Sunday, May 24, 2009

Buddhist Temple Market



Earlier this week I read an article about a Buddhist Temple market located here in Tampa that runs 10-1 every Sunday-
http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/the941/2009/05/14/say-wat/
It sounded very interesting and so I decided to check it out this morning, and am very glad I did. I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of Sunday mornings here. As it says in the article supporters of the Temple donate their time to prepare vast amounts of delicious food-all the money they take in goes to charity.
The food is prepared on the wrap around veranda of their rec center. I had an amazing noodle bowl for $5 that puts any store bought ram en to shame to say the least.

I tried the coconut rice custard/onion cakes mentioned (and pictured) in the article and they were fantastic, I had to wait about 15 minutes for them as the orders were backing up. I also observed the fry guy mentioned, cooking his glazed sweet potatoes, bananas, and Taro in giant woks, here is what the finished product looks like. I didn't get any of these this time, perhaps next week.


There were also a great many other interesting desserts and entrees. You can enjoy your food either at picnic tables on the veranda itself, or under some shady trees by the river. The atmosphere is very positive and relaxing.




The only reason these tables are empty is that I got there just after the market opened, but the time I left at 1130, the place was so packed people were having a hard time finding parking spaces! There is also a meditation garden on the property and a boat dock out on the water. I walked out on it, looked down and saw a bunch of what appeared to be several large catfish swimming around. I highly recommend this market as a great place, to relax, connect with family and friends, and enjoy fantastic food for the benefit of a good cause. Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple is located at 5306 Palm River Road, Tampa

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