The taste of Thailand...

Nothing says 'welcome back to Thailand' like sticky rice and mango for me. Simple, sweet, comforting and full of great smile-inducing memories.

I was first introduced to this rather odd sweet as a 17 year old. While living in Thailand as an exchange student everyone would ask me what my favourite food was. My answer being  khaow-niewo ma-muang (sticky rice and mango) would be met with a huge smile and a knowing nod. Thai people love it when you love their food, particularly this unique dish.

Once I arrive back in Thailand I crave this. I don't bother to eat it in Australia. The mangoes aren't the same and the substitution of black sticky rice for the white gives it a different nutty flavour that doesn't work for me. 

The simplicity of a just-ripe golden mango, sliced into pieces. The Thais call them nam dork mai which literally means 'water flower'. A generous blob of soft coconut infused sticky rice, a drizzle of sweetened coconut milk finishing with a sprinkling of crunchy mung beans. Perfectly balanced and extremely addictive.

Some street sellers colour their rice with butterfly pea (purple) or pandan (green) but it doesn't change the flavour.

You'll find it at most markets and pay around 100 baht or $4AUD. 

I can eat it any time of the day or night.

It must be eaten the day it's made which suits me just fine!

It's without a doubt the taste of Thailand for me.