Written By: Jenna V. at Foster City Library
On Saturday, April 19 at 11:00 AM, we're thrilled to virtually welcome Christina De Witte and Mallika Kauppinen to discuss their co-created graphic novel cookbook Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice! This event will take place virtually via Zoom. Those interested in graphic novels and comics are also invited to our Peninsula Libraries Comic Arts Fest, which takes place the entire month of April!
All San Mateo County Libraries locations will have free giveaway copies of Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice available on a first-come, first-served basis.
A Thai Comic Book Cookbook
Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice combines easy-to-follow comic book panels with pops of vibrant food photography to perfectly capture the bright, colorful flavors and ingredients that are crucial to Thai cuisine.
Discover 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 sharing tray.
- 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.
- Lounge on a beach in southern Thailand with dangerously spicy seafood.
With recipes divided into six delectable sections for any meal or mood of the day, discover how to make world-class snacks and starters, such as Som Tam (papaya salad) and Satay Gai (grilled chicken skewers). Discover iconic noodle dishes, such as Khao Soi (coconut curry noodle soup) and Pad Kee Mao (drunken noodles). Try some lesser-known regional favorites, such as Pad Sator (stir-fried bitter beans) from the south and Nam Prik Ong (Ong’s spicy pork and tomato chile dip) from the north. Learn helpful tips on grocery shopping, cooking and preparation, like how to properly grate a papaya, make sticky rice in the microwave and fry an egg to crispy perfection!
In celebration of the warm, welcoming spirit of Thailand, Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice shares the secrets to making these dynamic Thai dishes at home, whether as a quick one-plate meal or a showstopping spread of multiple dishes for enjoying communally.
About the Authors
Christina 'Chrostin' De Witte is a Belgian-Thai barista, illustrator and author of several books, including The Ultimate Survival Guide to Being a Girl and Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice. She enjoys weightlifting, cooking and her cat Nugget. "I personally think comics are the perfect blend of text and image. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not a good reader, nor do I like to read actual books. I really enjoy graphic novels, and I only discovered them a few years ago. I think it’s an underrated genre." — De Witte
Mallika Kauppinen, a native Thai, now lives in Finland and works as a Thai-Finnish language coach., She is the author of the following books: Opitaan suomea thaiksi 1 (2022), Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice (2024), and Opitaan suomea thaiksi 2 (January 2025). "Every page looks amazing to me, especially the full-page illustrations. However, my favorite is the full page where the characters of Christina and I stand in front of the slightly opened doors, getting ready to share our Thai food and culture with the world." — Kauppinen
Praise for Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice
“This fun guide to Thai food in comic book form weaves in the history of each dish and lots of cooking tips, plus just enough food photography to keep your mouth watering.”— Epicurious
“In the wonderful instant-classic comic cookbook Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice by Christina De Witte and Mallika Kauppinen, readers will discover a wealth of information about Thai cooking. This isn’t just limited to the delicious recipes (although there are many of those). The book also includes historical, cultural, and geographical context on the cuisine, tips on procuring the correct ingredients at the Asian store, adorable cartoon chef versions of the creators, and so much more besides!”— The Beat
“This cookbook is fun, approachable, and even punny. People of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy this fantastic exploration of Thai food, culture, and history. A resounding success.”— School Library Journal
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