Ranong’s kitchen draws on the Andaman Sea, the forests and its Hokkien Chinese heritage. Mornings start with dim sum and dark coffee in old-town shophouses, seafood comes straight from the fishing port, and the islands grow cashew nuts that make Ranong’s best-known souvenir. Southern curries and Thai-Muslim dishes round things out. The MICHELIN Guide does not cover Ranong, so markets and family-run shops are the places to eat.
- Style: southern Thai, Thai-Chinese and Thai-Muslim
- Don’t miss: fresh Andaman seafood, dim sum and coffee breakfasts, cashew nuts, hot-spring eggs
- Where: Ruangrat Road market, the night market, Raksawarin, Koh Phayam
- Travel page: Things to do in Ranong
Dishes to try in Ranong
Andaman seafood
Ranong is a major fishing port, so crab, squid, prawns, mantis shrimp and whole fish are fresh and good value. Try them grilled, steamed with lime and chilli, or stir-fried with curry powder.
Dim sum and coffee
Old-town shops serve steamed dumplings, buns and fried dough sticks with strong, sweet local coffee, a legacy of the Hokkien families who came for the tin trade.
Cashew nuts
Cashew trees grow on Koh Phayam and around the province. Roasted, salted or flavoured cashews are sold in shops all over town and make the classic Ranong souvenir.
Hot-spring eggs
At Raksawarin, vendors sell eggs slowly cooked in the hot spring water, a simple snack that visitors love.
Kaeng som and kaeng tai pla
The sour orange curry and the fermented-fish curry of the south, sold at curry-rice shops. Both are spicy.
Khanom jeen
Fresh rice noodles with fish curry and a basket of herbs and vegetables, a common breakfast at the market.
Roti and pulled tea
Thai-Muslim tea shops serve roti with curry or sweet toppings from early morning.
Seafood on Koh Phayam
Beach restaurants on the island grill the day’s catch in the evening, alongside Thai curries and simple Western dishes.
Markets and where to eat
Ranong market on Ruangrat Road: Day-time stalls with curries, khanom jeen, fruit and snacks. Map
Ranong night market: A short walk from Ruangrat Road, with grilled seafood, noodles, desserts and drinks in the evening. Map
Old-town coffee shops: Look along Ruangrat Road for long-running coffee shops serving dim sum and toast in the morning. Map
Raksawarin Hot Springs: Hot-spring eggs and simple snacks in the park. Map
Shop hours change, especially in the rainy season. Check opening times before you go.
Food at festivals
During the Vegetarian Festival (usually September or October), stalls with yellow flags appear near the Chinese shrines selling meat-free dishes. Chinese New Year brings special sweets and offerings, and Songkran and Loy Krathong fill the town with food stalls. See our Ranong travel page for festival details.
FAQ
What food souvenir should I buy in Ranong?
Cashew nuts are the classic choice, along with dried seafood.
Is seafood cheap in Ranong?
Generally good value because it comes straight from the fishing port, but always check prices by weight before ordering.
Where can I find breakfast in Ranong?
The old-town coffee shops and the market on Ruangrat Road open early with dim sum, khanom jeen, roti and coffee.
Are there MICHELIN restaurants in Ranong?
Not currently. The MICHELIN Guide Thailand does not cover Ranong.
More nearby
Cover photo: Thai Cashews.jpg · Ted Ollikkala · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
