One of the best things about Thai food is that it encompasses such a wide variety, that it’s almost guaranteed there’s something for everyone. You’ll find many tasty, mild dishes for those who are averse to spice and an entire universe of wildly flavorful, yet often spicy, curries. Many people’s introduction to Thai food is a visit to a Thai restaurant in their home country. While those eateries may indeed have good food, many don’t imbue their dishes with true Thai flavors and typically offer the same handful of dishes. However, once your feet are on the ground in Thailand, the real culinary journey begins.

Street Food Stalls

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One intriguing aspect of the food scene in Thailand is that you’ll find some of the best food not at pricey bistros, but inexpensively available from street food stalls. These stalls are found just about everywhere from bustling markets and along busy streets, to outside office buildings. One reason these stalls can be so good is that they specialize in just one or a select few dishes. Common street foods include som tum (green papaya salad), noodle dishes like phad thai and phad see ew, and many variations of noodle soups. 

Local Markets

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Local markets are great because not only can you find great prepared food, but you can peruse the raw ingredients that it’s made of. Phuket has neighborhood fresh markets, night markets, and special markets in most areas of the island. Check out the Naka Weekend Market, Chillva Market, Indy Market, or Talad Yai Market for a wide variety of street foods. 

Food Tours

A food tour led by a local is without a doubt one of the best options to discover Phuket’s unique cuisine. Local knowledge is invaluable as some of the island’s most unique culinary heritage is not always obvious or easy to find. A good guide might lead you to some of Phuket Town’s tastiest dishes such as mee sapam (Chinese-Thai style yellow noodles), o tao (taro and oyster omelet), or moo hong (stewed spiced pork). Another cool thing about a tour is that the guide can give you background information on each dish like its ingredients, preparation methods, or history. 

Cooking Classes

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A cooking class will give you a hands-on way to learn about Thai cuisine. Phuket has many cooking schools, some of which will give you the option of a tour of the local market where you will choose the ingredients for the class. People are often surprised at some of the ingredients used and their preparation, especially with curries made from scratch or the process of making fresh coconut milk. 

Local Restaurants

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Eating at neighborhood restaurants, particularly those frequented by locals, is the best way to explore authentic Thai dishes on a daily basis. Look for places that are busy with Thai patrons, as this is often a sign of good food. Don’t be afraid to try a khao gaeng restaurant – where they have many pans of pre-prepared dishes. At these places, you start with a plate of rice and select small portions of various dishes. One bonus is that you can actually see what a dish looks like instead of blindly ordering it from a menu. For some finer dining options, try Raya, the Blue Elephant, or Tu Gap Khao.