Phuket isn’t just a haven for beach bums and sunseekers; it’s a paradise for adventurous foodies as well! The island boasts a unique cuisine that blends the fiery flavours of southern Thailand with unexpected influences, creating a heavenly taste unlike anywhere else.

Chunpeang1tan, Phuket-kuih talam, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Cuisine of South Thailand

Southern Thailand, where you will find Phuket, is renowned for its bold and spicy dishes, liberally laced with chillies, ginger, and black pepper. Seafood, whether used fresh or in a preserved form, is another key ingredient. Coconut milk adds a touch of creaminess, while turmeric lends its vibrant colour and earthy notes. These ingredients come together in an array of delectable culinary, from fragrant curries and flavourful soups to vibrant stir-fries.

How Phuket Cuisine is Different

The cuisine of Phuket offers a delightful surprise. Unlike its neighbours, the island’s dishes are known for their milder, more balanced flavours. Chillies are used with a gentler hand, allowing other ingredients to shine through. This makes local cuisine incredibly approachable for those who may be wary of intense spice. While there are restaurants across the island, those who have bought a villa here at properties like Avadina Hills by Anantara can purchase ingredients at local markets and try making popular dishes themselves!

Diverse Global Influences

Phuket’s unique location has played a significant role in shaping its culinary identity. Nestled on the Andaman Sea, the island has long enjoyed close ties with the Straits Settlements which included former British colonies like Singapore and Penang. This connection introduced new techniques and ingredients, enriching the island’s food scene.

Additionally, Phuket felt the influence of the wider Muslim world, Europe, and South Asia; also, the booming 19th-century tin industry saw the arrival of Hokkien-speaking Chinese who brought their culinary traditions with them as well to Thailand. Luxury villas for sale on the island give you the ideal base from which to savour such diverse dishes with varying influences fused with local cooking traditions.

Must-Try Dishes in Phuket

Phuket’s diverse culinary landscape boasts a delectable array of dishes to tantalise your taste buds. These include moo hong, an iconic dish that features fatty pork belly braised to perfection and khanom jeen which consists of thin rice noodles made from fermented rice flour, typically served with curries. Also popular is classic pad Thai as well as Hokkien noodles be it mee nam Hokkien, a flavourful noodle soup or mee Hokkien that features stir-fried noodles, generally served with thinly sliced pork and seafood.