Herb-Baked Catfish Draws Crowds in Kamphaeng Phet
Sommai Srilajanthak and Thanyalak Phumsilit have turned a YouTube-inspired idea into a thriving business selling herb‑baked catfish in clay pots in Kamphaeng Phet. Their unique spice‑marinated dish attracts steady crowds and long waiting lines, providing a solid income despite economic fluctuations. The shop also offers a variety of other clay‑pot baked meats, all starting at 50 baht.
The couple, Sommai Srilajanthak (36) and Thanyalak Phumsilit (35), got the idea after watching a YouTube video on how to bake catfish in a clay pot. They experimented, then refined the recipe by adding a variety of Thai herbs and spices to the marinade, letting the fish soak for about an hour to absorb the aromatics. The catfish is cleaned thoroughly to remove any fishy smell, then coated with the secret spice mix and skewered around the rim of a red clay pot heated with charcoal underneath. This method circulates heat evenly, giving the fish a firm exterior while keeping the inside moist and juicy. Served with a spicy dipping sauce, the dish pairs well with sticky or steamed rice. Besides the signature herb-baked catfish, the shop also offers other clay‑pot baked items such as pork, pork ribs, pork tongue, pork offal, large intestines, and chicken, all priced from 50 baht. The stall is located in Village 13, Ban Pa Mamuang, Nakhon Chum district, Mueang Kamphaeng Phet province, just past the Nakhon Chum intersection and about 200 meters toward Ban Mai, on the left side in front of a pharmacy. Customers can call 095‑313‑3967 to reserve or inquire.