Addiction

My name is John and I'm a mango-holic.

I admit it. I am powerless over mangos.

I'm not talking about those grapefruit sized red-green pulpy-tangy Mexican mangos we get in California. It's Thai mangos that have brought me to the point of surrender.

Did you know there are over 15 varieties of Thai mango? Neither did I, and quite honestly I don't especially care... as long as I can have some and then have some MORE.

Cocaine? Who needs it? Sweeter than candy and so juicy they almost melt in your mouth, these little yellow devils are the food of the gods.

Some of you more faithful readers may recall my recent love affair with Macanese egg tarts. Well forget it. We're through.

I admit that mangos have made my life unmangeable.

After over 16 hours on a plane (and 3 more inside the hellhole known as Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX), I've gotten my fix. I am back in Bangkok, home to the world's truly perfect food - mango with sticky rice, or khao niaow mamuang - slices of sweet ripe mango over warm, chewy, slightly salty rice, and topped with sweet coconut milk and crispy mung beans.

A little family-run shop called Khao Niaow Korpanich on Tanao Road in Bangkok has been perfecting this Thai dessert for over 75 years. They're designed primarily for takeout, but they understand us mango-holics: if they see you've got that crazed must-have-mango-now look in your eye, they'll clear off a bench and let you eat it right there.