Sabai Talk Podcast

In this episode, Chef Pailin and Chef Hong share their best tips and tricks for traveling in and around Thailand. They’ll help you understand how to be culturally sensitive in your conduct and show you how to navigate Bangkok in the most practical, scenic, and affordable ways—especially during rush hour! You’ll also pick up functional knowledge, like how to handle transactions, what plugs to bring, useful Thai phrases to learn, and how to dress appropriately for both the weather and the occasion. There’s a lot to consider as you plan your trip, but Chef Pailin and Chef Hong are here to make that process much easier. From the buzzing metropolis of Bangkok to the quaint villages up north and the serene shores along the coast, Thailand will captivate you at every turn. It’s best to be prepared for that incredible experience so that everything feels truly Sabai-Sabai. About the Hosts Hong Thaimee Chef, entrepreneur, and storyteller behind Thaimee Love in NYC. Hong is passionate about sharing the heart of Thai culture through food. She also curates experiences on CookUnity and runs her shop at hongthaimee.com. Instagram: @hongthaimee YouTube: @hongthaimee TikTok: @hong.thaimee Pailin Chongchitnant Best known as the creator of Hot Thai Kitchen, Pailin is a chef, cookbook author, and YouTube personality who brings Thai recipes and culture to a global audience with clarity and warmth. Pailin’s recipes and books at hot-thai-kitchen.com. Pailin’s YouTube Channel Pailin’s Instagram

In this episode, Chef Pailin and Chef Hong take you on a journey to Northern Thailand, chef Hong’s home region. It is a land of misty mountains, ancient Lanna heritage, and bold, earthy flavors. From Khao Soi (ข้าวซอย) and Sai Oua (ไส้อั่ว) to the beloved Nam Ngiaw (น้ำเงี้ยว), they explore how geography, history, and culture have shaped this unique cuisine. Along the way, they share personal memories and the warmth of the Khantoke (ขันโตก) tradition that brings people together through food and community. Explore Pailin’s Northern Thai recipes Instagram story of Kanom Jeen Nam Ngiew About the Hosts Hong Thaimee Chef, entrepreneur, and storyteller behind Thaimee Love in NYC, Hong is passionate about sharing the heart of Thai culture through food. She also curates experiences on CookUnity and runs her shop at hongthaimee.com. Instagram: @hongthaimee YouTube: @hongthaimee TikTok: @hong.thaimee Pailin Chongchitnant Best known as the creator of Hot Thai Kitchen, Pailin is a chef, cookbook author, and YouTube personality who brings Thai recipes and culture to a global audience with clarity and warmth. Pailin’s recipes and books at hot-thai-kitchen.com. Pailin’s YouTube Channel Pailin’s Instagram

Join Chef Hong and Chef Pailin for the sixth episode of SabaiTalk Season 2 as they dig into The White Lotus Season 3 through a Thai cultural lens. In this insightful conversation, our hosts explore: Cultural hits and misses — Where the show’s representation of Thai traditions, etiquette, language, food, spirituality, and social dynamics is authentic or falls short. Spotlight on hospitality & power — How The White Lotus portrays Thai hospitality, hotel culture, and the subtle interplay of class and privilege. Food as culture — Real Thai dishes vs. their fictionalized versions, and what the show gets right about dining rituals, flavors, and the soul of Thai cuisine. Behind the scenes vs. reality — Insights into Thai customs around respect, gender roles, communal life, and spiritual beliefs—and how those compare to the show’s narrative arcs and character interactions. What we can learn — A reflection on opportunities to correct common stereotypes, promote cross-cultural understanding, and celebrate Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. Hong Thaimee Hong’s Instagram / @hongthaimee Hong’s Shop https://www.hongthaimee.com/shop Hong’s YouTube Channel / @hongthaimee Hong's Tiktok @hong.thaimee Pailin Chongchitnant Pailin’s YouTube Channel / pailinskitchen All of Pailin’s Recipes https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/ Pailin’s Cookbooks https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/htk-cookbook/

Pailin’s meatless recipes: https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/category/all-recipes/meatless-recipes/ The word for vegetarian AND vegan in Thai is “mangsawirat” มังสวิรัติ. The word “jay” เจ is the stricter-than-vegan, religious way of eating. Some Thai people use the word jay as a shortcut to mean vegan but it’s best to avoid using it as restaurants may not be willing to accommodate. Four key areas in Bangkok with more vegan restaurants : 1) Sukhumvit; 2) Banglamphu/Khao San Road; 3) Indian neighborhoods such as Pahurat or around the Hindu temple on Silom; and 4) around Chinese Buddhist temples such as Wat Mangkon Kamalawat in Chinatown. Ed’s favourite “bougie” places in the Sukhumvit area are Vistro, Broccoli Revolution, and Veganerie .Around Khao San Road his favorite is Mango. Hong’s vegan restaurant recommendation: Nature's Charm Cafe Phrases to print out and show restaurants: เป็นมังสวิรัติ - I’m a vegetarian/vegan ไม่กินไข่ - I don’t eat eggs ไม่กินน้ำปลา - I don’t eat fish sauce ไม่กินนม - I don’t eat dairy (FYI traditional Thai cooking does not use dairy, but drinks and modern desserts may contain dairy.)

Sabai Talk Podcast is a conversation about Thai food, Thai culture and the Thai way of living from the most visible Thai female Chefs in media: Hong Thaimee and Pailin Chongchitnant. In this episode, Hong and Pailin dive into the rich, flavorful world of Khao Soi—a beloved Northern Thai curry noodle soup with a creamy coconut broth, fragrant spices, and tender meat. But did you know this famous Thai dish didn’t actually originate in Thailand? Join us as we explore its fascinating history, cultural influences, and how it became a Thai culinary icon. Connect with us at sabaitalk@hongthaimee.com As Mentioned in the Episode: Khao Soi: Thai Curry Noodle Soup: https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/kao-soi/ Khao Soi: https://www.hongthaimee.com/recipes/khaosoi Hong Thaimee Hong’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hongthaimee Hong’s Shop https://www.hongthaimee.com/shop Hong’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@hongthaimee Pailin Chongchitnant Pailin’s YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/pailinskitchen All of Pailin’s Recipes https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/ Pailin’s Cookbooks https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/htk-cookbook/

Sabai Talk Podcast is a conversation about Thai food, Thai cooking and Thai culture from the most visible Thai female Chefs in media: Hong Thaimee and Pailin Chongchitnant. In this episode Hong and Pailin talk about Lunar New Year (or as it’s known in Thailand, Chinese New Year) in Thailand. Do people celebrate it in Thailand, if so what are the customs and traditions, and most importantly what are the foods? Connect with us at sabaitalk@hongthaimee.com As Mentioned in the Episode: Ceremonial Chicken Stir Fry (gai kem): https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/gai-kem-v2/ Hong Thaimee A Chef’s Guide To Celebrating Lunar New Year: https://www.hongthaimee.com/lifestyle/a-chefs-guide-to-celebrating-lunar-new-year Hong’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hongthaimee Hong’s Shop https://www.hongthaimee.com/shop Hong’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@hongthaimee Pailin Chongchitnant Pailin’s YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/pailinskitchen All of Pailin’s Recipes https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/ Pailin’s Cookbooks https://hot-thai-kitchen.com/htk-cookbook/