Dining with Friends...

Thailand is world-renounded for it's street food. In fact, I'd probably go so far as to say that it is almost the number one reason why people go and visit. (That would be after some of the most amazing scenery and buildings in the world.) While in Thailand, I really took it upon myself to eat like the locals. For the first two weeks, we didn't  even step inside of a sit-down restaurant. That meant that we were eating on the fly, on the street.

Street food in Thailand is an institution that unites everyone from the richest mogul to the poorest worker to the sunburnt tourist and everyone else in-between. And there's a good reason why it does. Hawkers generally specialize in just one dish, and you can be assured that ONE dish is done to absolute, complete perfection. Think about it, if your entire livelihood is based off of just one thing, you better make sure it is damn good. And it is. Street food in Thailand has earned it's stellar reputation.

The classic Pad Thai,  the unbeatably simple but delicious Khao Man Gai (chicken and rice) and thousands of other Thai dishes are cooked and served street-side, so there is basically something for everyone's tastes. Walk down any street in Bangkok and you will instantly be surrounded by a flurry of sights and smells sure to make your stomach growl. Whole grilled fish, fried rice, green papaya salad, the list just does not stop!

So, imagine eating on the street. Hygiene regulations are non-existent. Food is prepared fresh as Bangkok's many scooters whizz by. Dishes are washed in huge basins right on the sidewalk. Does it mean the food is bad? No. If you didn't eat street food in Thailand solely because of hygienic reasons, yeah, I'd call you crazy. You'd be missing out on some of the best food anywhere in the world. And maybe sometimes, just sometimes, you get the company of unexpected friends while dining.

Let's play spot the rat!