Kai Tod Makwaen [Prickly Ash Pepper-spiced Fried Chicken]

Makwaen, north Thailand’s hidden gem of a numbing pepper [its part of the same family tree as Sichuan pepper - yes, mala!] with a complex bright lemongrass-clementine note, rounded off with hawthorn blossom, shares the stage with one of the world’s beloved comfort food - the fried chicken. Easily a snack, or even a meal, the meat is kept tender, in contrast to the fresh crispy crunch, almost popping with a bouquet of our special mix of herbs & spices with every bite.

All our recipes are healthy yet authentic-tasting! Zero-to-low calorie by using real sugar that’s not absorbed by the body, 43% lower sodium than normal salt, while our rice benefit from lowered GI [Glycemic Index], and a boost in fibre, prebiotics, & natural minerals. And we source locally as much as possible.

Makwaen, also known as Thai prickly ash, is a highly prized spice, even used as a tribute from Nan to King Taksin [Tae Sin, or Zheng Xin] - renowned for liberating Ayutthaya, & unifying Thailand after that. Known for its antibacterial & antioxidant qualities, it’s even used as a mosquito repellant.

Trivial: with Sichuan peppers, the lips tingling averages 50Hz, & this same frequency’s used for physiotherapy, & enough to sustain increased skin blood flow for 15 minutes. Thus red-er lips… well, it’s trivial as stated.