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-   DiningBuzz (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/diningbuzz-371/)
-   -   "It is AUTHENTIC" "It wasn't AUTHENTIC" etc etc (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/diningbuzz/961577-authentic-wasnt-authentic-etc-etc.html)

Eastbay1K Jun 5, 2009 11:31 am
Originally Posted by rjque (Post 11860911)
I find it difficult to get "authentically" spicy food even in Thailand. I think most people see me and automatically assume they need to tone down the spice. Asking for the food "spicy like Thai people like it" often fixes that, but not always.
It often doesn't fix it. There are too many marginal Thai restaurants around my 'hood. I've asked for "spicy, and I mean it" and it usually ended up barely medium in most places. However, there are 2 places that are serious about their spice. One is a one minute walk from home. It was also part of the "inspiration" of this thread, because the owner/chef is quite creative in his dishes, and while many dishes are authentic Thai, many are not, but are excellent. (I have also decided that super really authentic Thai spicy at its peak is a bit above the heat level that I, and my interiors, enjoy.)

rjque Jun 5, 2009 6:53 pm
Originally Posted by Eastbay1K (Post 11860997)
It often doesn't fix it. There are too many marginal Thai restaurants around my 'hood. I've asked for "spicy, and I mean it" and it usually ended up barely medium in most places. However, there are 2 places that are serious about their spice. One is a one minute walk from home. It was also part of the "inspiration" of this thread, because the owner/chef is quite creative in his dishes, and while many dishes are authentic Thai, many are not, but are excellent. (I have also decided that super really authentic Thai spicy at its peak is a bit above the heat level that I, and my interiors, enjoy.)
As long as the food is good I don't care how "authentic" it is. However, if I'm in the mood for pho, I'm probably not going to be happy to see something with coconut milk show up in front of me.

Cloudship Jun 5, 2009 9:07 pm
What exactly is "authentic" anyways? Do Thai people only eat one thing day in and day out, their entire lives? If I eat at an Indian restaurant in London, does that make Indian authentic English food? I guess I really don't buy onto the term "authentic" all that much. Who is to make that decision?

beckoa Jun 5, 2009 10:21 pm
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Another danger of 'authentic' foods is if they are prepared with the traditional and substandard manner leading to horrid issues later...

Fermented fishheads may be a delicacy... but I am quite regular already :p

Eastbay1K Jun 6, 2009 9:53 am
Originally Posted by beckoa (Post 11863407)
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Fermented fishheads may be a delicacy... but I am quite regular already :p
North of Expected :o

slawecki Jun 6, 2009 10:14 am
i really like authentic chez panisse italian cooking.

naeglerian Jun 7, 2009 8:56 pm
I'll freely admit that I occasionally partake from the trough at Panda Express, but I appreciate it for what it is - Panda Express. No claims of authenticity are made, and I have no expectation of eating, say, real Sichuan or Cantonese dishes there. It's funny, though, that the OP brought up Thai food, because that is definitely one cuisine where I do throw down the gauntlet. For example, basil chicken (gai gra pow) should be made with minced chicken, not big chunks of tasteless breast meat, nor should it have carrots, mushrooms, and onion slivers. Appalling. BTW, not to hijack the thread, but which Thai restaurants are you referring to in the East Bay, if I may ask?

Eastbay1K Jun 7, 2009 9:26 pm
Originally Posted by naeglerian (Post 11870872)
Appalling. BTW, not to hijack the thread, but which Thai restaurants are you referring to in the East Bay, if I may ask?
Ruen Pair, for spicy that when you order spicy, they make sure you know how spicy it will be (and you will know, today, and tommorrow). Sabuy Sabuy II for what has turned into my favo(u)rite Thai place. If the owner or his son are serving you, just ask for suggestions. You will never even look at the menu. It will be as spicy as you want it. Just make sure he knows you are serious. Both are on San Pablo Ave, between Gilman and Marin. I've tried quite a number of places in the area and most fall flat, both in spice, but more importantly, in brightness of flavo(u)r.

naeglerian Jun 7, 2009 10:46 pm
Thanks for the tip, Eastbay1K; I'll have to head up there to try them out.

Gaucho100K Jun 17, 2009 3:24 am
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Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
So often I hear "Oh that isn't authentic XXXian food." Or, "That was really authentic YYYian food."

Sometimes I wonder if I care, as long as the food is good. If the area has one or a few exemplars of "Authentic XXXian food" I might recall that when I was in XXXia, that there was plenty of ok food, but nothing was great, even though I liked the style of food.

Yes, there are times I want an "authentic empanada from Chile" or "authentic British boiled fat pie" (well, not really the 2d one) but sometimes it seems people are more obsessed with the authentic than with the best food. If a place makes XXXian style food that isn't quite authentic, but is excellent, I'll pass on the authentic.

Discuss (or not)
There is no such thing as authentic Empanada from Chile... :rolleyes:

Gaucho100K Jun 17, 2009 3:25 am
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Originally Posted by braslvr
Exactly. The best example that comes to mind is tacos. I adore two soft corn tortillas topped with real carne asada cooked over charcoal, with onion, salsa and cilantro, but I also like Jimboys, Jack in the box, or Taco Bell tacos - for what they are.
Amen.... well posted !!


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