Phuket is well known for its beaches and seascapes, but to discover the heart and soul of the island it’s essential delve into its food. Fantastic Thai cuisine is available all over the island, but if you wish to find authentic tastes unique to Phuket it takes a little more effort.

Phuket food flavours reflect the island’s diverse cultural mix, with traders and migrant workers arriving and settling here from across Asia for hundreds of years. The local cuisine has elements of Hokkien Chinese, Malay, Indian and Thai, and most especially Baba-Peranakan - a fusion of Chinese, Malay and Indonesian cultures. 

Spend a day or two wandering the Old Town streets of Phuket Town, the island’s provincial capital where most of the dining spots cater to locals. Places like Raya restaurant and Blue Elephant, found in beautifully restored Sino-Portuguese houses, are ideal spots to discover new tastes in a more formal dining experience. But don’t be shy to stop in at one of the many modest shops along the streets where you might just find some five-star tastes for a budget price. 

Join a heritage tour, where local guides will bring you to their favourite food stops, or simply follow your senses and let Phuket’s street food scene reveal itself through its enticing sights and scents. Many local food favourites are also on offer at the lively Lard Yai street market, held every Sunday evening on Thalang Road. And before embarking on your walking and dining exploration, be sure to stop by the Thai Hua Museum, which has an excellent exhibition and insights on Phuket cuisine.    

Not sure where to start? Here are some of our favourite Phuket dishes:

Kanom jeen is a curried noodle dish brimming with flavour that is a popular breakfast dish served with a fresh selection of vegetables and herbs. Hokkien noodles are served stir-fried or in a soup with tasty morsels of seafood, pork or chicken. Roti is a Malay style pancake served in many ways. Banana and sweetened condensed milk may be added for a sweet treat, or enjoy it spiced up with a mutton, chicken or beef curry dish at the side. A healthy dish that’s fun to share is nam prik goong siab, a plate full of crunchy raw vegetables served with a spicy chilli and shrimp paste dip.

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