Phuket is known as a luxury resort destination, but this should also be on your list for street food. Recently, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) selected Phuket to be 1 of 18 cities of Gastronomy in the entire world, recognizing it as the “Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO.”
The title places an emphasis on Phuket’s local dishes, and follows the trend of the world’s growing appreciation of a country’s street food. After all, the best way to get to know (and fall in love with) a cuisine is to have it the way locals do.
“It is a great opportunity for people in Phuket to join hands and become great hosts to both domestic and international tourists from all over the world. Not only that Phuket is already well known for its natural beauty of the sea, sand and sun, Phuket should also be known for our food from its delicious taste, varieties of choice and creativities of the menu,” says Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong.
The honor is well-deserved as this bustling island’s location allows it to have a steady supply of fresh seafood, all year round. Its succulent prawns, crabs, fish, lobster, oysters and mussels galore are enough to make any seafood lover palpitate. Chicken and pork dishes are also aplenty, as well as a variety of tropical fruit-infused dishes and vegetarian creations. And with Phuket’s signature spicy flavors added to many recipes, you’re bound to ask for another cup of rice to go with your order and savor every spoonful.
All of this only means one thing; Phuket’s food is officially something we can’t miss, and should now be on every foodie’s radar!
To make the most of your visit to Phuket and be able to sample as many local dishes as you like, consider visiting the island in September. The climate is not only cooler this time of the year, but best of all, the month will soon be dedicated to celebrating the highly acclaimed Phuket Street Food Festival!
September 2017 marked the first run of this gastronomic event, and with its success, it certainly won’t be the last. In its first edition, the festival featured more than 50 local restaurants and food trucks to participate, serving up a storm of a feast for both local and international tourists who were lucky enough to experience it.
Signature Phuket dishes, Thai classics and fusion recipes were all present, making the Phuket Street Food Festival the ultimate hub for the hungry. Check out some the festival’s most popular dishes.
Phuket dishes – Fresh spring rolls, Fu Jian Chao Mian, O-eo (Southern Thai shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings such as red bean, sweet syrup, grass jelly and palm seed), Rice Dumpling, Stir Fried Vermicelli with Pork Rib Soup and Tubo Kiaokoi (Local Coconut Milk-based Dessert with Yam, Taro, and Kidney Bean)
- Veggie options – Green Caviar, Local Vegetable Fern Salad, Stir Fried Melinjo and Organic Vegetable Salad
- Seafood – Crab Noodle with Curry Paste, Lobster and Clams cooked in a variety of ways, and Stir Fried Black Crab with Lime
- Creative Food – Braised Pork Pizza, Penne with Crab Curry Paste and Stir Fried Spaghetti with Shrimp Paste
- Rare Food – Ma Hor (Fresh Pineapple Morsel topped with Minced Chicken and Peanuts), Kuih Talam (Pandan and Coconut Layered Cake), Tu-Mi Curry, Sweet Zongzi and Koey Kem
What do you think? Which dishes would you like to dig into first? The right is, of course, all of of them!
For more information about Phuket, the Phuket Street Food Festival, visit https://www.phuketstreetfoodfest.com. Images and videos are from the Phuket Street Food Festival as featured on YouTube channel ideatv8 phuket.
