What Makes it Unique?
Discovering the secrets of Japanese cuisine.
It’s a mysterious land. A land of ritual, custom and tradition. A country where ancestors are venerated and honour is a way of life. It’s ‘The Land of the Rising Sun’ and the home of the Samurai. And, although Japan traditionally always kept very much to itself, and resisted outside influences, today things have changed. Japan has become more westernised. And, in exchange, you’ll find Japanese products all over the world. But one of the best-loved exports isn’t the cameras, or even the cars – it’s the cuisine.
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Table to Treasure
Indulge in sublime Thai and international flavours at The Kitchen Table at W Koh Samui.
Stylish settings are just the start of the experience at The Kitchen Table at W Koh Samui. The all-day restaurant impresses with its idyllic seascape and an interior that channels blonde wood and something of a contemporary Scandinavian décor – but with a totally relaxed and hip feel. Just a 20-minute drive from Chaweng, W Koh Samui is easily accessible, on the headland between the bays of Maenam and Bophut. Once through its portals, you’ll slip easily into the laid-back atmosphere.
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Catch of the Day
Look out for Thailand’s gender-bender fish – the colourful and transsexual tilapia!
What’s in a name? Well, when it comes to Thailand, a lot! Thai tradition and culture is deeply-rooted. And therefore many things we’re familiar with seem unknown in this country – until you use their Thai names, that is! And if you’re not convinced, try asking for a bottle of turpentine, a couple of grapefruit, or a kilo of eels. Many of the Thai names for fish are quite apart from their Latin classification, or their common English names, such as ‘pla krapong deng’, for instance, which is the ubiquitous red snapper. In the Thai language, the name of every type of fish begins with the word ‘pla’, meaning simply ‘fish’. However, there are two very common fish that you’ll find over here which do, in fact, have universally recognisable names - well, almost. And both of these are in the family of ‘tilapia’.
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Showstoppers
Discover awesome new offerings at Hard Rock Café Koh Samui.
A brilliant escape from the beach when needed, Hard Rock Café Koh Samui is always bringing new food hits to the table – laurels aren’t to be rested on for the chic café that’s been going strong on Samui for two years now. Music’s always part of the experience here, and when you step inside you’ll be wowed by the mix of current and retro classics on the playlist. Meanwhile there’s plenty of rock memorabilia on the walls.
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Untangling Wagyu
The low-down on Wagyu beef, and why it seems to be different all over the world!
Wagyu beef is shrouded in mystique and legend, and there are fables about the Japanese shrine of all beef – the Kobe region. These tales have expanded and broadened until the whole subject is a real minefield of misinformation and confusion. In fact, the only thing that can truthfully be said about the word ‘Wagyu’ is that you’ll undoubtedly be eating tender beef! But to sort out the turkeys from the ducks, you need to know some facts.
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Nourish Gently
Delicious Italian and Thai food at Dr Frogs Bar & Grill.
Commanding extraordinary views at one of Samui’s most scenic spots, Dr Frogs Bar & Grill is perched high above the sea between Chaweng and Lamai. Sounds inaccessible? Not at all – it’s on the ring-road which winds through the hills between the two towns, and is next to Samui’s best-known view point. The restaurant, with its open sides and extensive terrace seems to have been built for an unending summer – this is the place to come to dream away entire days and watch the afternoon morph into the evening. It’s a languid, tropical setting that nonetheless conjures up a taste of Mediterranean living.
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White Stuff
MSG: the facts and the myths.
Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint where a myth started, other times it’s a lot easier. The more people who believe something, the more it’s accepted as truth; the more instances we hear of something being true, the more likely we are to believe it. In the field of health and nutrition there are vague litanies that are touted as new health norms to be exactingly followed. We now must eat ‘clean’, whatever that means. We should consume ‘superfoods’ and above all avoid ‘toxins’. This sounds vague. How satisfying then to come across a sage piece of advice that’s well-defined and indisputable. This concerns monosodium glutamate, or to reduce it to its hated acronym, MSG. For many it’s the worst thing to be found in the pantry.
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NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE
Samui’s more than its natural beauty – there’s a vibrant restaurant scene, too.
From the air, Samui may look adrift in the sea. And when you’re actually settled into your hotel, you may yourself feel untethered from your life, and free to float wherever your whims take you. It’s easy to let your life here revolve around dips in the sea, reading, idling in the sun and when the day wraps up to look out across the evening sea, drink in hand, and simply be appreciative that you’re here.
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The Art of Growing Organically
An exciting new healthy dining experience awaits you at WeGreen Restaurant.
The brand new WeGreen super-healthy restaurant in Lamai, is a true ‘farm to table’ experience. The on-site vegetable farm uses traditional planting techniques, whilst incorporating some modern methodology to obtain the best yield results for its 100% organic crops. They grow many different kinds of fruits, vegetables and herbs, all from scratch.
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The Amazing Avocado
Avocados are catching on in Thailand
Thanks to some persuasive children arguing it out with their father, a certain tree didn’t get cut down in a Californian backyard in the 1920s. And because of that, more and more people enjoy avocados. What’s the connection? Dad – that’s Mr. Hass to you or I – had planted the avocado tree, but it wasn’t doing too well. His children made him keep it, and it later bore fruit. Soon cuttings had been grafted on to other trees and the fruit became ever more widespread. The Hass avocados that originated from that single, illustrious tree now account for 80% of the world’s avocado output. Tastier than most of its peers, Americans loved them and word spread. Or rather it spread even more, since avocados are widely eaten in other parts of the world
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Shore Success
Sublime food and drink at The Siam Residence Boutique Resort.
The Siam Residence Boutique Resort is an Austrian-owned resort that was one of the first west-coast hotels on the island; it’s been offering excellent fare for almost a quarter century now. It’s just the kind of place that people like to stumble across on their travels – one of those laid-back spots that seem to have it all. For a start, there’s the beautiful setting – it looks out west across the sea, and is graced with the sunsets that this coast is so renowned for. Then there’s the food, which tempts not just the hotel guests, but those who come in from outside. With a menu that encompasses both Thai and international cuisine, it’s bound to be popular. But there’s another facet to this restaurant. And that’s the staff.
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Chinese Pleases
A round-up of some of the Chinese restaurants on Samui.
What’s your favourite food? That seems a simple enough question. But it all depends on where you come from. Indian, Chinese and Thai eateries are popular more or less everywhere. But you might be surprised to learn that in the USA, Turkish food is top of the foodie pops. The UK votes for Indian and Chinese. Whereas Germany sings the praises of the Thai and Chinese restaurants that are scattered everywhere. And, speaking of Chinese food!
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Thai Recipe
Pat prik khing with beans and tofu.
Soup-like curries are one of the stand-out dishes of Thai cuisine; everywhere you go you’ll see the much-loved spicy offerings, all with plenty of liquid and imparting a charm of their own. And where else can you find colour-coded curries except in Thailand? The red, yellow and green are a culinary flag of great taste that mark out these dishes as forever Thai.
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Enjoying the Best
At Nora Buri Resor t & Spa, you’ll love the top-notch Thai and international fare – and the great promotions.
Holidays on Samui call for lazy days and nights, kicking back with some of the island’s favourite eats and drinks. And even if you’ve only been here a couple of days, you’ll know that you can dine next to postcard-perfect beaches. Offering sophisticated yet always affordable fare, The Barge Restaurant and Rice Barge & Terrace at Nora Buri Resort & Spa are known for superlative Thai and international dining. Situated on an idyllic part of the coast just a few kilometres north of Chaweng, it’s well away from the most populated spots and has a niche of its own, looking out over a quiet but enticing stretch of sand.
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