Okay, so I found myself wandering around Salem the other day, stomach rumbling, you know how it is. I wasn’t really feeling the usual stuff, pizza, burgers, whatever. Just wanted something… different. Then it hit me, Thai food. Haven’t had proper Thai in ages.
Finding a Spot
So, I started looking around. Didn’t really have a specific place in mind, just sort of went by feel. Walked past a couple of spots. One looked too fancy, another one was totally empty, which always makes me a bit nervous, right? Finally settled on this little place tucked away slightly off the main drag. Nothing flashy, but it smelled good from the street, like garlic and spices, which is usually a good sign in my book.
Went inside. Pretty simple setup, couple of tables, some Thai decorations on the walls. Nothing over the top. The folks running it seemed friendly enough, gave me a nod and a menu.
The Food Experience
Now, the menu. Lots of choices. Curries, noodles, stir-fries. Took me a minute. I usually go for Pad Thai, kinda the standard test, isn’t it? But I thought, nah, let’s try something else today. Decided to get a green curry with chicken and some Tom Yum soup to start. Asked for medium spicy on the curry, didn’t want to blow my head off on the first try here.
The soup came out first. Tom Yum. Wow, that woke me up. It had that perfect sour, spicy kick, lemongrass, galangal, all those flavors hitting you at once. Had some shrimp in it too, nice and plump. Really good start, honestly. Cleared my sinuses right out.
Then the main event arrived, the Green Curry. Looked great, smelled even better. Lots of chicken, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, basil, all swimming in that greenish coconut milk sauce. Served with a side of plain white rice, just how I like it. I took a spoonful, mixed it with the rice. The heat was there, definitely medium, maybe a touch more, but not overwhelming. You could still taste everything else. The creaminess of the coconut milk, the freshness of the basil, the tender chicken. It was just solid, comforting food.
- The soup was perfectly tangy and spicy.
- The green curry had a good amount of heat and flavor.
- Ingredients seemed fresh.
- Rice was cooked just right, not sticky or dry.
Final Thoughts
Finished everything. Felt properly full, but not stuffed and uncomfortable, you know? Just satisfied. Paid the bill, wasn’t too expensive either, which is always a plus. Left feeling like I’d made a pretty good choice for lunch.
So yeah, my little adventure into Thai cuisine in Salem turned out pretty well. Found a decent, no-frills spot, had some genuinely tasty food. Sometimes just trying something on a whim works out. Definitely reminded me I need to eat Thai more often. Good stuff.
