[Music] Welcome to Paradise for Food Lovers. In today’s video, we’re diving mouth first into the vibrant world of Kosamui’s culinary treasures. From sizzling street food to beachfront seafood feast, Kosamui isn’t just a feast for the eyes, it’s a paradise for your pallet, too. So whether you’re planning your first trip or returning for more, this is your ultimate Kosamui food guide for 2025. Let’s eat our way across this tropical island with the 25 must-try foods you simply can’t miss.
Get comfy and hungry. Start your food journey at Fisherman’s Village in Bap Hut. Every evening, the aroma of fresh fish, jumbo prawns, and lobster sizzling on grills fills the air.
Grilled seafood platters are the crown jewel here. Served with garlic butter, herbs, and dipping sauces.
You’ll find everything from calamari to scallops grilled right in front of you. This creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet curry is a Thai classic. Try it at a beachside restaurant in Lama or at local joints like Kruabood. Served with jasmine rice, this dish is rich with coconut milk, green chilies, and Thai basil. You can’t say you’ve had Thai food without trying sam, this spicy green papaya salad is crunchy, tangy, sweet, and fiery.
Available at almost every night market, it’s a flavor explosion that pairs perfectly with grilled meats. While pad thai is popular all over Thailand, some beachside vendors on Kosamui add fresh seafood like squid or crab for a local twist. Served piping hot with peanuts, lime, and a sprinkle of chili flakes. This is comfort food at its best. Cool down with a refreshing scoop of coconut ice cream served in a real coconut shell with sticky rice, roasted peanuts, and condensed milk.
Perfect on a hot island day. This southern Thai dish is influenced by Indian spices and is rich, nutty, and mild.
It’s usually made with tender beef, potatoes, and roasted peanuts in a thick coconut-based sauce. Don’t miss trying it at places like Sabine Lelay Restaurant. Simple, smoky, and irresistibly juicy.
Mu Ping is the ultimate street snack. These grilled pork skewers are marinated overnight in soy sauce, garlic, and sugar. Grab them from roadside vendors and eat them on the go. A traditional breakfast dish that’s uniquely southern. You’ll find rice noodles served with spicy fishbased curry and fresh herbs.
It’s complex, aromatic, and incredibly local. Sweet ripe mango, glutenous sticky rice, and creamy coconut sauce, it’s Thailand’s most famous dessert, and for good reason. Best enjoyed fresh from a market stall during mango season, this iconic Thai soup is a balance of spicy, sour, and savory flavors. Packed with lemongrass, caffer lime leaves, gingal, and chili paste, it’s a fiery bowl of pure deliciousness.
Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, banana pancakes are an island breakfast staple.
Street vendors flip these up with eggs, bananas, and a drizzle of Nutella or sweetened condensed [Music] milk. Stir fried chicken with roasted cashews, bell peppers, and sweet chili sauce. This dish is crunchy, sweet, and satisfying. Perfect for those who like mild spice. This fluffy golden brown omelette is crispy on the edges and light in the middle.
Add some sweet chili sauce and enjoy it over jasmine rice for a budget friendly treat. No trip to Kosamui or anywhere in Thailand is complete without sipping on a tall ice cold glass of Thai iced tea, locally known as chayen. This iconic drink is more than just a refreshing beverage. It’s a cultural experience in a cup.
Its vibrant orange color and creamy texture instantly catch your eye.
And one sip delivers a complex flavor that’s sweet, slightly spiced, and incredibly satisfying. Made with strong brewed black tea, often infused with hints of starin ice, tamarind, or crushed cardamom. Chayen gets its signature richness from sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk poured over ice. You’ll find it being served everywhere.
From bustling night markets and roadside stalls to upscale beach cafes, each place has its own twist.
Whether it’s adding extra spices, using coconut milk for a tropical flare, or layering the drink in a way that’s almost too beautiful to stir. Imagine walking through the heat of a Kosamui afternoon, then stopping by a local vendor as they pour the bright orange tea over a cup filled with clinking ice, finishing it with a swirl of creamy milk on top.
That first icy sip is like a refreshing escape, perfectly balancing the warm tropical sun with a cool sweet indulgence. A unique twist on grilled corn. Street vendors brush it with coconut milk and salt before grilling, giving it a smoky sweet flavor unlike anything else.
Head to a beachfront seafood restaurant and order a whole fried sea bass topped with shredded mango, herbs, and sweet spicy sauce. It’s a showstopper. Chicken or beef skewers grilled and dipped in creamy spicy peanut sauce. These are popular at markets and festivals and go great with sticky rice. Though it’s traditionally a dish from the north of Thailand, saua or northern Thai sausage has made its way down to Kosamui and food lovers couldn’t be happier.
This isn’t just any sausage. It’s a bold, aromatic, and flavor-packed delicacy that brings the essence of Thai cuisine into every bite. Crafted from coarsely ground pork mixed with a fiery blend of herbs and spices like lemongrass, caffier lime leaves, galangal, fresh chili, garlic, turmeric, and shallots.
Saioua is as fragrant as it is delicious. Once stuffed into a natural casing, it’s grilled over open flames until the outside crisps to perfection, and the inside stays juicy and bursting with spicy goodness.
On Kosamui, you’ll find these savory sausages at night markets, roadside grills, and even upscale Thai restaurants. They’re typically sliced into bite-sized rounds and served with sticky rice and fresh vegetables, making them perfect for sharing or devouring all by yourself. As you walk through a food market, the smoky herb filled aroma of siwa sizzling on a charcoal grill will instantly draw you in. One bite delivers a punch of bold garlic, heat from the chili, and a burst of tangy lime and warm spices. A mouthwatering combination that lingers long after you’ve finished.
Nothing beats a cold coconut on a hot day. Sip it straight from the shell. Refreshing, hydrating, and perfect for the island vibe. Originally a Muslim dish, rodi mataba is a stuffed rotty pancake filled with savory curry meat. It’s a flavorful snack found in the south of Thailand, including samui.
Battered and deep fried until golden, these crispy, sweet banana fritters are often sold hot from street stalls.
A crunchy, chewy, addictive treat, this delicious green vegetable is stir-fried with garlic, chilies, and fermented bean paste. Light, healthy, and packed with flavor. Don’t forget the exotic fruits, rambutan, dragon fruit, mango steeen, and juicy Thai pineapples. Most vendors will cut them fresh for you, and they make for perfect snacks on the go.
So, there you have it. 25 mouthwatering dishes you must try when you visit Kos Samui, Thailand. This island is more than just beautiful beaches. It’s a culinary paradise bursting with flavor. Which dish are you most excited to try?
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