Kan Eang Seafood has become an institution in Phuket, a favorite of both locals and tourists alike. The restaurant was established well over three decades ago, growing from a virtually unknown, tiny eatery to the 40 acre plus garden and beach restaurant it is today, sitting along the coastline of Chalong Bay. While the place is certainly nothing fancy (quite the opposite), it is a Phuket experience you’ll not want to miss.

What better way to indulge in fresh seafood than at a table overlooking the blue bay waters so you can sit back, take in the salty breeze and slush your feet through the soft sand of southern Thailand.

Grilled King Prawns with Chili & Lime Sauce is one of my all time favorites here, the spicy bird’s eye chili peppers and sour accents bringing about that unmistakable umami on the palate. Fresh Raw Oyster are as fresh as they can get, bathed in tangy lime sauce. Smoked Shrimp with local Chili Paste and Curried Crabmeat are both decadent dishes prepared by expert hands. Simple ingredients and clean lines enhance an artillery of incredible seafood.

Fresh takes on new meaning at Kan Eang; you can taste the saltwater as the seafood melts in your mouth. There’s a surprisingly decent list of cocktails and wine here, though my personal favorite is the Kan Eang Coconut Punch, a creamy fruity concoction resembling a Pina Colada. Service is friendly and parking is a breeze. No surprise that Kan Eang has been around as long as it has; unpretentious service with a killer view and home cooking makes for a Phuket staple.

9/3 Chofa Road, Chalong Bay, Phuket