Khao Pad Gai

For us, one of the main reasons to keep visiting Bangkok is Thai food. Every time we decided to go there and when the plan is agreed upon, we start looking for new kinds of authentic Thai food to taste. Thailand is a food paradise, contrary to the popular belief held by the conventional fat-bellied Sri Lankans who think every dish in the world should look like rice and curry and come in a plate the size of a wash basin. 

So we launch an internet journey to find new kinds of food. This typically goes on for several weeks, and then we either take print-outs or copy the list into our phones. 

Howoever, once we are in Bangkok and once we decide to eat, we realize the effort we put into preparing the bloody list was just a waste of time. The conversation generally goes like this. 

"What shall we eat?" 

"We have a list, don't we?"

"Don't think this place has any of them..." 

"How would you tell? You didn't even take a look at the list." 

"I remember the list..."

"No you don't.."

"Yes I do..."

"Okay then, what shall we eat...?" 

"Kao Pad, as usual?" 

"Yep, Kao Pad sounds good..." 

"Okay then, Kao Pad it is..." 

Kao Pad is the Thai fried rice. One of the most common, and easily available dishes in Thai food stalls. If you haven't tried this yet, you don't have a clue about Thai food culture. 

So, the next time you visit Thailand, run to the first stall you see, and ask for a Kao Pad Gai, which is Thai Chicken Fried Rice. Trust me, you'll thank us... 

How we fell in love with Lemon Seed Rooms - Part 1 

In our first two or three visits to Bangkok we used to stay at a certain Indian hotel in the old district (Charoen Krung road, to be precise). They had an amazing restaurant which was open from 7 am to 11 pm, which was very good news for a couple of food lovers like us. However, we had to walk a kilometer to get to the sky train station (Saphan Taksin), and in traveling terms, an utter waste of 20 minutes. To make matters worse, Charoen Krung is partially a one-way road, so taxi drivers were always hesitant to take as there from wherever we visited. So after much consideration, we decided to abandon those tasty Naan Rotis and Biriyanis and decided to look for a new hotel. 

As a young couple on a budget, we had to consider way too many facts before making a decision, so the process of selecting a new hotel took 3 boring days. However, as always, Trip advisor came to our rescue, and my wife proudly announced her newfound heaven. 

‘Lemon Seed…’ she said. 

‘What?’ I asked. 

‘Lemon Seed Rooms. The name of the hotel.” she said, with a funny smile. 

That was the discovery of our home away from home in Bangkok. 

In May 2013, we first came to the Lemon Seed Rooms, and found out it was a little gem hidden in a little Soi off the Phetchaburi road. Pratunam, Nai Lert, Platinum, Pantip plaza, Ratchathewi sky train station; all these places were in the vicinity, just a few minutes walk away. There was a mini mart down the road (does not exist anymore), 2-3 Seven Elevens, and several food carts along the Phetchaburi road. 

We were chuffed! 

The hotel staff was very helpful, and the hotel was very peaceful. Rooms were big, clean, and comfortable. We had a good sleep, and then went for walk. Trust me; this was just the beginning of an amazing love story with Lemon Seed.