I can't say I love Thai food because I haven't been to Thailand.

But who gives a damn. I heart spicy Thai food in DC area.

Hell I have had Thai food in Maui…where I should be beaching, surfing, dining on sushi instead?

I have had Thai food in Sedona…where I should be hiking, sightseeing, chowing down on Fakexican cuisine instead?

But have I ever experienced real Thai food? Highly unlikely.

I do know there is more variety and more flavors. Thai food is spicy, sour and sweet. I love how Thai means business when it comes to spiciness. As it is of most Asian cuisines, rice (especially jasmine) is the basic component of Thai cuisine. Steamed rice is usually accompanied by highly aromatic curries or stir-frys incorporating large quantities of chillies, ginger, onions, lemon grass and lime juice. Noodles are popular as well like Pad Thai or noodle soups, although Pad Thai seems more americanized to me than a real authentic Thai dish. There are many other strong aromatic ingredients found such as fish sauce, shrimp paste (combination of ground shrimp and salt), and chilli sauce/paste (which is my fave!).

I'm not much of a dessert person but I don't mind Thai desserts. Coconut is the main ingredient whether it's milk, juice or shredded. I usually get too stuffed that I end up not ordering desserts hence not too many photos on Thai sweets :-)

I do prefer Thai food that is as close to authentic Thai food as possible. What exactly is authentic Thai food? Well make it my mission to find out very soon by traveling to Thailand. But for now, the sea of Thai restaurants in DC area should suffice.

Green Papaya Salad
Julienne green papaya, roasted peanuts, green beans, dried shrimp and tomato in spicy lime juice.

Shrimp Cake
Deep-fried Thai curried shrimp cake served with spicy cucumber and crushed peanut sauce.

Shrimp in Hot Pot
Shrimp cooked withh cellophane noodles, shitake mushroom, napa-caabbage, ginger, celery, green onion topped with crabmeat and served in the hot pot.

Lamb in Two Seasons
Sautéed tender lamb, one witth chili paste, basil leaves and rhizome slice; the other with garlic sauce served with steamed broccoli.