Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice: A Thai Comic Book Cookbook by Christina De Witte

Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice: A Thai Comic Book Cookbook Reviews

• 
  Rae | The Finer Things Club CA

  Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines, so I was happy to check out 𝘕𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴, 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘦. Christina de Witte and Mallika Kauppinen take an innovative approach to cookbook writing, using a comic book-inspired style to instruct readers on how to prepare dishes. With cute illustrations and friendly copy, the writers present their backgrounds; introduce Thailand and its food; discuss tools and equipment needed; and even give a tour of an Asian supermarket as well as tips on ingredients. They then go on to share recipes, divided into snacks and starters, noodle dishes, rice dishes, soups and curries, desserts and drinks, and staples and condiments. I’m excited to try cooking some of my favorites, like Tom Kha Gai and Pad See Ew in particular.
  
  This is a unique and fun cookbook. But I suppose I am a bit of a traditionalist in that I would like more actual photography of the prepared dishes—there are some mixed in with the illustrations here and there, but I think including even more real images would be more appealing and inspiring to the home cook. Nonetheless, I find 𝘕𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴, 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘦 to be a great recipe collection that is both educational and delightful.
  
  Thank you to Ten Speed Press for an advance reader copy in exchange for a honest review.
• 
  thosemedalingkids

  3.5 stars
  
  This is part cookbook, part graphic novel, and part history lesson on all things Thai cuisine. Super cool that there's illustrations for everything - including for each cooking step!
  
  I enjoyed reading about the regional differences for the food, staple ingredients, a little background on the authors, and now am hungry.
• 
  Lost in Book Land

  Welcome Back!
  
  Today’s read is a bit different. It’s a graphic novel mixed with a cookbook. I love cookbooks and have a small collection of them on my shelf in the dining room area of my home. So when I saw this book on Netgalley, I requested an E-ARC copy to try and I absolutely ended up loving it (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions)! (I will totally be picking up a copy to add to my cookbook collection in the future).
  
  SPOILERS AHEAD
  
  **This part of the review will be slightly different than normal, I want to talk about some of the story that was given in the book but also give my overall thoughts all at once.
  
  In this comic book cookbook, we get to learn about a pair of friends who met over their love/desire to learn a language (with one person being the tutor and the other person being there to learn) however, their friendship grew and they ended up making this very book! (Which is completely awesome)! Throughout the cookbook we not only learn recipes but we also learn a lot about the different regions of food within the country, how different ingredients and spices are used, and more! Adding all of these elements together with some really delicious-looking recipes absolutely sold me on this cookbook!
  
  This comic book cookbook hits shelves on May 7th, 2024, I definitely recommend checking it out and maybe even trying to make a dish or two!
  
  Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
  
  ***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
• 
  Paige

  Thanks @ NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review :)
  
  I love comic cookbooks bc instead of rereading the steps when I inevitably forget what to do next I can just follow the pictures. This is both a comic cookbook and guide to Thai culture and cuisine. It’s pretty accessible and they offer store-bought alternatives for people who can’t source the ingredients/want a faster recipe.
  
  The art style is kinda minimalist cartoony with goofy facial expressions and bendy noodle arms being the primary characteristics to me. Some of the intro history material is less sequential art storytelling than it is illustrated facts (if I’m splitting hairs). I’m also personally never a fan of photographs being added into comics.
  
  The recipes themselves are easy to follow and have quick tips for stuff like reheating and storing food. I like that the authors used the Thai words for the dishes and ingredients but I wish they also included how to pronounce them in IPA or something. Sometimes there were weird cooking steps or ingredient combos (6 big chiles and 3 small ones??) that I wish got explained a bit more. If you’re not into spicy food, the drinks and dessert section is still pretty interesting.
• 
  Ajla

  Such a unique twist on a classic cookbook format! As someone who knows very little about Thai cooking, I consider this to be a really good introduction to it. It contains not only recipes, but explanations on essential ingredients, concepts and staples. And on top of that, everything is illustrated in a very cute way!
  
  My free review copy was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Sophie

  This cookbook provided such a great introduction to Thai cuisine for home cooks. I especially loved the introductory sections, including the portions devoted to history and grocery shopping, as well as the Staples & Accompaniments section at the end. The illustrations are so bright and colorful that they pop off the page and make you want to get cooking right away!
• 
  Laura Bone

  Goodreads Giveaway
  
  Cute cookbook with fun illustrated recipes that are easy to follow. My husband and I really like Thai food, so this is a nice addition to our cookbook collection. I do wish there was more food photography of the prepared dishes included (there are some). The illustrations are nice, but I still like photos.
• 
  Mai

  📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Ten Speed Graphic
• 
  Rachel

  * I received an ARC for this review*
  
  I love comic cookbooks and this was great. I loved all the historical and cultural information that was shared through the comics at the start of each section. I also loved the authors both having their own character and how they even incorporated the characters on actual photographs of the food. Instructions are clear and they even show you how to shop and what to buy premade vs home made.
• 
  Ishieta Chopra

  An interesting and fun book with authentic recipes and comic-style images that were fun on their own.
  I enjoyed the information about the food and the style of writing. it felt like sitting with a friend and talking about food and recipes. i found the images of the recipe steps to be cute and clear instructions - which as a novice cook are very important as I can easily get lost in a recipe and get overwhelmed.
  Recommend this book if you are looking for recipes done in a fun way.
• 
  Annie

  Originally posted on my blog
  Nonstop Reader.
  
  Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice is an appealing, clever, and useful cookbook in comic form by
  Christina De Witte and
  Mallika Kauppinen. Released 7th May 2024 by Penguin Random House on their
  Ten Speed Press imprint, it's 208 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.
  
  The art is very simple but appealing and fun, full of energy and whimsy, and at the same time ingredients and prep methods are clear enough to follow easily. The text is direct and unvarnished and the authors have included an intro on their meeting and friendship leading up to this collaborative effort. Despite coming from disparate backgrounds, there's fertile common ground and the "origin story" is well worth a read.
  
  The recipes themselves are arranged thematically: tools and supplies, ingredients (and a tutorial for shopping at Asian stores which was helpful and fun), snacks & starters, noodles, rice dishes, soups & curries, desserts & drinks, and staples and accompaniments. Most of the standard recipes which readers can think of are included in some form here.
  
  Recipe ingredients are written in an illustrated bullet list, followed by step by step instructions. Ingredients are given with imperial (American) units, not metric. There's no nutritional info included. Many of the ingredients will be available at any well stocked grocery store in North America, but a significant proportion of the ingredients will require a trip to an Asian market or grocery store.
  
  Thai food is a brilliant fusion of salt & sweet, spicy & savory; really an explosion of flavor, and this book captures an honestly surprising amount of variety and breadth. Don't let the comic format come in the way, this is a *real* cookbook, made by authors who are familiar with and experienced at cooking the cuisine.
  
  As an aside, the authors' family histories are fascinating and varied and sensitively told - they've both moved extensively, both live in Europe now, one is from a varied (multi-ethnic) background, the other has a Finnish husband and Finnish/Thai son. The experiences aren't hammered on or waved around, but they are warmly and positively mentioned and representation is important. One reason they connected (giving rise to the cookbook collaboration) is Ms. De Witte's wish to connect to her Thai roots and learn Thai as a young adult (Ms. Kauppinen is a teacher and Thai + Finnish tutor).
  
  Five stars. A solid cookbook. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, and gift giving purposes.
  
  Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
• 
  em

  Noodles, Rice and Everything Spice is a comic cookbook written and designed by two Thai food enthusiasts with a goal to share their homeland's known and loved recipes, from noodles, through sides, all the way to rice dishes. The book starts with an explanation of the authors' respective backstories and offers a unique insight on how the book came to be and where their passion for sharing Thai food with the world stems from. From here on, the authors seemlessly move onto listing various kitchen tools, ingredients and places to look for them before delving into the recipes themselves. Alongside these lists, we are offered intriguing tips and recommendations from the seasoned cooks.
  
  We are introduced to multiple chapters, each focusing on different kinds of foods (e.g., rice dishes, noodle dishes, sides etc.) as well as introductory comic strips at the start of each one. These comic strips pose as a special addition and enhance the books enjoyability. They add a whimsical and personal touch that would otherwise go unpresented, as with most cookbooks out there. Each recipe has a minimum of two pages dedicated to it, including detailed illustrations describing the whole process of preparing it. Given the authors' nationality, their tips and suggestions about each recipe contribute to its originality and authenticity in regards to the Thai culture and cuisine.
  
  An aspect that was greatly appreciated while reading the book was the fact that the reader not only dived into new recipes, but also got to learn about its people's culture and history, seeing as there were many interludes and comic strips where context behind an ingredient, ethymology, or the recipe itself was explained.
  
  All in all, the comic cookbook was an enjoyable read and its personal and cooking-related characteristics made it stand out in comparison to a 'traditional cookbook'. I will certainly be trying some of the recipes myself.
• 
  Kelly | Bookmarks 'n Blankets

  I’m new to Thai food, so I wanted to explore this culinary world through this adorably illustrated graphic cookbook. It’s extremely thorough with its information and recipes. I really enjoyed the cute illustrations, which also had some humor to them. There are also a few real photos of the dishes mixed throughout the book, which was a nice touch to actually see what the dishes looked like in real life.
  
  The first part of this graphic novel explains why the authors wrote this book, which were touching and interesting stories. Then, they explained different parts of the country, the types of food that are cooked in each area, and what they are known for. I really appreciated this info because it felt like getting an insider’s scoop, and I liked learning about a different culture. Then, they move on to the history of certain foods. They also cover all the equipment, appliances, and utensils needed, as well as how to use them and why.
  
  There are loads of delicious-sounding recipes that will make your mouth water. They cover everything from appetizers and snacks to main entrees and condiments and sauces to desserts and drinks. They also talk about the ingredients, where to find them, and how they are used in the dishes, which is helpful. Then you learn how to prepare the food and get cooking tips along the way. They even offer a list of Thai cooking staples to keep in your kitchen.
  
  What really made this graphic cookbook special were the personal stories from the authors. It made me feel more connected to them. They did a great job explaining the world of Thai cooking to people new to this cuisine. For people interested in this type of food or for Thai food lovers, you must pick up this graphic novel. Highly recommend!
  
  Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
• 
  Cynthia Corral

  The first thing I did when I finished my advanced copy was to check if it would be out before my granddaughter's birthday - Alas, it will be published after her birthday, but I'm the grandma so she'll get this anyway. She is turning 12 and loves to cook, and growing up in the Bay Area she has been able to name her favorite Korean, Vietnamese and Thai dishes since she was 2 years old.
  
  I thought this book was delightful and amazing. At a solid 200 pages, there are more recipes than I ever imagined, including directions to make certain sauces and ingredients you might not have access to in your local store. It's not just a cookbook, it tells the very interesting stories of the two authors, and gives a lot of history and information about Thailand and its influences. There is a lot of information and many stories packed in here.
  
  When I received my ARC I was just expecting a cute little Thai comic cookbook that I could gift my granddaughter, but instead I was immediately immersed in the great stories being told. And it's far from "little". This is a seriously comprehensive Thai cookbook that may have few photographs, but it has lots of drawings and if you know your Thai food, you'll be able to find your recipe here. It's maybe not for someone completely new to Thai food who just wants a cookbook, but if you want to learn about Thai culture or are familiar with their food, this is a fantastic book. I am really impressed.
  
  5 Stars from me, and many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and to Ten Speed Press who continue to publish fantastic books.
• 
  Timothy Grubbs

  A delicious culinary tour of the culture, history, and geography of Thailand…but mainly THE FOOD!!!
  
  Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice: A Thai Comic Book Cookbook by Christina De Witte is a story about two Thai women brought together to write a wonderful graphic novel cookbook.
  
  The writer and artist of this graphic novel were brought together by their backgrounds (one taught the Thai language while the other was a biracial Thai girl that wanted to learn her culture’s language). One thing led to another and they did this cookbook.
  
  After the initial introductions, the book goes into Thailand and its culinary heritage. You’d be surprised by how much we consider “Thai food” is a result of colonization and influence by other countries.
  
  Then they give a guide to shopping for key ingredients (ideally at Asian food stores), proper cooking materials, and other general knowledge. They also provide a guide to different regions of Thailand and how foods are different depending on where they are. They even cover the differences in Thai eating habits to other cultures (mainly how and when they dine).
  
  As they cover MANY dishes, they include translations of the names (when applicable), do a breakdown of instructions, and sometimes even have some nice photos.
  
  Highly recommend if you are a fan of anime cookbooks or really any cookbooks especially those that tell a story of how they came to be…
• 
  Rosie Westlund

  As a fellow Thai native and restauranteur, the information in the cookbook was not new to me but the presentation was. Comic book or graphic novel style cookbooks do the due diligence of making an intimidating cuisine feel obtainable. That’s what I loved about this book. The authors very accurately explain Thai cuisine, and all the cultural mannerisms associated with our food. It included a beautifully written origin story introduction made even more impactful with the illustrations! To the non-Thai reader, there is a story arc that is educational. Through this I can see Mallika’s background in teaching really shine through.
  
  Recipes ranged from what we would consider more “common” Thai food/dishes (Pad Thai) to educating the reader on the very traditional ingredients native Thai people regularly eat that might not be as well known (Khanom Jeen). It encompasses a very intentional history of Thai food that reflects the many surrounding influences in our regional dishes. Many don't realize that several dishes they associate with Thai food are actually borrowed from surrounding countries. Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice colorfully illustrates this history, all while teaching the reader how to prepare the dishes they know (and a lot they may not know!) and love.
  
  Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Lorena

  Thank you Ten Press Speed and NetGalley for a copy of Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice.
  
  Blurb: "An approachable, fun comic book cookbook tour of Thai culture and cuisine with 50 recipes and stories from the country's main culinary regions. Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice showcases real Thai food from the country’s distinct culinary regions. Journey to the northern Lanna region and dine “khan tok”–style with small bowls of chile dips, curries, sticky rice, and vegetables on a gilded pedestal tray for sharing; sit cross-legged on a bamboo mat around a spread of tangy salads and grilled meats in the northeast Isaan region; roam the bustling markets of central Bangkok for iconic street food treats; and lounge on a beach in southern Thailand with dangerously spicy seafood."
  
  REVIEW:
  
  I was honestly only expecting a comic book cookbook (and I would've been happy with just that) but this book delivered so much more! I love learning a little bit about Thai culture and the origins of each dish. The authors also added something personal and shared their stories which makes this cookbook heartfelt and passionate!
  
  I know Mallika Kauppinen must be so happy to have so many readers learn about Thai culture! Plus, the art is quite adorable.
• 
  lesley

  Received a free PDF of this book from Net Galley.
  
  What a beautiful and heartfelt cookbook! The illustrations, history, and personal storytelling drew me in immediately. I feel like I learned a lot without even meaning to -- it was so accessible and also made me really want to cook Thai. 
  
  Some cookbooks that include narrative or background text are more like poems or a stream you can dip in and out of. This one made me sit down and read it through like a comic book, following along and noting recipes I'd want to come back to later.
  
  So far, I've only made a Thai style omelette but it was a perfect quick and flavorful lunch that I'd never made before. Some of the other recipes are more intimidating or seem complex, but the cute step by step drawings are a great guide. I would recommend for more confident or advanced chefs, or folks who already have the equipment mentioned + access to a great Asian grocery. Knowing all the work and special ingredients that go into creating such delicious food also makes me feel completely justified in eating at Thai restaurants and giving them all my money.
  
  You can feel the love for Thai food and culture all throughout this book. It would be a beautiful gift for yourself or a cook in your life to treasure.
• 
  fridge_brilliance

  This book is wonderfully warm -- it's an equivalent of a really hearty meal with a couple of very friendly, supportive people that you wish were your friends. It's weird that a recipe book should make me feel so emotional, but it does. It really set the mood with its introduction of the two authors: one a native Thai woman now residing in Finland, whose dayjob is giving language lessons to those who wish to connect to their legacy by learning the language, and the other a mixed race woman who met her online, when she started learning Thai in hopes of connecting to the language of her mother. And their shared love food shines through every page, and it's second only to their love for education, because the patience and desire to share the love for traditional dishes by making them something one can understand and make at home makes this book a delightful read. I am a massive spice wimp, but I can already feel persuaded to try a few things from the book. And the art is so cute!
  
  Thank you #Netgalley for a copy of #NoodlesRiceandEverythingSpice, I really enjoyed it.
• 
  Ashley

  I love Thai food so this cookbook was right up my alley. I thought this book was very clever being in the graphic novel style. It was also well organized. It gives an introduction of the various regions of Thailand and their culinary differences, as well as an Asian grocery and ingredients/tools 101. Some of this will be review for those that already cook Asian food but overall, I think it's important though so home cooks aren't intimidated by the ingredients. I also liked how it organized the recipes: noodles, rice dishes, soups, etc. Some of the graphic novel story pieces didn't interest me but I could see others liking it. Some of the recipes require you to make another recipe for a piece of it, which can get time-consuming but it all seems to be authentic. I look forward to making more recipes but as I said, they will probably be weekend meals when I have more time. Overall, I would recommend this fun, whimsical, as well as authentic cookbook.
  Thank you to NetGalley and for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own and were willingly given.
• 
  J

  I received this DRC from NetGalley.
  
  The artwork was cute, and I liked that a few actual pictures were included. But, I think the recipe book/comic book combo didn't work out as well as it could have. In terms of being a comic, there was a lot of exposition in the beginning before even getting to any talk about food. As for a recipe book, some of the layouts, which are fine for comics, aren't as clear if you're trying to concurrently read directions while cooking. As such, it seems more like an illustrated tour of Thai food as opposed to a full on comic. Perhaps adding more structure like an actual comic would have been helpful. On the cookbook side, also adding a few more actual pictures could have been nice. I did like that they added illustrations on top of the photography to make it more fun. Overall, I thought this was a fun idea, but the elements taken from the two genres could have been chosen better.
• 
  Sadie-Jane Nunis-Huff

  Book 155 of 300 ~ 2024
  
  🌟🌟🌟🌟
  
  Wonderful recipes and a great introduction to Thai food and culture.
  
  Adorable and yet clear illustrations so you know how to prep. Oh and I loved the little tips too.
  
  So many steps to get one perfect dish. I know who to ask to prep them for me. He just asked me why I giggled naughtily... oh if you only knew what's coming boopbee...
  
  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
  
  #book155of300 #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #TheOfficialBoyfriendsColoringBook #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2024 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
• 
  Dana McKenzie

  This was an adorable cookbook. . The story about the 2 friends and how they became friends. I loved the comic touch to it and that the comics were drawn by one of the friends that the story is about. The cookbook is more than just that, it’s about a story of friendship and finding ones heritage. It was a very unique book with some delicious looking recipes. A lot of the ingredients would need to be purchased at a specialty store, or you would have to have some kind of replacement. I plan on trying out a few of the recipes. There are some tips and tricks scattered throughout. Would be a great cookbook to do with your kids.
• 
  Sofia

  This is a very nice cooking book, explain lots of the story of Thai dishes, and even where some ingredients came for, this could be an amazing present for someone who enjoys Asian food, because it teaches even how to find and buy the necessary ingredients in the Asian supermarket.
  
  I cant wait for my next trip to the asian supermarket and get some things that I need to try some of the recipes, in here you go from a simple salad to decadent curry’s, ^____^ and don’t forget the deserts mwhahah, yeah like a pokemon trainer I want to try them all.
  
  Thank you Netgalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press, Ten Speed Graphic for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
• 
  Kamila Mullen

  First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.
  
  I really loved the whole concept of a graphic novel combined with a cookbook. At first, I was scared that since it was in this format, it wouldn't be able to give as much of information about the foreign foods and the culture behind it, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved pretty much everything in this book, and I will definitely try cooking some of these recipes for my family.
  
  The only reason I took away one star were the nipples of the animated characters. It was so distracting to me and unnecessary. I don't have anything against nipples lol, but the way they have been drawn was just a big no from me.
• 
  Heather O'Neill

  This is a Thai cookbook that is written in a comic book form. I REALLY liked the book written this way. I loved the drawings and I thought that the step-by-step instructions were really great. I actually did not cook from this book. I only read it. Therefore, I cannot give it more stars because I don't know how the recipes will turn out. I imagine that they will turn out well. There are some recipes that look like they would be fairly easy, but also a lot of them look like a lot of work. Plus, there are many ingredients that I am not familiar with and I don't know if my local H-Mart would carry them.
• 
  Jennifer

  A delicious introduction to Thai cooking! The authors share their backgrounds and favorite dishes along with historical and cultural notes about the regional foods of Thailand. The recipes are beautifully illustrated step by step, making them very easy to follow, and the sheer joy of cooking and eating comes through on every page. (Watch for Chef Mallika's happy lip-smacking expressions!) A real treat, not to be read on an empty stomach. 4 stars.
  
  Thank you, Ten Speed Press and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
• 
  Ashley Stephens

  The kids were fully intrigued by this book. We read it over a few days and then we’re off to the Asian market to explore all of the ingredients. The authors do an amazing job of explain the nuances of Thai cooking (including history and regions) and the ingredients needed. Not only did it get the kids excited about exploring Thai culture and food, it gave me a better grasp on how to cook Thai food. We loved this book, found it to be a valuable resource and are excited to add the hard copy to our cookbook collection when it comes out!