Samut Songkhram eats from the sea and the canals. Its pride is pla thu, the short mackerel landed at Mae Klong, along with razor clams from Don Hoi Lot, grilled seafood sold from boats at Amphawa and sweets made with local coconut sugar. Pair this with our things to do in Samut Songkhram.
Dishes to try
Pla thu Mae Klong
Short mackerel, steamed and sold in small bamboo baskets with the heads bent down. Fry it and eat it with nam prik kapi (shrimp paste chilli dip) and vegetables.
Hoi lot (razor clams)
Stir-fried with chilli paste and basil, the signature dish of Don Hoi Lot.
Grilled seafood from boats
At Amphawa, vendors grill prawns, squid and shellfish on their boats and pass them up to diners on the canal steps.
Boat noodles
Small bowls of rich noodle soup, served from boats or canal-side shops.
Coconut sugar sweets
Desserts made with Amphawa’s coconut palm sugar, from caramel-like sweets to coconut milk puddings.
Hoi thot
Crispy oyster or mussel omelette cooked on a hot griddle.
Lychee and pomelo
Local fruit sold in season, usually around April and the following months.
Khanom krok and market desserts
Coconut pancakes and Thai sweets at the floating markets.
Markets
- Amphawa Floating Market: seafood boats and snacks, Friday–Sunday Map.
- Maeklong Railway Market: fresh seafood, pla thu and produce Map.
- Tha Kha Floating Market: local produce and snacks on certain mornings Map.
- Don Hoi Lot: seafood restaurants by the mudflats Map.
Where to eat
Seafood restaurants at Don Hoi Lot and along the Mae Klong River, and the boat vendors of Amphawa, are the classic choices. For any recommendation of a specific restaurant, check the latest information and opening hours before you go; map searches show current options.
Festival food
At local fruit fairs around April you can taste lychee and pomelo, and during Songkran families share meals after merit-making. See dates in our Samut Songkhram travel guide.
Tips
- Ask seafood prices by weight before ordering at Don Hoi Lot.
- Amphawa’s food boats are busiest around sunset.
- Bring cash for markets.
FAQ
What is Samut Songkhram famous for food-wise?
Pla thu mackerel, razor clams and seafood.
Where can I eat razor clams?
At the restaurants around Don Hoi Lot.
Is Amphawa good for food?
Yes, especially for grilled seafood from boats and snacks, Friday to Sunday.
What souvenirs can I buy?
Coconut sugar, dried seafood and pla thu.
Cover photo: Pla thu827.JPG · Xufanc · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
