Pad Thai And My First Step Towards Recovery
I could think of nothing else. I was sweating. My heart was pounding. I needed to have it again. Was this love? Or obsession?
During my time in Thailand, I had pad thai almost every day. I am not exaggerating. On my very first day, I went to Khao San Road in Bangkok and bought some from a street vendor. And just like that, I was hooked.
I had it morning, noon, and night. From street vendors and sit-down restaurants. I learned how to make pad thai. I was infatuated! Remember Smeagol from Lord of the Rings? Yeah, that was totally me. While in Chiang Mai I even went on an epic quest, walking for what seemed like hours (ok, it was maybe 20 minutes), just for some pad thai.
You see, the hostel I was staying at was surrounded by more Western type cuisine. “Best Burgers in Chiang Mai!” I didn’t care; I was starting to have withdrawals. I kept thinking, “I’m in Thailand! Where the fuck is all the pad thai??” And then I found a market. Towards the back behind stalls of clothing, jewelry, and knick knacks, was the food. Thank you sweet baby Jesus!! And when I had that first bite….. pure ecstasy……
So why am I telling you all of this? Well, they say the first step towards recovery is admitting you have a problem. So here I am, metaphorically standing before you and freely admitting that I am addicted to pad thai. Please don’t judge me.
Have you ever visited a country and become addicted to a dish? I’d love to read about it in the comments below! 🙂
I love Pad Thai! And I love this post. Since you are now an expert at making it, please come to my house and make it!!!
Whoa whoa whoa… I never said I was an expert! Lmao!
In Italy. Gelato. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. It didn’t matter….we needed gelato! I’m starting to itch and shiver just thinking about it. My name is Alex, and I’m addicted to gelato from all parts of Italy.
Welcome Alex! This is a safe space… 😉
Bow down to the Thai Pad Gods! Let us be slaves to their mercy. I also ADORE mango and sticky rice. YUM! Thai is up there with my fave foods.
Haha!! Yes!!
Naan bread. I had some from the locals in Iraq and I’ve loved it ever since. I haven’t found a suitable replacement in the states that have lived up to what I got there.
Oh! I’ve never heard of it. I hope you’re able to find some one day.
Love Love Loooooooove Mustache Pad Thai Guy!!!
Great post babe xx
Yes!! It was the best!! 😀
I mean, I completely understand your addiction. There’s no better food on earth than a plate of pad thai fresh from a street vendor. I was totally addicted myself while we were there. I think I ate my weight in Pad Thai. That’s not an exaggeration!
I believe you Laura! Haha! I’m so glad you understand 😉
Yummm, we loved Pad Thai when we were in Thailand. Not nearly as much as you. It was our first experience with Thai cuisine.
We did get a little addicted to a little shawarma place in Bucharest, the best that we had had!
Isn’t it amazing how we can get addicted to different things when we travel? 😉
Omg, you’ve got it bad! I feel that same way about Mexican from time to time. My last visit to WV I hate Mexican (the same meal at the same restaurant) 6 times in 5 days. Yep, twice one day. I’m glad you learned how to make it. I took a cooking class once and we did pad thai and it was time consuming and had alot of special ingredients that I do not typically use.
Haha! So you know it is then 😉
I absolutely love Pad Thai! I lived in LA for almost 8 years and Thai food is pretty popular there.
Oh really! That’s good to know for when I visit LA 😉
I don’t think addiction in your case is a bad thing 😉 It looks delicious. My addiction is anything with chocolate, seriously I would die without it.
Ooohhh! Chocolate is great too! 😉
haha well yeah, I could also eat pad thai every single day, it is so yummy, such an easy eat and it is hard to be done badly s it is almost a safe bet. Good luck on the road to recovery! 😉
Thanks Mar!
You sound like me and a dish called Sambal Kang Kong! I love food and can get obsessed sometimes haha! Pad Thai is a great dish to be obsessed with though!
There are worse things to be obsessed about, right? LOL!
I loooooveeee pad thai in the US, but I haven’t been to Thailand yet so I can only imagine how much I’ll love it there!! I’m sure I will be addicted just like you!
As much as I love burgers, the last thing I usually want when I’m in another country is to taste test their burgers or their American dishes! Glad you were able to find pad thai in such abundance!
When you go and try it, I know you’ll love it! 🙂
I’m not seeing a problem here. Pad thai is delicious and amazing, I don’t blame you for hunting it down. Who wants to actually get Western cusine when explore a country known for its food like Thailand. Now I think I am going to have to go to the local Thai place or lunch.
Haha!! Do it! 😉
This is me to a T! When i was in Thailand I became obsessed with pad thai also! I loved it back home to begin with, and then when I tried it in Bangkok I was floored. A million times better than back home and I can’t even order it at home anymore because I’m always so disappointed. So, when I need to have some, I make it myself the way I like it!
Hi Alli! I’m so glad you understand my addiction lol
I so get it. Pad Thai is addictive and I don’t want to be cured. I can only imagine what it would be like to get it authentic in Thailand!
It’s amazing!
Phew…glad im not the only one. I kid you not, i make pad thai every day for the last two weeks. When will i stop, i don’t know!