Smer Jai Khao Soi Gai Chiang Mai, Thailand – In between shopping at JJ market, the ever empty decor, art, antiques and clothing market just north of the old city, and perusing the galleries on Th Faham, I snuck in my requisite Chiang Mai khao soi at Smer Jai also on Th Faham. It would [...]
Fried Flowers Salad at Pun Pun Chiang Mai, Thailand – On a quick trip to Chiang Mai, I ended up bumping into two friends from Bangkok in the cafe of the guesthouse I’d recommended to them (Elliebum). Since half of the couple is vegetarian, the whole couple leans heavily that way. So I’ll call them [...]
Pad Pak Muu Grob (Crispy Pork and Vegetables) Bangkok, Thailand – Every time I ask someone where their favorite street stand is, I get “oh there’s the best noodle place down the street from my apartment” or “the best crispy pork in Bangkok is right by my work.” Of course, there are a some places [...]
It’s mango season here in Thailand and the full range is on display from green to ripe, 10 baht/kilo to 80 plus, small and large and everything in between. The mango I had in Sparkles was a rare variety so difficult to grow that it isn’t produced commercially. Of course, you can find plenty of other varieties in the markets.
Fish at Pak Khlong Talat (the closest picture to Khao San I could find ) I recently received an e-mail from a traveler staying near Democracy Monument interested in some recommendations. Since she’s staying relatively close to Khao San road, also known as the travelers’ ghetto, I thought that my response might be of general [...]
Smer Jai Khao Soy on Th Faham Chiang Mai, Thailand – Returning to Chiang Mai always feels like coming home, even though I’ve never held a residence here. It’s a welcoming city, sunny and slow, with enough to do to keep things from getting boring, yet contained enough to retain a neighborhood feel. Of course, the first [...]
Khao Man Gai Stall Bangkok, Thailand – Khao man gai is a popular lunchtime dish throughout Bangkok. Originally from China, called Hainanese chicken in some places, it is a simple meal of poached chicken served over rice made with chicken fat, oftentimes with cucumber slices on the side. In Thailand it’s hacked to order and [...]
Bangkok Traffic at Night My first few weeks in Thailand I wandered around in a haze, sometimes for eight hours a day, grazing on whatever I happened upon – noodle soup, ice cream sandwiches, grilled bananas and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Newly unemployed, single and without a friend within 8,000 miles, I barely knew where I [...]
Rice Flour Batter for Khanom Krok (Coconut Pudding) Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Thailand – I got my iron stomach, my willingness to try new foods and my lack of concern for salmonella from my father. Dad always had a corny sense of mischief about food. There was that time he served purple potatoes for dinner, an [...]
Congee (Rice Porridge) Chiang Mai, Thailand – Growing up, I always had a snack after school, something that I could grab out of the cupboards and serve myself. With sun streaming onto our kitchen table, I would nibble on crackers and cheese, chips and salsa, sandwich cookies, apples and peanut butter and so forth. Outside the [...]