Getting a Meal – Koh Samui, Thailand

Restaurants and food vendors are plentiful on the island. You can snack on coconut, pineapple or Popsicles from the wandering beach vendors or find a sit-down eatery to sample fruit shakes and fried noodles. Many resorts or guesthouses have their own restaurants, but prices can be more expensive than the local eateries. Make sure to explore before settling for high prices.

Perm Poon
Yes, that’s the real name (insert childish giggling here). Across the street from Samui Beach Resort we found this family-run restaurant that offers numerous dishes for a bargain. The menu has listings in English, Thai and German. The fruit shakes are to die for and the food is excellent; however, the staff is the best reason to visit. Not only were they incredibly friendly, but they also had a sense of humor when it came to bridging the language gap. For instance, at Thai restaurants, waitstaff younger than you are called nawng (younger sibling, sounds like “nong”) and those older are known as phii (older sibling, sounds like “pee”). My 20-something friend wanted to flatter the cook, a woman in her mid-40s, by calling her nawng. I asked him if it was disrespectful; she, however, was delighted. (”No, not offended. I’m happy when you call me nawng. Makes me feel young!”) Also, once we became regulars, the waiter – quickly designated phii – would greet us with jovial curses when we came to eat. Peculiar exclamations like “Ho-ly shit. Holy shit!” and “Whad da fuck?” would accompany his big smile when he saw us coming up the steps. Whenever he took our orders, he was always ready to fool around, playfully hitting the guys in the group with menus and even going so far as to rub one friend’s stomach and describe him as “Spicy Buddha.” Phii doesn’t harass every customer, though, so don’t be scared away from nawng’s amazing food.

Lamai Food Center
In downtown Lamai there’s an assembly of casual, open-air seafood restaurants. You can grab a late dinner here – one diner is open all night. McDonald’s is your marker – look for a yellow sign 70 meters past it to find the food center.

Bauhaus Bistro
Also located in downtown Lamai, this big wooden restaurant is hard to miss. It serves European and Thai food, salads and sandwiches, all in a nice lounging area with a TV. It’s also a popular nighttime destination (see “Getting a (Night)life“). Dishes are 50-220 baht; open daily 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

In Hat Chaweng, look for cheap food stalls near the bar district downtown. A popular spot is the Deck Restaurant which features music and cushy seats to enjoy while you eat. The restaurant has vegan and vegetarian options, too. Thai dishes are 60-80 baht, sandwiches are 70 baht, and there are specials: a three-course breakfast for 99 baht and a five-course dinner for 175 baht. Open daily 8 a.m.-2 a.m.

Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our Asia Insiders page.

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