Whole spices

Poetry from "An American Mouth in Thailand"

This piece is part of “An American Mouth in Thailand,” a mini-series based on a recent trip to Thailand and Malaysia. Catch the flight that brought me to Bangkok.

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Author photo: An innocent-looking breakfast, Bangkok, April 12, 2026

Flavor cranked up to 11 on breakfast,
a party on my tongue.

Thai food in most countries lacks whole spices—
curry leaves,
peppercorn (green),
galangal (sliced up in the mix),
lemongrass (chew, no swallow).

Landmines of flavor
might blow up in the American Mouth,
but their proximity
elevates the charge.