Songkhla was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2025, and one meal here explains why. Thai, Chinese and Muslim cooking have mixed in this port province for centuries: dim sum and pork-bone soup at dawn, fried chicken with crispy shallots, southern curries, lake seafood and old-town sweets. Hat Yai is the place for variety and late-night eating; Songkhla city for heritage recipes. The MICHELIN Guide does not cover Songkhla, so follow the queues at markets and long-running shops.
- Style: Thai-Chinese, southern Thai and Thai-Muslim
- Don’t miss: Hat Yai fried chicken, dim sum, khao yam, Songkhla Lake seafood
- Where: Hat Yai markets, Songkhla Old Town, Koh Yo
- Travel page: Things to do in Songkhla and Hat Yai
Safety note: Four districts in the south of Songkhla (Chana, Thepha, Saba Yoi and Na Thawi) are covered by long-running security measures. Check official government travel advisories and local news before travelling to those districts. Songkhla city and Hat Yai are busy, normal tourist areas.
Dishes to try in Songkhla
Hat Yai fried chicken (gai tod Hat Yai)
Marinated chicken fried until the skin is shatteringly crisp, then piled with fried shallots and served with sticky rice or spiced rice. It is eaten from breakfast to late night, often at Thai-Muslim stalls.
Dim sum and bak kut teh
Hat Yai’s Chinese breakfast shops serve steamed dumplings and buns alongside bak kut teh, a peppery, herbal pork-rib broth, plus strong coffee.
Khao yam
The southern herb rice salad with toasted coconut, dried shrimp and budu sauce, a light and colourful breakfast.
Khanom jeen with southern curries
Fresh rice noodles with fish curry and a pile of herbs and vegetables, found at morning markets.
Southern curries with rice
Curry-rice shops line up trays of kaeng som (sour orange curry), kaeng tai pla, yellow curries and dry stir-fried curries. Point at what looks good and ask about the heat.
Lake seafood on Koh Yo
Sea bass raised in cages in Songkhla Lake, lake prawns and crab, steamed with lime or fried with garlic, at restaurants overlooking the water.
Satay
Grilled skewers with peanut sauce are a Songkhla old-town favourite; some stalls serve toasted bread on the side to mop up the sauce.
Roti and pulled tea
Muslim tea shops serve roti with curry or sweet toppings and frothy pulled tea from early morning to late at night.
Old-town sweets
Traditional Thai and Chinese sweets, coconut-based desserts and small cakes cooked over charcoal are sold in Songkhla’s old town and at markets.
Markets and where to eat
Kim Yong Market, Hat Yai: A long-standing market for dried seafood, snacks, sweets and imported goods, with food stalls around it. Map
Hat Yai night markets: Evening markets around the city centre sell grilled seafood, fried chicken, noodles and desserts. Check which ones are running during your visit.
Khlong Hae Floating Market: Snacks and drinks sold from boats in the late afternoon and evening. Map
Songkhla Old Town: Nang Ngam and Nakhon Nai roads have family noodle shops, satay stalls, sweet shops and cafés in restored shophouses. Map
Koh Yo: Lakeside seafood restaurants are a good stop for lunch or dinner after the Thaksin Folklore Museum. Map
Many Hat Yai businesses were affected by the November 2025 floods. Check opening times before you go.
Food at festivals
Chinese New Year fills Hat Yai and Songkhla’s old town with offerings, sweets and special dishes, and the Vegetarian Festival (usually September or October) brings meat-free food stalls to the Chinese shrines. During Ramadan, evening markets in Muslim neighbourhoods are packed before sunset. Midnight Songkran in April keeps street food going late into the night. See our Songkhla travel page for festival details.
FAQ
What is Hat Yai famous for food-wise?
Fried chicken with crispy shallots, dim sum and bak kut teh breakfasts, and a huge choice of night-market food.
Why is Songkhla a UNESCO City of Gastronomy?
UNESCO recognised Songkhla in 2025 for its long food heritage that blends Thai, Chinese and Muslim traditions, from street food to home cooking.
Is halal food easy to find?
Yes. Songkhla has a large Muslim community, and halal restaurants and stalls are everywhere in Hat Yai and Songkhla city.
Are there MICHELIN restaurants in Songkhla?
Not currently. The MICHELIN Guide Thailand does not cover Songkhla, but markets and long-running family shops are the real highlights.
More nearby
Cover photo: HAT YAI MARKET 2.jpg · Hannah 50 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
