10 Must-Try Thai Dishes to Dine On in Phuket

Bold and vibrant, Thai food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world. Known for its blend of five main flavors including salty, sweet, sour, bitter and spicy, modern Thai cuisine is aromatic and diverse.

While most travelers and tourists are familiar with Phad Thai, there are many other dishes to try. In Phuket, it is possible to dine on traditional Southern Thai cuisine, but the island is all known for Phuket food local specialties, many of which have a strong Chinese influence.

Are you looking for must try food in Phuket? Here is an excellent list of 10 must-try dishes to dine on while you are enjoying a holiday in Phuket.

1.) Por Pia

One of the famous food in Phuket is Por Pia, a freshly made spring roll generally filled with pork, shrimp, lettuce and turnip, Por Pia are served with a thick, sweet brown sauce over the top or on the side for dipping.

Try the best Por Pia in Phuket at Lock Tien Food Court in Phuket Town.

2.) Hokkien Mee

Phuket Thai food is not extremely spicy, and another famous dish is Hokkien Mee. It’s a traditional Chinese egg noodle dish made with barbecued red pork, squid and fresh vegetables tossed together in brown gravy sauce.

A good place to slurp Hokkien Mee is at Mee Ton Poe in Phuket Town.

3.) Som Tam

One Phuket food dish is popular all over Thailand and it’s called Som Tam. A spicy papaya salad made from fresh ingredients, Som Tam can be sweet or sour and consists of shredded green papaya, local spices and is best eaten with a heaping plate of grilled chicken and sticky rice.

SomTum Yum Pao on Kalim Beach Road near Patong offers many different varieties of this popular salad.

4.) Lo Ba

Lo Ba is a famous food in Phuket and also a local specialty. Lo Ba is an appetizer or snack best suited for adventurous eaters. Lo Ba consists of fried pork giblets including ears and intestines fried up and served with a sweet brown sauce.

If you’re daring enough to eat Lo Ba, head to Loba Bang Niao restaurant.

5.) Hor Mok Talay

Hor Mok Talay is a favorite breakfast or snack amongst local Thai people. The dish is made of coconut milk, chili paste, and fish wrapped in a banana leaf and then steamed. The mousse tends to have a strong flavor, and is often spicy, but it is definitely worth trying while in Phuket.

Interested to try Hor Mok Talay? It is offered on the menu at most seafood restaurants in Phuket.

6.) Tom Kha Gai

Another popular Phuket Thai food is Tom Khai Gai. Eaten more like a curry than a soup, this dish combines coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal and chicken in a rich, sweet flavorful broth. This Thai chicken soup dish is both spicy and sour.

Try Tom Kha Gai at Tu Kab Khao restaurant in Phuket Town.

7.) Pad Kra Pao

A must try Thai food in Phuket is Pad Kra Pao. It’s a popular Thai a la carte dish, and Pad Kra Pao can be made with chicken, pork, beef or seafood stir-fried with holy basil leaves and fiery Thai chilis. Often served with steamed rice and a fried egg on top, it’s a flavorful, favorite spicy dish.

Eat Pad Kra Pao with the locals at The Pad Thai Shop in Karon.

8.) Massaman Curry

Massaman Curry is a famous food in Phuket. It’s a unique curry as it has both Indian and Malay influences and uses mainly dry spices for seasoning. Typically made with chicken or beef, this dish features potatoes and peanuts and is served with rice. This Phuket Thai food is sweet and tangy, and generally not too spicy.

Enjoy original recipe Beef Massaman Curry at Roti Chaofa near Phuket Town.

9.) O-Aew

A local Phuket specialty, introduced by Hokkien settlers, O-Aew is a refreshing shaved ice dessert with banana and syrup. It is a must-try dish to cool down with on Phuket’s hot days and one of the famous food in Phuket.

Immerse in the delightful taste of O-Aew and other Thai desserts at Tian Tian Phuket Dessert Cafe in Phuket Old Town.

10.) Deep-Fried Insects

Although peculiar to tourists, deep-fried insects are a popular Phuket food and eaten like a snack. Choose from silk worms, grasshoppers, scorpions or even king fire ants and try them with salty soy sauce for an additional flavor kick.

Deep-fried insects can be found at almost every Night Market in Phuket.

Let us know if you try any of these fantastic dishes that comprise the list of the must try Thai food in Phuket. Phuket Thai food is delicious, and local Phuket food is not to be missed while staying with us during your holiday!