According to the Chinese calendar, we'll be welcoming the Year of the Ox this Friday. Thanks to the pandemic and for the first time as long as I could remember, the Chinese New Year of 2021 is officially regarded as a national holiday.
At first, the announcement sounded strange to me but on second thought, it's not.
Unofficially, the CNY has long been a holiday for most people I know. Even when I was in junior high school, which was almost four decades ago, every time this particular occasion arrived at least 75% of the students would not show up. By lunchtime, the school would allow those who did to return home anyway because the teachers would rather teach a full class than just a few children.
The point is that in this country Thai and Chinese people as well as our cultures blend together so well. There are so many things that exemplify this fact. The first that pops up in my mind is my favourite Chinese food, beef noodles.
Basically, standard beef noodles in Thailand are not significantly different from those in Beijing, Taiwan or any other place with a significant Chinese population. However, not to mention certain Thai recipes like the spicy kuay tiew namtok in which fresh blood is added to the soup, the main thing that distinguishes the noodle eating experience in this country from the rest of the world is the way we order the dish.
In Thailand, we don't just go with whatever is available on the menu. Each individual tends to order their noodles the way he or she feels like eating that very moment. Usually, every noodle shop has at least four kinds of noodles for their patrons to choose. The customers indicate whether they want broth or not, whether they want fresh beef or stewed beef or just the tongue or tendon only or any particular parts of the entrails, or whatever combination they choose. And let's not forget our choice of meatballs too.
Some people like their bean sprouts to be parboiled while others only eat them fresh. Then again, there are those who would be upset if they spotted a single piece of vegetable with their noodles. The list can go on and on, and virtually no noodle shop in the kingdom has a problem with this unique Thai norm. I don't think an average client could be this picky in other parts of the world when ordering a quick meal.
Thai-style noodle eating is not just the ultimate form of customisation but also an advanced form of co-evolution of Chinese and local cultures. Just the thought of the aroma of Chinese herbs in beef noodle soup is already making my mouth water.
Well, I wish you have fun and stay safe during the upcoming long holiday, which begins with the CNY. I also wish you the best of health and happiness for the approaching Year of the Beef. Sorry, I meant Year of the Ox.
Pongpet Mekloy is the Bangkok Post's travel editor.
