Nam Hai, 21st and Garnett

[Hoss]

Speaking of, where can I find a good cast iron wok around town? I've looked at Nam Hai, Smalley's/Stock Pot, the restaurant supply at 31st & Mingo (they said they would order one for me, I chased them for a month and finally gave up it never arrived and I assume it was never ordered).

All I can find are crappy enameled ones and non-stick.  I like a good, seasoned wok.  Unfortunately my last one got away in a divorce.  Adding insult to injury, she could burn water so a wok is totally lost on her.

Garden Ridge.  I got a spun metal one there about three years ago; took me a while to get it seasoned just right.  Won't use those wonky electric or non-stick woks; they're worthless.

I prefer either the spun metal or hand-hammered (almost impossible to find those without giving up a month's salary now).

[Rogers64]

Forum Friends,

During one of my several trips to the Philippines (courtesy the US Navy some many years ago) my buddy and I were foraging for food in one of the open markets in Manilla.

Mostly delightful aromas from all the charcoal cooking taking place.

But we found a fish stall, and hanging from a hook was a large fish, don't know what, that was mostly black.

As we approached the stall, the nice grandmotherly Filipino lady stood up and slapped the fish with and open hand (WHACK!), and the fish suddenly turned nearly white.

That was when all the flies zoomed away, but only momentarily.

A bit further on, we found a guy stirring up an appetizing mix of Curried Something Kinda Meat and green veggies and rice, which we ate with monkey pod spoons from a monkey pod bowl.

Was delicious.

I often wish that Tulsa had some open markets with outdoor cooking of really fundamental ethnic chow.

Regards,
Mike

[TurismoDreamin]

Forum Friends,

During one of my several trips to the Philippines (courtesy the US Navy some many years ago) my buddy and I were foraging for food in one of the open markets in Manilla.

Mostly delightful aromas from all the charcoal cooking taking place.

But we found a fish stall, and hanging from a hook was a large fish, don't know what, that was mostly black.

As we approached the stall, the nice grandmotherly Filipino lady stood up and slapped the fish with and open hand (WHACK!), and the fish suddenly turned nearly white.

That was when all the flies zoomed away, but only momentarily.

A bit further on, we found a guy stirring up an appetizing mix of Curried Something Kinda Meat and green veggies and rice, which we ate with monkey pod spoons from a monkey pod bowl.

Was delicious.

I often wish that Tulsa had some open markets with outdoor cooking of really fundamental ethnic chow.

Regards,
Mike

When I was in the Philippines (Cardona Rizal area), we stopped by a very large outdoor market in Binangonan, Morong, and Antipolo. Those were great examples of asian markets. But the smell was no different to me than Nam Hai.

I think if you give any Asian store long enough, they will have that same stench...and Nam Hai has been around at the same location for a long time. I will say that their fresh fish is something you want to be careful about. If you are going outside of your norm and buying fish there, I wouldn't recommend it...you will get sick. Our family still has fish sent from our relatives in the Philippines. They send it to us (along with several other items) over the course of 2-3 days in nothing more than wrapped plastic. We've never gotten sick from it, but that's just the way we live.

A word of caution to all: watch your receipts. As you've read in this thread, the lady who never smiles, looks PO'ed all the time, and works behind the register is the owner. She has her favorites and doesn't talk very much. You'll notice that some of the things in the store have a sticker price and some things don't. They DO NOT use a barcode system here. The lady types in the prices manually which as you would expect results in errors. We know people who are close to the family and they tell us that if she doesn't like you, she will mark up your prices. Also, if you are American and have no clue, she will type incorrect prices. This will become even more apparent if you buy a basket full of items. The son (who has a blue Lexus IS) is much more friendly and truthful when he types in prices. Sometimes my parents won't go there unless they see the son's car parked in front of the store.