I may spontaneously combust. But at least I’ll be happy…. REAL Thai Spicy @ Zabb Elee
I remember it like it was yesterday. One of my most memorable food experiences.
I was on the beach on the island of Ko Samet in the gulf of Thailand in 2004.
I had been watching a women come across the sand carrying traditional rattan baskets on each side of her body. Stopping to sell tourists mango and different snacks,
every once in a while she would sit with a local and make something fresh in her little mortar and pestle.
I wanted whatever it was. I wanted to eat what the locals were eating.
She was making fresh green papaya salad, with tomatoes, long beans, chili, lime juice and oh a little surprise from her little cooler in her basket….. small crabs, which she abruptly cracked in half and tossed through my salad. The spice, the crunch, the perfect balance of salt/ sour/ sweet. It was pungent. It was amazing.
( Don’t hate. I was 21 and yes wearing frosted glasses and a cowboy hat on the beach bahahaha )
The moment, the location, the experience….. the flavors. This is something I still think about to this day and thats why when I heard about Zabb Elee ( 2nd Avenue and 4th Street ) with its authentic Isan Thai food…. I knew I had to try it.
I went to Zabb two days in a row. The first alone for lunch and then I asked Kit to join me to sample some more dishes.
I started with a lunch Special which includes 3 choices. My server asked how hot I would like my meal and I ordered a 3 on their 1-5 thai spicy scale.
This is no joke people. 
Not american spicy….. This is blow your face off, feel your heart jumping through your chest Thai style spicy. Let’s just say for me, 3 was my limit!!!
Yum Goon Chieng sweet sausage spicy salad. I loved the sweet and salty flavor of this sausage. with corriander, onions, chili and the taste of pungent fish sauce in the dressing, this salad was so yummy.
My LUNCH Special also came with Yum Kra Dook Moo pork spare ribs with mushroom, tomato, cabbage, long bean, basil, galangal, fresh chili, the sausage spicy salad above and a sticky rice.
To say this soup was spicy for me is an understatement. I think the waiter noticed me with running nose, eyes peeled wide open and possibly checking my pulse a few times…. hahaha. He kept bringing me water which was very sweet!
So so so hot. Studded with fresh red birds eye chili. Holla! 
My second visit with Kit. We decided to order a few dishes to share. From our friends Dart and Tori’s recommendation we tried the Pad Ped Moo Korb crispy pork, thai eggplant, pepper, basil, wild ginger with spicy curry. This was a great dish. The pork was crispy, melty and full of flavor. I loved the little green peppercorns which made my mouth numb as I bit into them.
Som Tum Muazuar papaya, shrimp, bbq pork, rice noodle, tomato, long bean. A light a summery dish with lots of spice from the red chili. See the light colored crispy looking pieces in the salad. Yeah….. just a little bit of crispy pork skin! HELLLLLO!!! :)
Guai Thiew Ped duck noodle light broth soup with dry chili and white vinegar. I found the white vinegar flavor in the soup to be a double edge sword. While it some what cooled and balanced the chili in the other dishes….. it was just slightly to sour for me. I wanted more salt!!! The duck however was tender and delicious.
If you want Pad Thai and Spring rolls, this place is NOT for you. It takes me so long to even read through the menu here because there are so many dishes, flavor combos and and names I have never heard of.
But that’s the beauty of it folks. Immersing yourself into another country’s flavors and culture.
And not being afraid to EAT WHAT THE LOCALS EAT.
PS. Did I mention I just booked a flight to Thailand for August! So so so so very excited.
It’s gonna be a WalkAbout to remember :)
