Phuket cuisine

Culinary traditions of Phuket, Thailand

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A street vendor purveying pancakes on Patak Road in Phuket City

## Phuket Cuisine

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Phuket cuisine refers to the regional culinary practices and traditional dishes of Phuket Province, located in southern Thailand. The cuisine is notable for its distinctive fusion of Chinese, Malaysian, and central Thai culinary influences, reflecting the island's multicultural heritage and historical role as a trading hub.[1]

## Dishes

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Bee-pang (Thai: บี้แป้ง) is a traditional Thai snack associated with Phuket Province. It is made from puffed rice pressed into rectangular bars, often mixed with fried garlic and coated in sweet syrup, balancing the natural saltiness of the rice. In Phuket, bee-pang is commonly consumed in the afternoon, often accompanied by white or green tea as part of local culinary customs.[2]

Gaeng som pla (Thai: แกงส้มปลา) is a traditional Thai sour curry made with fish. Unlike many other Thai curries, gaeng som pla does not contain coconut milk, giving it a lighter and more tangy flavor. It is particularly popular in southern Thailand, including Phuket.[3]

Kanohm jin (Thai: ขนมจีน) refers to fermented rice noodles commonly eaten in Phuket and other parts of southern Thailand. It is typically served with a variety of spicy or savory sauces, such as tai pla, nam phrik, or nam ya curry. Kanohm jin is often a breakfast dish, traditionally accompanied by pa tong go (Thai fried dough), curried fish, and an assortment of fresh vegetables—sometimes more than ten types.[4]

Lo bah (Thai: ล่อบะ) is a deep-fried pork offal dish traditionally served with fried tofu and a sweet-spicy dipping sauce. It is considered a local specialty in Phuket, reflecting strong Chinese culinary influences from southern Thai immigrant communities. The dish is commonly available at street food stalls and local markets.[5]

Mee hoon Pa Chang (Thai: หมี่หุ้นป้าชั่ง) is a stir-fried vermicelli noodle dish that originates from Phuket. The noodles are typically fried in soy sauce, topped with crispy fried shallots, and served alongside a bowl of pork soup. The dish is named after its reputed creator, 'Pa Chang', a local vendor well known in the region.[6]

Moo hong (Thai: หมูฮ้อง) is a slow-braised pork belly dish with roots in Fujian cuisine, adapted into Phuket's local food culture. The pork is stewed in a mixture of dark soy sauce, sugar, garlic, black pepper, and coriander root to produce a sweet and aromatic flavor. Often served with rice, moo hong is a well-loved comfort food in southern Thailand. A related dish, moo palo, incorporates Chinese five-spice, offering a more fragrant variation.[7][8]

Oh tao (Thai: โอวต้าว) is a local Phuket stir-fried dish featuring oysters or seafood mixed with taro, eggs, flour, and bean sprouts. It is seasoned with salt, chili, sugar, or vinegar and typically served with crispy pork and extra bean sprouts. Oh tao is considered one of Phuket's oldest traditional dishes and remains a popular choice among street food vendors.[9]

Pad thai (Thai: ผัดไทย) is one of the most recognized Thai dishes internationally. It consists of rice noodles stir-fried with tamarind paste, chili, shrimp paste, and sugar, creating a balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors. Often garnished with lime wedges, roasted peanuts, and bean sprouts, pad thai is widely consumed throughout Thailand and regularly appears in Phuket's street food scene.[10]

## Snacks and Desserts

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Ah-pong (Thai: อาโป้ง) is a traditional pancake-like snack that is considered a culinary symbol of Phuket Province. It is adapted from South Indian appam and is made from a mixture of flour, egg yolk, coconut milk, sugar, water, and yeast. The pancake is typically cooked on a small circular griddle until it develops a crisp edge and a lightly sweet, coconut-scented center. Once cooked, it is folded in half for serving and is commonly enjoyed as a street snack.[11]

Ang ku kueh (Thai: อั่งกู๋) is a sweet pastry often consumed with tea or coffee and is a staple dessert among Thai-Chinese communities in Phuket. It is derived from the traditional Chinese red tortoise cake, with the tortoise symbolizing longevity and good fortune. The snack is made from glutinous rice flour, vegetable oil, and sugar, and is typically filled with sweetened mung beans or crushed peanuts. It is steamed in a tortoise-shaped mold, giving it its distinctive soft, chewy texture.[12]

Bee-go-moi (Thai: บี้โก้หมอย) is a traditional dessert popular in southern Thailand, especially in Phuket. It consists of black glutinous rice cooked until soft and sticky, served warm with salted coconut milk. The contrast of sweet and salty flavors, along with the rich texture of the rice, makes it a comforting snack or dessert enjoyed in homes and markets alike.[13]

O-aew (Thai: โอ้เอ๋ว) is a traditional shaved ice dessert originating from Phuket Province. It features a jelly made from banana flour, typically served over crushed ice with sweet red syrup and boiled red beans. Additional toppings, such as fruit or other jellies, are often included to enhance both flavor and texture. O-aew is considered one of Phuket's signature sweets and is especially popular as a refreshing treat in the tropical climate.[14][15]

## See also

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* Food portal
* Thailand portal

* List of Thai dishes
* List of Thai ingredients
* List of Thai restaurants

## References

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1. ^ "Phuket Local Food". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
2. ^ "Bee-Pang: Phuket's Crunchy Snack". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
3. ^ "Gaeng Som Pla: Thai Sour Fish Curry". Thai Food Online. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
4. ^ "Kanom Jin: Thai Fermented Noodle Dish". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
5. ^ "Lo Bah: Phuket's Deep-Fried Delicacy". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
6. ^ "Mee Hoon Pa Chang: A Beloved Phuket Noodle Dish". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
7. ^ "Moo Hong: Phuket's Fujian-Style Braised Pork". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
8. ^ "Moo Palo vs Moo Hong: What's the Difference?". Thai Food Guide. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
9. ^ "Oh Tao: Phuket's Famous Fried Oyster Dish". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
10. ^ "Pad Thai: Thailand's Iconic Street Noodle Dish". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
11. ^ "Ah-Pong: Phuket's Signature Pancake". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
12. ^ "Ang Ku Kueh: A Symbolic Sweet Treat". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
13. ^ "Bee-Go-Moi: Phuket's Black Sticky Rice Dessert". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
14. ^ "O-aew: Phuket's Signature Icy Dessert". Tourism Authority of Thailand. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
15. ^ "Exploring Phuket Street Food: O-Aew". Thai Food Blog. Retrieved 3 April 2025.

## Further reading

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* Ultimate Food Journeys: The World's Best Dishes and Where to Eat Them. DK Publishing. 2011. p. 252\. ISBN 978-0-7566-9588-0. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
* Cohen, E. (2001). The Chinese Vegetarian Festival in Phuket: Religion, Ethnicity, and Tourism on a Southern Thai Island. Studies in contemporary Thailand. White Lotus Press. ISBN 978-974-7534-89-4. Retrieved May 30, 2016. 211 pages.