Siam Sublime
Krua Chao Baan offers authentic Thai food, along with international dishes.
Every so often in your travels, you come across a place that has stayed faithful to its roots. Krua Chao Baan is one of those very few restaurants that are keeping things traditional. In this case, it’s the authentic fare of Thailand, along with some of the original recipes that form the backbone of Samui and the surrounding islands’ own cuisine.
The fact that restaurants like Krua Chao Baan exist and flourish is good news; they’re popular with those who live here as well as holidaymakers who are after the true tastes of Thailand. Krua Chao Baan is on the ring-road, just after Wat Sila-ngu, as you head south from Lamai to Ban Hua Thanon. The restaurant’s name is written in Thai only, but you'll hardly miss it; just look for a group of thatched roofs. Krua Chao Baan is open every day, from 10:00 am until 10:00 pm.
If you’ve been living on the island any length of time, then you’ll probably have gone past it quite often; it’s been in the same location for 18 years, going through various refurbishments and changes at times, but always keeping faithful to its island heritage.
Krua Chao Baan is composed of three large open-sided pavilions, allowing for the perfect combination of sea views and gentle breezes. It’s right by the water’s edge, and there’s plenty of seating. Everything’s kept simple, yet food is dependably good. You may wonder what the name of the restaurant means. ‘Krua’ is the Thai word for kitchen, ‘chao’ for people and ‘baan’ for town. It means ‘kitchen for the town’s people, or ‘everyone’s restaurant’. As you can expect from such a name, prices are hardly going to break the bank. And you can certainly feast here as the food is so good. It’s a family restaurant, with no standing on ceremony, and is run by Samui people. It’s managed by Khun Kae and Khun Jack, who look after everything here and make sure that guests are satisfied.
Once you’ve chosen where to sit, Browse the menu and you will see that there are well over a hundred dishes to choose from – no easy task, so it’s best to take some time seeing what’s on offer.
The restaurant is just a couple of kilometres away from one of the island’s main fish markets, and from your table you’ll be able to see the boats arriving. As you can expect, there’s an enormous variety of fish on offer, and you're sure to find something that’s to your taste. Prawn, crab, white snapper and pomfret are just some of the menu highlights when it comes to seafood. In many instances, you can choose exactly how you’d like your fish prepared: steamed with soy sauce or Thai herbs, deep-fried with green curry or tamarind sauce, for example – these are just a few ways. Fresh oysters also feature on the menu, and there’s a whole section on lobster, again done in various ways. You can it grilled, steamed or with a Thai curry, or even baked with cheese, if you’re looking for a more western variation. For really local dishes, try the dish of small octopi, served with pineapple – it’s a Samui delicacy, and this is one of the few places that you’ll find it these days. Also try the Krua Chao Baan seaweed salad or fried white snapper with garlic and pepper. These are all dishes that Samui people will recognize.
Meats abound too. When it comes to chicken, pork or beef, you can enjoy a full foray into all the delights that Thai cuisine offers. You'll find, for example, a very full list of curries, all of them excellently prepared.
If you’re really not into Thai food of any kind, then Krua Chao Baan has a very satisfying selection of western-style foods including a range of burgers, sandwiches, spaghetti and fusilli. You can also eat steak here and that old stand-by, fish and chips.
Krua Chao Baan is a place where you’re free from the distractions of worrying about how much it’s all going to cost and whether you’ll understand the menu. It’s a place to come and enjoy food that’s excellently cooked and satisfying to eat. Whether you’re after the traditional tastes of Thai food or are hankering after western-style food, then Krua Chao Baan is a great place for laid-back lunches and dinners.
Dimitri Waring