The Day I Became a Thai Food Expert
One of the best things about living in Thailand is the food. From spicy curries to sweet mango sticky rice, there’s always something delicious to eat. But when I first arrived in the Land of Smiles, I was a total novice when it came to Thai cuisine.
I remember one particularly embarrassing incident when I was out to dinner with some Thai friends. They ordered a variety of dishes, and I eagerly dove in, trying everything on my plate. But when I took a bite of something that was especially spicy, I couldn’t help but make a face.
“Wow, this is really hot!” I exclaimed, reaching for my water glass. My friends looked at me in surprise. “What do you mean? It’s not that spicy,” they said. I shrugged, feeling embarrassed. “I guess my taste buds aren’t used to it yet.” That’s when my friend Bee chimed in. “You know, if you really want to be a Thai food expert, you have to eat like a Thai,” she said with a mischievous glint in her eye. I was intrigued. “What do you mean?” Bee leaned in and whispered, “You have to eat everything with chillies. And I mean everything. Rice, noodles, soup, and even fruit. Only then will you truly understand the beauty of Thai cuisine?” I laughed, thinking she was joking. But she was dead serious. And before I knew it, she had handed me a small bowl of chillies and urged me to start eating.
At first, it wasn’t too bad. I added a few chillies to my rice and noodles, feeling proud of myself for taking on the challenge. But as the meal went on, things got more and more intense. By the time we got to dessert – a plate of freshly cut mango – I was sweating profusely, and my eyes were watering.
But I had done it. I had eaten everything with chillies, just like a true Thai food expert. And while I might not recommend it to everyone, I have to admit it was a pretty hilarious and unforgettable experience.