Thai food in Phuket and Samui is wider than phat thai and tom yum. Below: what to order in your first days, how to say «not spicy» and how to pick a street stall. The dishes and tips come from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and were checked on 19 October 2026. The TAT articles date from 2018-2020, so we give no prices or addresses.
What to order in your first days
TAT writes that Thai cuisine splits into four regions (the central plains, the north, the northeast and the south), and cooks everywhere balance spicy, sour, sweet and salty. Dishes from the TAT articles that are easy starting points:
| Dish | What it is, per TAT | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Phat Thai | fried noodles | TAT calls it typical of the central plains |
| Tom Yam Kung | hot and sour shrimp soup | TAT: hot and sour |
| Green curry (Kaeng Khiao Wan) | a curry eaten with rice | central cuisine |
| Massaman | a thick curry with cinnamon and cardamom, usually with chicken | TAT: rich and relatively mild |
| Som Tam | green papaya salad | TAT: spicy, a northeastern dish |
| Khao Soi | egg noodle soup in a creamy yellow curry, with chicken | northern cuisine |
| Kaeng Som | a spicy fish curry or soup with vegetables | no coconut milk, sourness from tamarind |
| Kua Kling | dry fried meat with curry paste | southern cuisine |
TAT does not describe the ingredients or heat of phat thai, only that it is typical of the centre.
How to ask for food that is not spicy
TAT says it plainly: highly spiced Thai dishes can cause real discomfort, especially for those used to milder food, so order a less spicy version the first time. Spicy dishes in Thailand are usually served with rice and non-spicy dishes to balance the heat.
Phrases from our guide to the Thai language:
- Not spicy: ไม่เผ็ด, «mai phet»
- A little spicy: เผ็ดนิดหน่อย, «phet nit noi»
A man ends the phrase with «khrap», a woman with «kha». Southern food, according to TAT, is known for its spice and sharpness, and its curries are the most powerful. In Phuket and Samui it is therefore easier to start with «mai phet» and add heat than the other way round.
What to try in Phuket
TAT’s article on Phuket food names dishes that show the influence of Chinese immigrants and Malay cooking:
- Mi Hokkien: a Chinese-Malay noodle dish
- Mu Hong: stewed pork belly cooked with herbs
- Dim sum for breakfast: steamed dumplings, fish, bean curd, bak kut teh pork rib soup and misua noodles
- Mi Hun Kaeng Pu: rice noodles with crab curry
- Khanom Chin: fermented rice noodles with various traditional curry sauces: crab, chicken and fish
- O-Aew: shaved ice with sweet toppings and jelly, the island’s favourite local dessert
For where to look for such places see our guide to Phuket Old Town.
What to try in Samui
We found no separate list of Samui dishes in official sources. According to TAT, southern food as a whole is built on seafood and meat and uses lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, so fish curries and sour fish soups such as kaeng som pla (Kaeng Som Pla) await you on the island too. For the island itself see our Samui guide.
How to choose a street stall
In different articles TAT advises:
- A busy stall where locals queue: the food does not sit around
- A freshly cooked dish: street cooks usually prepare your order in front of you, and anything that does not look fresh is better skipped
- Nothing raw: avoid uncooked dishes such as raw seafood and shellfish
- Plate and utensils: locals wipe them with a tissue before eating, and TAT suggests doing the same
- Prices on display: TAT says dish prices should be clearly displayed
What medical sources say about water, ice and street food is in our answer on tap water and street food.
If your stomach reacts
TAT names tamarind, fresh coconut, ginger and turmeric as ingredients with a natural laxative effect and describes som tam as a salad with that effect. Do not order many of these dishes in a row in your first days. If the upset does not pass and you need medicine, see our guide to pharmacies in Thailand. What a meal costs is covered in our guide to the cost of living.
FAQ
What should I order in Thailand if I do not like spicy food?
Start with dishes that TAT describes as mild. TAT calls massaman a rich and relatively mild curry. TAT also advises asking for a less spicy version of any dish and eating spicy food with rice. «Mai phet» (ไม่เผ็ด) means «not spicy».
How do I say «not spicy» and «a little spicy» in Thai?
«Mai phet» (ไม่เผ็ด) means «not spicy» and «phet nit noi» (เผ็ดนิดหน่อย) means «a little spicy». A man ends the phrase with «khrap», a woman with «kha». More phrases for cafes and markets are in our Thai language guide.
Is street food in Thailand safe?
TAT does not discourage street food and gives selection rules: a busy stall, a freshly cooked dish, no raw seafood. The CDC is more cautious and recommends eating food that is cooked and served hot. For water, ice and stomach trouble see our answer on tap water and street food.
Why does Thai food sometimes upset the stomach?
TAT lists tamarind, fresh coconut, ginger and turmeric among ingredients with a natural laxative effect and describes som tam as a salad with that effect. If your stomach reacts, do not order many of these dishes in your first days and drink water from a sealed bottle. If the upset does not pass, see a doctor.
What should I try in Phuket that I will not find in Bangkok?
In its article on Phuket food TAT names mi Hokkien (a Chinese-Malay noodle dish), mu hong (stewed pork belly with herbs), dim sum for breakfast, mi hun kaeng pu (rice noodles with crab curry), khanom chin and the o-aew dessert. Chinese and Malay influence is stronger on the island than in central dishes such as phat thai.
Sources
- TAT Newsroom. Discover Thai cuisine through its famous four regions (13 Jan 2018)
- TAT Newsroom. Much-loved, must-eat dishes from different regions of Thailand (3 Jan 2020)
- TAT Newsroom. Phuket food culture poised for global stardom (4 Jul 2018)
- TAT Newsroom. Useful things to know for safe and enjoyable eating in Thailand (18 Dec 2018)
- TAT Newsroom. TAT offers advice on how to enjoy travelling in Bangkok (28 Oct 2019)
- CDC. Food and drink considerations when traveling (page reviewed 6 Jan 2026)
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