Tourist Posts Photo of Pad Thai, Demands Michelin Star for Auntie Who Just Shrugged and Walked Away
By TRENT MACGUFFIN, EDITORIAL INTERN
AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND — A Dutch backpacker has ignited a mini online campaign after posting a photo of a pad thai dish and insisting the woman who cooked it deserves “at least one Michelin star, or maybe two.”
The backpacker, identified as Lars Van Hoek, 26, uploaded the photo to Instagram with the caption: “This auntie is a genius. I saw God in this noodle.” The post has since gone modestly viral in digital nomad circles.
The subject of the post — a middle-aged vendor known only as “P’Nok” — works from a modified pushcart outside the Ayutthaya train station. When approached by The Farang Standard with news of her sudden fame, she shrugged and said, “Pad thai.”
“She didn’t smile,” Van Hoek said. “That’s how I knew she was the real deal.”
Witnesses said the interaction lasted 23 seconds. Van Hoek pointed at a picture on the cart. P’Nok nodded, threw ingredients into a wok with a speed bordering on violent, and handed over the food without speaking. No condiments were offered. No change was given.
“It was art,” Van Hoek insisted. “And I know food. I once queued at a pop-up in Berlin.”
Michelin Guide representatives declined to comment on whether a one-pan stall next to a tuk-tuk parking area could be considered. However, one official said they were “aware of the photo.”
When asked if she wanted a star, P’Nok blinked once and returned to cracking eggs.
“She may not want the spotlight,” Van Hoek said, tearing up slightly. “But the world must know.”
As of press time, the photo had 89 likes and one comment reading, “Bro that’s just noodles.”