Moo Kata is currently one of the most popular Thai culinary styles in the Land of Smiles, and perhaps in other parts of the world.

What is Moo Kata? How does Moo Kata work? And why is Moo Kata so popular? For those unfamiliar with Moo Kata, we will answer the following questions, such as how to enjoy Moo Kata like a professional.

What is Moo Kata?

Moo Kata, also known as Mu Kratha or Mukata or MooKata or Mokata, is basically a fusion of Korean BBQ and Chinese hot pot. Here, you collect the ingredients and cook them yourself on the table grill. Traditionally, table grills have a raised dome for cooking meat and space around the dome for cooking vegetables, fish balls and mushrooms in sauce. Sliced ​​meat is usually pre-marinated and the sauce has a light flavor, so you really just pour the ingredients into a pan and wait for them to cook. The meal is finished with seasonings containing sweet and spicy garlic sauce.

You can find Moo Kata restaurants all over Thailand. These restaurants usually offer a self-made dinner buffet for an all-you-can-eat set price. Why is Mukata so popular? Mukata looks like a painstaking supper outside the kitchen of the house. Why go to a restaurant and cook your own dinner instead of having an expert cook it for you?
Well, there are many reasons why people enjoy Moo Kata and why this DIY Thai style dinner is so popular. It’s a fun experience, especially when eating out with friends and family. Cooking your own food invites conversations and connects people. You cook, so you won’t have time to check your phone, so you can spend a better time with your loved ones.

Mukata is popular not only for the experience but also for the affordable price. Moo Kata restaurants generally offer low prices in an all-you-can-eat environment. This is arguably the most profitable food you can get in Thailand.

How to enjoy Mukata

It takes some getting used to enjoying Mokata. Beginners who have never eaten at Mokata Restaurant. Here’s a quick guide to enjoying it the right way.

Step 1: Prepare your whole body for a smoky smell

Sit in front of the hot charcoal and boiled sauce brie, so be prepared to smell like smoke throughout your body. Not to mention the scorching Thai heat, the heat generated by the grill and frying pan also raises the body temperature. So if you really want to enjoy the Mokata experience, wear something to breathe and drink plenty of water.

Step 2: Choose your favorite meat, seafood and vegetables

Mukata literally means “pan pork”. However, there are many other options, so don’t miss it without eating pork. Ingredients are served in a buffet and you can choose what you want to cook at the table. This means that you have endless opportunities for how you want your food to taste and what you want to include in it. You can find a variety of chicken, lean meat, seafood, vegetables and mushrooms. Some of the most popular ingredients are chicken, beef, pork and shrimp. We also have a variety of ingredients such as fish balls, squid balls, crab sticks, and soft tofu. Most Mokata restaurants offer everything you can eat, so you can eat as much as you like. However, you cannot leave food uneaten on the table. Almost all Mokata restaurants charge a fee in addition to the list price of the buffet of dishes left on the table. This is a great way to avoid wasting food. So, as long as you are sure you can eat everything, eat as much as you like.

Step 3: Boil the meat, seafood and vegetables in the soup

The first thing to do is add meat, seafood and vegetables to the soup. This is because these ingredients usually take longer to cook in soup than on the grill. Some restaurants use regular water for their soups, while others offer light-flavored sauces.

Step 4: Roast the meat

While waiting for the soup to be cooked, you can start frying the meat. In most cases, lard is used instead of regular margarine for fried foods. By using lard, the roasted meat becomes stronger and tastier. Before roasting the meat, place the lard on the surface of the grill and melt it. Once melted and roasted on a smooth oily surface, you can evenly spread your favorite meat or seafood on the grill. If the grill is sticky, simply place a block of lard on the grill before re-cooking the meat or seafood.
They will give you tweezers and chopsticks. Cook raw meat with tongs and eat with chopsticks. To prevent food poisoning, do not eat cutlery-based foods that come in contact with raw meat. Also note that beef, chicken and pork need to be fried well.

Step 5: Enjoy your meal

When the ingredients are cooked and ready to eat, soak in Thai sauce (Namchim) on the table. The sauce with fresh pepper, garlic, sugar and tofu has a sweet and spicy taste. It’s delicious and I can’t stop eating until I’m full!
How to find the best MooKata restaurant? There are many places to enjoy this unique dinner, but not all Mokata restaurants are made the same. Some restaurants use fresh and clean ingredients. Conversely, some offer stinky meat, wilted vegetables, lively flies here and there, and unsanitary conditions.

One of the best ways to find a great Mokata restaurant is to find a restaurant with queue. As a rule, crowded restaurants usually mean that the food is delicious and clean. Of course, following the crowd doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be the best. So, as soon as you enter the restaurant, look around to see if the buffet looks fresh and clean. Also, make sure the table is really clean and disinfected after people leave.