Sabai Talk Podcast

Bizarre Thai Food: What’s That Smell?

In this episode, Chef Pailin and Chef Hong dive into all the unusual Thai foods that would most likely make a foreigner raise an eyebrow. How does the sound of Bamboo Worms (หนอนไม้ไผ่) and Ant Eggs  (ไข่มดแดง) make you feel? Your first instinct might be to judge, but you could be missing out on something delicious. Behind a lot of these ‘unusual’ dishes, are stories rich with history that not only celebrate the diversity of Thailand but also the cultural and traditional sustainable eating practices that are so important for the world today. They reminisce stories of sharing these dishes with loved ones, and discuss how important it is to approach the unfamiliar with respect and appreciation, because what’s bizarre to one person is a delicacy to another.
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

Bizarre Thai Food: What’s That Smell? I Sabai Talk S2 E10

In this episode, Chef Pailin and Chef Hong dive into all the unusual Thai foods that would most likely make a foreigner raise an eyebrow. How does the sound of Bamboo Worms (หนอนไม้ไผ่) and Ant Eggs (ไข่มดแดง) make you feel? Your first instinct might be to judge, but you could be missing out on something delicious. Behind a lot of these ‘unusual’ dishes, are stories rich with history that not only celebrate the diversity of Thailand but also the cultural and traditional sustainable eating practices that are so important for the world today. They reminisce stories of sharing these dishes with loved ones, and discuss how important it is to approach the unfamiliar with respect and appreciation, because what’s bizarre to one person is a delicacy to another.
 
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

Northern Thai Food & Culture | Sabai Talk S2 E09 (mp3)

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

Northern Thai Food & Culture | Sabai Talk S2 E09

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
 
 
 

The Truth About ‘Thai Spicy’

 
In this episode, Chef Hong and Chef Pailin unpack what “spicy” really means — from chilies to spices, heat to flavor. They share stories from their own kitchens and careers, plus listener anecdotes, to explore how restaurants manage spice levels, why chefs may (or may not) adjust heat for different diners, and whether Thai food has to be spicy to be “authentic.”
Along the way, they bust the myth of “Thai spicy,” talk about balance over bravado, and offer practical tips for enjoying chili heat without losing flavor. A lively, flavorful conversation that proves spice is about joy and choice — not just about how much heat you can handle.
About the Hosts
Hong ThaimeeChef, 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 ChongchitnantBest 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. Find her recipes and books at hot-thai-kitchen.com.
YouTube: Pailin’s Kitchen
Recipes: hot-thai-kitchen.com
Cookbooks: Hot Thai Kitchen Cookbooks

Thai Culture & The White Lotus | SabaiTalk S02 E07 (audio)

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/
 
 
 

Thai Culture & The White Lotus | SabaiTalk S02 E07 (video)

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/
 
 
 

May 31: Exploring Thai Desserts | Sabai Talk S02 E05 (video)

In this episode, chef Hong and chef Pailin are diving into into the colorful, delicate, and deeply cultural world of Thai desserts. Discover how Thai desserts go beyond sugar—they reflect tradition, celebration, and the balance of texture and taste that makes Thai cuisine so unique.
Hong Thaimee Hong’s Instagram / @hongthaimee Hong’s Shop https://www.hongthaimee.com/shop Hong’s YouTube Channel / @hongthaimee
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-cook...

Exploring Thai Desserts | SabaiTalk S02 E06 (audio)

In this episode, chef Hong and chef Pailin are diving into into the colorful, delicate, and deeply cultural world of Thai desserts. Discover how Thai desserts go beyond sugar—they reflect tradition, celebration, and the balance of texture and taste that makes Thai cuisine so unique.
Hong Thaimee Hong’s Instagram / @hongthaimee Hong’s Shop https://www.hongthaimee.com/shop Hong’s YouTube Channel / @hongthaimee
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-cook...

Vegetarian & Vegan Thai Food | Sabai Talk S02 E05

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.)