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Post by whipea on Aug 25, 2014 20:59:32 GMT
Ketchup in Pad Thai??? No!! Agree. Never have seen ketchup in Pad Thai. That is great you are expanding your food itinerary. Depending on where you live, try to avoid chains and go as authentic as possible. See if you can go with friends and try different things and as others have said, ask questions. If you have authentic Chinese in the area, try some Dim Sum. They are a variety of dumplings, that come one to four pieces in little steamers that you choose off a cart. Shrimp in rice noodle, cruller or Chinese pork rice paste (just like a big rice noodle rolled around the ingredient), steamed pork bun (fluffy rice flour bun with sweet pork and thick plum sauce in the middle) or Su Mi(sp?) meat and shrimp dumpling. It is a good way to experiment without breaking the bank. They do not use cats, dogs or horses in the US, at least in my area or they would lose the license. In my area we have a big variety of Central and South American restaurants, always an adventure in eating and I love Peruvian, lots of seafood savichi(sp?)(cooked in lime juice) and the best is a potato and giant corn dish with this incredible sauce. And then there is Colombian food. Colombian burgers should be illegal, the probably have at least 3000 calories but are outrageously good. Also, see if any of your friends cook food from their ethnicity. That is another way to try different things.
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Aug 25, 2014 22:13:10 GMT
My two cents - Panda Express is not a good place to start. Both times I've eaten at PE I have ended up with stomachache and the big D.
Ask friends to go with you. If not, then go to a place that looks busy. If they are busy, that usually means they are good. Don't try a buffet. IMO the quality is not as good. Tell the waitstaff that you are new to the cuisine and ask what they recommend and tell them you don't want hot. Try a few appetizers or a combination plate. And, go in with an open mind.
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raindancer
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Post by raindancer on Aug 25, 2014 22:17:01 GMT
LoL because I know it's a typo- couldn't CRANE Asada get you in trouble with Fish and Wildlife agencies? and PETA. Yeah maybe avoid the crane. Go for the carne instead it's more readily available anyway.
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Post by not2peased on Aug 25, 2014 23:11:56 GMT
another person who has never heard of ketchup in pad thai! LOL
I agree, it's a great intro into thai food. I would avoid places like panda express at all costs-it can make you never want to eat that food again.it's like telling someone who has never had a hamburger to go to mcdonalds, lol
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The Great Carpezio
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Aug 25, 2014 23:14:24 GMT
I agree that buffet food is never as good as ordering, but it is a good way of exploring flavors. Not sure where you live, but try to find a "better" buffet. Not all buffets are created equal.
I was fairly picky in my youth and now I eat almost everything. I got that way through eating out with more adventurous eaters and dipping my toe in at buffets. I will say eating great food with friends is preferable to buffet sampling.
Do you have any popular non-fast food ethnic chains in your area? Peas might be able to be more specific if we have menus we have tried. (Thinking Benihana, PF Changs. sawatdee---around here.)
Are you interested in other ethnic foods as well?
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azredhead
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Post by azredhead on Aug 25, 2014 23:24:13 GMT
For Thai I can always get Pad Thai but I am picky about where i get it. Pei Wei it's not bad. They do a lot of chicken and tofu, which I don 't mind in that. But not enough of the peanut sauce. I wish i came with extra so I can add it. I also do really like their lettuce wraps. They are usually safe and easy on the belly super tasty!! I do like Dim Sum, depending on how it's done.
DH can always go to Chinese. We have a local place that does excellent Orange Chicken and Mongolian. Local places are a good place to start. For Japanese I like Tempra stuff too and some soups. I do like Sushi but DH won't touch anything seafood. ' I can usually eat almost any of it with noodles.
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Grom Pea
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Post by Grom Pea on Aug 25, 2014 23:38:58 GMT
I'm in San Diego and there is definitely ketchup Thai. My boss used to love onerestaurant that we'd all go to bit I always complained that the pad Thai tasted like it was covered in ketchup. I guess if you can look at pictures, do not order it if it looks like it has a sauce.
I second the buffet idea for Indian, I love Indian but often just do the buffet because I can't remember what the name is of the food I like, or because I don't want to be limited because I like it all!
As someone who has enjoyed many xiao long bao, the PP is not kidding about it being stuffed with soup, the good ones have boiling liquid that comes out when you bite, I usually take a tiny bite and drain it into a spoon. Don't get burned!
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Aug 25, 2014 23:51:52 GMT
Don't be shy and ask your waitperson for suggestions. Let them know your situation.
They might even bring some things out for you to taste.
Most restaurants LOVE when someone wants to try new things!
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LeaP
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Post by LeaP on Aug 25, 2014 23:58:51 GMT
I'm in San Diego and there is definitely ketchup Thai. My boss used to love onerestaurant that we'd all go to bit I always complained that the pad Thai tasted like it was covered in ketchup. I guess if you can look at pictures, do not order it if it looks like it has a sauce. I second the buffet idea for Indian, I love Indian but often just do the buffet because I can't remember what the name is of the food I like, or because I don't want to be limited because I like it all! As someone who has enjoyed many xiao long bao, the PP is not kidding about it being stuffed with soup, the good ones have boiling liquid that comes out when you bite, I usually take a tiny bite and drain it into a spoon. Don't get burned! Thanks for validating me, I was starting to think I was crazy!
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RosieKat
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Post by RosieKat on Aug 26, 2014 1:03:10 GMT
Another idea (and I didn't get a chance to read the thread as I'm in an unexpected hurry) is to use some international spices or seasonings in your cooking at home. For example, I have a delicious tomato soup recipe that uses some curry powder in it. Trying things like that might help give you an idea of flavors that you may like, without the full "investment" of trying a completely new food until you are ready. Just one more idea!
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Aug 26, 2014 1:04:29 GMT
We have some very, very good Thai restaurants in the Seattle area and there is one (the best one IMO) that I think actually does put ketchup on their pad Thai. It's strange and not good, but it isn't unheard of.
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akathy
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Post by akathy on Aug 26, 2014 1:21:55 GMT
I'm in San Diego and there is definitely ketchup Thai. My boss used to love onerestaurant that we'd all go to bit I always complained that the pad Thai tasted like it was covered in ketchup. I guess if you can look at pictures, do not order it if it looks like it has a sauce. I second the buffet idea for Indian, I love Indian but often just do the buffet because I can't remember what the name is of the food I like, or because I don't want to be limited because I like it all! As someone who has enjoyed many xiao long bao, the PP is not kidding about it being stuffed with soup, the good ones have boiling liquid that comes out when you bite, I usually take a tiny bite and drain it into a spoon. Don't get burned! But see Pad Thai does have a sauce and it is pinkish. It's just not ketchup. The recipe I use has tamarind concentrate, white vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce, salt, brown sugar, garlic powder and sriracha sauce in it.
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M in Carolina
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Post by M in Carolina on Aug 26, 2014 1:52:32 GMT
Fish sauce doesn't taste like fish. It tastes sorta like worcestershire sauce mixed with soy sauce. Worcestershire sauce is made from anchovies, but you don't taste fish, just the umami flavor.
Dh and I lived in a town that had a great Thai place. We just tried it one night. The restaurant was family owned, and they were so kind and helpful as well as excited for us to try their food. They even gave us some samples to ensure we'd like our dishes. I love the cucumber salad because it helps calm the spice down. The food was delicious.
I really like PF Chang's. I know it's Chinese-American fusion, but I can't eat at most Chinese restaurants because the MSG makes me very ill. We took dh's parents there last year, and they loved it even though they're not adventurous eaters. The food is served family style, so we shared dishes and got the Buddha's Feast vegetables for the table. The restaurant is also great about allergies. I also worry about cross contaminations from oranges, so they cook my food in a clean wok and ensure there's no orange containing entrees around my wok.
I would really check for word of mouth on Indian food. My dh works in tech, so a lot of his coworkers are Indian. There are some places the Indians don't go, so we don't go there anyway. Dh has gone to some really awful Indian buffets, and it turned him off to the cuisine for quite a while.
At the hospital near where we lived in Chicago, they served Indian food. My doctor was Indian, and since he wouldn't try the food, I didn't either. I mean, the hospital served LOBSTER. It was horrible.
When dh and I were first married, we found this little hole in the wall European/Eastern European restaurant that did a small buffet lunch. It was a splurge for us newlyweds at almost $10 a piece for lunch, but our palates were opened to a lot of different foods. I'm glad my dh is adventurous.
I'll try anything once. I've even had Durian.
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cycworker
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Post by cycworker on Aug 26, 2014 3:12:04 GMT
I am loving this thread. I would like to be more adventurous, too. A good friend of mine much prefers ethnic food to North American when we go out to eat. The problem is I'm limited because I can't do onion or pepper. And I don't like beans.
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Post by Legacy Girl on Aug 26, 2014 3:31:51 GMT
Another humorous typo. Tempra is best used in elementary school art classes. Tempura, on the other hand, is one of my Japanese faves!
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Grom Pea
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Post by Grom Pea on Aug 26, 2014 4:23:16 GMT
I'm in San Diego and there is definitely ketchup Thai. My boss used to love onerestaurant that we'd all go to bit I always complained that the pad Thai tasted like it was covered in ketchup. I guess if you can look at pictures, do not order it if it looks like it has a sauce. I second the buffet idea for Indian, I love Indian but often just do the buffet because I can't remember what the name is of the food I like, or because I don't want to be limited because I like it all! As someone who has enjoyed many xiao long bao, the PP is not kidding about it being stuffed with soup, the good ones have boiling liquid that comes out when you bite, I usually take a tiny bite and drain it into a spoon. Don't get burned! But see Pad Thai does have a sauce and it is pinkish. It's just not ketchup. The recipe I use has tamarind concentrate, white vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce, salt, brown sugar, garlic powder and sriracha sauce in it. Hmmm I've never noticed a sauce except for the ketchup style sauce and I've ordered pad Thai just about at every pad Thai place I've been to. I'm not saying they don't toss it in a sauce but it should not come out covered in a goopy sauce, that's that ketchup like stuff. I think they may coat the noodles with something but whenever I've had it the noodles are tasty but not saucy.
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azredhead
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Post by azredhead on Aug 26, 2014 4:28:36 GMT
Another humorous typo. Tempra is best used in elementary school art classes. Tempura, on the other hand, is one of my Japanese faves! ha ha I knew that was gonna catch me one of these days!!
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Post by ntsf on Aug 26, 2014 4:31:04 GMT
I would say...thai food in the states is totally mild compared to thai food in thailand. I also would try asian food anytime you are where an ethnic community is there to support it. ie...I find much of chinese food in america not much related to real chinese food.
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azredhead
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Post by azredhead on Aug 26, 2014 4:36:09 GMT
I would say...thai food in the states is totally mild compared to thai food in thailand. I also would try asian food anytime you are where an ethnic community is there to support it. ie...I find much of chinese food in america not much related to real chinese food. I would say so too, my sister spent four years in Thailand, she can handle a whole lot more heat now! She does make a really good thai tea.
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Post by ntsf on Aug 26, 2014 4:48:30 GMT
I ate in thailand with a local...and had a hard time finding anything mild enough...
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anniebygaslight
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Post by anniebygaslight on Aug 26, 2014 5:48:50 GMT
Confession: I have never tried a curry. Never eaten Indian or Thai food. I tend to stick with things I know. Mexican is about as far out there as I've gone..and even then, I usually stick with a quesadilla. I eat Chinese food every once in a while and I order an egg roll and sesame chicken. I know. I KNOW. ...
You are a heck of a lot more adventurous than my OH then. He has never eaten a curry, or a bowl of spaghetti bolognese in his life. Give him lamb chops and 3 veg every night of the week and he is happy.
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Post by lucyg on Aug 26, 2014 6:02:36 GMT
There's a Cambodian restaurant near Chinatown in Oakland (it's probably not the only Cambodian restaurant on the planet but it's the only one I know about) ... we go sometimes because my grandson is half Cambodian and he asks for it. Mostly it's pretty good, but they have this one dish called ketchup noodles. And that's pretty much exactly what it is. Just, no.
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Post by AussieMeg on Aug 26, 2014 11:18:28 GMT
I eat a ton of Thai and Indian food. Along with Vietnamese, they are the foods we cook most of and restaurants we most often go to.
For milder dishes, try the following:
Indian - butter chicken, lamb korma (or chicken), chicken or lamb biryani, dosa (thin) and uppatham (thick) rice and lentil pancakes are mild depending on the filling / toppings you get - stay away from the dipping sauces they are served with though, they can be brutally hot!!
Thai - Massaman beef is a delicious mild curry. Even though I eat a lot of hot food, massaman beef is still one of my favorites. Yellow curries will be the mildest. I can never remember whether red or green is the hottest. Satay chicken is a good choice too. And you MUST have roti with peanut dipping sauce. Oh, and coconut rice.
Most menus in Indian and Thai restaurants will have an indication of the heat in each dish. If you see 3 chillies next to a dish stay away from it!!
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grinningcat
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Post by grinningcat on Aug 26, 2014 12:25:27 GMT
I ate in thailand with a local...and had a hard time finding anything mild enough... This statement makes me very excited to eat in Thailand. Now I just need to plan the trip. Bring on Thailand and bring on the heat (but only in the food, not in the weather).
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AmeliaBloomer
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Aug 26, 2014 12:38:45 GMT
... And you MUST have roti with peanut dipping sauce. A good rule of thumb for life is to have anything with peanut dipping sauce. ...or peanut sauce...or chopped peanuts sprinkled on top. I'm a big fan of Rama Noodle (OP, that's noodles, broccoli, peanut sauce, and optional chicken. Possibly not authentic, but ubiquitous in American Thai restaurants.) OP, you might try Cuban or Filipino food.
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peppermintpatty
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Post by peppermintpatty on Aug 26, 2014 12:49:32 GMT
You could also try Persian food. It is NOT spicy at all. They use a lot of cinnamon, nuts, dried fruits, sweet fruits, currants, etc. in their food. There are no spicy Persian dishes. There is Jujeh kabob which is lemon chicken and the other kabobs are beef/lamb based and very mild. They eat a lot of rice but rice with different things in it. One is known as Cherry Rice which has cherries and sugar in the rice (it is like crack) and Sherine Pollo which has orange peel and pistachios in it.
Many different cultures do not add heat to their food.
Good luck.
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Post by hennybutton on Aug 26, 2014 15:26:38 GMT
You could also try Persian food. It is NOT spicy at all. They use a lot of cinnamon, nuts, dried fruits, sweet fruits, currants, etc. in their food. There are no spicy Persian dishes. There is Jujeh kabob which is lemon chicken and the other kabobs are beef/lamb based and very mild. They eat a lot of rice but rice with different things in it. One is known as Cherry Rice which has cherries and sugar in the rice (it is like crack) and Sherine Pollo which has orange peel and pistachios in it. Many different cultures do not add heat to their food. Good luck. Greek and Arabic foods are the same way. Mediterranean cuisine is my favorite. There's such variety and so much flavor.
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Aug 26, 2014 17:00:19 GMT
I had the best Indian experience lately. I have never been a big fan of Indian food, and I wouldn't begin to know what to order in a restaurant. DD and I went to an Indian restaurant with a group of Indian friends from work. They ordered a variety of foods that we passed around family style. One of the girls went back to the kitchen and gave the chef some cooking preferences so that they wouldn't make anything too spicy for our taste buds (though I would have liked to try full-spice).
They did say that if we go back, don't go for lunch because the chefs in this particular restaurant season very mildly at lunch to appeal to a broader audience. They say you always get a better experience at night.
I learned a good lesson that evening - whenever possible, go to an ethnic restaurant with someone who understands the food and is willing to teach. I think a good alternative would be to ask the waiter for recommendations for the most authentic dishes (not the most frequently ordered dishes).
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Post by sisterbdsq on Aug 26, 2014 17:12:13 GMT
One of the girls went back to the kitchen and gave the chef some cooking preferences One of my BFF's is Indian. We just laughed and laughed at this because she is always saying Indian people have personal space issues and no boundaries. Who goes into a kitchen to tell the chef how to cook? Thanks for giving both of us a huge laugh!
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Deleted
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Oct 11, 2024 2:17:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2014 17:12:16 GMT
The sauce on Pad Thai and ketchup are rather similar. Enough so that the Pad Thai sauce tastes like a poorly done home made ketchup if ketchup is the only thing you know.
My advice, ask your friends. See who likes different styles of food and will go out with you. And, remember, in the end it is ok to not like things you try. But I think you'll find that most every culture has dishes that are similar to what you are already familiar with. and that can be fun.
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