Dining in Phuket, Thailand. Don’t Miss Out on the Best Phuket Has to Offer

Thailand is a culinary treat, it’s famous for its delicious and spicy menu.  Dishes typically use lemongrass, coriander, garlic, chili and lime juice to flavor their meals.

Seafood lovers will feel that they have arrived in paradise, rock lobsters, squid, large prawns, oysters, muscles, fresh crabs and fish are available in Phuket.  Thai Pork is tender, tasty, and juicy, often better than the chicken that can sometimes be overcooked, and you should order imported steak unless you need to exercise your jaw.

Eating out in Phuket is a pleasure, and relatively inexpensive.  There are some charming garden-style restaurants such as Nok & Jo’s, and of course those that cater for you on the beach front enjoying the view of the Andaman Sea.  Most restaurants in Phuket offer International cuisine which consists of a Thai menu and a western style menu; plenty of pastas, pizzas, BBQ’s, Tex-Mex, hamburgers and sandwiches.   There are also some fusion style restaurants serving dishes from all around Asia including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India.

Thai waiters are happy to play and entertain your children so that you can enjoy your food peacefully.    Thai people are smiley and friendly, often supplying mosquito coils and happy to explain or even show you various Thai dishes that you may be unfamiliar with.

There are a number of bakeries, delis and cafe’s on the island serving fresh bread and pastries.      Paula’s Cafe Retro, Surin, lets you start the day with Eggs Benedict and smoked salmon, or a  breakfast burrito and good coffee.  They also have an interesting lunch menu and specials board.

If you prefer fine dining, this is usually found in a high-class air-conditioned restaurant, and there are many good chefs in Phuket.  You could try Weaves, part of ManaThai hotel which has a stunning interior, beautiful flower arrangements, and interesting articles from around Thailand.  This restaurant has character, history, and friendly, attentive staff.  Wines from around the world are available in these types of restaurants, but do expect to pay a premium because of import duties.

If you would like to try some gourmet Western cuisine try Les Anges run by chef Peter Webber. It is a café, deli, bakery (with the most divine cakes, pastries and home-made chocolates on Phuket,). It is also a restaurant and bar. It can be found on the East Coast of Phuket at the Royal Phuket Marina along with Limoncello, a fine Italian restaurant and Skippers bar and restaurant.

If there is one thing that the Thai’s adore it’s rice.  Local Thai people will eat rice three times a day and it forms the basis of most meals.  The best type of rice in Phuket is the Jasmine rice, grown only in Thailand; you could try red, purple or even black rice.  There are also rice noodles, and egg-noodles in various sizes.

‘Phad Thai’  is Thailand’s signature dish, noodles fried with garlic, small pieces of tofu, egg, and either shrimps or chicken, sprinkled with peanuts, and maybe some chill-powder and lemon on the side.  This is a great lunch time dish, and popular with children as it closely resembles pasta. 

There are some other great dishes that you must try whilst you are in Phuket, such as ‘Tom Yam Kung’ spicy sour prawn soup, or red, yellow, and green Thai curries made with coconut milk, spicy salads, and minced chicken fried with basil are all delicious.  You could try Lemongrass Restaurant, on Suirn beach road, which serves good Thai food.

Fresh fruits and ice-creams form the basis of most Thai desserts, look out for ‘Dragon Fruit’ named because of it’s amazing pink and green colour, or the juicy mangos which are often served with sweet sticky rice. 

Whatever you choice, from ‘Phad Thai’ noodles to Italian pizza the tropical island of Phuket offers great food for everyone at a range of prices, there are many restaurants to choose from.  We hope that you enjoy your stay in beautiful Thailand.

For more information on shopping, restaurants and things to do in Phuket, Thailand see our websites:
Phuket Vacation Apartments and Royal Phuket Marina Apartments

Thailand Vacation Series – Thai Foods and Cooking

Thai foods and cooking

Thai food has become in recent years one of the world’s favorite cuisines. When we speak of

“Thai food “, we are in fact talking of four very distinct regions in the country, each with their own

culinary traditions. We are speaking too of the dishes created in the royal courts and palaces of

Old Siam, that have been passed down through many generations of chefs, and finally into

public domain.

Good food also comes up from the street level, and many of Thailand’s most popular dishes

can be found at the smallest food stalls and restaurants. And there is the influence of China,

India, Malaysia and other neighbouring countries. So all these different factors come together

under the label “Thai food”, and you will find them in varying degrees at any Thai restaurant you

care to visit, anywhere in the world.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the cuisine is its use of herbs and spices. With regard to

the spices, some Thai dishes are very hot, but by no means all of them. The herbs have another

function, in addition to providing flavour, in that they all have to varying degrees various medical

and therapeutic benefits.

Thailand has a long history, going back to ancient times, of the use of herbs for medical

purpose, and this in turn has permeated the ways of cooking and preparing food. Coupled with

its low-fat qualities and its essential freshness, this helps make thai food one of the healthiest

anywhere. Another important aspect about Thai food is the hospitality and friendiness, the

sheer enjoyment of good companionship and of eating that is such a powerful element of the

Thai personality. Sharing a meal is an important part of the day for any Thai person, and meal

are very seldom taken alone. That is why all the dishes are generally served at once during Thai

meal, and why there is a communal spoon placed alongside each dish for people to help

themselves and to serve others.

A Thai meal ideally is a communal affair, principally because the greater the number of dinners

the greater the number of dishes that can be sampled. Diners choose what ever they require

from share dishes and generally add it to their own plate of rice. All the dish are serve

simultaneously, or nearly so. The object is to archive a harmonious blend of the spicy, the

subtle, the sweet and sour, and a meal is meant to be equally satisfying to the eye, nose and

palate.

Thailand is blessed with many varieties of plants, herbs and spices which ensure s balanced

diet. Today, visitors can both relish classic Thai menus and the benefits of a natural diet, and

study the art of Thai cooking at several specialist schools in Bangkok and major beach resorts.