Krabi in Southern Thailand has lengthy been a preferred vacationer spot with loads of locations to eat, however not a lot of them are serving actual Thai meals. However these three eating places are the true deal.
Instantly throughout the Bay of Thailand from Phuket, separated by some 20km of the Andaman Sea, Krabi began out as a retreat for guests who had develop into bored with the over-tourism of Phuket and its busy seashores.
Today, Krabi is arguably simply as busy, its essential avenue although Ao Nang thronged with comfortable holidaymakers.
Bars, cafes and eating places take up the overwhelming majority of Ao Nang actual property, however most of them cater to the bottom frequent denominator and though the meals is okay, it’s most likely not what the locals could be consuming.
For starters, the dishes right here hardly ever pack the punch that actual Thai meals from the south is thought for.
However there are a number of eating places in Krabi that follow conventional flavours—and warmth if you need it!
3 eating places in Krabi that serve actual Thai meals
Take a look at our brief video of those three locations cooking up the perfect Thai meals in Krabi:
1. Ruen Mai Restaurant
Ruen Mai—or ‘New Home’ is a lovely, peaceable restaurant that feels prefer it’s hidden away in its personal tropical backyard.
Its curving scalloped thatched roofs and open partitions actually enable the nice and cozy sea air of the south coast to embrace you and put you relaxed.
Timber and bamboo causeways lead you thru the timber to the 2 essential buildings of the restaurant. Each have the identical thatched roofs that comply with the standard form of Thai homes and nice halls.
And the place is lit with lanterns constructed from the identical thatch because the roof and hanging among the many excessive rafters.
Menus are in each Thai and English, and spicy meals is marked with one, two and three chillis… there aren’t too many dishes that don’t have at the very least one subsequent to their title!
Meals is completely beautiful. And largely made with native elements and from the restaurant’s personal backyard.
We had entire deep fried sand whiting with crispy garlic and pounded turmeric, a luxuriant omelette with chopped crab meat, Pad pak mieng khai (fried veggies known as pak mieng native to Krabi and egg) regional model of tom yum soup known as tom som pla.
This candy and bitter soup is made with tamarind and palm sugar, and comes with an enormous slab of fish and can also be flavoured with smoked fish.
Deep-fried sandfish, tom som pla soup
However better of all was the Krabi model of pork larb. Usually one of many hottest issues on a Thai menu, larb is a dry mince dish with loads of citrus and spice and is one among my favorite Thai dishes.
This one from Krabi is even higher.
Written as simply ‘kua kling’ on the menu, its English translation simply says ‘additional scorching’! This dish additionally comes with sea grapes that we’ve solely seen earlier than in Okinawa and Thai eggplant, kua kling is extra of a dry curry and is earthy and satisfyingly savoury.
Crab omelette, kua kling, pad pak mieng khai
2. Lae Lay Grill, Krabi
From its elevated location above the principle vacationer strip of Krabi, Lae Lay Grill has unimaginable views down over the city and over the water. This can be a uncommon spot the place you’ll be able to absorb a lot of the horizon, punctuated with the long-lasting limestone monolith islands of Nopparat Thara Nationwide Park.
This spectacular restaurant is on two ranges and is presumably the most important venue on the town, however don’t let that put you off.
The meals right here is simply nearly as good because the views.
Luxurious, creamy coconut soups, crunchy but delicate and silky fish truffles, strong and spicy seafood papaya salads full of prawns, mussels, squid, crab and fish, and moreish deep-fried softshell crab with chilli and salt that’s by some means crunchy and tender on the identical time.
Tom yum soup, fish truffles, deep-fried softshell crab, coconut soup
Desserts are price a glance right here too, particularly the sesame topped crushed ice and fruit, and the crinkle-cut inexperienced melon items with chilli soy dip.
There’s usually a little bit of dwell music taking place right here and if you happen to time it proper, the sundown over the water is to not be missed.
Seafood papaya salad, inexperienced melon and soy chilli dip, ice sesame dessert
3. Ko Hong island diner
One—if not the one island within the nationwide park with a restaurant open to the general public, the diner on Ko Hong is particular in that approach at the very least.
You’re welcome to convey a picnic with you to Ko Hong, however that might imply you’re lacking out on the superb choices on provide from this surprisingly good beachside bar.
The standard and authenticity of the Thai meals is superb, particularly contemplating the one individuals coming listed below are vacationers.
Every thing—from the best dish just like the cucumber salad to the cleverly layered flavours of one other kua kling—is so properly crafted with that typical ease that Thai cooking has of balancing all of the flavours.
We additionally had a spicy rooster salad, a type of prawn choo chi and a dish of greens that additionally comes with very long-stemmed straw mushrooms.
However better of all is the fried rooster right here they name Thai KFC. However placing this dish on the identical parallel as KFC isn’t doing it any justice in any respect.
The seasoning is much superior to the Colonel’s paltry 11 herbs and spices, and the rooster itself—completely cooked—is juicy, dense and filled with flavour.
The one approach to get to Ko Hong is by boat, which you’ll be able to learn extra about right here however most journeys from Krabi come right here. If not, ensure you inform your skipper to get you to Ko Hong for lunch!
