Hop on our evening Koh Samui food tour as we head northwest to Nathon to eat exactly where the locals live. From street food legends to family-owned eateries that have guarded their recipes for generations, this 15-tasting movable feast connects you to the heritage flavours of Samui’s original port town. It’s a deep-cover unveiling of the island's best-kept culinary secrets. Come hungry.
Forget the laminated menus of Chaweng. When the sun drops and the sky over the Gulf turns a shade of purple, the tourists are slowly retreating to their resorts. That’s our cue. Head to Nathon, the salty, sun-bleached heartbeat of the island’s northwest, where recipes are measured in generations, not minutes.
Your feasting tour of 15+ tastings invites guests on a culinary experience around the backstreets of Koh Samui led by the team of professional foodie guides.
Before we get started, our tour reflects the local cuisine, and the limitations of street food vendors means we unfortunately cannot cater for every dietary restriction. Here's an honest appraisal for the tour so no-one is disappointed:
✖️ Vegetarians have 3-4 less tastings due to limited alternatives at some vendors.
✖️ Unsuitable for severe allergies, due to risk of traces and cross-contamination.
If you are feeling adventurous for a foodie journey, read on!"
This is a food discovery of Koh Samui’s culinary soul. We’re hitting the backstreets and decades-old counters for 15+ tastings of unadulterated island fare.
This foodie mission ignites right by the pier with a bowl of boat noodles - a dark, spice-clotted broth served within earshot of the ferry horns. To understand the history of the people behind the bowls, we’ll take a quick detour into a small museum to see the faces of the pioneers who built this local community.
We’re invited into a family kitchen for the real deal: deep-fried fish armour-plated in a salty-sweet amber glaze. True to Samui’s legacy as the "Island of Coconuts," we feast on young coconut shoot and shrimp soup, paired with the Southern greens of stir-fried melindjo leaves, and a fragrant chicken banana stalk curry.
To wash it down, we’ll slide into an old shophouse for a shot of chiang-chun herbal liquor. It’s botanical, potent, and has been the unofficial fuel of the resident fishermen for over a century.
Then, we dive headfirst into the Nathon Night Market, a sensory riot of clanging woks and the perfume of charcoal smoke. We’ll navigate the chaos to snag chewy chive cakes, silky-smooth fish curry custard (hor mok pla) steamed in banana leaves, and the grassy nectar of freshly pressed sugar cane juice. This is the street-side symphony of the night, rounded out at a joint nearby serving herby Northern Thai laap chicken, and a deep-fried remix on the classic papaya salad. It pulls no punches with its fermented funk and offers a total reset of your Thai culinary compass.
The food expedition reaches its finale at a local seafood haunt where we encounter the Southern specialty of mixed rice salad - a kaleidoscope of colour-tinted rice and enough fresh herbs to cure whatever ails you. Then comes the secret dish: fish cakes with chaiya salted egg. Imagine springy, spiced fish paste wrapped around a rich, buttery yolk that melts like liquid gold. We finish the night with bua loy rice balls in coconut milk - warm pearls of joy floating in a salty-sweet coconut bath.
We aren’t looking for sunset cocktails; we’re looking for the heavy-hitting flavours that have powered this island since the first ferries docked decades ago. This isn’t just a "tour"—it’s a nocturnal extraction of Samui’s culinary secrets. This is Koh Samui’s food at its most raw, its most tasty, and its most real.
Meet at Cafe Jintana, it's next to the pier in Nathorn, on the North West side of the island. You can use Grab, Asia's version of the Uber taxi app, to come from whereever you are staying on Koh Samui. It's a real local neighbourhood with local food.
"*Ticket:* The guide should have your name on the manifest, please check you have booked the right date and time. We don't need to scan the tickets.
*Telephone number:* Please kindly do not call the telephone number if your enquiry is regarding date changes, cancellations, dietary requests.etc. The telephone number stated is ONLY for emergencies and meeting point arrivals with the guide team on-the-ground. They won't be able to help with any booking-related questions.Please contact directly to A Chef's Tour Customer Support team. Email: info@achefstour.com with your name, for a prompt response.
*Meeting point:* The meeting point is marked on the tour page. Please aim to arrive 10 minutes before the tour start time, so we can begin punctually with the other guests. The city is surprisingly large, and traffic is unpredictable. Please ensure you leave with plenty of time to order the taxi, and reach the meeting point.. Please ensure you leave with plenty of time to order the taxi, and reach the meeting point.
*Taxis:* We recommend downloading the ‘Grab’ app on your smartphone. This is a convenient taxi-hailing app, similar to Uber. You can safely input your desired location and the price is fixed. The payment can be made from your credit/debit card, or cash in the local currency.
*What to bring:*
- We recommend comfortable shoes as the tour involves walking.
- This tour operates come rain or shine. Most eating stops are sheltered, though please carry rain gear/umbrella if rain looks likely, for walking between stops and when visiting some streetside stalls.
- There's lot of tastings to try, come hungry!
Koh Samui is a tropical paradise in the Gulf of Thailand, known for its palm-fringed beaches, luxury resorts, and vibrant nightlife. The island offers a mix of adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences, making it a popular destination for all types of travelers.
The most popular beach on Koh Samui, known for its white sand, clear waters, and vibrant nightlife. It's perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
A stunning marine park with limestone islands, coral reefs, and lush jungles. It's a great spot for snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking.
A significant Buddhist temple featuring a 12-meter-tall golden Buddha statue. The temple offers panoramic views of the island and a serene atmosphere.
A charming village with a mix of traditional Thai and colonial-style architecture, known for its vibrant Friday night market and boutique shops.
A beautiful waterfall surrounded by lush jungle, perfect for a refreshing swim and a scenic hike.
A spicy and sour shrimp soup with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and chili. It's a signature Thai dish known for its bold flavors.
Stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, tofu, shrimp, and a sweet and tangy tamarind sauce. It's a popular street food dish.
Sweet sticky rice topped with ripe mango and coconut milk. It's a popular and refreshing dessert.
A rich and flavorful curry with tender meat (usually chicken or beef), potatoes, and peanuts in a coconut milk-based sauce. It's a mild and aromatic dish.
This is the peak tourist season with pleasant weather, ideal for beach activities and exploring the island. Expect large crowds and higher prices.
Thai Baht (THB)
GMT+7
220VV, 50HzHz
Koh Samui is generally safe for travelers, with a low crime rate. However, petty theft, scams, and occasional violent incidents can occur, especially in crowded areas and at night. Exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings.
Songthaews are shared taxis that follow fixed routes and are a cheap and convenient way to get around the island.
Available • Apps: Grab, Local taxi services
Car, Bike, Scooter
Koh Phangan is known for its full moon parties, beautiful beaches, and lush jungles. It offers a mix of relaxation, adventure, and cultural experiences.
Koh Tao is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling, with crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life. It also offers beautiful beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.
A stunning marine park with limestone islands, coral reefs, and lush jungles. It's a great spot for snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking.
Price varies by option