🍜 Asian

Ramen on chicken or pork broth, gyoza, poke and sushi-grade fish

Torn between chicken broth and pork broth? You do not have to choose — ask for both in one bowl, the pork for richness, the chicken for creaminess. Round the ramen out with gyoza, meat or vegetarian, both of which work, then poke and sushi on fresh fish, and halva mousse to finish.

ℹ Closes early

Among the island's best sushi — plus ramen, miso soup and Japanese cocktails

At this Japanese spot you order without overthinking it: sushi platters among the island's best, tuna poke, ramen and miso soup with soft tofu. The prices lean fancy — but the alternatives aren't really any cheaper.

ℹ on the pricey side, and the Haad Yao branch is the better one

Khao soi that ranks with the island's best, from a high terrace with a view

The khao soi is the headline — among the island's best, and it survives delivery nicely — with a pad krapow made from Australian beef beside it, plus a spicy tuna fresh roll, baked fish and a red tuna plate.

ℹ Less suited to kids

The gyoza are the safe bet, the sushi less consistent, the ramen weak

The gyoza are the safe reason to stop. Sushi is another matter — the fish is good, but it isn't always at the same level, and the rice varies from day to day. The chicken ramen is simply weak.

ℹ The rice isn't in the same condition every day

Pantip's new Nepali — flawless momo, gyoza made by hand

The momo here are flawless, and the gyoza are his own handiwork. You can also order a frozen portion in advance to take home. The wait used to run long enough to break your spirit, so it is worth checking whether that has changed. The stall is in the Greek's block, a few stalls along and to the left of the hummus.

Excellent sushi and tiramisu, at a big resort restaurant on the water up north

The sushi is what you come for — the safe order here over the long run — and beside it a goose breast salad and good pizza. The prices are resort-restaurant prices, and vegans will find a menu that's nearly closed: one roll and a few dishes that can be adapted.

ℹ At large tables the dishes don't always arrive together

Burmese cooking only, in a family restaurant — the Burmese salad is the star

Burmese only on the menu, and that is what sets it apart: a Burmese salad dressed with good olive oil, and sweet potato noodles carrying a smoky flavour you won't come across on every corner. The menu runs to a handful of dishes, small for the price — a focused stop, not a feast.

ℹ Small portions for the price; the opening hours on Google are unreliable

Hand-folded dim sum and dumplings alongside congee — mornings only

An excellent congee hides alongside the dumplings — the comforting Chinese rice porridge. Among the fillings, beyond the winning beef, there are pork and prawn too, as in classic dim sum.

ℹ Worth ordering ahead; the vegetarian filling is weak

The only restaurant on the beach — pomelo salad, Burmese salad, falafel

The pomelo salad is the first order and the Burmese salad follows right behind — both among the best on the island — with fresh spring rolls, papaya salad and fried cauliflower alongside. The beach location means a boat or a walk along the trail, so a call ahead to confirm hours is worth it.

ℹ Reached by boat — confirm the hours before you go

Veteran Japanese kitchen under Japanese ownership — the curry udon is the dish

Authentic Japanese, with a Japanese couple in the kitchen for 15 years — among the island's oldest — and it shows on the plate: the curry udon is a treat, with soups kept in reserve for a rainy day. The room is small and covered, built for a quiet meal for two rather than a big group.

ℹ Small place, not suited to large groups

A small, no-frills sushi cart — and it comes served on a boat

A little cart turning out decent sushi and serving it on a boat, and the presentation is the fun of it. It parks in the covered section, and you can catch it in the afternoon.

Japanese-owned Japanese in Thong Sala — tantanmen, veggie ramen and curry

Order tantanmen or curry here, and next door at The Zen go for the curry udon — a delicacy in its own right. The rest of the menu holds its level too, from the vegetarian gyoza to the ramen, and only the afternoon break needs planning around: three to five at both.

ℹ Closed for a break between the afternoon and the evening

Ramen in a range of styles in Thong Sala, black garlic and pumpkin included

The black garlic bowl and the pumpkin one are the tested orders, and a first visit is better off starting there. Beyond them the choice is wide but the result less predictable — one evening lands, another disappoints.

⚠ Opinions are divided

Thai hot pot: pick from the fridge, pay by weight, choose your broth

A huge new branch of a Thai chain, built on the old cinema plot directly opposite Green Com — and already packed. Once you have picked, they cook the lot for you on the spot, in one broth chosen from about five. If fiery heat is not for you, there are calmer bases among them.

ℹ The classic broth is very spicy

Excellent Vietnamese food, and the chicken sandwich is the safe order

A Vietnamese place that opened in Srithanu right beside the 7-Eleven, opposite Ratatouille Massage, and these days you'll find it in Thong Sala as well. When you want something completely different from the island's familiar menus, it's an easy stop in either area.

Korean barbecue you grill yourself, next to Pantip market

When a craving for Korean hits, this is where you come to settle it — a sweet little place that answers exactly that need. Beef on the grill is there for anyone who wants it, and the landmark if you're having trouble finding it: right by the Chinese pharmacist in Thong Sala.

Japanese in Srithanu where the miso soup and gyoza are the thing to order

The miso soup is especially good, and the gyoza rounds it out as a second order — those are the two strong points on the menu. Beyond them the high rating doesn't always show up on the plate, so order small and order focused.

ℹ Opinions on the rest of the menu are lukewarm