Happiness is a bowl of noodles

This year has been difficult and has affected all of us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Let’s face it, we’re living in a broken and dysfunctional country where an unnecessary ideological division has become more apparent. How can one find happiness in a time when there is so much hate in the world? During moments like these, it seems almost selfish to pursue happiness and self-fulfillment. In these tough times where it has become harder to rely on social interactions to help us get through the pain, I have found that the best cure is a good memory. For me, it’s specifically memories about food that speak to me and I feel that I am not alone in this. For most of us, food is something that becomes instinctual. Our eating patterns reflect our values and how we were raised. Some of our first memories are formed around being fed as a child and it becomes ingrained in us. There’s something magical about that, isn’t there? For me, happiness is a bowl of noodles. (You can get a tattoo of that. In fact, I encourage it.)

I’m very cognizant of the fact that I have been very fortunate to have the experiences that I have, and I am very grateful. One interesting common thread in my fond memories is always those of eating while traveling, and more specifically, eating noodles. Some of my happiest memories include: eating noodles for breakfast every day while staying at a university in Beijing, missing a train in Tokyo Station because of a bowl of udon, my first exposure to phở in Portland, a wonderful bowl of ramen on the coast of Japan, and of course, my first real bowl of khao soi in Chiang Mai.

For those who aren’t familiar with the dish, khao soi is an amazing noodle curry dish that can be found in Northern Thailand. A rich coconut broth, aromatic herbs, shrimp paste, spices, chicken braised until tender, and egg noodles cooked to perfection come together form a symphony of heat, richness, and a flavor that keeps you coming back for more. Crispy egg noodles rest atop of the dish ready to provide a crisp texture to compliment the smooth curry. I remember specifically that this was the second occasion I had tasted the dish, as I had first learned of its existence at the wonderful establishment Mee Gin Thai Soul Kitchen in Portland. I guess that without consciously knowing it, something had lodged itself into my mind about that dish… Something that drew my attention to the dish on the menu that day in the middle of a small alley in Chiang Mai. You have to be a cynical person not to believe in fate when it comes to noodles. As my family was looking for a place to eat after walking around the city, we came across this small establishment. Four tables sat under an awning between the street and a small bar with three seats that had an entrance to a small room that served as the kitchen. My family took the table closest to the alley as a charming woman came out to give us menus. I knew that my parents and sister would order pad thai and fried rice, and of course, how could you not? True pad thai is amazing and should of course be consumed at all costs while in Thailand. When I saw khao soi listed, I knew immediately that it would be added to the order. Naively, I assumed that my family would taste it, but more or less stick to their plates of tried and true. Little did I expect that this bowl of noodles would become the most sought after bite, let alone the most enjoyable part of the meal for everyone. In the end though, it made me incredibly happy that I could share my love of noodles with those closest to me.

And so, I challenge you to find your bowl of noodles, something to keep a fire burning within you. What is it that brings a smile to your face? A memory of a loved one, place, or activity? Whatever it may be, I urge you to keep that close to your heart and never let it go. Who knows maybe I might have woken up something inside you that calls out for a bowl of delicious noodles? Perhaps I just found my calling in life… spreading the joy that is noodles.