FOOD TRIP @ PHUKET, THAILAND

What excites me most visiting Thailand is the idea of smorgasbord Thai food infused of exotic flavors and fragrances; profusion of curry, chilies, coconut milk, sweet and sour marks Thailand food in the International Cuisine. I maybe a broke backpacker on streets of Phuket but decided to loosened budget restrictions as I tried to satisfy myself of Thai food, which spans from staple backpacker favorites to Thai classic.  

BUDGET: 100 BAHT and Below

Pad Thai ( Thai style Fried Noodles)

Outside Wat Chalong Temple, I spotted our driver on street enjoying his meal. He offered us to try Pad Thai for 50 Baht only. Pad Thai is a classic dish – traditional fried rice-noodle with shrimp and crispy wanton. Small amount of thin noodles was placed in a searing hot wok, added with crunchy beansprouts, onion, egg and seasoned with fish sauce, sugar, chili and finely ground peanuts.

Finished Product - Pad Thai

Impromptu Pad Thai Cooking by local Vendor 

Kao Souy

Steamed Jasmine rice – 1 cup and/or serving cost 20 Baht.  This long grained steamed rice is perfect for curry dishes.

20 baht for a cup of Kao Souy

Kiwi and Caramel Frappuccino

Part of Phuket city tour is to drop visitors / tourists to their colonial inspired Duty Free Shop for coffee break. It’s a marketing strategy that frustrates us for tourists are force to spend time window shopping accompanied by well-dressed personnel. Good thing they have this coffee shop that serves Frappuccino in reasonable price (Kiwi 55 Baht; Caramel Frappuccino 60 Baht).

Street Foods

On street you will find dim sum, sausages, dried fish and array of ready-to-cook food on sticks that is much resemblance to our fish balls and siomai carts in the Philippines; the twist is that it offers different flavors that brings freshness to one’s pallet. Price ranges from 40 to 80 Baht.

Thai’s Ice Cream

With Thailand’s unbeatable hot weather, tourist can’t resist to grab an ice cream be it on streets, on boat and sand. There was Magnun ice cream (40 Baht) but you may want to try Paddle Pop infused with dragon fruit flavor or coconut and Pandan for your Popsicle.

Drinks

Bottled water priced at 10 Baht (250 ml); soft drinks in can for 50 Baht; Fresh Coconut Juice for 50 Baht; Fresh tropical shakes for 60 Baht

7 11 Convenient Store

Convenient stores are everywhere in Phuket for a quick bite, midnight snacks and budget friendly fun snacks, 7 11 offers anything and everything to satisfy your hunger.

BUDGET: 140 BAHT and Above

Khao Ob-Sabparod

Seafood fried-rice baked in pineapple. Khao Ob-Sabparod can stand alone as meal for it consists of fried rice, egg, herbs and pineapples. This fried rice has sweetness form pineapples that best compliments and creates balance with viands that are infused with curry and chilies (Priced at 140 Baht good for 2 persons).

Gaeng Neue Mussaman

Named as “The most favorite food for world tourist 2011” Gaeng Neue Mussaman is beef curry that is slightly sweet and hint of spiciness from curry and incorporated herbs ( Priced at 160 Baht per serving).

Tom Kha Kai

Tom Kha Kai is chicken strips in coconut soup – infused with fiery chilies, thinly sliced young galangal, crushed shallots, stalks of lemongrass and topped with fresh lime leaves. This dish exhibits creamy, meaty, spice and sweet smelling concoction (160 Baht).

Kai Med Ma Muang

Is chicken with cashew nuts is a dish with celebration of flavor and texture. Sautéed chicken alongside roasted cashews, sweet soy sauce, onions, chilies, peppercorn and mushrooms speaks of authentic Thai food (200 Baht).

Spicy Shrimp in Stir Fried Vegetable

This dis was literally marked as “spicy” but you can request to adjust degree of spiciness depending on preference. For spicy and seafood lovers this is a must try dish. Freshness of sautéed shrimp with chunks of red chilies on bed of stir fried veggies was a courageous experiment I had tried in Thailand (160 Baht per serving).

Bottled Beer

Quite expensive for 150 Baht/bottle, but who can resist a cold bottle of beer with great food in Phuket Thailand?