Here’s a bit of culinary trivia for you. What American city claims to have the greatest number of Thai restaurants per capita?

Time’s up. If you guessed Fairbanks, Alaska, go to the head of the class!

Seriously, on a recent trip to Alaska my wife and I were informed by our Holland America tour guide (who hailed from Baton Rouge, LA) that Fairbanks boasts more Thai restaurants per resident than any other city in the USA. Go figure.

Having lived in the Skagit Valley for 12 years now, I can assure you that although we can’t make a similar boast, we’re no slouches when it comes to the culinary riches of Siam. In Mount Vernon alone we have Thai House and Rachawadee. The first time I looked over the menu of the former, I was skeptical that given the number of items on it they could do all of them well. Thai House has consistently proven that my initial doubts were unfounded. I’ve never been disappointed with anything I’ve ordered.

Rachawadee has been our go-to for Thai take out. If you’ve ever been inside, you’ll appreciate why take-out is the preferred option. With no tables and limited counter space, it’s certainly not a “date night” venue. On the other hand, you can watch your food being made, and the results never fail to please. A word of caution for Rachawadee newbies: when asked your spiciness preference on a scale of 1 to 5 (or maybe 1 to 4), it’s best to start with “1.” A guy at the counter once told me he ordered his dish as a “3” and nearly dialed 911. They should probably make you sign a medical waiver for anything past that.

Our most recent Thai food discovery has been Taste of Thai by Wipa, and it’s quickly become a favorite. We had driven past its location for years (right off Burlington Blvd. next to the Fred Meyer), but it was word-of-mouth that finally convinced us to give it a try. I’m thankful that we did.

The story behind Taste of Thai is that its founder and owner (Wipa) was formerly a chef for the royal palace in Bangkok. I’m hoping to convince her to sit down with me for a future Tales of the Magic Skagit “Bite of Skagit” podcast episode, since I’d really love to dig into her culinary history as well as the circumstances that led her from Thailand to the Magic Skagit. You know there has to be a good story behind that journey.

I will tell you this about Taste of Thai: they have menu items that I simply haven’t encountered at any other Thai restaurant that I’ve been to (including the one my wife and I had lunch at in Fairbanks). The pictures that follow will illustrate my point. Read and drool.

Fresh Spring Rolls (Por Piah Sod Poo) – Forget what you thought you knew about spring rolls. Taste of Thai’s menu describes this “Chef Recommended” appetizer as follows: “Unlike other restaurants’ fresh rolls, Wipa introduces Por Piah Sod Poo authentically available in Thailand. Fresh cucumbers, green onion, tofu, and bean sprouts wrapped by cooked rice paper drizzled with five spices, sweet tamarind sauce and sprinkled with egg floss and crab meat and served with a pinch of yellow mustard.” Don’t let the word “poo” turn you off, by the way — I’m sure it means something good in Thai.

Pad Pong Gari (Thai Style Stir-Fried Meat in Curry Sauce) – Having gone to school for a year in India, I thought I knew a thing or two about curry. And then I discovered Thai curry, which completely reset the bar. The Taste of Thai menu description for this entree: “Wipa starts the dish with the mixture of an egg, Thai roasted chili paste, coconut milk and curry powder. She then pours the mixture into a smoky hot wok with your choice of meat and adds more flavor and texture with scallion, onion, bell pepper and celery. She finishes the dish with ground white pepper. To all curry lovers most try!!” (Note the use of two exclamation points, to which I might add, “Can I get a witness?”)

Roti Banana – “One of the street desserts in Thailand, Roti Sai Kluay is very popular and delicious. Wipa pan fries Indian puff pastry (Paratha) with ghee butter until it’s golden brown. While the pastry is cooking, she adds the cream cheese and sliced fresh bananas. To finish your authentic Thai meal, this sweet is served with a drizzle of sweet condensed milk and dark chocolate sauce.” I highly recommend that you split this dessert with a dinner companion unless you want to run the risk of insulin shock. Lord have mercy!

I should also add that in addition to an amazing menu of Thai cuisine, I would have to award Taste of Thai “most inspirational restroom graffiti.” As the Good Book says, “as ye sow, so shall ye reap.” Or to quote General Maximus in Gladiator I, “What we do in life echos through eternity.” In the case of Chef Wipa, what she has accomplished through her restaurant will forever echo in my tummy — in the best possible way.