Ko Samui, a tropical island in Thailand, is famous for its diverse and delicious food scene, blending traditional Thai flavors with fresh seafood and international influences. Here are some must-try dishes and dining experiences in Samui:
Tom Yum Goong (ต้มยำกุ้ง) – Spicy and sour shrimp soup with lemongrass, lime, and chili.
Pad Thai (ผัดไทย) – Stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, tofu, shrimp, and peanuts.
Som Tum (ส้มตำ) – Spicy green papaya salad, often served with grilled chicken (ไก่ย่าง).
Massaman Curry (แกงมัสมั่น) – A rich, mildly spicy curry with potatoes, peanuts, and tender meat.
Khao Soi (ข้าวซอย) – A northern Thai coconut curry noodle soup (less common but available in some places).
Grilled Prawns (กุ้งเผา) – Often served with spicy seafood sauce.
Steamed Fish with Lime & Chili (ปลาเผา น้ำจิ้มซีฟู้ด) – A fresh whole fish cooked with tangy lime dressing.
Spicy Crab Curry (บูดูปู) – A Southern Thai-style crab curry with rich coconut milk.
Oysters & Clams – Served grilled or in spicy salads.
Moo Ping (หมูปิ้ง) – Grilled pork skewers with sticky rice.
Khanom Jeen (ขนมจีน) – Fermented rice noodles with curry (try Khanom Jeen Nam Ya with fish curry).
Roti (โรตี) – Thai-style crispy pancakes with banana, egg, or condensed milk.
Fried Insects (แมลงทอด) – For the adventurous (crickets, silkworms, etc.).
Khao Yam (ข้าวยำ) – A Southern Thai rice salad with herbs, dried shrimp, and coconut.
Gaeng Tai Pla (แกงไตปลา) – A pungent, spicy fish kidney curry (for bold eaters).
Hoy Tod (หอยทอด) – Crispy oyster omelet with bean sprouts.
Beachfront BBQ – Many resorts and restaurants offer fresh seafood grills.
Western & Italian Cuisine – Pizzas, pastas, and steaks in tourist areas like Chaweng.
Indian & Middle Eastern – Curries, kebabs, and naan bread in Lamai and Bophut.
Mango Sticky Rice (ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง) – A must-try sweet treat.
Coconut Ice Cream – Served in a coconut shell with toppings.
Thai Iced Tea (ชาเย็น) – Sweet, creamy orange tea.
Fresh Fruit Shakes – Try mango, pineapple, or dragon fruit.
Fisherman’s Village (Bophut) – Night market (Friday) with great street food.
Chaweng Walking Street – Lively food stalls and restaurants.
Lamai Night Market – Affordable local eats.
Bangrak Market – Fresh seafood and Thai dishes.
Local Thai Restaurants – Try Krua Chao Baan (authentic Southern Thai food).
Eat where locals eat – Smaller, busy stalls usually have the best flavors.
Try seafood by the beach – Many restaurants offer catch-of-the-day grills.
Beware of spice levels – Thai food can be very spicy; ask for “mai ped” (ไม่เผ็ด) if you prefer mild.
Ko Samui, a popular island in Thailand, has a growing Indian food scene catering to tourists and locals alike. You can find everything from authentic North and South Indian cuisine to Indian-inspired fusion dishes. Here are some top places to enjoy Indian food in Ko Samui:
Cuisine: North Indian, Tandoori, Mughlai
Must-Try: Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, Lamb Rogan Josh
Why Visit? One of the most popular Indian restaurants with a cozy ambiance and live tandoor cooking.
Cuisine: North & South Indian, Vegetarian-Friendly
Must-Try: Palak Paneer, Masala Dosa, Chicken Biryani
Why Visit? Great for vegetarians and offers a mix of regional flavors.
Cuisine: North Indian, Punjabi
Must-Try: Paneer Tikka, Dal Makhani, Mango Lassi
Why Visit? Authentic flavors with generous portions.
Cuisine: North Indian, Nepalese
Must-Try: Chicken Tikka Masala, Vegetable Samosas, Thali Set
Why Visit? Friendly service and well-spiced curries.
Cuisine: Indian & Thai Fusion
Must-Try: Green Curry with Naan, Spicy Prawn Masala
Why Visit? A unique blend of Thai and Indian flavors.
Cuisine: South Indian, Sri Lankan
Must-Try: Fish Curry, Appam, Coconut Chutney
Why Visit? Specializes in spicy South Indian and Sri Lankan dishes.
Chaweng (Highest concentration of Indian restaurants)
Lamai (A few good options)
Bophut/Fisherman’s Village (More upscale dining)
Maenam (Less touristy, authentic spots)
✔ Butter Chicken
✔ Chicken Tikka Masala
✔ Garlic Naan & Roti
✔ Biryani (Chicken, Lamb, Veg)
✔ Samosas & Pakoras
✔ Masala Chai & Mango Lassi
Spice Level: Ask for “Thai spicy” or “Indian spicy” depending on your preference.
Vegetarian Options: Many restaurants offer Jain & vegan-friendly dishes.
Delivery: Some places deliver via GrabFood or FoodPanda.
Ko Samui, a beautiful island in Thailand, is not only famous for its beaches but also for its delicious local cuisine. The food here is a mix of traditional Southern Thai flavors, fresh seafood, and unique island specialties. Here are some must-try local dishes and snacks in Ko Samui:
Kaeng Tai Pla – A spicy, fermented fish gut curry with vegetables, packed with bold, salty, and pungent flavors.
Kaeng Som – A sour and spicy curry with fish or shrimp, flavored with turmeric and tamarind.
A local delicacy, often stir-fried with black pepper or cooked in coconut milk.
A fragrant dish of shrimp paste-fried rice served with sweet pork, fried shrimp, and fresh vegetables.
A rich, slightly sweet curry with Muslim influences, often made with beef, potatoes, and peanuts.
Fresh lobsters grilled or steamed with garlic and butter, commonly found in seafood restaurants.
A classic Thai salad made with shredded green papaya, chili, lime, fish sauce, and peanuts. Samui’s version sometimes includes salted crab (Som Tam Pu).
Marinated pork grilled on skewers, often served with sticky rice and spicy dipping sauce.
A local twist on Pad Thai, sometimes made with fresh seafood like squid or prawns.
Thin rice noodles served with various Southern Thai curries, such as Nam Ya (fish curry) or Nam Prik (spicy chili sauce).
A crispy, flaky pancake influenced by Muslim cuisine, often served with banana, egg, or sweetened condensed milk.
A spicy and sour hotpot with fresh seafood, herbs, and vegetables, cooked at the table.
Khanom Chak (ขนมจักร) – A traditional coconut and rice flour dessert wrapped in banana leaves.
Tao So (เต้าส้อ) – A Chinese-influenced steamed sponge cake.
Coconut Ice Cream – Served in a coconut shell with toppings like sticky rice and peanuts.
Fisherman’s Village Walking Street (Bophut) – Great for seafood and street food.
Lamai Night Market – Offers a variety of local dishes.
Chaweng Street Food Stalls – Try Pad Thai, grilled seafood, and tropical fruits.
Local Restaurants: The Hut, Krua Chao Baan, Gaon Restaurant (for authentic Thai food).
Ko Samui, a popular tourist destination in Thailand, offers a mix of international fast-food chains and local quick-eat options. Here’s a guide to fast food in Ko Samui:
McDonald’s
Locations: Chaweng, Lamai, and near Central Festival Samui.
Offers Thai-inspired items like the Samurai Pork Burger (in addition to classic burgers).
Burger King
Locations: Chaweng Beach Road, near Central Samui.
Known for flame-grilled Whoppers and occasional local twists.
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
Locations: Chaweng, Lamai, Nathon.
Serves crispy fried chicken with Thai sides like sticky rice.
Subway
Locations: Chaweng, Bophut.
Customizable sandwiches with fresh ingredients.
Pizza Hut
Locations: Chaweng, Central Festival Samui.
Offers both Western and Thai-style pizzas (e.g., Tom Yum Pizza).
Domino’s Pizza
Delivery available island-wide.
Local favorites include Spicy Seafood Pizza.
7-Eleven & FamilyMart
Found everywhere; grab quick snacks like:
Toasties (grilled ham & cheese sandwiches)
Microwave meals (pad Thai, fried rice)
Sausages & onigiri
Night Market Food Stalls
Chaweng Night Market, Fisherman’s Village Walking Street (Bophut)
Quick, cheap, and delicious Thai street food:
Pad Thai
Moo Ping (grilled pork skewers)
Som Tam (spicy papaya salad)
Thai-Style Fried Chicken (Gai Tod)
Street vendors sell crispy fried chicken with sticky rice.
Rotee Stands
Thai-style pancakes with banana, egg, or Nutella.
The Burger House (Chaweng)
Gourmet burgers with fresh ingredients.
Rocky’s (Bophut)
Famous for ribs, burgers, and BBQ.
Papa John’s Pizza
Another pizza delivery option with Thai/Western flavors.
Chaweng – Highest concentration of international chains.
Bophut (Fisherman’s Village) – Mix of fast food and local eats.
Lamai – More low-key but still has options.
Many fast-food places offer delivery via GrabFood or Foodpanda.
For a quick, cheap meal, 7-Eleven toasties and street food are unbeatable.
Ko Samui, an island in the Gulf of Thailand, is known for its tropical climate and fertile soil, making it an excellent place for growing a variety of delicious fruits. Here are some of the most popular fruits you can find in Samui:
Samui is famous for its sweet and refreshing coconuts, often enjoyed fresh or used in Thai desserts like coconut sticky rice (ข้าวเหนียวมะพร้าว).
The “King of Fruits” is grown in Samui, with varieties like Monthong and Chanee available in season (May–August).
The “Queen of Fruits” has sweet, tangy white flesh and is in peak season from May to September.
A hairy, lychee-like fruit with juicy, sweet flesh, best from May to October.
A small, translucent fruit with a sweet-tart flavor, similar to longan.
Samui pineapples are incredibly sweet, especially the Phuket variety, often sold fresh or as juice.
Common varieties include Kluai Nam Wa (small, sweet) and Kluai Hom (fragrant, long).
Vibrant pink-skinned fruit with white or red flesh, rich in antioxidants.
Used in Som Tam (spicy papaya salad) or eaten ripe as a sweet fruit.
The world’s largest tree fruit, with sweet, chewy pods eaten fresh or in desserts.
Crisp and mildly sweet, often eaten with chili-salt dip.
Sweet varieties like Nam Dok Mai are popular, especially in sticky rice desserts.
Lamai Fresh Market (ตลาดสดละไม) – Great for local fruits.
Nathon Night Market – Offers fresh and dried fruits.
Fisherman’s Village Walking Street (Bophut) – Weekend market with fruit stalls.
Local roadside vendors – Often sell the freshest seasonal fruits.
May–September: Durian, mangosteen, rambutan, langsat.
Year-round: Coconut, banana, pineapple, papaya, dragon fruit.