Good Food
Thai food, from Bangkok to SoCal
Thai food is having a renaissance. We revisit conversations with James Syhabout of Hawker Fare and Pok Pok’s Andy Ricker, who are showing U.S. diners the wider canon of Thai food. We also hear about Bangkok’s unique food culture.
By Evan Kleiman • • 56m ListenThai food is having a renaissance. We revisit conversations with James Syhabout of Hawker Fare and Pok Pok’s Andy Ricker, who are showing U.S. diners the wider canon of Thai food. We also hear about Bangkok’s unique food culture. How does the history of Thai food in LA tell the story of Thai assimilation? Plus: hear Jonathan Gold’s original review of Jitlada, the beloved Thai restaurant in Hollywood.
In this episode
6 storiesHawker Fare
Chef James Syhabout. Photo by Nader Khouri.
Read the story11 minFood of Bangkok
In 2008, Leela Punyaratabandhu started her Thai food blog, “ She Simmers ,” in memory of her mother, whom she credits with her love of food and home.
Read the story11 minMarket Report: Lemongrass
Market-fresh lemongrass at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market. Photo by Joseph Stone.
Read the story7 min'Drinking Food of Thailand'
Yam Met Mamuang Himaphaan: Fried Cashews with Salt, Chiles, and Green Onions. Photo by Austin Bush. Courtesy of Ten Speed Press.
Read the story10 minJonathan Gold on Jitlada
In 2007, Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold rediscovered Jitlada . Jitlada had been around for ages and was known as the first "nice" Thai restaurant in Hollywood before falling off the map due to an influx in Thai restaurants.
Read the story4 minThai food in Los Angeles
When Mark Padoongpatt was first asked to write a book about Thai food in America, he wasn’t interested. But then he began to examine the immigration history between Thailand and Los Angeles, and found a rich story about immigration and cooking.
Read the story14 min
