Hey, hey, hey.
If I lived in Thailand, I’d be a gazillion pounds.
But for reals, their vibrantly colored food is so damn delicious- I couldn’t stop eating!
Obviously there’s a bunch of healthy options: mango, dragon fruit, avocado, chiles, ginger tea, salmon, snapper, water chestnuts, herbs, spices, etc.
And there’s a couple foods that were too good to pass up but not the most diet friendly…sup sticky rice, spicy margaritas, Red Rubies, & DRIED MANGO ( enjoyed in small amounts is fine, but I ate 300 pounds of it sooooooo… ).
Anyway, these are quick little snippets I took to share. From my experience, people in Thailand especially love these flavors: ginger ( or galangal ), coconut, mango, papaya, lime, mint, lemongrass, & hibiscus.
So basically, some of my top favorites.
I also like margaritas…so a special shoutout to this standout star, a spicy-ass margarita:
When I asked them for a margarita that burned my face off, I was happy that it actually burned my face off.
The spicier the better, guys.
BUT NOTHING WAS AS SPICY & DELICIOUS AS Tom Yum Goong ( << the names are kinda hard to pronounce…slash ordering room service was tricky ).
Tom Yum Goong soup was everything & more:
Firstly, lemongrass is the new black.
I’m literally adding it to everything in the world when I get back to California.
Tea, salad dressing, soup, freaking sticky rice, shower gel, Pixy’s diet, you name it.
Lemongrass has the most amazing benefits ( LIKE INSANE BENEFITS ). According to this source, “lemongrass is a source of essential vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, folate, and Vitamin C. It also provides essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, copper, zinc, and iron, which are required for the healthy functioning of the human body. It offers no harmful cholesterol or fats. Lemongrass contains antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds such as luteolin, glycosides, quercetin, kaempferol, elimicin, catecol, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid, all of which help in providing an impressive range of medicinal aids. The main component of lemongrass is lemonal or citral, which has anti-fungal and antimicrobial qualities, while also providing a distinct lemony smell. Some of the most well known health benefits of lemongrass include: detoxification, help with insomnia, cholesterol, fever, & infections.
SO LEMONGRASS IS KING.
Also, the soup is basically my dream guy, in soup form. It’s filled with chili pepper, cilantro, limes, lemongrass, hefty delicious mushrooms, shrimp, big onion slices, and galangal ( which is a root that tastes super similar to ginger! ).
Apparently it does wonders for the metabolism & it’s SO filling. I couldn’t believe how full & satisfied I was after a big bowl of Tom Yum Goong.
It was my routine to enjoy at least a bowl a day ( sometimes two!! ).
Totally will do a recipe post on this when I’m home. Read more about the soup’s benefits here.
Let’s also discuss THE BEST ( BEST/BEST/BEST/BEST ) dessert ever:
This dessert is so damn deceiving, guys.
There it sits looking all healthy with it’s plump, colorful mango slices & fresh mint.
Plot twist.
It’s not as skinny as it looks.
Basically the rice part is sticky rice with tapioca starch, salt, & coconut milk on top ( that I’m 99% sure contains added sugar, boo f-ing hoo ). Honestly though? I didn’t let that tidbit of info get between me & this mango bliss.
I enjoyed this dessert every day.
So ya, I need a couple extra Pilate sessions & detox tea when I’m home.
Ginger tea, young coconut juice, & papaya salads were other favorites.
Oh ya, & Michael’s daily French toast habit was fun too…he just eats pancakes & French toast all day, everyday and doesn’t gain a pound:
One night a chef from the hotel came to our room & cooked us BBQ food ( see above ). I told him we wanted VERY spicy BBQ. This night was romantic, fun, & different and the food was extremely fresh. For dessert they served the coolest treat ever, Red Rubies. Basically it was water chestnut pieces in coconut milk. So yum.
And in true BBQ style, I may or may not have pulled out my iPhone & turned on Brazilian lounge music, #buzzed.
To be honest, the food just blew my mind in Thailand. So much so, that it needed a separate post from a Phuket recap.
…I mean we kind of just ate our way through Thailand.
Ok so, have you been to Thailand?! If so, where else should we visit there? As long as they have mango x sticky rice, I’m game.
– Lauryn, xx
Yummmmm. That all looks so surreal (& of course, ridiculously delicious). Looks like you’re having a great time!
If you’re looking for somewhere amazing to eat and see in Bangkok, check out The Atlanta Hotel – it was one of the first hotels in Bangkok back in the 40s. It’s got just gorgeous Art Deco architecture and an amazing authentic Thai restaurant last time I was there.
i could eat nothing but thai food for the rest of my life. im on a real lemongrass kick right now — its so good. also, mango sticky rice is my favorite dessert of all times.
Mmmm yum!! Looks amazing, can’t feel bad eating all that good food! Xx
Everything looks sooo beautiful and delicious! Take me there NOW!!! Thailand is defintley on my next travel spot! Thanks for sharing, xo
Check out Ko Samui, it’s an easy trip from Phuket! Lush, beautiful and serene!
Comment
Hi Lauryn,
Soooo, first comment on your site, but about the 1 millionth visit. I’ve never commented bc it always sounds super creepayy to be like I LOVE you so much- but I do. Totally. Full disclosure basically these things have changed maa lyfe: ankle weights, magnesium, sleep bun, LM tinted moisterizer ect ect x1000.
Creep session over. On to Thailand:
In Bangkok, La Table de Tee- is unreal. So so so good. It’s on Saladeng Road and it’s famous so anyone can point you in that direction.
I’m sure you already have but try papaya salad everywhere- so delish. In the south try the roasted pork, it’s a specialty. Try Thai iced tea a few different places- it’s super sweet and has whole milk it in, sounds gross but its bangin.
Also, if you can get horseshoe crab somewhere- try that. It’s so weird bc they serve it in the gross shell, but its very good.
As far as islands, these 3 stand out and are not covered in tourists:
1) http://www.kohmook.com/home.htm Koh Mook or Island of Pearls is insane and you can swim into a cave that opens into an insane lagoon that is out of the movies.
2) Koh Ngai is uninhabited and so easy to get to from Trang which is a big travel crossroads. http://www.kohngaiislandguide.com/
I stayed at the CoCo cottages and it was freaking amazing. You wake up looking at the ocean about 15 feet from the waves. Plus it’s like a dollar.
If you end up in Trang which is common for travelers (but not to stay in, just pass through), go to “SAY YES” its a dance club and you can eat noodles in the bathroom- it’s really bizarre and so fun.
3) http://www.kohlipethailand.com/ Koh Lipe is very far south- almost in Malaysia- but it was the prettiest island I went to while I was there. Highly recommend it!
There is an unadvertised pirate ship off of Lipe- you have to ask around about it. This cray Thai lady runs it and it’s a total shit show and everyone is drinking and swinging off the boat and I don’t know how no one has died yet but it’s f-ing awesome.
Have fun! Sorry again for my weird internet love post
ox
Caroline
Um this all looks amazing!!! I am starving now. xx
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GIRL…. I gained 10 lbs after my trip through SE Asia. Have you tried their pancakes made on the side of the road. DELISH. Pad Kra Prow Gai Kai Dow. I have that saved in my phone for emergencies….. it is holy basil chicken with egg and rice. So good… always with extra chillis.
ENJOY! Try and check our Krabi, Ao Nang. Petra resort is gorgeous and the most romantic haven.
Yum!! Thai food is my favorite. I went to Thailand in November and was in food heaven. Definitely check out the street food while you’re in Asia! The best foods in Asia are typical in hole-in-the-wall places or street vendors!
That looks exceptional. With my thyroid problem I could drink young coconut juice all day. I need all the potassium I can get!
Loving all your vacation posts!! Everything looks amazing!
YES! I was just there over Christmas and actually lost weight because of all the walking and the fresh food! I lived for papaya salad and make it constantly here.
You HAVE to go to Koh Tao. My absolute favorite place. I could have spent the entire two weeks there.
http://gotnowheretogo.blogspot.com/search/label/travel There is my Thailand blog! We had sooo much fun. Our favorite spots were Krabi and Chiang Mai, where we took care of elephants for a day.. Glad you had fun! Thailand is amazing!
All of this definitely looks amazing!
Omg the food. Incredible.
That’ enough to make me book a flight back right now. All the fresh fruit yum
https://theeighthours.wordpress.com/2015/03/31/homemade-peanut-butter-cashew-spread/
I just left Thailand for the 3rd time. Love it! Go to Chiang mai of you can, the north is very different (my favorite is near Krabi, but it is very rural.) While you are north, go to Laos. I have traveled all over southeast Asia and Laos is like Vietnam mixed with Thailand and then chilled out. Luang Prabang is my favorite, but Vientienne is nice too.
If you get a chance try out the street food !:) Their soups are the Bomb and also their pancakes/crepes especially lemon sugar. OMG so good… nostalgia
Have fun!
Hi Lauryn,
I absolutely love your blog! It is the first site I go to when I get to work. I am planning to travel to Thailand. Can you recommend any hotel or places to visit?
Excuse me while I go bury myself in a pile of mango and avocado bye!
Ok so totally unrelated to this post, but OMG. I finally started dry brushing about a week ago all thanks to your influence and it is such a game changer! I am obsessed. Love your advice xoxox enjoy the rest of your trip!
Just ordered Thai for dinner tonight (trying the Tom Yum Goong!) – it won’t be as amazing without the poolside view but I can pretend xx
So hungry after this post!
http://www.adoptedsisters.com/american-clothing-haul/
I’ve been to Thailand 3 times and LOVE it! On my last 2 trips I had thom kha gai soup at least once a day. It’s the best! Along with steamed garlic & chili & coriander sea bass. I really wanna go back now! Bangkok is awesome if you go please go to Maggie Choos they have the best cocktails ever, esp the one with pomegranats in it! xo
It all looks so colorful and beautiful! I would for sure be a fatty in Thailand too
I freaking love yor blog. I feel like we could be great friends which is why I enjoy reading your posts so much. They’re great, soooooo so glad I discovered your blog and your insta❤️❤️❤️
I loooove thai food!! I’ve had it so many times, when I was traveling in Asia for the first time and tried it I just fell in love!
I did suffer with the chillies at first, but now I’m getting the hang of their spiciness!
Gorgouse photos! Love the narration and your ideas…amazing!
OMG, Mango sticky rice! I miss Thailand so much, have been backpacking (with the occasional resort/little house on the beach) there for a few months. The food is super delicious indeed!
AHH! The food looks Delicious..Mouth watering!!I loved reading your blog very beautifully written. Thanks for the pictures !!
I can’t believe you’ve been to Thailand! I’m heading there in September for 3 months in Phuket. Working on the marketing of a new wellness retreat opening!
Anyway, I go to you for every tip. Like everything down to my camera, so now I’ll be reliving your experience with all these foods. Even the less healthy. When in Thailand, right? That’s what beach yoga is for.
Thanks Lauryn!
I must make this 🙂