How to Explore the Food Culture of Phuket

Located in the south of Thailand, Phuket happens to be the largest island that belongs to Thailand. A palm-fringed island surrounded by pristine beaches, the views in this stunning attraction are truly sensational. Not only is Phuket a beach lover's paradise, but it also boasts a multicultural community due to its historical relations with immigrants. You will be thrilled to learn about the epic culinary extragavanzas that are a fusion of all the influences from Chinese, Malay, Indian, British and Portugal food stories!

Street Food

You'll be thrilled to find a large variety of street food at affordable rates in Phuket. Being an island with splendid beaches also means that the seafood you find here is fresh and flavoured by authentic Thai spices and seasoning. Kuay Teow is a noodles soup where you get the chance to pick your own ingredients ranging from pork, beef and chicken to seafood. The noodle itself is made of either rice noodles or wheat noodles and flavoured with soy sauce, garlic and chilli. A papaya salad with red chilli, tomatoes and green beans called Som Tum is another must-try dish you'll find in cute food carts along the streets of Phuket. Another version of Som Tum includes Som Tum Poo Pala where fermented crab is used as a key ingredient. If you are a curious food lover and wondering what the Thai version of fried rice tastes like, you should try Khao Pad Kai.

Karon Temple Market

A great night market in Phuket is Karon Temple Market where you'll be able to get a glimpse of the local lifestyle in Phuket. In addition to trying out local delicacies and tropical fruits, you can find summer clothes with popping colours in the stalls here for very cheap prices. Don't forget to try out the iconic Thai dessert called mango sticky rice! The Karon Temple Market comes to life twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays in the evening. For those of you who are seeking a peaceful and secluded beach outing, Karon Beach, located on the west coast of Phuket, is an ideal location since fewer people visit this beach compared to other areas on the island. Fear not, Karon Restaurants serve all types of cuisine and if you've had your fill of Thai spices, you can even order dishes you are usually accustomed to from restaurants like Jono X Phuket Karon or revisit a classic Thai dish you discovered at a street food stall that you want to experience again.  

Local Favourites

When exploring Phuket's food scene, you will notice some local favourites whether you are at a street market, a beachside food stall or a fine dining restaurant. Number one on the list is Pad Thai. Not only is Pad Thai a local favourite in Phuket, it is a signature dish in Thai cuisine served in all corners of the globe. Stir-fried rice noodles seasoned with either seafood, egg, chicken or tofu; this is a richly flavoured dish you can grab from almost any food station in Phuket.

Another famous dish found in Phuket is Tom Yum Goong, an aromatic and flavourful soup which includes a range of spices and seasonings to awaken your taste buds with a fantastic combination of salty, sour, sweet and spicy sensations. A unique dish that has been influenced by more than one culture is Roti Nam Geang, a flatbread which originates from the Indian region.

This variety has a more savoury flavour than the usual roti served in other regions of Thailand and is served with a curry that incorporates many spices originating from the Muslim spice trade. These spices were an acquired taste of Tamil and Hokkien migrants in Phuket and therefore, a multicultural dish loved by many locals in Phuket.