Thai Cooking Class {Thailand}

Happy Monday Y'all! 

As I shared with you a couple of weeks ago, Matt participated in a cooking class when we were in Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

Our first stop was to a local market to look and buy the ingredients for the class- then it was back to the kitchen to start cooking.

Because of our schedule, we opted to participate in the evening class offered at Baan Thai Cookery School. The evening class starts at 4:30 and ends at 8:30 and we were able to make five courses. You can choose one stir-fried item, one soup, one appetizer, one curry paste, and one curry.

Here are the courses Matt chose for his class:
1. Fried Noodle Thai Style
2. Hot and Sour Prawn Soup
3. Spring Roll
4. Green Curry Paste
5. Green Curry with Chicken

When we took our class in Cambodia, it was just the two of us with the head chef, but at Baan Thai you are with a small group of people throughout the course. This was actually really nice because we got to meet some really cool people through this class. There was a couple from Amsterdam, and a couple from Singapore, and a guy from New Hampshire that is currently living in Singapore.

So how the class worked was first we went to our stations and made the stir fried course. Depending on what stir fried course you picked depended on what kitchen you went to. Because I wasn't cooking this wasn't an issue, but just a heads up if you wanted to stick with your parter- pick the same dish or ask the staff which dishes cook together. They split you depending on what your making throughout the whole class.

Course 1: Stir Fried Noodle Thai Style 

They had prepared what we needed in individual bowls and then you just had to chop a few things up. The instructor was demonstrating and looking around to help any that needed it. Even though there were other people- it still seemed that you got the attention and direction that you needed.

This was my favorite dish. It wasn't spicy at all, and Matt did a great job with his preparations.
After making the first course, we went back to the dining room and ate.

Course 2: Hot and Sour Prawn Soup 

Again, we split up into different groups and started on our soup course. The set up was pretty much the same. After making the soup we put it on the table with it covered and then split up to start our third course.

Course 3: Spring Roll 

We went back to our wok stations and first made up the spring roll mix. Then we learned how to wrap the mix in the raw spring roll. Then we put them in the hot oil.

After making the spring rolls, we went back to the dining room and ate courses two and three.
Then we had a bit of a break to chat and eat our food. This was really great because we got to know the other people in our group, and we had a fun time chatting with them. Usually, it's just the two of us on our travels, so it's hard to get to know people while traveling. This cooking class forced us out of our bubble, and it was great.

Course 4 and 5: Green Curry Paste and Green Curry with Chicken 

The last two courses went together. We first learned how to make the green curry paste. {Holly crap- that stuff was spicy!} And then we made the green curry with chicken. This was probably my least favorite of the dishes we tried. But after we made them we sat back with the group and I got to try the other two curries- which I thought were a lot better.

And that was our Thai cooking class. It was a lot of fun and I especially enjoyed not having to cook. But because all the prep work except for a few steps was basically done for us- the dishes cooked up very quickly. I was really impressed at how fast you could make all of these dishes. And they all seemed doable at home.

There was plenty of food for me to try each dish. And we really love the recipe book we got; it is full of yummy recipes to try out.

If you are in Thailand- I really recommend trying a class. And if you are in Chaing Mai, I highly recommend Baan Thai Cookery School. The staff was really friendly, and they were taking pictures that they upload to facebook for you to see. We didn't really need those since I took my job as Matt's personal photographer very seriously.



Basic Information for Evening Class:
Time: 4:30pm - 8:30 pm
Class Size: 2-9 people
Price: 800 baht per person
**I paid a very small fee to just sit and watch**
Price Includes: All ingredients for cooking, transportation to and from your hotel, and a recipe book with all the recipes they use- not just the ones you pick.
There are lockers for you to use to lock up any valuables you don't want to leave in the dining areas.
*The morning class is from 9:40am-4:00 pm. And is 1,000 baht per person and you make 6 courses.*

Have you ever tried a cooking class? Would you ever try one in a foreign country?

Monster Cupcake {몬스터컵케이} : Seoul

Happy Tuesday Y'all! 

A couple weeks ago, Matt and I took a quick day trip up to Seoul for a little adventure. One of the places we stopped was a little (and I mean little) cupcake shop. 

The theme of this shop is just as the name suggests- monsters. 

The decor was all out monster and horror. And the cupcakes were so beautifully decorated. If you  have a craving for some monster ade out of a blood bag- they have it. 

From what I heard- tiramisu is their best, but I don't like tiramisu- so we opted out of that one. I loved the look of all the cupcakes. It seems that a lot of the cupcakes are regulars and just a couple are switched out every week. 

I heard the red velvet was good, so I tried the red velvet Mummy, and Matt got the Jack Skellington Vanilla. Red velvet is my favorite flavor and I must admit this was not the best red velvet I've tasted. But these were the best cupcakes we've had in Korea. 

The sweets here in Korea are very different and often times don't taste like what we expect, but the vanilla cupcake and the frosting on both was delicious. 

I would come back here to buy cupcakes. I think I would try the dark chocolate or the mint. Maybe even strawberry. 

The shop is really small and there is not a lot of seating (as in just one little table inside and one outside)- but they do wrap up cupcakes to go in a durable little container if needed. 

This was definitely a go to shop if you're in the mood for a good cupcake and like themed shops. 

Basic Information: 

Hours- 12:00-10:00 pm 

Closed Mondays 

Cost: About 4,800-5,000 Won per cupcake 

Location: Off the line 6 (brown line). Noksapyeong station exit 2. (One station away from Itaewon) 

*Use the underpass to cross the street. Turn right down the street to the left as you come out of the underpass. Walk towards the large church. Cupcake shop will be on your left.*

**It's small, so be careful not to pass it.** 

{image via}

Tokyo Disneyland: The Food

Happy Thursday! 

I thought I would continue talking about Disney Tokyo to stay with the theme of the week. Today I'll share with you all the yummy food we tried while in the park. Before this trip- I didn't even know that the Disney Parks had delicious food. I didn't know people made a point to travel around the park just to eat the food. So, for this trip- we had a plan. I researched and figured out what I wanted to try. 

This plan worked out perfectly because we just spent Saturday avoiding the crowds and just ate our way through the park. It was wonderful. Saturday was also my birthday, so it was the best way to spend it. Just walking around and trying yummy food. This was the first Disney trip we had made as the 'adults' in charge, so we decided exactly what we wanted to eat and when we wanted to do it. Sometimes it's great being an adult.

$- 10 or below
$$- between 15 and 25
$$$- 30 or higher 

World Bazaar 

 Great American Waffle Company- $ 

We started Saturday off to a yummy start with the Great American Waffle Company. Mickey shaped waffles- we had to try them, and they were delicious. 

We tried the Maple and the Strawberry & Custard Sauce waffles, and they were amazing. Best waffles ever! Or at least- best waffles I've had since moving to Asia. Or the only waffles I've had since moving to Asia.

{Friendly worker letting us get a shot of the fresh waffles.} 

Refreshment Corner- $

We stopped off here on our way out of the park on Friday night. We were hungry but didn't want to spend a lot of money. The Refreshment Corner sells hot dogs and fries- perfect American food. We got the chili dog set and it was great. Again- I hadn't had an American hot dog in a while, so maybe it's not that great. My taste buds are all off kilter since living in Asia. But anyway- great place to grab a bite, and it has the best view of the castle. 

Sweetheart Cafe- $ 

We stopped off here after our waffle adventure. This cafe has an assortment of sandwiches and baked goods. We tried Mike's Melon Bread and a Chocolate Mickey Muffin. I'll be honest- I didn't love the bread, but it sure is cute. 

Other Places to Eat: Eastside Cafe, Center Street Coffeehouse, Restaurant Hokusai, Ice Cream Cones. 

Tomorrowland 

Pan Galactic Pizza Port- $$ 

Taking another break from the rain- Matt and I stopped off here. We had the calzone, pizza, and the alien pudding dessert. We were happy with everything, but the alien pudding was my favorite. If you don't want pizza- I would recommend at least getting the pudding. You get three (1 chocolate, 1 strawberry, 1 vanilla). 

You can also grab an ice cream at the Soft Landing or a Mickey shaped burger at the Tomorrowland Terrace. 

Other Places: Plaza Restaurant, Space Place FoodPort, The Popping Pod, Lite Bite Satellite 

Fantasyland 

Captain Hook's Galley- $ 

This was the first place we ate at on Friday. This serves yummy slices of pizza. I would pick this pizza place over the one in Tomorrowland. 

Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall- $$$

The best thing about this place is the decor, and it's inside so it's a nice sit down place. The food- eh. We just did this because it was late and raining and I wanted to sit down. It's a buffet and they have a few choices. Matt had the chicken and I did the beef- it was all right. If you're on a budget I think you could pass on this place. The lines can get a bit long, so I would recommend a reservation if you do want to try this place. 

{My birthday dessert. It was good- I was happy to be there, but I was just really tired at this point.} 

Village Pastry- $ 

Stop by here for a Tipo Torta (a pastry stick filled with cream). I believe there's chocolate and original. I didn't love the Tipo Torta, but it was cheap. 

Other Places to Try: Troubadour Tavern, Cleo's 

Adventureland 

Blue Bayou Restaurant- $$$

I've always wanted to eat at the Blue Bayou. It backs onto the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, so you can see all the boats ride through while you are eating. The wait to eat here can be long, so try to get a reservation if you want to eat here. We ate an early lunch here on Saturday and got right in. This was the most expensive place we ate at, so we just shared a meal and got the potato soup. I liked it, but I don't know if I would eat here again. If the weather was nicer I know we probably wouldn't  have eaten  there. We were just looking for a place away from the rain. 

Bolier Room Bites- $

Come here for a nice steamed bun in the shape of Mickey and Minnie. The Mickey is pork and chicken, and the Minnie is Strawberry and Milk. We tried the Mickey and loved it. Out of everything we ate- this was both our favorites. I wish we had gone here more than once.

Cafe Orleans- $ 

This was another winner for us. The crepes are so good. We went here three different times (don't judge). We tried the banana & chocolate and the strawberry & whipped cream. I really like seeing them making the crepes. 

Other Places to Try: Royal Street Veranda, The Gazebo, Crystal Palace Restaurant, Polynesian Terrace Restaurant, Parkside Wagon, China Voyager, Squeezer's Tropical Juice Bar, Fresh Fruit Oasis, and The Skipper's Gallery

Of course there's food to try in the other lands, but this is all we got to on our trip. There is also a ton of popcorn stands around the park with different flavors (honey in front of the pooh ride, carmel, butter, soy sauce, etc.) 

We ate A LOT of food on this trip, and it was the greatest. At most places we got one item to share- that way- we could eat more and we spent less money. It was a great way to try all we wanted. 

I hope this was a bit helpful. I always like when people give food recommendations, so maybe you do as well.

If you want an even more detailed account of the park- click here. 

Happy Almost Friday! 

In other news- Matt and I will be heading to Mongolia on Saturday. Since we will be a bit busy- I have Casey from True Colours and Caroline from Love Live Travel helping me out on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Make sure to check back next week and read their wonderful posts.