Koh Samui food tour
When the day-trippers disappear and the shadows stretch long over the wooden shophouses of Nathon, the real Koh Samui emerges in the northwestern corner of 'Coconut Island'.
Pull up a stool for boat noodles, with a rich broth that stirs the palate. Follow the crackle at a street-side stand for kluay-kaek banana fritters, before seeking out a regional treasure rarely seen in resort kitchens: Samui red-sauce fried rice.
Pause at a bustling market to break down the anatomy of the herbs and spice ingredients that form the backbone of Southern Thai cuisine. We pivot to a dim sum joint, working chopsticks over pork wonton-wrapped khanom jeeb and shrimp crystal dumplings, served alongside the mosaic dish known as khao kluk kapi - a colour wheel of sweet pork, sour mango, and shrimp-paste rice that hits all the taste buds at once.
Snag a freshly baked chicken curry puff for that buttery, cumin crunch, before trying a culinary wildcard: deep-fried papaya salad. Itβs a crispy, zesty re-imaging of the classic, served alongside a Thai chicken laap to to bring the herbaceous punch of the North to the table.
Our final feast takes us to honest home-cooking at a local family kitchen. Weβll pass platters of deep-fried fish brushed with a salty-sweet glaze, creamy yod maprao coconut shoot and shrimp soup, fragrant chicken banana stalk curry, and the 'queen of southern greens', stir-fried melindjo leaves.
Among many more surprises, join our food-obsessed guides as we navigate corners of 'Coconut Island' youβd never venture to on your own - escaping the hotel pool menu, and diving headlong into the high-octane heart of the real Samui.
Why this tour is awesome
Trade the poolside routine for the untamed flavours of Nathon - Koh Samuiβs historic port town. Nestled in the island's northwestern tip, this is where the tourist trail fades and the local food cultures takes centre stage. Led by a local expert, youβll navigate a curated path of 14+ tastings, leaving the resort bubble behind to uncover the bold flavours of the South. Forget the predictable hotel menus; this is a culinary discovery of the tastiest island in the Chumphon Archipelago.
Boat noodles in a rich broth to kick things off
Street food classics with Thai crispy fried banana
Meet the food heroes plying their craft for generations
Find out why this fishing community town uncovers the real cuisine on the island
Samui red rice - a speciality on the island
Locals continuing traditions at decades-old eateries
Feast for the eyes (and the mouth) at local favourites
Learn about the ingredients of Southern Thai cuisine
Colourful and different papaya salad like no other you've tried before
A cultural breather at the ornate Nathon shrine
Southern Seafood specialties at the table
Try a new dessert that you'll struggle to find alone
Includes
- Price US $49 per person
- Tastings 14+ food tastings included, more than any other Koh Samui food tour
- Drinks Bottled water included
- Transport / Walking Walking tour with 8-9 stops
- Small group tour Maximum of 8 guests (private tours or groups of 9+, please contact us)
- Start Time 10:30AM
- Duration Around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on the pace of the group
- Days Open Open Wednesday-Monday. (Closed on Tuesdays due to market closing day)
- Days Open Open Wednesday-Monday. (Closed on Tuesdays due to vendor availability)
- Guide Led by one of our superb Koh Samui food hosts
- Child Policy Children aged 3-12 years: 50% discount. Infants 0-2 years: free
- Instant Confirmation Book instantly on our live calendar. If your date is unavailable, please contact us
- Cancellation policy Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Language English
- Pick up / Drop off Not included. Easy to find meeting point for all guests
Dietary information
- General Advice Many streetside vendors specialise in signature menus, and may not have alternatives. It is not always possible to cater for all dietary requests at every stop
- Vegetarian Meat and seafood are used in 7-8 tastings with limited alternatives available
- Vegan Unsuitable as meat, seafood and eggs are used in over half the tastings
- Pescatarian Possible, though meat is used in 1-2 tastings with limited alternatives available
- Pork Possible, though pork is used in 3-4 dishes with limited alternatives. Unsuitable for halal diets.
- Halal Unsuitable, as there are few vendors on the tour route that hold halal certification.
- Gluten Intolerance / Celiac Disease Possible, though gluten is used in 1-2 tastings, and soy sauce in more tastings. Unsuitable for celiac disease.
- Lactose intolerance Suitable for lactose intolerances
- Tree Nut / Peanut Allergy There are no other known peanuts or tree nuts. Possible for mild allergies only.
- Seafood / Shellfish Allergy Possible for mild allergies, though seafood is used in 3-4 tastings with limited alternatives
- Severe Allergies Due to the nature of street food cooking, we can never guarantee any dish to be 100% free from allergens, as there is always the risk of traces and cross-contamination. It is unsuitable for severe allergies. Contact us: info@achefstour.com
How to book
To join our lunchtime Koh Samui food tour, use the live booking calendar to select your date and secure your tour. If the date is unavailable, or for special requests and private bookings, pleaseΒ contact us. Safety and comfort of guests is our first priority, so if you have any questions on dietary information or food allergies, pleaseΒ contact usΒ before booking.
What to expect
This tour is designed for adventurous eaters with an interest in discovering the food locals eat. Itβs a walking tour, but the pace is gentle, the terrain flat and there are plenty of rest (eating) stops along the way. Join us on the best Koh SamuiΒ food tour in the city, you won't regret it.
Meeting point
This Koh Samui lunchtime food tour starts outside Cafe Jintana in Nathon on the northwestern side of the island. It's easily reachable by Grab taxi. At the end of the experience, your guide can help you find transport back if you wish. More details will be sent upon booking.
Cancellation Policy
Why you should book with us
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99% 5 star reviews across our tours -
Secure payments through provider Peek
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No hidden charges - all food tastings included in the price
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Authentic food experience, escape the tourist traps