Joanna James
Among the abundant fun, exciting and fascinating things about Phuket, travellers to the Thai island also have an assortment of local Thai classics to savour on their island getaway. Come, embark on an exploration of local cuisine and let the longing taste buds revel in the mouth-watering flavours.
The world-renowned Thai dish that absolutely needs no introduction, Pad Thai makes the perfect start for those experiencing Thai cuisine for the first time. Strolling the vibrant streets of Phuket town, the stir-fried rice noodles dish is an unmissable sight that draws drooling crowds in masses. The flavoursome local dish is a combination of rice noodles, dried shrimp, bean sprouts, and eggs, mixed with a meat of choice. The dish’s intricately combined relish of sweet, sour, and salty is what makes it a favourite among tourists and locals alike.
It would be a pity to fly halfway across the world to Thailand’s largest island only to have some takeout Pad Thai that is also available back at home only a phone call away. For something authentic and truly Thai, give Malang Tod a try — the Southeast Asian nation’s popularly bizarre fried insect dish. Take your pick from the assortment of fried crickets, beetles, worms, and grasshoppers, and sample the crunchy delicacy of your choice with a bit of pepper and a dip in a tangy fish sauce.
Thin strips of unripe green papaya simply mixed with roasted peanuts, green beans, tomatoes, and a tangy sauce in a bowl, Som Tam Thai may be one of the easiest and simplest dishes of Thai cuisine yet one of the most delectable as well. The spicy papaya salad can be found being served at all kinds of eateries and top restaurants in Phuket, including the likes offered by properties such as Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas.
Hot, sour and delightfully aromatic — Tom Yum Goong is a staple relished throughout the Southeast Asian nation including the island of Phuket. The traditional Thai soup is both served as an appetiser and an accompaniment to rice, and at times, even as a main dish. Tom Yum Goong is one of the most popular dishes in the country, so much so that numerous regional variations of the dish have emerged over the years, such as tom yum gai and tom yum talay — the former with added chicken and the latter with seafood.
A traditional Thai dessert to round off your traditional Thai meal — Khao Niao Mamuang, also known as mango sticky rice, is a popular dessert in Phuket as well as the rest of Thailand. It could be best described as a rice pudding, where glutinous rice mixed with coconut milk is combined with freshly cut slices of juicy mango. The pure white rice contrasted with the bright yellow of mango — the dish makes a treat for the eyes as it is for the tongue.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
