Whenever people learn I was in Thailand the first question they ask me is "what was your favorite part?" Honestly, the food. Street food gives me life, and there is an amazing culture of street vendors throughout the country. Not to mention, I could eat Thai food every day of my life.
After returning to the states, the first thing I ate was a rice and chicken bowl in Los Angeles. Do you know what that cost me? $15. I've had some time to reflect now and realize I've been in a somewhat permanent state of "hanger." I've come to realize that I'm sick of paying $10-15 every time I want to eat something healthy. In Thailand, the food was cheap, healthy, and delicious. My favorite meals cost me $1-3. Here, if something costs that, I question why and probably don't want to eat it (unless it's authentic Mexican tacos, I'll eat those all day).
Stir fried rice noodles - 10 BAHT = $0.32 USD (and henna!)
Colorful Pad Thai with tofu - 60 BAHT = $1.92 USD
Cultural Differences
Another thing I love about the Thai food culture in general is that they don't wait to serve your food. If you are out to eat with four people and you each order something different, they will bring out one dish, 20 minutes later bring out something else, and so on. You don't wait for everyone to get their food before you start to eat like we do here.
There's also the language barrier. I did not personally experience this, but a friend told me about a Thai food experience that made me laugh. You walk into a quaint little place to eat and are pleased to see an extensive 15 page menu in English. You take ten minutes to decide what you want and finally order. She brings out one dish. It's not what you ordered. She brings out another dish. It's not what he ordered. She brings out another. You realize... it doesn't matter what you order, they will always bring you fried rice. Classic.
Lastly, those of you who know me know that I love pizza. Well, I made it a point to stay away from any food that wasn't authentically Thai while there. Tourist food is way more expensive and usually pretty bad. However, after a long day of rock climbing some friends thought that pizza sounded really good and they decided to treat themselves. They get the pizza. It looked like slices of melted kraft cheese over vegetables. They ate a few bites. It tasted...okay. Oddly... sweet? Soon after, my friend sees squirt marks and realizes... IT'S KETCHUP. THE BASE SAUCE IS KETCHUP.
And that, my friends, is why you only eat Thai food. Preferably street Thai food.
Grilled chicken on a stick - 10 BAHT = $0.32 USD
"I won't eat street food, I don't want to get sick."
Okay, let me set those of you who say this straight. Street food is arguably safer than brick-and-mortar food. Here's why... street food is guaranteed to be fresh. It's cooked fresh, served hot, and everything is used by the end of the night. There is no room for vermin to get into stored food and you don't have to worry about it sitting out for too long or not being properly stored.
For those with allergies, you get to watch them make your food right in front of you and that removes any questions or potential hazards.
Street food is cheaper, tastier, and in my opinion, more fun! On my first night in Chaing Mai I indulged in the night market which is famous for hand crafted goods and street food vendors galore. I went HAM, and wobbled back to my hostel with a food coma and big grin on my face. Since everything was only 10-30 BAHT, I tried everything... and there was no harm if I was too full or didn't want to finish something. However it is important to note I finished EVERYTHING. There was not a single thing I ate in Thailand that I didn't like. Mmm. Now I'm drooling.
Have a seat, pick your toppings, watch your dinner being made for you.
Dim Sum... one of my favorites. You got 8 pork filled dumplings for 20 BAHT = $0.64 USD.
All photos were taken by me.