MKK TAJ MAHAL — Restaurant in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province

Found this place through a local food app — took a chance, and it was a good one. The Lobiya and Lemon Rice both turned out right. — deep flavor, no shortcuts. So a few days later, I made my way to the restaurant in person.

It’s a family place, with the restaurant below and their home stacked above. A modest, soft-spoken girl waited on me. The Lobiya had just sold out. She offered to check the kitchen, but chose to try the Daal instead.

The Daal, though, lacked soul. No toasted cumin, no mustard seed, no bay. Just surface notes, no home in the flavor. It lacked that deep, layered warmth that real Daal carries. Still, before leaving, asked if could return the next day for Lobiya. She said yes.

I returned.

Ordered two Lobiya, two Lemon Rice — takeaway. 480 Baht. Paid, grabbed the bag, went on my way...

Later, opened the containers: the Lobiya was undercooked, beans still a bit hard. The rice, still golden, still delicious. Simmered the beans again in coconut milk and water to bring them to life. -didn’t mind. Fresh batch, maybe rushed. Grace was given.

A week passed. I returned again. This time, the silver gate was only halfway open. No tables out.

Still, … sat — porchside — waited. Seven minutes or more.. sat quietly, waiting. Movement and voices stirred inside, but no one acknowledged me. A boy on a scooter arrived, fetched someone from inside, walked past me nervously — still, no one said anything.

Eventually, I rose ; just as a woman — the mother — emerged from the back. All dressed up nice with the daughter in tow. Seeing me, however… she gasped, clutching her chest like she’d seen a ghost.

But she had seen me before. From the shadows. A week ago. She knew who had placed the order worth 480 Baht.

She stammered that they were closed and suggested I come back tomorrow.

I knew right then I never would.

Because if my presence “startles,” if my presence “scares”, so will my support and my tourist dollars knowing are not welcome here. And where I am not welcome, I do not return.

Sad, yes. But not tragic. Just another story of...

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