Phuket Town

Once through the old wooden door of this tiny restaurant, you are transported to the Sino-Portuguese quarter of the country’s most popular resort island. Within, the bright colours continue with a wall mural of old Phuket, while accessories like the antique chandelier, bright red lanterns, an old bicycle and period furniture add to the setting. The menu here subscribes to Southern Thai fare that has influences from Hokkien Chinese cuisine, so expect rich, fragrant curries like the massaman kai (chicken curry) that is accompanied by a perfectly crisp roti. Another classic is the pad sataw goong, tender, crunchy stink beans with shrimps that have been stir-friend in shrimp paste. Other standouts on the menu are the pla-mong hor mok (fish soufflé served in a banana leaf with red curry), and kanom jeen nam ya poo (rice noodles with steamed crab and pineapple). And if seafood is not your thing, ask for the deliciously crispy kai tod ka-min (deep-fried chicken wings with cumin). End on a sweet note with traditional desserts like oh-aew (banana jelly, red bean and red syrup) and noi-na nom sod (custard apple in milk). With only six tables, Phuket Town is best suited to couples and small families, and it is advisable to book in advance.