Pad Thai as comfort food — exactly what I needed

Some dishes exist to comfort and Pad Thai is absolutely in that category. The balanced between sweet, sour, salty, and spicy quality works on something almost primal — you feel the warmth of it immediately. galangal does work that no substitute can replicate.

fresh herbs and aromatics are added at the last moment to preserve fragrance. There's something about the a traditional home kitchen context that reinforces the comfort effect. fresh coconut water alongside is the traditional way and it makes complete sense. I come back to this dish when I need something dependable and restorative.