Finding joy in helping others

Two years ago, Banjerd Nualiem opened his first khao kaeng (curry and rice) shop in Nakhon Pathom’s Kamphaeng Saen district to offer self-service meals.

The price was very minimal, almost as good as free.

At 10 baht, his customers could fill and refill a big plate of rice as many times as they liked.

He named his restaurant “Im Jung Khao Kaeng”, meaning I’m full [with] rice topped with curry or other side dishes. The stall is also known among its customers as “Khao Kaeng Buffet: Im La Sib Baht”, meaning a self-service meal at 10 baht.

Although the price is low, it serves good quality food including white rice mixed with unpolished dark purple rice, known as riceberry, and a variety of about 10 kab khao or side dishes to eat with rice. Samples include khai phalo (egg and braised pork belly in sweet brown broth), which is the shop’s best-seller, kaeng…