1. Ao Phang Nga (Phang Nga Bay) - Located northeast of Phuket, Ao Phang Nga is a HUGE scenic wonder. It encompasses over 400 sq. km. of vertical limestone islands, aquatic grottoes, and tons and of caves.
2. Budget accomodations - $5 huts are what I'm talking about. There's something liberating about having no hot water or no a/c in 90 degree humid heat.
Charlie's Hut - Ko Samui
3. Banana pancakes - Other backpacking countries try to imitate Bangkok's greatest creations for us farangs (foreigners), but they can't. They don't even come close. Bangkok's Khao San Road has the best banana pancakes...hands down. These delectable treats are banana filled made-to-order crepes drenched in condensed milk!4. Street food - I'm all about morning and night markets! My trips to Thailand consisted almost entirely on budget street food~pad thai, pad see ew, satay, and Thai omelettes! For grub that costed me under 50 cents, life couldn't get any better.
5. Fruit shakes and beverages in a bag - I'm surprised that fruit shakes in bags the size of your head has not picked up in the States. Ingenious!Here are some boo's to Thailand:
- shady tuk-tuk drivers
- mega resorts housing old scandanavian men in their speedos
- mosquitos
Well in tribute to my love for Thailand, I bring you a mommy-collaborated review of our Saturday visit to Wat Thai of Los Angeles (LA Thai Temple).
HEY, WHAT THE HEC? OH, WE ARE AT THE THAI TEMPLE. LUCKY US, FOUND THE PARKING RIGHT IN FRONT . AND HERE WE GO, SMELL GOOD. SO FUN BECAUSE FOOD IS PAY BY PLASTIC MONEY. WHY, I DON'T KNOW, BUT IF U GOT LEFT OVER PLASTIC MONEY, JUST HAVE TO GO AROUND TO SPEND THEM ALL... WHAT A DAY WITH PLASTIC MONEY AND THAI TEMPLE, LOVE IT.It's funny how my mom's main concern is always the parking. I'm always like, "Mom, if you calm down we'll get parking." It's so stressful driving with her. Anyways, to clarify what my mom is talking about when she says "plastic money," when you go to Wat Thai, you have to exchange your money for plastic chips in order to purchase anything. She's not a gambler, but for some reason, she loves her plastic chips.
PAD THAI FOR THREE PLASTIC DOLLAR, NO, IT IS OVER PRICE AND HOW COME IT NOT HOT AND FLAT. FOOD IS PEACE. LOVE IT.The pad thai was ok. I had to drench it with chili powder for it to reach that global warming hot that I like it to be. Wish they had some spicy shrimp paste on hand. It's ok, I was pretty satisfied with my staple street food item.
PORK AND CHICKEN BARBEQUE ARE LOOK YELLOW LIKE BANANA, TURMERIC WAS IN THE FOOD. THEY WANT IT LOOK LIKE OUR SKIN, YELLOW, WE ARE THE ASIAN. YEAH, THE BARBEQUE ARE YELLOW AND THE TEST IS A LITTLE SWEET BUT SMELL GOOD. FAIR PRICE FOR PLASTIC MONEY.For a $1, it's easy to buy a grip of these babies and not even know it. I'd like the chicken satay more than the pork. The chicken had more turmeric, and today, my stomach was lovin' the turmeric.
SWEETRICE, IT NOT RICE AND DON'T TRY TO COOK, NOT FOR HOMECOOK. THIS SWEET RICE WAS COOKING FOR THE KING OF THAILAND, SO SWEET AND GOOD. HEY, EVERYTHING HAS TO DO WITH COCONUT MILK, DON'T GET NUT IF YOU EAT TOO MUCH COCONUT MILK. THEY ARE ADDICTIEE===D
This stall's Sticky Sweet Rice with Mango is ridiculously yummy! RIDICULOUS! The sweet rice was perfect in texture: sticky, chewy, and warm. It's also perfect in taste: sweet, sweet, sweet! The roasted yellow beans added a perfect crunch to this knock-out. I also love Thai mangos. They're not stringy like the Mexican mangos that are sold in most markets. Anwyays, this dish alone made my day. I'm still thinking about it!
THAI GREEN PAYPAYA....SH*T... I AM NOT SURE HOT TO SPELL BUT IT IS GOOD FOR YOUNG LADY. DON'T TRY WITHOUT WATER... FIRE WILL START IN YOUR MOUTH. IT IS MAKING BY SINGLE ORDER AND THOSE THAI LADY, THEY LOVE TO SHOWOFF HOW THEY CAN MAKE YOU CRY WITH THOSE HOT CHILI. HOT HOT HOT, GREEN PAYPAYA SALD, LOVE IT.Mom...it wasn't that hot. I actually wished they julienned the papaya's chotto thinner. But better than any papaya salad that I've had at any restaurant here.
THIS DISH IS TASTE LIKE BANH CUON, WHERE IS THE FISHSAUCE, OH, WE ARE IN THAI TEMPLE. OK. WISH TO HAVE FISHSAUCE W/THIS DISH. IT IS GOOD. 10 POINT.These bad boy, kaow kreab prak mor are made just like banh cuon. The pork filling is more flavorful than what we're used to with banh cuon. So flavorful that you really don't need fish sauce to accompany these guys. They fly solo and that's ok mom.
Thai style Coconut ice-cream at the end of our meal. I'd get durian because my mom is a freak for durian, but they were all sold out. :( Anyways, Thai style ice-cream is more like a silky soft shave ice...like Waiola's in Honolulu. Ooooooh.
THE FISHBALL SOUP IS SUCK, WASTE OF THREE PLASTIC DOLLAR.LA Wat Thai is the closest thing I can have to my street style Thailand that I love so much. Khap khun ka for joining another mommy & me adventure!
Wat Thai of Los Angeles
8225 Coldwater Canyon Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91605
Grub: 8am-6pm Sat & Sun
19 comments:
awww! you and your mom are so cute!!! great review...wat thai temple is one of those places on my "must go" list
Hi Jeni - Another rollicking "tag-team" post! I love 'em! I would have loved your Mom's comment on eating a molten Kanom Krok.
Hi Jeni! Great post again with you and your mom-partner in crime! ;) Great picture of you two too!
if your mom says the fishball soup is suck than i'm believin' it! no soup for me...
now that your mom is a star you have to be careful of typecasting and overexposing her...
hilarious stuff jeni
Pam...wait til this rain junk weather dies down for Wat Thai! It's such a cool place to chill! Hope you have fun!
Kirk...we missed out on the Kanom Krok because we were too full...and we used all of our poker chips. BOOO! Next time next time. I cannot believe you guys drove 130 miles for Wat Thai. I live like 7 miles from the place... I gotto take advantage of that.
Kristy...I'm glad you like that picture. It's funny because before goin to Wat Thai, we came from taking pictures for our church directory. But during our session, my mom had the most stubborn inclinition to put her hand under her chin. After three tries, the poor photographer finally got her to pose the way he wanted her to.
DCCF...my mama is a star??? haha...well, my self-proclaimed diva of a mother is loving all of the love.
Thanks for all the pictures and descriptions--Like Pam, the temple is high on my list, and if there's no rain this weekend, i'm finally gonna go, dammit. With a printout of your guide, of course, to direct me :)
OOH...I hope you get to go Erin! All is yumm especially the sticky rice with mango!
Hey Jeni -
Wat Thai is so much fun! Aren't those mangoes TO DIE FOR? I am considered going out there this weekend just for another mango
Thanks for the link, by the way, I'll add you to my list too!
Wow Jeni. I think i peed my pants laughing for an hour. You and your Mom are HILARIOUS!!!!
Colleen...YES those mangoes are awesome!!!!!!! It's too yummy!
Mikay...THANKS! My mom and I are trying to make our duo-reviews a monthly thing. I wish people could meet her in person...she's crazy!
Does this happen every weekend at Wat Thai?
Anonymous...yes the food market goes on every Sat and Sunday from around 11-4ish. My mom and I went last month at the end of the day, around 445 pm and it was nice not fighting any crowds. Hope you get to go! Here's my other posting: Wat Thai LA
Today husband and I went to Wat Thai on your recommendation... What good yummy fun! It seems that today was open house for the school, so lots of little kids showing their parents around.
I could not find the kaow kreab prak mor (but since I cannot read Thai that might have been a problem) We had something that was like a Vietnamese spring roll with a spicy tamarand sauce that was very nice. The BBQ chicken was delish, we brought home fried banana wrapped in coconut (oh yum!) and husband tried some durian and sweet rice (and has been reporting to me each time he burps that it still tastes good... ugh). Everything was just as you said (including the pad thai that we had).
Today they were having a contest where people were voting on papaya salads. Some of the dispalys were really beautiful. The winner will have a stall next year.
Thanks for sharing! We look forward to going back and trying more.
Ami...I'm so glad you and your husband had a great time eating at Wat Thai LA. Im sorry you couldn't find the kaow kreab prak mor. Your husband is pretty brave to be eating the durian & sweet rice. My mom looooooves her durian, but it's still becoming an acquired affection for me. I'm so glad you enjoyed your time there. Now that the weather is cooler, I will hopefully be heading there with some fellow foodbloggers that have been craving Thai street food. Soooo yumm!
Thai town is where my bf and I have been hanging out. We're on a quest for the best Thai Boat Noodles and Thai Duck Noodles. Plenty of good eats in Thai Town! Check out his site:
www.noodlewhore.com
Thanks for reading Ami!!!
We will certianly have to try some of the noodle places your bf has been. We live in Long Beach and go into OC quite a bit, so we have plans to check out some of the places you (and others) have recommended in Westminster for our next excursion. It's the closest we can come to travel right now ;)
Years ago I was visiting SF and found whole durian. The appearance fascinated me. I bought one to take home the day before I left and carried it on to the airplane with me.
I was greatful it was only a 30 minute flight becuase the people saying "what IS that smell" were causing me to want to crawl under my seat. I've not been on good terms with the fruit ever since.
...while I'm here... do you have any recomendations (or know of a blogger that might) for the Portland, OR area? We're going up for a week later this month.
Thanks for writing!
Ami...please check out Westminster, you'll love it! I've done several postings on regular trips with my mom, I hope those help. My mom and I always eat at Tay Ho for banh cuon. You guys would love it there if you want to be adventurous. But if not, Thanh My is a safe bet. They've got a great bowl of pho and bun thit nuong (vermicelli with bbq pork) and cha gio (Vietnamese egg rolls)...can't go wrong at Thanh My!
I told my mom about you bringing durian on the plane. She started busting up and then went on to say that only "smart" people eat durian. You go girl!
As far as Portland...luccccky! Tons of good moms and pops there. Here are some Portland sights that I've found.
Mmm-yoso goes to Portland
www.portlandfoodanddrink.com
www.portland.metblogs.com
http://portland.metblogs.com
Portland Foodie Tip Sheet
www.altportland.com
Hope this helps Ami! Have a great trip!!!
Thanks! GREAT sites, they are super helpful. I cannot belive I somehow managed to miss out on all those food trucks the first time I was there!
...I don't know how lucky, though. I am going back to Portland (second time this year) for medical tests. Love the city... hate the disease (Cushing's) that takes me there.
I'm determined to pretend I'm on a vacation interrupted by blood draws, MRI's and doctors appointments *heh*
I really want to try Tay Ho. I'm hoping that it's a place that is friendly to non-asians. I'll comment when we get there! :)
I ate quite a bit of Pho with some Vietnamese friends when I was in nursing school in Huntington Beach. I LOVE the stuff.
Thanks again.
Hi Ami...
Have fun in Portland! Eat eat eat!
Tay Ho is cool...I wouldn't say it's unfriendly, but it doesn't necessarily cater to the non-Asians. Just expect sticky tables. There are 2 locations in Westminster, I suggest going to the newer location at 9629 Bolsa Ave.
Anyways, have fun...and email me if you need anything!
Hi Jeni,
Thanks for your excellent blog.
Pictures are awesome, very stomach- jerker. As for me I adore Thai food!
Thai food offers a variety of flavours and tastes. The subtle mixing of herbs and spices and market-fresh ingredients makes dining a special culinary experience.
A century ago, meals were eaten by hand, pressing the rice into the little balls; today a spoon and fork are used for eating rice, while chopsticks are used for Chinese-type noodles.
With Thai cuisine enjoying an outstanding world-wide reputation for its unique flavours and tastes, there's no better way to learn about this cooking style than in Thailand itself. Visitors have a choice of venues where they learn from Thai chefs and culinary experts. All the techniques that create one of the world's most interesting cuisine's.
Post a Comment