Joanna James
Street food is part and parcel of Thai culture; you will come across many kiosks and stands that sell a myriad of delicious treats any time of the day, particularly at night. Here is a list of foods to try out in Koh Samui.
This is a go-to noodle soup for the locals. Thin, wide or flat noodles are served simmered in a meat broth and accompanied by a variety of meats ranging from seafood to chicken. Many condiments are added to flavour the broth, such as white vinegar, and dried chillies. A bowl can cost anywhere between 30 to 80 baht.
Phad Thai is everyone's favourite stir-fried noodle dish. The rice noodles are flavoured with a mixture of condiments such as fish sauce, tamarind, red chillies, sugar and lime. Tofu, shrimp, peanuts and bean sprouts are usually mixed through the noodles, to make it a hearty and delicious meal. A plate will cost you around 40-80 baht.
The famous papaya salad originated from northeast Thailand. The salad includes shredded green papaya, tomato, yard-long beans, garlic, chilli, peanuts and coriander. The salad is usually accompanied by sticky rice and other dishes.
This simple dish consists of rice noodles in a curry sauce. Thin noodles are drowned in a flavourful green or yellow curry sauce made with coconut milk. The dish is accompanied by fresh vegetables such as green beans, sprouts and a hard-boiled egg. It is garnished with fresh lime and Thai basil. The dish is sometimes served with a papaya salad or sticky rice for a delightfully healthy and delicious meal. A bowl of this goodness can be brought for 30-50 baht.
Thai rotis are an extremely popular street food snack! The texture of the roti is similar to a pancake and is usually stuffed to the brim with sweet stuffing's, such as Nutella, banana, condensed milk, jam or chocolate sauce. Savoury options include egg-filled roti's.
Also known as Chicken rice is a favourite staple among Thai people, which originates from the Hainan province in southern China. The dish as the name entails is a portion of rice accompanied by chicken braised in a mixture of garlic and ginger. It is served with a side of vegetables, chicken broth and a spicy dipping sauce.
This variant of chicken rice originates from Malaysia. The rice accompanying the chicken is yellow and is made by boiling rice in a mixture of turmeric, onion, garlic and oil. The meat is marinated in a mixture of spices such as turmeric, coriander, chilli powder and cumin. The dish is served with sliced cucumbers, fried onions, and a bowl of clear chicken broth. This extremely flavoursome dish costs around 30 – 50 baht per person. You can find these dishes easily in Koh Samui and many Chaweng restaurants offer them as well. Tree Tops Restaurant is a good recommendation if you want to savour Thai food in a more formal setting.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
