Most visitors to Thailand are familiar with classics like pad thai and green curry. Phuket is both a southern Thai province and a historic trading hub. This unique position has created a distinctive food scene. This food scene deserves exploration. I spent two weeks eating my way across the island. It was a tough job, I know. During that time, I’ve compiled this guide to the local specialties. I’ve also noted standout restaurants that make Phuket’s cuisine special.
Southern Thai Cuisine: Spicier, Bolder, More Complex
Southern Thai food is known for its intensity. The spice levels are higher, and the flavors are more pronounced. The use of turmeric is more liberal, as well as lemongrass and kaffir lime, compared to central Thai cuisine. The region’s geography influences its cuisine heavily. Seafood and coconut are prominent ingredients. They create rich and complex dishes. These dishes might challenge newbies but reward adventurous eaters.
Must-Try Phuket Specialties
Phuket Crab Curry (Gaeng Poo Bai Cha Ploo)
This iconic Phuket dish combines fresh blue crab meat with a spicy coconut curry infused with betel leaves (cha ploo). The fragrant leaves give the curry a unique peppery flavor that balances perfectly with the sweetness of the crab meat. Unlike other Thai curries, this one typically lacks the intense color. However, it makes up for it with incredible depth of flavor.
Where to try it:
- One Chun: A local favorite in Phuket Town serving an excellent home-style version at much more accessible prices (฿350-400). Their refurbished shophouse setting adds to the authentic experience.
Moo Hong (หมูฮ้อง)
This slow-braised pork belly dish represents Phuket’s Chinese heritage. The meat is stewed in a mixture of soy sauce, palm sugar, and five-spice until it’s meltingly tender. Unlike the fiery heat of many southern Thai dishes, Moo Hong offers a sweet-savory balance that most palates will appreciate.
Where to try it:
- One Chun Restaurant: Their version (฿160-180) consistently ranks among the island’s best, with the perfect balance of fat and lean meat.
- Raya Restaurant: Set in a beautifully preserved 130-year-old house, their slightly pricier interpretation (฿220) adds extra depth with premium soy sauce.
Nam Prik Goong Siap (น้ำพริกกุ้งเสียบ)
A uniquely Phuket chili paste made with dried shrimp, chilies, and a secret blend of spices. It’s typically served with fresh vegetables and kanom jeen (fermented rice noodles) or simply with rice. The combination of spicy, salty, and umami flavors is addictive.
Where to try it:
- Tu Kab Khao: Set in another beautifully restored building, their refined version (฿180) pairs perfectly with their selection of fresh local vegetables.
- Lock Tien Food Court: A more authentic, local experience where you can sample this specialty among other Phuket classics.
Oh Tao (โอ้เตา)
This dish is little-known outside Phuket. It combines taro, oysters, eggs, bean sprouts, and crispy pork fat into a savory cake. The cake is pan-fried until crispy on the outside. The textures and flavors are unique – slightly gooey yet crispy, savory with a hint of sweetness.
Where to try it:
- Lock Tien Food Court: Their version (฿80) uses a recipe passed down through generations.
- Kopitiam by Wilai: Another excellent interpretation in a vintage café setting.
Hokkien Mee (หมี่ฮกเกี้ยน)
A noodle dish that showcases Phuket’s significant Chinese influence. Unlike the Malaysian version, Phuket’s Hokkien Mee features egg noodles in a rich pork-based broth with seafood, pork, and vegetables. The depth of flavor in the broth is what distinguishes a great version from an average one.
Where to try it:
- Mee Ton Poe: Operating for over 50 years, their Hokkien Mee (฿60-80) remains the benchmark.
Top Restaurants in Phuket Town
One Chun Restaurant
This local institution serves authentic Phuket cuisine in a charming vintage setting. Beyond the dishes already mentioned, don’t miss their stir-fried noodles with crab meat and their phenomenal fresh spring rolls.
Price range: ฿150-300 per dish Address: 48/1 Thepkasattri Road, Phuket Town Ideal for: Authentic southern Thai cuisine in comfortable surroundings
Blue Elephant
Housed in the stunning Sino-Portuguese Phra Pitak Chinpracha mansion, this fine dining establishment offers a royal Thai cuisine experience. Their Heritage Menu (฿2,500) offers a culinary journey through Phuket’s history. It features refined versions of local classics. It also includes dishes influenced by the island’s tin mining era.
Don’t miss: Their cooking school offers morning classes (฿3,000) that include market tours and instruction in authentic southern Thai techniques. Address: 96 Krabi Road, Phuket Town Reservation: Essential, especially for dinner.
Raya Restaurant
The restaurant is set in a century-old house filled with antiques. Raya specializes in authentic Phuket cuisine. This cuisine has earned recognition in multiple guidebooks. Their crab meat curry with vermicelli noodles is legendary.
Price range: ฿200-450 per dish. Address: 48/1 Dibuk Road, Phuket Town. Insider tip: Request a table in the main house rather than the extension for the best atmosphere.
Torry’s Ice Cream
After sampling Phuket’s spicy specialties, take some time to cool down. Visit this artisanal ice cream shop that combines traditional Thai flavors with premium ingredients. Their coconut ice cream with pandan sticky rice and mango is a creative twist on the classic Thai dessert.
Must-try flavors: Thai tea, pandan coconut, and lemongrass sorbet. Price range: ฿85-120 per scoop. Address: 16 Yaowarat Road, Phuket Town. Sweet innovation: Their ice cream “flights” let you sample 4-5 flavors in mini scoops.
Western Dining Options in Phuket Town
Thai cuisine is the obvious draw. However, Phuket Town has developed an impressive international dining scene. This scene rivals many Western cities in quality and creativity.
Best Thai Beef
The name might cause confusion. However, this is a premium steakhouse. It serves imported Australian and Japanese beef prepared with French techniques. Their dry-aged steaks have developed a cult following among residents and regular visitors.
Price range: ฿600-2,200 main courses. Address: 10 Yaowarat Road, Phuket Town. Signature dish: 45-day dry-aged ribeye with bone marrow sauce.
Mad Hog – The Wizarding Bar
This quirky Harry Potter-themed bar and cafe offers creative cocktails. It serves international comfort food in a whimsical setting. The decor is complete with wands, potions, and magical elements. Even non-fans can appreciate the attention to detail and quality of both drinks and food.
Signature drinks: “Polyjuice Potion” and “Liquid Luck” cocktails. Price range: ฿250-350 for drinks, ฿180-350 for food items. Address: 5 Phang Nga Road, Phuket Town. Best time to visit: Evening when the lighting effects enhance the magical atmosphere.
Market Experiences Not to Miss
Phuket Weekend Night Market (Naka Market)
The island’s largest market offers countless food stalls selling everything from local specialties to creative fusion dishes. The atmosphere is lively, with mostly local shoppers and reasonable prices.
What to Try: Look for the stall selling Kanom Jeen (fermented rice noodles) with multiple curry options. It is a DIY Thai food experience. You choose your own toppings and sauces.
Phuket Walking Street (Lard Yai)
Every Sunday, Thalang Road in Old Town transforms into a vibrant night market featuring local food, handicrafts, and live performances. The beautiful Sino-Portuguese architecture illuminated at night creates a magical backdrop.
Must-Try: The grilled seafood skewers and traditional Phuket desserts only found at this market. Hours: Sundays 4 PM to 10 PM
Unique Dining Experiences
Floating Breakfast
Many resorts and villas now offer floating breakfast service in private or villa pools. While undeniably photogenic, the experience varies greatly in quality and value.
Worth It: Angsana Laguna Phuket offers a reasonably priced option (฿1,200 for two) with generous portions and quality ingredients.
Farm-to-Table at Phuket Farmers Club
This working organic farm offers dining experiences where nearly everything on your plate comes from the surrounding fields. Advance reservation is essential as they prepare exactly enough for booked guests.
Experience: ฿1,800 for a multi-course meal with garden tour Reservation: Required at least 3 days in advance Location: Thalang area, about 20 minutes from Phuket Town
Coffee Culture in Phuket Town
Phuket’s old town has embraced third-wave coffee culture with numerous specialty cafés serving beans from northern Thailand and international origins.
Bookhemian
This combination bookstore-café offers excellent specialty coffee in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by English and Thai books. Their cold brew and pour-overs highlight single-origin Thai beans.
Digital Nomad Friendly: Good WiFi, plenty of outlets, and a tolerant policy for laptop users outside peak hours. Address: 61 Thalang Road, Phuket Town
Campus Coffee Roaster
A micro-roastery and café specializing in single-origin beans with educational “cupping” sessions available by appointment. Their flat whites are among the island’s best.
Specialty: Coffee tasting flights that showcase different processing methods of the same bean. Address: 6 Phang Nga Road, Phuket Town
Final Thoughts
Phuket’s food scene offers so much more than the standard tourist fare found on laminated menus in beach areas. Venture into local neighborhoods. Try Phuket-specific specialties. You’ll discover flavors that tell the story of this culturally rich island.
Don’t be afraid to point at what locals are eating if you can’t read the menu. Some of my best meals came from stepping outside my comfort zone. I found these meals in restaurants with no English signage. Just remember that when locals say something is spicy, they mean it!
Have you tried any southern Thai specialties in Phuket? Which was your favorite? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Wander with Orla 
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