Thai Food: Guoi Dtiao, Chinese-Thai Noodles

ก๋วยเตี๋ยว (guoi dtiao) is one of the most ubiquitous street foods in Thailand and is a kind of noodle soup. It’s probably one of the most customizable Thai dishes out there, from start to finish. You get to choose the noodle size, whether you want broth or not, the kind of broth and the meat. Plus, at the table you can add flavorings to your bowl as you like it. 

Guoi dtiao is a dish that is Chinese influenced, as so it is one of the rare things in Thailand that you eat with chopsticks (there’s also an Asian-style spoon for the broth). This dish is pretty strictly eaten at street stands, and so rather than give you a recipe for guoi dtiao, I’ll give you the steps to ordering your own bowl.

more “Thai Food: Guoi Dtiao, Chinese-Thai Noodles”

Thai Food: Pad Ga-Prao, Spicy Fried Basil

This dish is one that is found in nearly every restaurant in Thailand, is simple and filling. It’s called ผัดกะเพรา (pad ga-prao), and literally means stir fried basil. It’s made with any variety of available meat – usually chicken or pork – but I’ve personally had it made with tofu and fried egg as well.

The basil is not your ordinary Western basil, but rather, Thai holy basil. There are quite a few varieties of basil in Thailand (holy basil, hairy basil, sweet basil), and Thai holy basil can be kind of difficult to find outside of Thailand, so sometimes Thai sweet basil is substituted instead, but it doesn’t quite have the same flavor. Click inside to learn how to make your own ผัดกะเพรา.

more “Thai Food: Pad Ga-Prao, Spicy Fried Basil”

Bpai Tiao: Beach Camping in Khao Sam Roi Yot

In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.

As my time in Thailand winds down, I figured I’d get in one last bpai tiao. I was able to connect with some Peace Corps folks who had been evacuated from Liberia and Guinea because of the Ebola epidemic and we went to Khao Sam Roi Yot, a few hours south of Bangkok.

more “Bpai Tiao: Beach Camping in Khao Sam Roi Yot”

UNICEF Takes Aim at Violence Against Children

Thai commercials really know how to get at your emotions. They use this kind of gauzy filter with tinkling pianos and strings underlying the action. They really know how to appeal to your emotions. UNICEF in Thailand has jumped on board with a short video about violence against children. Even if you don’t understand the voiceover, I’m sure it’ll speak to your heart.

Bpai Tiao: Biking Along the Mekong in Mukdahan

In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.

One thing that I have enjoyed while in Thailand is going to as many new places as I can. I enjoy seeing the variety that the country has to offer, from beaches to mountains, rivers to jungle not to mention the various cultural differences between the regions. I may not have the language skills to speak about things in depth, but I have gotten really good at casual conversations with new acquaintances as I have tried to talk to new people in all the places I have gone.

My most recent trip took me not only to deep Isaan, already a place most tourists don’t visit, but to a little visited province even by Thais, and through small villages that are well off the sightseeing path.
more “Bpai Tiao: Biking Along the Mekong in Mukdahan”