What Is Authentic Thai Food?

Lindsay Beyerstein September 19, 2012

Authenticity is a perennial and generally fruitless topic of debate among foodies. Leela Punyaratabandhu of the Thai food blog She Simmers has written a fine essay debunking some bad arguments about the nature of authentic Thai cuisine. It’s a breath of fresh air.

Leela is one of the smartest bloggers working today. I’m continually impressed by the erudition of her posts. Her recipe posts explain not only the ingredients and techniques but the historical and cultural context of the food she’s making. Her food photography is mouth-watering, too.

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Lindsay Beyerstein is an award-winning investigative journalist and In These Times staff writer who writes the blog Duly Noted. Her stories have appeared in Newsweek, Salon, Slate, The Nation, Ms. Magazine, and other publications. Her photographs have been published in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times’ City Room. She also blogs at The Hillman Blog (http://www.hillmanfoundation.org/hillmanblog), a publication of the Sidney Hillman Foundation, a non-profit that honors journalism in the public interest.