Phuket is the largest of Thailand’s islands and is known for some of the best beaches in the country. In fact only two cities in Phuket do not front the beach. The island’s widespread appeal means it enjoys immense tourist crowds throughout the year, all of whom primarily come for the sun, the surf and the seafood. The beach resort island cuisine has a well earned reputation among foodies. While the island is famous for its traditional Thai fare, a large expatriate population ensures a mix of local and international flavours.

On Phuket one can find everything from high end restaurants to global fast food chains along with street side vendors. While prices vary from stall to stall, the food is generally cheaper than those served in restaurants. Stalls also operate according to their own timetable; some may open only in the mornings while others only in the evening. Though the sheer number of stalls makes choosing dishes difficult, one can depend on visual and olfactory cues to be a reliable guide.

A common sight on the streets of Phuket are the mobile fruit vendors. After one chooses a fruit, it is then cut up into bite sized pieces and put into a bag along with a skewer. A tiny satchel containing either sugar or a mixture of salt and chilli is also provided as a condiment. Pa Thong Go is a dish made up of fried dough and is very popular during breakfast, as are banana pancakes. While rice is one of the mainstays during lunch hours, noodles are equally popular. Travellers will find a plethora of noodle dishes including Pad Thai Goong – fried noodles with prawns, Pad See Iew – noodles in soy sauce and Kway Tio – a delicious noodle soup.

During dinner most vendors sell fried chicken as well as the ever popular noodle dishes and tourists are bound to find these stalls in places that have a lot of foot traffic. When in doubt, follow the crowds as they are more likely to congregate around the best stalls. When booking a Phuket resort make sure it is centrally located. Anantara Phuket, Thailand offers secluded Phuket villas that afford guests easy access to the attractions of the island.