Back to the Thai Temple – Tampa, FL

Two weeks ago, we went to the Thai Temple Sunday Market with our friend, Vimmi.  I enjoyed it so much that Vimmi and I headed back today! 

You can read my previous post for more info on the market.  Although I loved all my foods from last visit, I wanted to try a few new things this time. 

We still bought a bag of the fried bananas – they are too good to pass up.  I’m sure they are one of the least healthy options at the market – but at least we split them. 

This time I tried the pork noodle soup – Vimmi had the vegetarian version.  The line for the soup is one of the longest, so it is clearly a favorite of the regulars.  They let you pick the thickness of noodle for the soup (we both got thin angel hair noodles). My broth had meat mixed in to the noodles and vegetables, as well as Thai pork meatballs.  The meatballs tasted like doughy dumplings…I didn’t realize there was any meat in them.  We both ordered the “small” size soup – although they were actually pretty large!

Last night it poured rain, so the area with picnic benches was flooded.  We found a pavilion to sit under and avoided the muddy tables. 

After our meal, we picked up dessert to-go.  I chose the “khanom kauew” (small banana cakes).  There was a bonus orange-colored cake called “khanom taan” in with the others.  It was made from the fruit of a palm tree, which I had never tried before.  

The khanom kauew didn’t really have a cake texture - it just felt like mashed up bananas coated in coconut flakes.  I preferred the khanom taan – it had a spongy texture and sweet flavor.  It’s too bad my box only had one of the palm cakes.  Most of the desserts are new to me, so I’ll never know until I try them.  

Visiting the Thai Temple is the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. 

The Wat Mongkolrata Sunday Market is located at 5306 Palm River Rd, Tampa, FL 33619 and is open 10:30am – 2pm.

Thai Temple – Tampa, FL

A few weeks ago, our neighbor, Vimmi, told us about a Sunday morning market at the “Thai Temple”.  I had somehow never heard of it, yet when I looked up more info online, it was rated as the #10 best attraction in Tampa on Tripadvisor and everyone on Yelp raved about it!  Growing up in Tampa (and loving Asian food), I’m not sure how I could have possibly missed the memo. 

It takes place at grounds of the Wat Mongkolrata Buddhist Temple, which is just between Brandon and Tampa overlooking the Palm River.  You can tell the food is worthwhile because there were people directing the traffic for parking!  The location is beautiful.  The first thing we noticed was the ornate temple and golden Buddha statue.  There are picnic benches shaded by oak trees overlooking the river – a nice peaceful site to enjoy a Sunday morning. 

Dozens of tables were set up with volunteers serving a variety of meats, curry dishes, noodle soups, kabobs, salads, egg and spring rolls, drinks, and desserts.  They also had stands set up selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers.  Some of the foods were ones I had never even heard of before.  We sampled a small sweet fruit called a longan (which translates to “Dragon Eye” – the texture actually was a bit like an eyeball).

Vimmi got a vegetarian noodle soup and some amazing fried bananas.  

I had Thai tea, and Lance and I split pork egg rolls, shrimp spring rolls, and a coconut dessert made with sticky rice.  Everything tasted so fresh and authentic.  I really loved the peanut dipping sauce for the spring rolls.  Lance also bought some chicken wings and sausage to bring to work for lunch.  

Be prepared with cash since there are no credit cards accepted.  Although you really don’t need much because it’s all very reasonably priced!  Lance and I together barely spent around $15, and that included the extra food he bought to go. 

I’m only regretting that I didn’t find out about this market sooner!  I’m sure I’ll be a regular now – especially once the weather cools off a bit.  If anyone is free on a Sunday, let me know because I’m already ready to go back again! 

The Wat Mongkolrata Sunday Market is located at 5306 Palm River Rd, Tampa, FL 33619 and is open 10:30am – 2pm (but get there early!).