Going Native
Joining the locals at Jum Jee Hot Pot – Hot Pan.
Some deals seem overwhelmingly in favour of the diner. This is definitely one of them - 259 baht for a feast, including soft drinks and a range of desserts. Add a bit more on if you would like to drink beer. And if that’s not enough, there’s usually a monthly promotion of one kind or another. There are few deals this good on Samui, and Jum Jee Hot Pot – Hot Pan is proving very popular. The restaurant opens at 4:00 pm every day, though you’ll find few people there at that time, and wonder why there are so many tables. But soon after, people start turning up, and an hour or so later you’ll find the entire restaurant is almost full.
The atmosphere inside Jum Jee is just what you can surmise by looking in from outside. Diners pore over bubbling cookers and have plenty of fun. It’s all about conviviality, and it’s the easiest thing in the world to spend a couple of hours eating and chatting over a meal. You’ll see couples, whole groups of friends, and of course families – children love the food here – having a good time. It’s an easy place to meet up as it’s so conveniently located. It’s right on the ring-road in Chaweng, just up the hill from Big C as you head towards Bophut and Maenam.
The staff at Jum Jee are all friendly and helpful; when you arrive they will seat you at a table with its own gas cooker. A lot of people say they’re not very adept at cooking for themselves, but Jum Jee allows you the chance to do this without fear of making a mistake. It’s simple.
You use the freshest of food and simply place it in a boiling pot or on the hot pan. It doesn’t take long to cook; everyone helps themselves. Eating this way means that bites are small, and it’s a case of feeding the pot/pan with ingredients and nibbling away when ready.
The ingredients are all to be found in a separate air-con room, which contains a long line of raw foods that are chilled in trays, which are in turn resting on beds of ice. Take a tour first, as there are over 30 different ingredients alone here, including various types of sushi. Don’t be surprised to see guests wandering around trying to choose between all the good things. But don’t worry – the idea is that you come back for more. One thing’s for sure, that you won’t exhaust everything in one sitting, and probably not in two!
There’s still more food on offer. Right by the entrance there are whole fish being grilled, and these too are part of the deal. Nearby there’s a papaya salad station, spicing things up as much as you would like – watch your salad being prepared in front of you and decide just how fiery you’d like it to be.
Along one wall you’ll find even more food, and you’re welcome to help yourself. There are chafing dishes filled with typical Thai favourites, and depending on the day you may find a green curry or grilled chicken, fried rice or beef salad and so on.
Another wall is laid out with Thai-style desserts, and it’s here you can pour your own soft drinks. There’s water, Sprite, Coca-Cola and two types of Fanta. Everything is included in the same deal – no need to pay anything extra.
The entire restaurant is spotlessly clean, too, and there is always someone ready to help. You’re in good hands, since the operation is the brainchild of two chefs who have decades of experience between them. Chef Dam, who is the president of the Samui Chefs Association, and Chef Yom, who owns Take-a-Bread bakery just opposite. They’re usually in attendance, overseeing everything until Jum Jee closes at 10:30 pm.
In addition, there’s a private room available for parties, and think luxury when it comes to the toilets – they’re air-conditioned. And it’s never a problem to park here, as Jum Jee has its own car park (you’ll need to drive round the back via an access road next to Casa Italia, just a couple of doors down). Jum Jee is definitely a great place to come if you’re looking for great food, an original atmosphere and lots and lots of fun.
Dimitri Waring