Over winter break, my family and I traveled across the world to Thailand! While I'm currently still recovering from the jet lag and an immense food coma, I can say both my appetite and sense of culture will forever be changed.

From going to outdoor markets to riding elephants bareback, Thailand was the trip of a lifetime. I traveled to the food capitals of Thailand including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the island of Phuket. My daily meals of pizza, pasta, caesar salads, and spicy tuna/avocado rolls were traded in for fresh Thai cuisine including Pad Thai and mango sticky rice!

Here is a quick look of some of my favorite bites from Thailand:

#1: Pad Thai from Maeklong Railway Market and Amir Phuket (Bangkok/Phuket)

Kate Florin
Kate Florin

This traditional noodle dish is known to be the iconic street food of Thailand. The rice noodles topped with tofu, dried shrimp, shallots, and lime wedges is to D-I-E for. Pad thai became one of my favorite Thai dishes that I ate 24/7 throughout the trip. Pad Thai is one of many Thai meals I will still be eating when back at Syracuse (Panda West, this ones for you).

#2: Multi-colored pork and vegetable dumplings from Doi Inthanon National Park (Chiang Mai)

Kate Florin

From purple to green, these colorful vegetable and pork dumplings were both fluffy and filling. Oozing on the insides with either pork or vegetable filling, the dumplings were a hit sensation amongst park goers. Grabbing one of these from a vendor tamed my growling appetite I had while touring the National Park. 

#3: Mango sticky rice w/ Mango ice cream from Rustic Eatery & Bar (Phuket)

Kate Florin

Thailand's mango sticky rice is addictive, and I highly recommend it to anyone with a sweet tooth. Made with glutinous rice, fresh mango, and coconut milk, mango sticky rice cures all sweet cravings. The mango ice cream on the side, even though not traditional, was also a win-win.

#4: Pineapple fried rice from DK David's Kitchen (Chiang Mai)

Kate Florin

This unique spin on fried rice was mouthwatering. Served in a pineapple, the tofu pieces, veggies, and egg made for an absolutely delicious meal. My fried rice expectations will never be the same.

#5: Toro Tartare from Morimoto, Bangkok

Kate Florin

A Thai spin on tuna tartare, Morimoto included fish caviar and wasabi in their edition. While Tuna Tartare is one of my favorite appetizers in the states, this one went beyond my expectations. I loved the way this dish was presented, and the tuna was absolutely mouthwatering. 

#6: Eel Rice Bowl from Tengoku de Cuisine (Chiang Mai)

Kate Florin

This yummy Christmas Eve meal was packed with white rice, eel, cucumber, and broccoli. The fresh eel sauce and sesame seeds sprinkled on top of the eel made for an epic rice bowl.

#7:  Cashew chicken w/ rice from Maesa Elephant Camp (Chiang Mai)

Kate Florin

While taking a quick break from riding, washing, and feeding the elephants, I ate some incredible cashew chicken from a nearby indigenous village. Cashew chicken topped with some veggies made me love this authentic Thai dish.

Hope you enjoyed my best snapshots of the real Thai cuisine. For now, catch you in 'Cuse at a Thai restaurant... my stomach is already craving some sticky rice!