How to Pick Seafood Like a Pro with Centara’s Chef

Have you ever wondered where your seafood comes from? Behind every delicious seafood dish there is a team of hardworking people who have to go through a long process to make sure every dish meets the required quality standards, and they are happy to share some tips with us about how to pick the best fresh seafood.

Chef de Cuisine of Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Huahin, Thatathon Chindaphu, who carries with him 20 years of culinary experience, is here to share some seafood selection tips so you can make dishes like a pro.

If you are interested in visiting a local market and seeing where locals source their food, Chef Thatathon suggests that when you are in Hua Hin, you must head to Chatchai market which is only 5 minutes away from Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin. Chatchai market was built in 1953 and has been popular among Hua Hin natives ever since.

Make an Early Start

The recommended time to visit Chatchai market for the freshest seafood shopping is 5.30 in the morning, because that’s when all the local fishermen hit the shore and are ready for trade. But, if you’re not an early bird, Centara’s cooking class which is led by Chef Thatathon starts slightly later in the day, and the Chef himself will take you to the market and help you pick your ingredients. You will then have first-hand experience in cooking with the Chef.

Apart from seafood you can also find local vegetables, fruits, and some dried foods such as dried shrimp, crispy squid, and shrimp paste.

Another pro tip is to take a close look at the seafood. You must look it in the eyes. A fish’s eyes should be clear and bulging. Scales should be intact. You can also try to run your finger on the fish to see if the flesh is fresh - fresh flesh should be firm. You can also check its gills. The gills can also indicate if a fish is fresh. You will want to look for red and moist gills. Last tip, if it smells bad just skip it.

Seafood Medley Tostadas

Now that you have learned how to pick seafood from a local market, Chef Thatathon also wants to share his own recipe from the most popular menu item from Coast Beach Club & Bistro: Seafood Medley Tostadas is a Mexican inspired dish with added Thai flavours.

Here’s what you need:

• 15 g Shrimp
• 15 g Scallops
• 15 g Squid
• 7 g. Iceberg lettuce
• 30 g Avocado
• 30 g Mango
• 30 g Tomato
• 0.40 g Tortillas flour
• 80 g Mayonnaise
• 10 g Chilli paste
• 6 g Fish sauce
• 7 g Lime juice
• 3 g Lemongrass
• 2 g Kaffir lime leaves
• 1 g Mint
• 3 g Shallots

And ready to cook:

1. Cut the shrimp, scallops, and squid into small pieces and cook in boiling water
2. Mix the other ingredients in a bowl and then add Mayonnaise - mix well
3. Fry the tortillas or use Kao Tang as an alternative
4. Mix the dressing with the seafood and add on the tortillas or Kao Tang
5. Serve with a slice of lime or lemon