Do you want to know why Shane can't love me?
I can't love you.
I actually don't want to know.
I only came here today because there's something I need to tell him too.
Kelly? Why didn't you tell me that you were coming?
If this isn't a good time, I can go.
No, it's good that you're here. Come help me with Sunshine.
What's wrong with her?
She's like this
because I told her
I was going to leave her
for you.
She can't handle it.
She might seem like a happy-go-lucky person,
but she suffers from depression.
I need to take care of her.
I'm sorry...
that I can't love you.
What are you doing?
Sunshine.
Don't worry.
I don't love Shane anymore.
Is that true?
Are you just saying that because I'm ill?
I'm not that nice.
I actually came here today to say goodbye to Shane.
They got back to me about the scholarship in New York.
When?
They emailed me yesterday.
They told me that I've been selected.
Congratulations, Kelly.
I'll go visit you sometime.
When are you going to New York?
Tomorrow.
Why so soon?
I want to get everything ready.
Goodbye, Shane.
Sunshine.
Hold on, Kelly.
Please have a meal with us before you leave.
Let Shane make you something,
and he can tell us about his mom.
You want to know what happened, don't you?
Don't leave before you find out.
All right.
I'm only staying for your mom's story.
Jom went missing. So, what did your mom do next?
After that,
Mom thought about Jom all the time.
Jom.
I'm awake now.
Are you still sleeping?
Jom!
Taew?
Taew!
Taew, what happened? What's wrong with Jom?
Taew!
How would I know?
Where is Jom?
Who cares?
Did he leave you?
No, he didn't. I told him to leave.
JOM, KEEP OUT
And he better not come back!
JOM, KEEP OUT
So, is Pol your dad, then?
That's a huge blow for Team Jom.
Slow down.
Don't forget what Pol did to my mom.
Pol might have hidden things from her,
but with Jom gone, everything should have worked out, right?
Not at all. Mom didn't even want to see Pol's face.
But she had to.
I'm happy. I'm content.
I'm content. I'm overjoyed.
Taew?
Was today something more
than just a movie?
I just want to thank you...
for helping our kitchen.
Is there something more?
Can you...
come up with some new dishes?
Was this something more
than just two friends watching a movie?
It's your day off.
I wanted you to relax and have fun.
I'll ask you one last time.
Is it anything more?
I can't tell that yet.
Don't tell me, then.
About yesterday...
What about it? I never went to a movie with you.
Nothing happened.
There's nothing going on between us.
Taew.
Is that enough?
That's too much.
I'm not done chopping. Get me something else to chop.
Pol.
What's wrong with her? She's getting nuttier by the minute.
What happened, Taew?
Leave me alone.
- I will not. - No.
Come on.
Let's dress that wound.
There's no need. It's just a small wound.
It doesn't even hurt.
But you're bleeding.
Who cares if I bleed out?
Taew.
I know you're mad at me.
Let me explain about yesterday.
If you don't like my explanation,
I won't bother you anymore.
Are you two holding hands?
I have no problem with that.
You can hold hands.
The closer you two are, the better.
I have something important to tell you.
The Crown Hotel
has been going strong for 11 years.
However,
it might not get to see another year.
So, is the hotel closing down?
If that's the case, we need to be informed beforehand.
You haven't been informed
because it isn't definite yet.
But it might close down
if we cannot impress one person.
Who?
Mr. Jones Tyler.
- Right! - Right!
Do you all know him?
No, I don't.
Mr. Jones
is a famous food critic from America.
He's coming to eat here this afternoon,
and he's going to write about it in Gourmet magazine.
I see.
You don't know that either, do you?
- That's right. - I thought so.
If he gives us a positive review,
our hotel will prosper for years to come.
But if his review is negative and if he tears our hotel to pieces,
it will probably close down.
For that reason,
I need to win this battle.
Every one of you
needs to make food that will impress Mr. Jones.
So, my Thai cuisine troops,
I'm putting all my hopes
in Chef Pol...
and...
Taew.
I really hope
you two will produce some amazing dishes.
The fate
of The Crown Hotel
is in your hands.
Chef Pol, Taew,
I'm putting my faith in you.
Bring it home.
I don't want to work with you.
Please don't get upset, Taew.
I know you're still mad at me.
But don't bring personal issues into our work.
Do you think I'm the kind of person who would do that?
No way.
Listen.
Let me know when you're ready to hear me out.
Hi, Mr. Jones.
Please excuse me.
- Right. - Please speak Thai.
Your English is awful. Really awful.
Mr. Jones, do you speak Thai?
Have you been studying?
Well, I'm the manager of this hotel.
If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to tell me.
The only thing I want is...
delicious food.
No pressure.
I'm very easygoing,
but if the food is not good, give it to the dogs instead.
We need to decide now, or we won't have enough time.
- How about shrimp? - No.
Beef, then?
The Western kitchen is doing it.
Pork, then.
Boring.
Taew,
if we can't agree on anything,
then we can't work together.
Don't flatter yourself.
I'm thinking.
Incoming.
Pol,
here are some crabs, fresh off the boat.
- Stir-fried crab with curry powder. - Yes.
Are you confident that it tastes good?
Well, not so much.
We made it the way Thai people eat it.
- Yes. - We didn't adapt it to Western tastes.
So, we're not sure if a Westerner will like it or not.
It doesn't look very appealing.
I hope it tastes better than it looks.
Excuse me, what are you writing?
I'm not telling. You'll have to wait and see.
I see.
So, what ingredients did you use?
First,
combine an egg, curry powder,
evaporated milk and chili paste.
Season and mix everything together.
Stir-fry the crab until it is almost done.
Add onions and scallions,
and stir-fry until it is cooked.
After that, add the curry mixture.
Stir-fry until the egg is cooked.
Even though they didn't see eye to eye,
Mom and Pol worked so well together that day,
just like the crabmeat and curry, which went so well together.
It's delicious, right?
Wait and read it in the magazine.
Not again.
But actually, this wasn't the dish I wanted.
- Really? - Really?
So, what would you like to eat, Mr. Jones?
I don't remember the name.
I only remember the texture.
It had crispy noodles.
- Glass noodle salad. - That's not crispy.
It's...
dry, but crunchy when you chew.
Papaya salad.
Dried shrimp? Crispy nuts?
- Crispy coconut candy? - No, that's not it.
I give up.
Crispy rice noodles.
It's crispy rice noodles, isn't it?
Crispy lice noodles. Yes.
It's rice, not lice.
Right. Can you make it for me?
Of course!
No problem.
Crispy rice noodles.
Our chefs can make that
like you've never tasted before.
Great. Can you make it for me today?
- Right away! - What?
Come on.
Oh, no.
I'm sorry.
I forgot that I'm leaving for Ayutthaya this evening.
I have business to attend to there.
How about the day after tomorrow?
There's no need to rush.
Can't you postpone it?
Thank you so much for agreeing to make me crispy rice noodles.
I'm looking forward to it.
I'm sure it will be incredible!
Why did you say that to him?
I don't know how to make that.
Then learn how to make it.
Not everybody can make crispy rice noodles.
It's not as simple as it looks.
It's a royal dish. It involves a lot of meticulous steps.
Then find a recipe.
It's a royal dish. The recipe comes from the Royal Palace.
How am I supposed to get it?
Shit.
So,
what do we do, Chef?
It's fine.
I'll do it.
We don't have the royal recipe,
so I'll come up with a layman's recipe.
Some people run from their problems.
You don't need them, boss.
That's true.
What?
I've given all my heart,
but I've been taken for a fool and strung along.
- Why not just tell me yes or no? - Right.
Why keep hurting me over and over?
Right.
You're still talking about crispy rice noodles, aren't you?
Of course, I am! What else would I be talking about?
Don't worry about the crispy rice noodles. I'll take care of it.
I've got this.
Okay.
Why is it so hard?
Because it's a royal dish.
A normal person can't possibly make it.
Are you upset about the crispy rice noodles?
Or are you upset over a guy?
Are you crazy? Who has time to think about men right now?
Oh...was I hallucinating?
You still love me.
Jom.
I must be dreaming.
Please go away, Jom. I'm so tired. I need to stop dreaming.
Taew!
It's really me. I'm back.
I acted so terribly with you! Why would you come back? Are you stupid?
Jom?
I'm so happy that you're back!
Jom!
Do you really want me to come back?
Yes.
But you wrote, "Jom, keep out."
No, I didn't write that.
I don't know who put it there.
Do you want to know where I went?
I didn't go anywhere. I was just around here.
I was watching you. I watched you go to work,
do the things you love.
And then I realized...
how childish I've been.
I always run away.
But from now on, I won't run away anymore.
When we fight,
whether I'm right or wrong,
I'll be the one who apologizes first.
Why?
Because I don't like it when you're not with me.
Stay with me, then.
I'm so stressed right now.
Why?
Who can make crispy rice noodles?
Royalty?
Do I know any royalty?
Hey, Taew.
I know who can help you.
What, Jom?
With crispy rice noodles.
Madam Pong used to work at the Royal Palace.
I remember that she made me crispy rice noodles when I was little.
Everybody said her crispy rice noodles were so delicious.
But she never taught anybody the recipe.
Will she teach me, Jom?
I have no idea.
Jom?
Hi.
You want me to teach your wife how to make crispy rice noodles?
No.
I've met so many people in my life.
I can tell just by looking at her
that she can't be trusted.
She will ruin the recipe.
Madam.
Please have mercy on my wife.
Jom, it's okay.
She doesn't want to teach me. Let's not force her.
But...
- Hey, Taew! - That hurts.
What's wrong?
I'm so sorry.
I'm usually very strong,
but since I got pregnant...
I find it hard to eat.
Oh, why didn't you say you were pregnant?
I...
Sit down.
What do you want to eat?
I'll make it for you.
I'm only doing this for the baby.
Crispy rice noodles, please.
In that case, you must promise to take care of the recipe...
like a mother takes care of a baby.
Of course.
So, will you teach my wife?
No.
What?
It's getting cloudy. It's going to rain.
It's humid.
Rice noodles will get soggy in this weather.
In the afternoon, when the sun is shining, I'll teach you then.
So? Does it look real enough now?
Very real. You have a small baby bump.
But you stuffed it in just now. Don't you think she will notice?
Trust me, okay?
- Hey, the sun is out now. - Right.
Finally, the weather is on my side.
- Let's go. - We'll get our crispy rice noodles.
These are the same ingredients I had
when I tried to make the dish.
So, why did my crispy rice noodles taste funny?
It's no wonder.
We don't have everything yet.
There's an important ingredient missing.
What's that?
The key seasoning ingredient for crispy rice noodles
is bitter orange.
I didn't know that.
If you did, this wouldn't be a tip, would it?
Remember,
the sauce for crispy rice noodles needs five seasoning ingredients.
Tamarind paste, fish sauce,
lime juice, palm sugar,
and, most importantly, bitter orange juice.
Soak the rice noodles in warm water.
Leave them in there for five minutes.
- Never longer than that. - Yes.
Otherwise, the noodles will lose their crispiness quickly.
Then, drain them in a colander.
In the meantime, mix water
with vinegar.
Yes.
That day, Madam Pong
gave Mom a private class on how to make crispy rice noodles.
She taught Mom all the secrets.
Like, how sprinkling vinegar mixed with water
would make the noodles more tender.
Or, that the noodles needed to be fried in small batches,
so they wouldn't stick together.
Only add a little bit of oil in the sauce.
Add the pork,
and then the shrimp.
The primary flavors are sweet and sour.
Don't forget the secret ingredient.
Take out the meat and let it rest, or it will get rubbery.
When the sauce is nice and sticky, put the meat back in.
The noodles have cooled down.
Get ready to mix them in.
Remember, you need to let the noodles cool down first.
If you mix them in when they're warm, they'll get soggy.
Darling,
have you nearly finished?
Why are you hugging me? You want to die?
You're the one who's going to die if I don't hug you.
Our baby is about to drop out.
Are you two done hugging?
Should I get you a room?
No. There's no need, Madam.
I just missed my wife.
I'll leave you two to it, okay?
You don't need to add any red coloring.
The noodles will turn red on their own.
When you zest a bitter orange,
be careful not to scrape the white inner layer,
or it will leave a bitter taste.
Wow, it smells so good.
It's the aroma from the bitter orange.
That's the charm of this traditional crispy rice noodle recipe.
Crunchy and crispy.
Sweet and sour, then salty.
It's very delicious, Madam.
Teaching a pregnant woman like you
makes me happy.
Thank you so much.
I promise I will take very good care of this recipe.
Be sure to keep your word.
I despise
liars,
and people who deceive others
for their own gain.
Why are you doing that?
I just wanted to show my gratitude to you,
for teaching me this recipe.
I also want to apologize,
because I'm not actually pregnant.
You're telling me now?
I could slap you.
I'm so sorry.
Even though you're not pregnant,
I know that I can trust you.
I know you'll take good care of my recipe.
Thank you so much, Madam.
She might not be pregnant right now, Madam,
but she will be soon.
Jom.
Why were you so kind?
What are you talking about?
You were so kind for taking me to see Madam Pong.
I see.
Well,
you're my girlfriend.
Of course, I'll help you.
You'll pull it off tomorrow.
I hope the sky is clear tomorrow, like it is today.
It's really clear.
Taew.
- Let's race. - No.
Come on.
Come on, Taew!
What are you doing?
We're making the rain go away.
Taew said we can't make the dish otherwise.
Will this lemongrass ritual help?
If not, there's another option.
What's that?
A widow's red panties.
They say these can stop the rain.
Put those away.
There's one last option.
Is there?
Do you think dancing like that
will please the god Varuna?
I'm not doing this to please him, I'm doing this to scare him away.
My God.
He really did scare Varuna away.
I should make the crispy rice noodles.
Your idea worked a treat, Mr. Supoj.
I watched a vendor make the dish yesterday.
I wrote down the recipe. This might help you.
You're too late.
Jom already helped me.
I can do this myself. I don't need your help.
This is it. It looks like the dish I was looking for.
But will it taste like the one I had?
It's so bad that he's crying.
Let me talk to the chef who made this.
It was her!
In private, please.
Please.
You reminded me of my mother.
Why?
Am I pretty like her?
No.
Your crispy rice noodles.
They taste like the ones I had with my mom
the first time we came to Thailand.
You should take some back for your mother.
My mother has passed away.
But you just made me feel
like she was here with me once again.
Thank you so much, Chef Taew.
Thank you.
Sure.
So, Taew, what did you two talk about?
Wait and read it in the magazine, okay?
Eating at The Crown Hotel for him
was an experience he would never forget.
Boss, you can read English? That's impressive.
Sure.
- And... - This is a Thai translation.
Do you want to hear it or not?
Yes.
About your crispy rice noodles, Taew,
Mr. Jones said the flavors were first sweet and sour, then salty,
and the pleasant aroma lingered.
It was a dish
that he would never forget.
Congratulations, Taew!
You made it!
We're proud of you.
Congratulations, Chef Taew.
You asked to meet me,
so are you ready to hear my explanation?
Just say whatever you want to say.
Do I have to say it in front of Jom?
Jom and I,
we don't have any secrets.
Just say it.
If you won't,
then let me say something.
Don't worry about me.
I'm over it.
I thought you had feelings for me, but it was all in my head.
From now on,
let's just be friends.
If that's what you want,
then that's what I'll do.
Yes, that's all I want.
- Just friends. - I understand.
I understand.
Taew,
have you thought this through?
Of course, I have.
It's better to just be friends with a guy like that.
I should stop thinking about him,
and pay attention to the one who stuck by me.
Thank you so much, Jom...
for always being there for me.
And thank you so much
for always tasting my awful food,
however bad it was.
And thank you so much
for being there when I lost my mom.
Thank you so much, Jom.
You're so annoying.
I've never done anything nice for you.
Don't say that, Taew.
You've done a lot for me.
Jom,
if there's anything you want me to do for you,
you can tell me.
I'll do anything.
Do you mean it?
Yes. Tell me what you want me to do.
What I want?
Taew,
will you marry me?
But,
you don't have to answer me right now.
I just wanted to be the first guy who asked you to marry him.
You don't have to marry me...
if there's someone who loves you more than I do.
But you have to be sure
that he loves you more than I do.
Promise?
Promise.
- Do you mean it? - Yes.
Mom made that promise not knowing if she could keep it.
Maybe we don't marry the person we love the most.
Maybe we end up marrying the one we think is the most suitable.
See? I was totally right.
It's #TeamJom for the millionth time.
Whose team are you on, Kelly?
I'm leaving, so it doesn't matter.
Kelly,
can I talk to you?
Can you not leave yet?
I'm going to make Sunshine understand.
Just give me some time.
Don't put me in the same situation your mom was in.
What do you mean?
When Jom asked your mom to marry him,
that couldn't have been an easy decision for her.
If everything you told us is true,
your mom must have loved Pol a lot too.
Women like us
often have to do
the opposite of what we actually want to do.
Because we can't bear any more pain.
Kelly, wait.
Shane?
What's up?
Nothing.
I'm just depressed.
Kelly, when did you get here?
Are you okay?
I'm okay.
Go inside, Mom.
I'll be there in a minute.
Okay.
Subtitle translation by Supawadee Sriputorn