tea rose dumplings
Thai food is interesting to me. From the time the first Thai restaurant arrived in Greenville in the late 90’s, ubiquitously named “Bangkok”, I’ve been in love with the flavor combinations. Salty soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, funky fish sauce, and fiery curries, garnished with lime and cilantro. It’s a flavor lover’s dream.
But lately when I’m feeling like getting adventurous with some Asian food, rarely do I end up eating Thai food. I think the problem for me is that 95% of Thai menus are all the same, with the exact same presentation, preparation, and taste as a dozen other Thai restaurants in town. It’s as if the food is dumbed down for us, catered for the American palate that can’t handle the heat, that isn’t familiar/comfortable with the street food, and just looooooves to order Pad Thai every time, just like when ordering the General Tso beef every time from Chin Chin.
I don’t mean to be holier than thou, and I’m not saying I don’t ever eat these same dishes – I love some spicy as hell Penang curry, with tons of sauce for spooning over my rice, but it doesn’t excite me so much any more. It’s my Thai “safety order”. What I order when I call for delivery and I haven’t even looked at a menu.
My taste for Thai food may have developed, the offerings seem to all be the same, and I don’t think I’m alone in this interpretation, which is why I think Kokai Thai Bistro and Tuk Tuk have become successful. Am I over thinking this or does anyone else feel the same way?
This post really isn’t a review of Kokai (there are plenty of reviews here), I was just curious about what people think about Thai food. Is it tired to you? Do you order the same thing every time you order Thai? Are you clamoring for more?
ginger chicken – whoa intense ginger flavor!
beef jerky
chicken larb – common dish, but done better than I’ve had elsewhere
boat noodles
kee mao noodles
Thanks to Chloe for meeting me for this lunch. No one else knows this part of town and cuisine like she does.
