One of the most exciting things about traveling is discovering new flavors- exotic fruits, gnarly veg, savory juices, and fried insects to name a few. In Thailand, though I’ve been there dozens of times, I’m always learning about new ingredients and how they’re used. Two unique ingredients that might be a bit strange/disconcerting for Westerners…
Tag: travel
Balmoral Brekky at the Boathouse
On our last day in Sydney, we woke up early to have a quick breakfast before heading to the airport. We were staying in Mosman and had planned to stop in Bondi for breakfast and a last look at Iceberg’s picture-perfect views. My friend Wayne had recommended breakfast in Balmoral several weeks ago but we…
A Bite of History (and Wonton Perfection)
Hualien has much to love about it with its small town charm, cute night market, and the main tourism draw, Toroko Gorge. But my favorite attraction was a simple, yet perfect, wonton soup. On our first night in this eastern mountainous coastal town, we found Dai Ji’s dumplings through a bit of googling. When we…
Beautify in Bangkok
Thailand’s huge draw for me lies in the food, friends, and culture. Bangkok, in particular, is quivering in colors and sounds. From the street vendors squeezing fresh bright orange mandarin juice, to the colorful Hindu temples and Thai wats, to the whizzing motorcycle taxis, to the women who sell fragrant jasmine flower wreathes for offerings,…
Duck Dynasty: A Thirty Year Old Street Stall
Last month when I was in Bangkok with my sister Julia, I ran her all around the city, making sure she tasted all of my favorite snacks and street food finds. I was most excited about this little gem that my friend Nhoi had shown me a while back. In Thailand, I’ve eaten many an…
Sweet Street Treats: A Bite of Adventure
I adore Flushing, Queens NY. The moment you come up from the train station you get the sensation that you might as well have just come off a flight. Most every sign advertising a restaurant, coffee shop or magazine store is written in Chinese characters. It’s a true place of discovery and of getting lost….
Taste the Day, and Then Keep on Tasting!
This is what a Sunday looks like when you’re an avid eater in Bangkok. Parental supervision advised. Do not try this at home. As Giada de Laurentiis would say, “I eat a little of everything and not a lot of anything.” Perhaps she thinks she sounds wise, but perhaps she’s never eaten Thai food. You…
Duck, Duck, Duck….Duck!
The other night, my friends Nhoi and Korn took me to Asiatique (http://www.thaiasiatique.com). Situated right on the water, the location couldn’t be more perfect. But the shopping mall cum tourist trap is kitchy and sweetly syrup-y. We took a walk around the stalls, looked at trinkets and thought about eating something, but in the end,…
Thai Desserts: So Fun to Make, Even More Fun to Eat
Thai desserts have become my main heart throb, my raison d’être…after my lovely boyfriend of course! Every time I come to Bangkok now, I make a beeline straight to the back of Nahm’s kitchen. My good friends Pi Pat and Pi Ta welcome me back with squeals and semi-hugs (Thai’s don’t hug) and they ask…
Rice is Nice
Originally posted on Not Fine Dining:
I was down in Nakhon Si Thammarat earlier this week, wandering around one of the country’s holiest wats, Wat Mahathat, when my facebook alert chimed in my pocket. I stepped outside of the temple and discreetly looked at the message. My friend Baimohn asked what I was up to…
My Favorite Lunch Spot in the Whole Wide World
I’m learning to read and write Thai, and let me tell you, it’s quite the challenge. I’m mainly inspired to learn because I really really really want to be able to talk with people (obvious). Specifically about food. Many of the street vendors here I’ve been visiting for years and we have a very…
Chicken Soup Extreme
I love this dish and it’s a soup that will definitely go on a future menu. It’s full of chicken bits, including shredded white meat, bits of bone with crunchy cartilage, blood cake and braised feet. It may sound a bit extreme, but it’s probably the kind of soup a chicken would hope to end…
passport to eat 