The Suphan All-Stars

Living in the middle of rice paddies can get a little boring. Suphan isn't the most bumpin' town and sometimes I struggle to find ways to pass the time. Luckily, it's a charming place with little gems scattered throughout and without these spots, I'd go a little crazy. So I'd like to say a big THANK YOU and introduce the Suphan All-Stars...


Pad Thai Lady:
Pad Thai Lady, Mon (or PTL as we choose to call her), is my hero and she doesn't even know it. I'm sure you've already guessed, but she makes KILLER Pad Thai. I've tried a lot of of Pad Thai in the last 8 1/2 months (Holy shiza- I've been here for that long!?), and nothing compares to the beauty that is PTL's Pad Thai. It's not only her Pad Thai, either...EVERYTHING she makes is perfection. She can do no wrong in her sole frying pan. The shop itself is far from 'charming,' yet it has stolen my heart. I'm often covered in flies and pulling bugs out of my water and/or food, but it's just another reminder of how authentic the food is. Yum. Sarah has already called 'dibs' on bringing her back in her suitcase, but I'm going to put up a strong fight. 

Pad Thai

PTL hard at work

Baanya's Coffee Shop:
There are so many reasons as to why I love this coffee shop so much. For starters, the coffee/tea is incredible. Secondly, the shop itself is gorgeous. The teakwood furniture, big, comfy couches, fish-tank tables, and the array of plants all lend to a funky jungle vibe. Then, there's the dog. Kao-soy is the most special of all dogs. Besides the fact that her name is my favorite Thai dish, she is a complete princess. She is an adorable, well-pampered Pomeranian with an attitude. She will eat your face off unless you are one of four people that she likes. She is playing hard to get and it is totally working, because... I heart her. But, even with all this awesomeness, the main reason I love this coffee shop is for Baanya herself. She is the owner of the shop and one of the coolest people I know. She has great English and is always up for a conversation. I go to the shop more often to see Baanya than to drink the coffee...she is just that great. 

Baanya and Kao-soy!
(Photo stolen from Sarah)
                                                                                                                  

Banana Shake Lady:
Usually two times a week, I need a banana shake. Nothing will make me happier than cold, sweet banana goodness. But not just any banana shake- it has to be Banana Shake Lady's, or BSL's, banana shake. Sarah and I will walk down to the night market and make our way past the oysters, sushi, fried bugs, chicken on a stick, noodles, jellies, and all the other craziness to get to BSL. It's not as easy as it sounds, however, because it's like some sort of sick video game where you have to avoid the dozens of motorbikes that suddenly drop in and out of the stalls. It's a market meant for motorists to drive up to, grab their food and then drive off. But it is just as open and inviting to pedestrians, yet the two don't mix. I am way too often jumping into the street to avoid one bike, only to be centimeters away from getting run over by another. But once I see BSL, all is good. And she knows it. She sees us coming and knows our order. Two minutes later, I am happily sipping on my simple banana shake (bananas, evaporated milk, and ice). Oh, and it is served with a plastic bag for your convenience. It seriously doesn't get better than that. 

There she is...

A shake.....in a bag!

Song Noom:

Song Noom is another spot that has way too many reasons to love it. There is always insanely good company, the food is incredible, the only way to get there is via tuk-tuk or motorbike, and the place is loaded with cute dogs. Our friend's boyfriend and his brother own the shop (Song Noom = two young men), which is the only reason I had heard about it, but they make the best Som Tam in Thailand. Over the past several months, we have all become good friends and Song Noom has become the hang out spot. A group of us often organize to go out to the restaurant together and spend the night eating (too much), laughing, playing with cute children and puppies and occasionally dancing and singing to karaoke. Dtone (the owner) is such a great, hilarious guy, and his family is just as fantastic, and going out to his pride and joy has become one of my favorite parts about living in Suphan. 

Tiger

     

Mee Sook

Som Tam...SO GOOD

Me and Dtone in front of the restaurant

So there you have it...the Suphan All-Stars. Obviously there are other people that make my time here as special and amazing as it is, but these are the hot spots and their incredible owners. And it also goes to show how much my life revolves around food here. Just let it happen....