The Thai island of Phuket is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and rightfully so considering the vast variety of beauty, fun, and adventure to be found on both land and sea. Great swimming and diving in the crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea, gorgeous hiking through the island’s rugged, practically untouched mountainous interior, and vibrant nightlife in the entertainment centres add up to a wonderful time no matter what your pleasure may be. In our case, that would be eating, and Phuket doesn’t disappoint!
Phuket is incredibly easy to get to, just a short flight from Bangkok will deliver you to this island paradise. We love to stay at the luxurious Mövenpick Myth Hotel Patong Phuket, a haven of tranquillity and beauty in the grand style of great hotels of past ages, and their world-class restaurants are the perfect place to enjoy many of the superb culinary delights we will describe below!
Being an island, Phuket’s chefs are experts in the fine art of preparing fresh seafood, and they offer up some of the most delicious seafood dishes to be found in all the seven seas! Whatever your pleasure, be it fresh caught fish, shellfish, or even sea vegetables, they know how to cook it all to perfection! Here are some of the island’s favourites to whet your appetite!
Pla Kapong Neung Manao – Steamed Sea Bass with Lime. Phuket is surrounded by the beautiful Andaman Sea which means it has access to amazingly fresh seafood. Pla Kapong Neung Manao is the ideal dish to show off this straight off the boat freshness. An entire whole sea bass is steamed to delicate perfection, then smothered in a delightfully piquant chilli and lime sauce, resulting in a dish that is tender and full of flavour.
Goong Ob Woon Sen – Prawns with Glass Noodles. This sumptuous dish is comprised of fresh prawns simmered with glass noodles, mushrooms, and a variety of vegetables in a special clay pot. The juicy prawns and the vegetables combine to create an aromatic broth that imparts its flavours to the noodles, resulting in a piping hot, mouth-watering concoction that you will be asking for extra helpings of!
Hoy Tod – Crispy Shellfish Pancake. This wonderful treat features a crispy tapioca starch and rice flower pancake packed chock-a-block with fresh mussels or oysters along with tasty bean sprouts and cilantro. It is always served with the famous tangy orange-coloured Thai dipping sauce called sriracha. This delightful street food treat originated in Phuket’s bustling markets, but is so good you can find it on a five-star restaurant menu!
Tom Yum Goong – Spicy Thai Soup with Prawns. This spicy and aromatic soup features freshly caught Andaman prawns, mushrooms, chillis, and fragrant galangal and lemongrass herbs, forming a uniquely sensational taste that perfectly captures the island’s vibrant essence.
Of course, you will have to visit Phuket to sample all these seafood delights in person, so make sure to pack a big appetite!