a combination of these seasonings or they may be a selection of traditional sweets, prepared by the vendor at home and temptingly arranged in a display case. Other vendors offer noodle creations adequate for a fast, nourishing lunch. To produce the universally popular "kwaytiaow", a bowl of freshly cooked rice noodles is given a few ladles of meat stock, topped with pre-cooked pork or chicken, and sprinkled with sugar, crushed peanuts and dried chilli flake, while for Pad Thai the noodles are quickly stir-fried with garlic, spring onion, salty dried shrimp and a variety of spices.