบั้นปลาย ของชีวิต กินข้าวเหนี้ยวด้วยมือ กินแกงพื้นบ้าน ของสดจากฟาร์ม จากป่า ของที่ไร้เคมี และสารกันบูด อยากหายใจเต็มปอดในทุกวัน กับธรรมชาติที่น่าน

[@davebeck123]

In Chiang Mai they call them "ked hob" mushrooms, they look the same. Unfortunately, thats one of the reasons they burn the leaves during dry season, so they can find them when the rains come. Did you ask him if he does that too?

[@kaizerkoala]

Hed Tob

[@gunmonkey1185]

Just a suggestion. How sbout Udon Thani.😅

[@grahamandrews9725]

what camera is this shot on?

[@dennisnatrayon213]

A7siii and some shots on FS5 MkII

[@JohnnyLimJ4ckD4n3iL]

is that Krasue? the flying light ball?

[@yeraycatalangaspar195]

Very interesting, this kind of spirit we call it Foc follet from where I'm. Better to not follow them, they are at best tricksters and will make you lose your path.

[@aaronbecker5617]

The foraging gentleman is carrying a burning bundle, is that to keep away biting insects?

[@kwhatten]

Yes! He also was (sometimes) wearing a mosquito net over his head.

[@beccathib3656]

​@@kwhattenWhat was he burning to keep the mosquitos away?🙏🦟🦟🦟They eat me alive!😥

[@jimshelley8831]

Haven't been up to part of Thailand yet .

[@laurakarr29]

Did you know there's been a 250% increase in the Thailand tiger population?

[@beccathib3656]

How wonderful!

[@frazerhainsworth08]

0.17 is hatyai city not Bangkok Pattaya Phuket or any of the places you said. Only noticed because I live here 😅

[@OTRontheroad]

Yeah- sorry, didn't mean to be misleading, was just looking for footage of "Thai city" and liked the clip of Hat Yai, it wasn't meant to correspond to anything specific

[@frazerhainsworth08]

@@OTRontheroad no worries, keep up with great content. Just as I know that street so well I had to mention it.

[@EnneaIsInterested]

What kinds of vaccinations would be good for a jungle trip like this?

[@barbarosaa87]

Would die in the jungle. Red 'shroom is immediate 'nope' in Europe

[@TealCheetah]

Did bro really get stitched up without any local anesthesia?? 😂

[@kwhatten]

No stitches, just debrided the wound and put a band aid on!

[@to_cya_]

Great video as always! But there is a little correction here, at 3:22 . There is no such thing as “Tai Lua”. Tai/Dai and Lua are totally different ethnic groups. While Tai/Dai is from Kra-Dai group, the Lua is from Austroasiatic group. The people of Lua is native to the northern mountains of Thailand, or some also said that they originated from Yunnan area then settled in northern Thailand and the bordering area in Laos. In the other hands, the Tai/Dai who was originated around the Guangxi-Guangdong area are migrated to SEA much later.

[@OTRontheroad]

I think you’re misunderstanding. It’s Tai Lue, and it’s a strictly modern Thai terminology. They are the Dai who came from Yunnan in the 1300s, exactly as described in the video. Also don’t confuse “Tai” with “Dai”. They are not synonyms. Two completely separate groups.

[@to_cya_]

@@OTRontheroad If it’s Tai Lue(Tai Lü), then you are right. But as for Tai and Dai, I will say that they are different subgroup of the Kra-Dai then. And as from my understanding, Dai is how the Tai ethnic in China is called (d in pinyin pronounced as t), while the Tai ethnic in Thailand is just generally called Thai.

[@2077bat]

First!