The "I Didn't Comment in Another Thread" Thread

[payn]

I consistently get offered ketchup at Mexican restaurants, which pains me greatly.

Midwest? Ranch dressing is considered spicy here.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Midwest? Ranch dressing is considered spicy here.

Southern California. But my ancestors are Northern European, so the assumption is clearly that encountering a chili pepper might be fatal. I have relatives who have a problem even with freshly ground black pepper, so I understand where these restaurants are coming from.

 

[J.Quondam]

Southern California. But my ancestors are Northern European, so the assumption is clearly that encountering a chili pepper might be fatal. I have relatives who have a problem even with freshly ground black pepper, so I understand where these restaurants are coming from.

I don't know if it's age or new allergy or what, but last few years I've become much more sensitive to spicy. Oddly, black pepper in particular is especially bad, and the absolute worst is the practically dustified pre-ground stuff; it's weapons-grade awful when snorted up the wrong hole.

 

[Bedrockgames]

A question, as I polish off my drunken noodles:

How do I know what the typical spice level is of a cuisine that's not my native one?

I have a high tolerance for spiciness, and am interested in trying Thai and Indian food, etc., at their "right" levels. But I also know that dudebros asking to make stuff super-hot is incredibly common and they typically get stuff that's not at all typical of the cuisine, but just a bragging rights level of heat. (And I've won hot wing and chili eating contests, so I can do that, but it's not really what I want on a rainy day for lunch.)

When I've asked at restaurants, they just sort of shrug "it depends on the person" and want me to go ahead with my order.

I worked in Thai restaurants and my wife is Thai. There are different ways of describing what you want (usually 1-5 peppers, 1-10 peppers, etc), but I think you will find they generally aren't going to make it as spicy as they have it in Thailand even if you ask for it (sometimes they will, but usually customers who ask for it, end up not liking it so they tend to err on the side of caution: at least this has been what I have seen). I will say, some of the things I have had were quite spicy. I remember the first time I tried my wife's plate of pad thai and it was loaded with peppers. I had been ordering maximum peppers at the restaurant leading up to that and it wasn't even close to the level of spice she put on it. It usually seems to be more about the condiments and spices put on after though. But I also think it takes time to develop a tolerance so don't rush into eating super spicy. Also there are plenty of dishes that aren't spicy, and like I said earlier most of the intense heat is put on the dish after anyways with condiments to taste.

Honestly they don't care how spicy you have it. Just eat it the way you like. You can ask for peppers on the side and try increasing the heat as you go, see what you enjoy. There is something to be said for a high spice level. But it isn't for everyone. High level spice in Thai food is pretty high. You might simply try asking for various condiments and red chili

If you want something authentic you can ask if they have a thai menu. Those sometimes have dishes not on the usual menu. I wouldn't go crazy chasing this though. Like you mention with the spice and bragging rights, it can sometimes be annoying to be that customer. When I worked in restaurants I would eat at the owners house and they would cook food after hours for the staff. It was not normally stuff in the restaurant. Some dishes I remember were a soup with thai eggplant and chopped up baby octopus (I really like calamari, so I remember enjoying this). But many of the other things we ate there were more like steamed fish stuffed with herbs, various soups, meat or whole fish essentially thrown into the deep fryer, thai omelets (I highly recommend this if you can get it), etc. One of my favorite meals that is normally on the menu is Kana moo krob----it isn't spicy, but has a great flavor and is essentially fried pork belly with chinese broccoli in a sauce. Another one I quite liked was Tiger's Cry. Neither of those dishes are spicy but Tigers cry has an interesting bite (not sure what flavor gives it that, but I really like it).

 

[Bedrockgames]

As long as we all can agree that sherbert sucks.

This post breaks my heart. Good sherbet has been so hard to come by lately

 

[payn]

This post breaks my heart. Good sherbet has been so hard to come by lately

 

[Ryujin]

Some version of this usually works...

"Is that white people spicy, or X spicy?"

Replace X with the whatever the ethnicity or cuisine is. That usually gets a laugh and native levels of spicy.

The Thai place near where I work had a scale with points marked as "Hot" and "Thai Hot."

 

[Ryujin]

Midwest? Ranch dressing is considered spicy here.

"Oh, that's spicy! What is it?"
"Salt."

 

[Bedrockgames]

"Oh, that's spicy! What is it?"
"Salt."

I want to know where each gets its 'cool' flavor

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]