Must-Try Dishes When You Travel to Southern Thailand
When you visit Southern Thailand, it’s not only about the sea and the beautiful sunsets — it’s also about the food! Southern Thai food is very special, full of flavors, and sometimes a little spicy. Let’s take a look at some dishes you shouldn’t miss.
Spicy and Fresh Flavors
One of the best things about Southern food is the strong taste. Every bite is full of herbs, chili, and fresh ingredients. Many visitors are pleasantly surprised to find that Southern Thai food is very bold and tasty.
Dishes You Should Try
Gaeng Som Tai (แกงส้มใต้/Yellow Sour Curry with Fish) – A spicy and sour curry with fish and vegetables, bold and refreshing, and loved throughout Southern Thailand.
Stir-Fried Shrimp withSataw(สะตอผัดกุ้ง) – Stir-fried shrimp with Sataw beans, chili, and shrimp paste. Strong in aroma, rich in flavors, and unforgettable.
Moo Hong (หมูฮ้อง) – Phuket-style braised pork belly simmered in soy sauce and spices. Tender, savory, and a true local comfort dish.
Khua Kling (คั่วกลิ้ง) – A dry curry of minced pork or beef, full of herbs and intense Southern spices. Fiery and flavorful, it’s a local favorite.
Khanom Jeen with Tai Pla Curry (ขนมจีนแกงไตปลา) – Soft rice noodles served with spicy fish curry. A dish full of character that captures the essence of Southern Thai cuisine.
Where to Try It
For a luxury dining experience, we recommend Sripanwa Phuket, a renowned seaside resort. One of the highlights here is the restaurant Baba Soul Food, which serves authentic Southern dishes such as Moo Hong (Phuket Style Braised Pork Belly), Goong Pad Kapi Sataw (Stir-fried Sataw beans with shrimp and shrimp paste, a seasonal specialty), Kua Kling Moo (Stir-fried Pork in Red Curry Paste), Gai Pad Na-rok (Stir-fried Chicken in Homemade Paste), Gaeng Poo (Andaman Crab Meat In Yellow Curry), Nam Prik Goong Sod (fresh shrimp chili dip served with vegetables)
The Vegetarian Festival, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, is a significant cultural and spiritual celebration rooted in Chinese traditions. Through vegetarianism, prayer, sacred rituals, and vibrant processions, the festival reflects beliefs in purification, devotion, and good fortune while celebrating Phuket’s rich cultural heritage.
Chinese National Day on 1 October marks the beginning of Golden Week — a wonderful time to travel, reconnect and enjoy a well-deserved escape.
For those dreaming of tropical surroundings, Phuket offers the perfect combination of beautiful coastlines, local culture, memorable dining and relaxed island living. At the southeastern tip of the island, Sri panwa Phuket offers a private retreat overlooking the Andaman Sea.