Everyone wants to go to Phuket, especially the beautiful islands with azure waters. Staying in luxurious hotels and posting stunning photos on Facebook is a dream for many. However, this wasn't the case for me because...

"I only had 24 hours in Phuket."

24 Hours in Paradise: Exploring Culinary Delights

While 24 hours may seem like a fleeting moment in paradise, it's enough to embark on a tantalizing culinary adventure. Though the rainy season might dampen plans for underwater exploration, the island's vibrant land offers a plethora of gastronomic experiences.

Our journey begins with a question that echoes in every hungry traveler's heart: "Where can we find the most delicious food?"

After receiving a list of restaurant recommendations from friends who are originally from Phuket, I needed to store my luggage at my accommodation. For this trip, I chose to stay at Meetang Nangnon because of its convenient location for finding food. Meetang Nangnon is situated in the Sam Kong area, which is renowned for its local cuisine. Additionally, it is located directly opposite the Chillva Market.

Transportation to Mee Tanguan Norn from the Airport

1. Taxi: A taxi from the airport to Mee Tanguan Norn costs 650 baht.

Airport Bus and Taxi Options

Airport Bus:

• Cost: 100 Baht per person
• Destination: Hotel shuttle stop
• Transfer: Tuk-tuk (approximately 150-180 Baht)
• Important: Tuk-tuks require advance booking due to limited availability. Contact the hotel for driver contact information and price negotiation.
• Alternative: Taxi from the bus stop (250 Baht)
• Frequency: Buses depart every 1-1.5 hours.
• Recommendation: Check bus schedules before booking flights to avoid long waits. Early morning buses may not be punctual. Verify schedules with Airport Bus Phuket: http://www.airportbusphuket.com/timetable-thai.php or contact the hotel directly.

There is a sign for a shared taxi, which the locals call a "rot po thong." It's a large, pink double-decker bus located in front of Mee Tantip Guesthouse. This bus can take you to the Phuket Old Town, which is about 3 kilometers away. The fare is 15 baht, and the buses run every 30-40 minutes.

However, based on my experience traveling without a car, I highly recommend renting one for a more comfortable and convenient experience.

We arrived at 2:00 PM with the intention of finding something to eat from our list. However, it started raining heavily and we were unable to do anything but wait.

The room we stayed in today was a Colonial-style deluxe balcony room with a view of the market.

16.15 - The rain showed no signs of stopping, and I was getting hungry. I had a strong craving for crab curry with rice noodles. Eventually, my hunger drove me out of my accommodation to look for food. But the rain was so heavy. I went into a 7-Eleven to buy an umbrella, but they didn't have any. Okay, a raincoat then, I thought. But it didn't really help much in this weather. Then I came across a "Ten Curry Rice Noodles" shop, about 500 meters from the intersection, not far from my accommodation.

"How much is the crab curry with rice noodles?"

" 30 Baht for a child "

"Wow, crab curry with rice noodles for only 30 baht? I'm seriously considering moving my whole family to Phuket!"

The food was incredibly delicious, making me want to order more. However, my spice tolerance is low, so I wanted to save some space for the fried ice cream at Sam Kong and the spicy Tom Yum Goong noodles. Unfortunately, the rain started to pour heavily, and I waited a long time for a ride-hailing service, but none came. In the end, I had to brave the rain and return to my accommodation to regroup, as usual.

19:00 - "น้องฟ้า, there's a delicious roti shop nearby. You should try it!" P'Gukkai, from Mee Tanguan, recommended that Fahphawa try the famous roti shop across from their accommodation. This roti shop was previously located in Samkong Villa, but has since moved to the opposite side of the Samkong Municipal School.

Roti Huamum Villa Samkong

"Dining solo meant I couldn't indulge in a large feast. So, I opted for a combo set, including the shrimp roti burger and Malaysian stir-fried noodles. Let me tell you, it was incredibly delicious! The roti was perfectly crispy and fragrant, and I couldn't believe it could be used for a burger. The Malaysian noodles, at first glance, resembled instant noodles, but they were far superior. They were simply more delicious (it's hard to describe, you have to try it yourself)."

After finishing my meal, the rain continued to fall relentlessly. Moreover, there was no market open that day. As a result, I returned to my room to plan my journey back to Bangkok the following morning. I pondered how I would manage to catch my flight.

09:30 AM - I woke up to the sound of my stomach growling. But hey, when in Phuket, you have to have dim sum for breakfast! Luckily, the rain had stopped, so we walked from our hotel to Samkong again to have some dim sum at the famous Samkong Dim Sum restaurant.

In my opinion, the dim sum here is just average, as my friends have mentioned. While the taste is acceptable, it pales in comparison to other delicious options available. However, the price point is reasonable, with each basket costing around 10 baht. The total bill for this meal was slightly over 80 baht.

11:00 AM - We returned to the hotel to pick up our luggage and prepare to board the airport bus at Phuket Transportation Center. While waiting for the airport bus to the airport, we walked to the old town area. Wow, we loved it! Plus, there was a ton of delicious food.

Arun Bhochana: A Culinary Gem on Thalang Road

Nestled on the bustling Thalang Road, Arun Bhochana stands out as a culinary gem. Renowned for its delectable roti and frothy teh tarik, the restaurant offers a delightful dining experience.

The roti, a crispy flatbread, is a true star. Its flaky texture and savory flavors are a testament to the chef's expertise. Paired with the rich and creamy teh tarik, a traditional pulled tea, it creates a harmonious symphony of taste.

While the roti and teh tarik are the undisputed stars, Arun Bhochana also offers a variety of other dishes. Their selection of "khanom jeen," rice noodles served with various curries, is sure to tantalize your taste buds. However, be warned: the sheer deliciousness of the roti and teh tarik might leave you wanting to save your appetite for other culinary adventures.

Visiting Phuket? Don't miss the Hokkien Fried Noodles!

This unnamed stall, simply labeled "Hokkien Fried Noodles," is a must-try for any visitor to Phuket. Located on Thalang Road, opposite Arun Bhochana Restaurant, it offers a small but incredibly delicious bowl of noodles.

Two aunties expertly prepare the dish, though their meticulous approach may lead to a slight wait. However, the wait is well worth it. The tender pork and perfectly chewy noodles are a true culinary delight.

This experience is so memorable that I find myself longing for another taste.

2:00 PM - Time to head to the airport.

Initially, I didn't think I could do anything due to the time constraints and the rain. I thought to myself that I could only relax at the accommodation. However, in reality, there are many things you can do in one day in Phuket.

Tips
- If you don't want to miss out on delicious restaurants, rent a car. It will allow you to explore almost the entire city for food.

- Forget the image of a city filled with foreigners. While there may not be a large number of foreigners walking around, the city is surrounded by a variety of restaurants serving southern Thai cuisine and international dishes.

- The Vegetarian Festival is approaching, and vegetarians should not miss it for any reason.

Love,

Sky : )

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