Southeast Asia

American Malaikat dan Singa Is Big in (and About) Indonesia

A famous series of ads for Rosetta Stone tells a fictional narrative about some Midwestern farmboy intensively learning Italian to get with an beautiful Italian woman. The pitch seems to be that learning a new language opens up new opportunities, and since it is advertising, the sexual opportunities ... More >>

Bonjour Vietnam in Downtown Phoenix: Happy Hour Report Card

The Spot: Bonjour Vietnam 202 North Central Avenue 602-252-1223 www.hotelsancarlos.com/dining See Also: - La Condesa in Phoenix: Happy Hour Report Card - Pallets, a Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese Restaurant, Opens on Roosevelt Row - 10 Favorite Vietnamese Restaurants in Greater Phoenix The Hou ... More >>

The Impossible and Dinner at My Mom's Thai Kitchen

While a jumbo tub of hot buttered popcorn is one of our most frequently indulged guilty pleasures, we think a good movie deserves a little better company than junk food. Try out our movie and meal pairings for yourself or feel free to suggest one of your own favorites in the comments. The Movie: Th ... More >>

Pot of Gold: Manila Sunrise Gourmet

This Pizza Infographic Reveals How Many Blue Whales Worth of Pepperoni We Eat Each Year

Actually, the most shocking bit of info in this graphic isn't that Americans eat the yearly GDP of North Korea in pizza or that the average American consumes 11 pounds of cheese a year, but that CiCi's Pizza is the most popular brand of pizza in the country. Apparently "pizza buffet" are the magic w ... More >>

Angger Dimas @ Wild Knight

Turning Javanese

Taking a Walk on the Royal Side at Hue Gourmet

For those who want to eat like a king, or in this case, an emperor, an imperial legacy of dishes can be found in one, rather strange place in the Valley. A counter-service stand in the Mekong Plaza food court in Mesa: Hue Gourmet. Distinctive to the rest of the country, the cuisine of the Vietname ... More >>

Palee's Crown in Mesa Is Fit for a Thai Queen

Palee's Crown: Patience Pays Off for Excellent Thai Cuisine

At 69, Phannee Plabprasit, owner and chef of Palee's Crown in Mesa, knows a thing or two about patience in the kitchen, but it wasn't always this way. As a child growing up in Bangkok, she often was scolded by her mother, who complained that her daughter was impatient when they cooked together becau ... More >>

Watermelon Art: The Good, The Bad -- and The Fetus Floating in Jell-O

Dating back to 14th century Thailand, the ancient art of watermelon carving is nothing new. But recently, we've seen a whole lot of these creations gracing the pages of our favorite social media sites. And like every other food trend, there are always going to be a few that aren't quite as good as ... More >>

Larb Salad: From Laos, With Love

Not the prettiest sounding word to American ears, you could call larb (pronounced "lawb"), the meat salad originating in the country of Laos, by its "street" name: Lao-style, or Laotian-style, salad. No matter what the moniker, this meat-minded, fresh, and spicy salad, regarded as the national dis ... More >>

Chef Mensur Duzic's Paella

This week in Chef Talk we've been talking with Chef Mensur Duzic of Phoenix Children's Hospital. A tenured veteran of fine dining spots from across the Valley to across the pond, Duzic has enjoyed his position at the hospital for nearly ten years. But does he miss his more high-class culinary roots? ... More >>

Balut, a.k.a. Filipino Duck Embryo Shooters

Balut, a steamed partially developed duck embryo, is a massively popular dish in the Philippines. It is a meal best eaten with friends and large quantities of beer. In America it is generally something that only forms fodder for a parade of "Most Disgusting Foods Ever" lists. In the Philippines, bal ... More >>

An Artist Statement by El Mac (VIDEO)

​During his recent visit to Vietnam, El Mac (who, full disclosure, we'll always consider a local artist -- no matter where he moves) recorded his artist statement for the Viet Nam The World Tour. Included in the short film are behind-the-scenes looks at one of his more recent murals in H ... More >>

10 Favorite Desserts in Phoenix

Oftentimes, a meal out of the house isn't complete without dessert - not just any dessert, but one that's so good you'll never forget it, one that will make guest appearances in your dreams for the rest of your life. To help satisfy your sweet tooth, we're offering up our 10 of our favorite desserts ... More >>

Rumspringer, Mayhem, Crooked Fingers and More in This Week's Issue

The death of the CD may be neigh, but as Serene Dominic tells us, the format's demise probably won't impact punk trios like Rumspringer much. The band acts a lot like it doesn't care much, but the poetic melodic punk rock on records like Empty Towers betrays otherwise. Of course, there are those ... More >>

Bananas with Coconut Ice Cream at Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery

The Arizona Republic recently named Soi 4 as the Best Thai Restaurant of 2011, but have they neglected dessert lovers? While not all of their desserts are a winner, we highly recommend their Fried Bananas with Coconut Ice Cream.

Pete's Thai Cuisine: Bold Flavors and More from a Longtime Valley Thai Chef

Words of Wisdom

John Sayles Brings the Philippine-American War Into the 21st Century

Kratom: Some Say the Latest "Legal Drug" Is a Harmless Herbal Tonic. The DEA Says It's Far More Sinister

The Palace @ FilmBar

The Hangover Part II: Didn't We Already See This Movie?

Sekong by Night Brings Cambodian Cuisine to Phoenix

The Last Candy Shop

This is a beautiful video about a candy shop on a street in Hanoi, part of etsy's Handmade Life series. Watch it -- just because.

Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery Brings Authentic Thai to Scottsdale

New in Scottsdale: Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery

​A Bay Area Thai restaurant just opened a new location at Scottsdale's Shops at Gainey Village, and there's already favorable early buzz from a couple of my favorite food spies. Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery has a sister restaurant in Oakland, California, along with three other Thai spots run by the ... More >>

Tempeh: Tofu's Funky, Fermented Cousin

Robin from Netherlands via Wikimedia commons​ In the name of good health and a good read, each week we'll be bringing you a health product, complete with review. We're calling this feature Crunchy Granola -- even though we doubt much of this stuff tastes that good. This week: Tempeh Tempeh, ... More >>

Songs in the Key of Life

Musical culture for a cause

Dinh Q. Le's "Signs and Signals From the Periphery" at ASU Art Museum Proves That Art Is Everywhere

Crystal Castles: "Vietnam" (Lightsoverla Remix)

​Song: Crystal Castles' "Vietnam" (Lightsoverla Remix)Context: It's been 40 years and one day since the Kent State shootings. 

Snake Wine: What's Yer Poison (Literally)?

If "Hair of the dog" doesn't do it for ya, give "Juice of the snake" a try. ​In a rather repulsive example of how "That which does not kill you makes you stronger," snake wine (made predominantly in Vietnam, Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia) is said to contain medicinal properties t ... More >>

Take Your Kick

Watch people beat each other up in Chandler

Matt Carter’s Nine 05 Classes Up Fourth Street with Brisket Crepes and Blueberry Mochi Cake

Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Exhibit

Community Move Night: The Weather Underground

Joe R. Lansdale

Groove Merchants

Hippiefied shopkeepers dole out good vibes and daisies

Restless Spiritualist

Globetrotting photog tracks time and myth

Red-Hot, White, and Brown

Canadian-Indian comic seeks world domination

John McCain's Fame is Based on His POW Status, But He Has Abandoned Fellow Veterans

Shelf Life: Strange seafood snacks

What the Fork: Durian boba drink at Lee's Sandwiches

Random Acts of Violins

Music to swat insects by

sNooze, You Lose

Thai Score

NICE THAI