Idle banter forum

The Guardian - I can't stomach to read it anymore. A lot of corporate media is less than forthright, but the Guardian is just loathsome.

Won't comment on the food, as that's a pretty subjective thing. What my father in law considers gross I love, and what he loves I wouldn't feed the dog.

But as for the rest of that rag...

The best place I ever had pho is on some random street corner restaurant in Hanoi. You'll never find the best at some chain. Rather some old lady on the street that has been making it for years.
It should say that the best Pho is available at any super crowded Pho restaurant where the locals eat it.

I'll share a favorite asian dish. It's a Korean dish called Muul-whey (물회), translates to "sashimi water." A cold sashimi soup. So good and unique!

Figures you would like it - I hate Durian. Stinks to high heaven.

Easily my favorite Asian dish (if we don't count the Poo Poo platter with pork fried rice I got at South Pacific in Boston) is Gai Pad Met ma Mauang.

As for Korean - without a doubt it's Bulgogi (sp?) for me. Just delicious.

Well then the king should be beheaded!!! Horrible.

Has anyone tested the "durian and alcohol do not mix" theory to see if it's true?

there is scientific evidence. study was published this April showing how extracts of durian can inhibit the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase. liver uses this enzyme to reduce blood levels of acetaldehyde (aka. nail polish remover, formed when the liver breaks down alcohol; some released through lungs as 'beer breath') & hence the toxic effects of alcohol metabolism in the body (milder = hangover, severe = lethal).

guess whether or not these two do not mix depends on the individual, boils down to genes. those with mutant forms of the enzyme that are only ~8% as efficient as the normal form (i.e. have low alcohol tolerance) will be the first to KO from this combination ;) what a pity that Caucasians who are more likely to have the normal enzyme are also more likely to hate durian :P

I've noticed that a lot of foreigners (mostly those with XY genes) can't drink Chang beer because it gives them terrible hangovers. Urban legend has it that Chang is full of formaldahyde but it sounds like it could be something to do with higher levels of nail varnish remover?

Could sensitivity to beer Chang act as a predictor as to whether or not you can safely combine durian and alcohol or not?

sounds like it could be something to do with higher levels of nail varnish remover?

there shouldn't be high levels of acetaldehyde in the drink. liver has to break down the ethanol in whatever you've imbibed to form it.

Nah, I know lots of guys who drink massive quantities of other brands of beer who flatly refuse to drink even one chang for fear of a crashing headache next morning.

These fragile-livered men are often heineken drinkers. Heinekan is probably my least favourite beer in Thailand ... it tastes like watered-down cats piss to me. I rather like the slightly bitter taste of chang though.

Maybe it is just a question of alcohol content rather than any additives.

reason for MADMAC to visit Laos = tour of Beer Lao factory (along road from Vientiane to Friendship bridge).