Phuket is a tropics lovers’ dream come true. It’s among the top Thai destinations to visit for several reasons: beaches, lively nightlife, and there’s one more thing. Care to hazard a guess? Food!
Local Cuisine in Phuket
Food plays a major role in Phuket’s culture. In fact, food is a reflection of its rich heritage and the region’s bounty. Even though there are clear traces of Malay, Peranakan, and Chinese cultures, Phuket’s cuisine is distinctly Thai.
All over the island, you find roadside eateries, street vendors, beach huts, and family-run restaurants serving a wealth of diverse Thai flavours. The local cuisine is all about making what’s available. Thai dishes are flavourful, but not too spicy or bland. It’s this perfectly balanced flavour combination that makes Thai food a delight to try.
Where to Eat in Phuket
The island has food in abundance to be enjoyed in a variety of settings. If you want a purely local experience, head over to a roadside shop or a beach vendor. If you’re looking for something a bit more refined, check out restaurants in Phuket. Some of them are independent, and some are found at hotels such as Anantara Layan Phuket Resort.
Now that you have some idea of the local cuisine and where to eat, along with a few other historical and cultural insights, it’s time to dive into some of the must-try local dishes in Phuket.
Khanom ah-pong
You’ll find Khanom ah-pong appearing in every list of must-try street food in Phuket. It’s a crepe made from coconut milk with a texture akin to wafers.
These crepes are rolled up like a burrito and then enjoyed as a snack. Both tourists and locals love Khanom ah-pong, but they’re hard to find in Phuket and other regions of Thailand. This is probably why stalls selling Khanom ah-pong are always busy, with people queueing up for a taste of this wafer-thin, delicious snack.
Loba
If you’ve never tried Loba, you might find the taste and texture to be a bit peculiar. That’s because Loba is a plate of pork offal simmered in Chinese spices and then lightly fried until the outsides are slightly crispy.
If you know anything about South Asians, you know that they like flavour and texture, and Loba delivers both.
These morsels of offal are chewy yet crispy, and when paired with the tangy tamarind sauce, it becomes the perfect combination of flavours.
Hokkien Mee
A celebration of the Chinese heritage of Phuket, Hokkien Mee is a noodle dish made from chewy, thick yellow noodles. The noodles are stir-fried and then served in a delicious broth with a topping of pork, prawns, squid, and vegetables.
While this dish is a combination of many flavourful ingredients, it’s the gravy that does the trick! This umami-flavoured gravy is made with soy sauce and has a hint of garlic.
Hokkien Mee comes to the table with a garnish of fried shallots, a squeeze of lime, and chilli flakes. It’s a popular street food you can enjoy anywhere in Phuket.
Moo Hong
This dish is a great example of how deep the Peranakan roots in Thai culture go. Simply put, it’s a dish made of pork belly. Doesn’t sound appetising? Wait till you try it – you’ll keep asking for second helpings!
It’s a stew that’s slow-cooked. Soft, tender pieces of pork belly are simmered in a blend of soy sauce, garlic, pepper, and palm sugar. For a bit of heat, they add black peppercorns. There are different versions of Moo Hong; some include star anise or cinnamon to add a fragrant and warm note to the dish.
It’s typically eaten with freshly cooked jasmine rice. The vendor serves a bowl of rice topped with a generous amount of Moo Hong, allowing it to penetrate every single grain of rice, making it delightfully juicy and indulgent.
This is a comfort dish in Phuket and everywhere else in Thailand. Both fancy restaurants and street stalls serve Moo Hong.
Popiah
Another Chinese-influenced dish, Popiah was brought to Phuket by Chinese immigrants. It’s a type of spring roll with a filling of the island’s flavours.
The filling comes with stir-fried veggies such as turnips, carrots, and bean sprouts. For a savoury kick, they also add pork, shrimp, or tofu. More ingredients added to Popiah include peanuts, shallots, and chilli sauce.
Satay
For a complete culinary adventure in Phuket, you must try Satay. It’s one of the most popular street foods in the Southeast Asian region, but in Phuket, satay takes on a delightful Thai note.
Satay is basically skewered meat, like chicken, beef, or pork. The meat is marinated in a blend of turmeric, garlic, and coconut milk to infuse it with spicy South Asian flavour. Then the meat is grilled and served with a savoury and crunchy peanut sauce
