I am sad, and not a little deflated, to admit my disappointment with Japanese food. Although the grocery produce is far superior to the US in terms of freshness, most food is over-processed, over-priced, and very meaty. The only redeeming foods are sushi, okonomiyaki, and black sesame ice cream. Sad.
Thailand is a very popular tourist desitnation, and there are many good reasons for it. One way that Thailand demonstrates its WELCOME to tourists is in the menus: most places have vegetarian options. And in Thailand, if you don`t wish for something in your food (because of an allergy or food preference), the cook is totally willing to change or substitute. In Japan if you ask for something different, the restaurant often reacts like you have just broken the rules and insulted the Japanese emperor, you nasty smelly barbarian. Or blatantly ignores your request and makes it like they wish. In Japan, different is wrong (it's actually the same word). Thai people just seem to be so much more easy-going, friendly, and Cool about everything. They really are.
All that being said, Thailand is lucky because so much grows there. In that tropical climate they can grow fruits and vegetables nearly year-round. Seriously, how can a menu go wrong if it uses mango, pineapple, guava, basil, cilantro, lemongrass, chili, cashews, coconut, curries, fresh fish, jasmine rice, wonderful teas. . .
Kudos to Cat for this amazing photo of fresh-roasted nuts at the market.
This pad see ew was one of the best dishes I ate in Thailand. The chefs at "The Wok" in Chiang Mai are amazing.
Also from "The Wok", Nick`s famous Chiang Mai curry noodles were crunchy on the top, soft in the bowl, and delicous.
This amazing fish was part of our New Year`s eve dinner.
Cat and Nick ate these things, fer reals. Just a few, and just for the adventure. Yum!
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