![]() ![]() The term felt loaded-a characteristic that many restaurants, especially so-called “ ethnic” ones, had to proclaim to draw customers. Still, I’ve always wondered whether “authentic” was the right marker to focus on. ![]() Listen to the latest episode of Bite: Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Hear educator Sara Kay talk about the use of the word “authentic” in restaurant reviews on Bite: The food was delicious, but it was the details and preparation that reminded me of home. Those were the restaurants I’d recommend to friends. If the wait staff brought out a small rack of condiments with sugar, fish sauce, chili flakes, and vinegar-ingredients you’d find on the tables of most restaurants in Thailand-I’d feel a surge of nostalgia. Whenever I found a place that featured a bowl of khao soi-a rich curry noodle soup topped with preserved cabbage, red onions, and fried noodles-sticky rice, or more than one type of papaya salad on the menu, I’d feel exhilarated. The first time I ordered a plate of pad thai, I was appalled.Īs I traveled around the country, landing in New York and then San Francisco, I searched for restaurants that offered the food I grew up with in Northern Thailand-dishes beyond the usual stir-fries, noodles, and rainbow curries. When I moved to the United States from Thailand, one of the first questions people always asked me was: “What’s the most authentic Thai restaurant you’ve found here?” To be fair, I had the same question myself. Fight disinformation: Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters. ![]()
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