It has been sixteen years since I last saw my classmates. We reunited at the Somboon Seafood in this far-off place – Thailand.
The world is vast, and even though we were once close, sometimes we drift apart forever. But the world is also small, and after sixteen years, we found ourselves meeting again in Thailand.
My university days were not comfortable. From sophomore year, I had to work to sustain myself and occasionally ask for some support from my family. I struggled through retaking classes in a never-ending cycle for three years until things slightly improved in my senior year. I had a girlfriend for a brief period, but due to my financial struggles, we broke up hastily. I couldn’t even dream of going out with my classmates or having meals together. With a modest family background, going out felt like a luxury… well, it didn’t matter. I carried on, treating this period of my life as a learning experience, taking it step by step.
Then, it took me a few more years to repay my student loan, and I started working in a factory with a basic salary of 21,000 Taiwanese dollars.
My classmates welcomed me with the same friendly smiles from our university days. We caught up on each other’s lives, and the three hours felt like mere minutes, without even touching upon our past memories. Time was limited, and with good food in front of us, our hungry stomachs reminded us to stop reminiscing and start eating.
Here comes the food!
Soomboon Seafood is a super famous, well-established Thai eatery, and this time we dined at the Shang Thai Plaza! Jianxing has been operating under this brand for many decades and has always been a must-visit restaurant for both locals and tourists. Stepping inside, you immediately feel the rich Thai ambiance with its wooden décor and Thai art, creating a comfortable and relaxed dining environment.
The menu offers a wide array of authentic Thai dishes, such as Thai green curry, Tom Yum soup, and their scrumptious Curry Crab, among many others. Seafood is their specialty, and overall, it’s fresh and delicious, with a low margin of error! For those who enjoy raw dishes but fear getting an upset stomach, this place is a great choice since being a renowned establishment, they maintain high standards for their ingredients.
Using my Thai language as a foreigner, I skillfully ordered the dishes, and I could sense the staff’s eagerness to practice their English as well.
Apart from their seafood mains, their signature desserts and drinks are a must-try, especially their coconut milk pudding and refreshing coconut water, both leaving a lasting impression. You can keep the flow of hot or cold chrysanthemum tea going endlessly. Most importantly, the service at this restaurant is incredibly attentive and friendly. If someone in your group hasn’t arrived when you’re ordering, they’ll confirm with the diners when to start serving. The staff is also enthusiastic in introducing the menu and recommending their signature dishes. Whether you’re a local or a foreign tourist, visiting Soomboon Seafood in Thailand usually won’t disappoint!
After the meal, we sat at the entrance of the department store, chatting endlessly. It’s impossible to recount every big and small thing that happened in the past sixteen years in one breath.
Despite living in the same city, we hadn’t seen each other for sixteen years, but we managed to reunite in Thailand. The pandemic changed many things, altering our physical well-being and the world’s economic and operational patterns. However, good-hearted people remain unchanged regardless of the experiences they’ve been through. From our school days to catching up on each other’s lives and family matters.
Attached Google Map:
