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6 Great Places for Local Thai Food on Koh Samui
A guide for anyone looking to enjoy southern Thai cuisine and a local-style meal on Koh Samui. This selection ranges from Michelin-selected and Bib Gourmand-recognised restaurants to easygoing local spots. Come for the curries, seafood and grilled dishes, and discover the many flavours of Thailand.
1. Khao Hom
A Michelin-selected restaurant serving southern Thai food based on family recipes passed down for more than 100 years. Signature dishes include khua kling, minced pork stir-fried with yellow curry paste, and a tangy curry with fish and coconut shoots. Prices range from ฿200–400.
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2. Kapi Sator Central Samui
A southern Thai restaurant featured in the Michelin Bib Gourmand selection, using seasonal ingredients and house-made seasonings. Try the green curry with duck, crab curry or whole fried sea bass. Prices range from ฿400–1,400.
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3. Omsin Restaurant
Enjoy generous portions of classic Thai dishes at wallet-friendly prices, including pad Thai for ฿80 and tom yum kung for ฿120. The menu also features rad na, moo ping and grilled chicken, plus mango sticky rice and tofu-based vegetarian dishes prepared on request.
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4. Tai Kik Pla Pao
A casual spot for affordable Isan-style local dishes, including salt-crusted grilled fish, grilled whole chicken, som tam and grilled pork neck. Wrap the grilled fish with vegetables and noodles, and ask for your som tam at your preferred spice level.
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5. Nana Tam
Enjoy authentic Thai dishes at reasonable prices in a garden restaurant with a koi pond and a small waterfall. Favourites include shrimp pad Thai, tangy and spicy seafood tom yum, and beef panang curry. Prices range from ฿200–400.
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6. Pink Orchid Restaurant
A small, family-run Thai restaurant serving green curry, pad Thai and tom yum kung. The menu also includes cashew chicken and massaman curry, all enjoyed in a relaxed setting with reggae music and reasonable prices.
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