A discreet Michelin Restaurant in Phuket Town
Hong Khao Tom Pla (ฮ้องข้าวต้มปลา) is a discreet and long-established restaurant in Phuket Town, named after its famous fish rice porridge. Behind this modest appearance is a little gem, so good that the Michelin Guide awarded it a Bib Gourmand, a recognition for good quality cooking at affordable prices. The restaurant has held that award every year since the first Michelin Guide Thailand in 2019, which says a lot about its consistency.
Location
Hong Khao Tom Pla sits on Kra Road in the middle of Phuket Town, not far from the Old Town area. It is a small yellow wooden shophouse with only about seven or eight tables inside. If you are visiting Phuket, you will probably walk by without giving it a second look. The indoor area looks just like any local restaurant, and the outdoor setting is basic with stone benches and tables covered with the usual sponsored red plastic sheet. That outside seating is actually the most interesting part. It really reminds you what travelling far from home should be about, especially if local and street food mean something to you.
About the Food
The restaurant is run by its owner, who is also the solo chef. There are only two woks going at once, so when the place is busy, expect a wait of 30 to 40 minutes for your dishes. It is worth it. Everything is cooked to order, and the seafood is always fresh.
The signature dish is khao tom pla, a comforting fish porridge served with rice in a light broth. It is simple, clean and exactly the kind of thing you want on a warm evening. The Michelin Guide recommends the Tom Yam Khai Pla (sour and spicy soup with seafood and roe) and the Pu Phat Phong Ka Ri (crab curry), and both are excellent choices. The deep-fried fish with pickled cabbage (Pla Phat Kiem Chai) is another standout. Other popular dishes include stir-fried Chinese broccoli with crispy pork, tamarind sauce prawns, and clear soup with minced pork.
I had a truly delicious Pla Tom Buay (fish with sour plum soup), a Seafood Pad Pong Karee, and a few prawns to wrap it all. It was really good.
Good to Know
Hong Khao Tom Pla is only open in the evening. The menu is available in both Thai and English, so ordering is easy. The restaurant is small and gets packed, so arriving early is a good idea. The food is very affordable for Michelin-recognised quality. This is the kind of place that locals have been coming to for years, and it has not changed. That is exactly what makes it special.
Hong Khao Tom Pla Photos
Hong Khao Tom Pla Info
Location: Phuket Town
Address: 5 Kra Rd, Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Open: 5:30 pm – 10 pm
Phone: 076 214 877
Price: cheap
Hong Khao Tom Pla Map
Local Thai Restaurants in Phuket
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