Vatch's Thai Street Food

I used to travel on business to Thailand freqently, so I'm always looking for authentic tasting recipes. In this book, I finally found a perfect recipe for Laab (Larb or Larp). Plus, I really like how he tells you what region the dish is from, and many have a little history with it. Like Thai Dim Sum, for example, was an attempt of the street vendors to attract the Chinese immigrant workers in the area. Many of these 'street' dish recipes just aren't found in other cookbooks. I enjoy just browsing through this book:)

Having lived in thailand for a good two years I learned to love thai street food. Ive wanted to recreate a lot of those recipes for the longest time but wasnt very impressed by the other cookbooks in my collection. and then along came this gem of a cook book! have tried the raddish cake, isarn sausage and a couple of other recipes and i can highly recommend this cookbook for its simplicity of instruction and the authenticity of its recipes!a must have for every thai food enthusiast! you will not regret buying this cookbook!

I've never been to Thailand but feel as though I have. The descriptions of Thai culture and communities is wonderful. Very vivid in my opinion. The photography is excellent as well. I haven't yet tried the recipes (a procrasinator) but they look as if they will be very pleasing. I'm really looking forward to trying out the Dim Sum recipe. In all I'd say this is a top-notch book and can wholeheartedly recommend it. Passport not needed!

What a remarkable book! There is as much space devoted to conveying Thai culture and food history, as there is recipes... complete with both genuine snapshots of Thailand eateries, as well as gorgeous pictures of finished products. Book offers a nice selection of ingredient introductory material, history, cultural snippets, and cooking tips. Recipes are easy and unfussy, but not geared toward novice cooks (i.e., directions include "Fry until golden brown," doesn't tell you over what heat). If you want a taste of Thailand cuisine, this is the book to get! Real, everyday dishes that are simple to prep.

I bought this for my husband, an inspired cook, after returning from a year of living in Bangkok where we ate wonderful street food every day. We have one of Vatch's older cookbooks and turn to it again and again when we want to make Thai food that tastes like real Thai food and not the overly saucey, overly sweet stuff that is sold in most Thai restaurants in the U.S. This cookbook has been great! We've already made a number of the dishes, including kao mon gai (chicken and rice) and guawaydiow (street noodles). The flavors are authentic and Vatch gives a wonderful sense of what it is like to be there. This book is particularly good for those that miss the regular, everyday, and oh so delicious food that rarely appears in standard Thai cookbooks, but that is regular lunch or on the go fare in Thailand. Highly recommended.