Fried omelet topped with ketchup—another creation from a Thai household.

I admit it. I don’t have a tongue for western food. Not English. Not French. Not Greek. And certainly not American. It’s all too bland for my taste. So, when I first came the U.S., I hated the food. And I still do. Even vegetables are boring. The only thing keeping me alive amidst the plainness of western cuisine is ketchup.

If chili sauce is God, then ketchup is the pope. In a place where chili sauce isn’t widespread, ketchup becomes the best seasoning product on earth. It’s an all-purpose seasoning—just like Maggi—that saves the most unsavory dish. Better, it’s not terribly unhealthy. So, you can eat it with omelet, sausages, or even broccoli, when all the salad dressing wears you out.

Now, before you “yuck my yum,” I’ll assure you that it isn’t gross.

Although my friends in high school thought differently. They all made this oh-my-god-how-can-you-eat-that face when they first saw me eating broccoli with ketchup. But it didn’t change my mind, because I’m not the only one making the most out of ketchup.

My Thai friend living in Australia admits eating ketchup with salad, steak, and even with egg benedict. While her Aussie friend eats corn with ketchup and chili sauce.

The proof: Starbucks spinach quiche is served with a pouch of ketchup in Thailand.

Yes, it sounds ridiculous. But when you come to Thailand, you should expect to see some unfamiliar use of ketchup. A barista at Starbucks may serve you spinach quiche with ketchup. Street stalls may sell macaroni stir fried with ketchup—not marinara. And you might find “American fried rice” ironic, not only because its name contains the words “American” and “rice,” but also because the dish is stir fried with ketchup.

Seems like people in the U.S. don’t view ketchup as a multi-purpose seasoning as I’ve believed it is. Ketchup, for them, is a red substance that’s only used on certain things. You either pour it on your hamburger. Or fries. Or tater tots. Or hot dogs. And to be honest, I don’t see people in the U.S. use their ketchup much.

But that doesn’t mean that the other uses of ketchup besides your “proper” way is unacceptable. I remember noticing some girls looking at my salad plate filled with chili sauce with unrestrained disgust. Had I make faces at her taco bowl filled with cream cheese, both of us would have been in a food war.

So, I agree with Ms. Danielle when she talks about the phrase “Don’t Yuck My Yum.” You just have to try it before you judge it. If my friends can eat Chinese Snow fungus soup, you can, too, eat broccoli with ketchup.

Popularity: 25% [?]