Do the Peruvians use Fava Beans like Thais do? I bet not!
What a joke. At least I thought it was until I read the article at the source. The clueless folks at Epicurious.com, no, I didn’t know who they were either before they started making a lame name for themselves… came up with the idea that Peruvian food is somehow the next best thing over Thai food.
First of all, one has to ask – how many South American employees have worked at this place? I’ve had Peruvian food. I liked some of it. Is it going to replace the amazing range of tastes found in Thai food?
Not a chance. I think that nothing can possibly approach the variety and deliciousness of Thai food, not even Indian food – which happens to be my second favorite food.
Jamaican food has some amazing dishes but I’d call that a 3rd of Indian food. I’d not even place Peruvian food in the Top 50.
So, apparently, this Epispurious releases an annual list of their culinary trend predictions. Listen to what they say and be amazed.
Peruvian is the new Thai: You thought Peruvian cuisine was all about seviche, maybe? Guess again: Peru boasts culinary influences from Spanish, Basque, African, Cantonese, Japanese, Italian, French, and British immigrants. Pisco Sour, anyone?
Unfortunately, I don’t have access to any Peruvian food here in Thailand. Do you know why that is? There aren’t any Peruvian restaurants here.
It can’t possibly compete with international tourists other favored cuisines. I think Epicurious is trying to make news for themselves. They’d best do it by sticking to the basics. Thai food is the most delicious food the world has ever known. Thai food has consistently been the top-rated food over the last decade since the world’s introduction to it.
I know back in Florida we have no less than 15 Thai restaurants within a 20-mile radius of Tampa. I know because I would regularly eat Thai food a couple of times a week before moving to Thailand.
Are Floridians going to turn their noses up at Thai food and head the SUV’s to a Peruvian restaurant instead? Nah. IS THERE a Peruvian restaurant in your city?
No, there isn’t. You’ll likely need to move to LA or New York where these clowns are likely located to find any Peruvian restaurants. The employees of this silly company probably won’t be eating there either.
Thai food is #1 from now until some new civilization is found that combines Thai, Indian, Hawaiian, and Jamaican foods.
Think that day is just around the corner? Nah, me neither!
(guest post was written by Vern)
You answered your own question:
It isn’t so much Peruvian restaurants as it is well-known and/or trend-setting chefs in those cities discovering new flavors… When you can purchase “Taste of Thai” products (for good or ill) in almost any supermarket, it’s an indication that the flavors have become mainstreamed. Dumbed-down, but mainstreamed. Think about what’s happened with chipotle and other peppers, or ‘chai’ spices. They’ve become more or less mainstream flavors.
This is an article about the culinary version of hemlines or tie widths or pinstripes – it has nothing to do with the ‘best’ of anything. You’re taking it far too seriously 😉
Wow, lighten up. I love epicurious.com! I don’t think they’re trying to say that any country’s or region’s food is better than anyone else’s.
Ok, ok I get it… – Vern
Hi, I live in Tampa. I totally understand what you’re saying. I’ve never heard of “Peruvian food.” I can’t even imagine what that would taste like. Italian, French, Japanese, AND Cantonese? That combination sounds LESS than appetizing to me. Each one of them is okay, but I’m picturing sushi covered in marinara. Ewww.
I love your site. I came across it searching for Panang Chicken recipes- my favorite dish. Thai food is my absolute favorite type of food, ever since my mother-in-law introduced me to it three years ago. Jasmine Thai in Brandon, FL is the best I’ve had yet. I am wondering if the food here actually tastes like food in Thailand. Would love to go!
(Sorry I got so off subject… I’m hungry now. Also, how does Vietnamese food rank on your list?)
The food in the USA does sometimes taste like the food in Thailand. Not usually a perfect match, it has changed to meet American taste preferences but still pretty close.
Crab Rangoon is not Thai food. I’ve tried to find it and can find it nowhere in Thailand. Jasmine Thai in Tampa on Dale Mabry has this as an appetizer. Maybe it’s Burmese (Myanmar)? Not sure – nobody knows what it is though.
Now there’s a Jasmine Thai in Brandon? Nice.
Biggest difference between real Thai and USA Thai food is that the veggies and some other things are different -substituted. And of course, in Thailand it’s spiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicy. Pedt in USA and Pedt in Thailand is a world of difference. The som tam here can eat a hole through weak stomachs.
Lol. I’m being dramatic. Anyway- thanks for writing!
🙂 Vern
Sounds like you’re taking it a bit personal, mate. The thing about Peruvian food is that even though it hasn’t changed in quite some time, people are just becoming aware of it due to Peru’s slow economic growth.
Thai food has had it’s share of success in the US probably due to immigration. I think it’s a matter of time before Peruvian catches on… after all there’s lots of us up there lol
I think you should try Peruvian – you’d probably like it. It’s not a mixture of tastes, but rather of influences. Kinda hard to explain, but if you picture “sushi covered in marinara” like one of the comments above… well, you’re pretty clueless.
I love Thai food and have it whenever I’m at a place that serves it (which, for me, means anytime I’m in Florida), but honestly, it’s a completely different spectrum of flavors, I wouldn’t be able to compare it.
Hi there,
Thanks for commenting!
I was half joking with this post – just felt like writing something at the time I think. I’m sure Peruvian is decent. I have had some other South American foods while living in FL too and found it delicious. I think I love food from anywhere though. You ever had Ethiopian? Awesome. Scant, but awesome.
TO BE HONEST,,,,,I LIKE THAI FOOD BUT DON’T LOVE IT,,,,I sometimes can’t stand the smell of it,,,,and some of its dishes’ flavors, I find, are rather bland compared to chinese or japanese food, sorry but that’s what I think,,,,,besides that, yes I agree completely with Epicurious.com that Peruvian food will become the next best thing, even over thai food and u know why? because peruvian food overflows with a diverse range of ethnical flavors,,,,,from africa, andean, asia, europe, arab etc. the food is so diverse and innovative,,,,it keep evolving, even now,,,, I mean with their geography and ethnical influences, peruvians just can’t go wrong,,,,,It’s a GIVEN, Peruvian food will conquer! could even conquer your own palate, or maybe it already has and u don’t admit it………though I do admit that I’ve COMPLETELY FALLEN IN LOVE WITH PERUVIAN FOOD
I have tasted thai food and the problem is overly spiced hot. I do like their spring rolls and thai tea. Thai food has now a foot stronghold in the US and Peru food is trying to catchup. Which they should, their cuisine have been underated for so long. At the end, their gourmet restaurants are on the top of list way ahead of any thai restaurants. They will be holding the 50 best latin restaurants soon which they will most likely come on top. More importantly, they have given the world couple of superfoods where thai food is not even on the radar.