Going strong for over 75 years, Raya is undoubtedly the most talked-about restaurant in Phuket for good reasons. This Michelin-starred restaurant has pleased even the most demanding diners with their house signature cuisine: Crab meat with curry and coconut milk.
Built on the skeleton of a 130-year-old heritage building, Raya takes its pride in traditional Phuket delicacies beautifully influenced by Fujian, Cambodian, Indonesian, and Malaysian cooking techniques. In this article, I’ll be walking you through my visit to Raya restaurant with a glimpse into its dining space and the food quality.
Address: 48/1 Dibuk Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Address in Thai: 48/1 ถนน ดีบุก ตำบลตลาดใหญ่ อำเภอเมืองภูเก็ต ภู็เ0ก
Tel: +6676218155
Business hours: 10:00 – 22:00 daily
The free parking lot is available
Credit card is accepted
The Dining Space
If you’re visiting Phuket for the first time, be prepared to be stunned by an array of colorful and quirky residential buildings and shophouses steeped in unique Sino-Portuguese architecture.
These historical houses have been around since the early 1900s, and it goes the same way for Raya restaurant. The little house spans two floors, promoting a strong colonial design using encaustic tiles, large balconies, green wooden windows, and Portuguese stained glass. When the first floor is occupied, the second floor will come into play.
The only downside is that there is no air-conditioner. However, the electric fans work just fine to beat the scorching heat.
Somewhere in the background, soothing Thai ballads are played, blending enchanting piano notes with florid orchestral arrangements. The overall ambiance promotes a calm, peaceful, and somewhat romantic feel in a low-key setting. There’s a lush garden at the front, adding a welcoming touch to the space.
What To Eat At Raya Restaurant?
Raya restaurant shines its torch on southern Thai cuisine with its menu written in both Thai and English with descriptive pictures to help you make a better choice. The two signature dishes: Crab Meat With Curry And Coconut Milk and Steamed Pork With Pepper And Garlic are placed on the front page, followed by other homemade meals such as Fried Shrimp with Tamarind Sauce, Steamed Fish Balls, And Fish Sour Soup with Coconut Shoot. If your heart desires some fried fritters, there are Fried Grouper Fish Cake, Deep Fried Chicken Wings, and Fried Squid Cake to choose from.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the three best dishes to eat at Raya restaurant.
Crab Meat With Curry And Coconut Milk
No visit to Raya is complete without this hearty serving of coconut curry with crab meat and rice noodles. Yummi-ness goes a long way with the broth’s richness and fragrance. The coconut curry is infused with turmeric, bay leaf, betel leaf, lemongrass, pepper, and herbal spices.
Meanwhile, each slice of crab meat is incredibly tender, juicy, and fresh. Even though the curry has a mild level of heat and tanginess, it’s still a great choice for those whose palates are not after spicy food.
Stir-Fried Phak Lin Haan with Scrambled Egg
Phak Lin Haan refers to fried leaves. This is a great fiber source to pair with your coconut curry since the stir-fried leaves are not greasy at all with a nice sweetness in the aftertaste.
Steamed Pork With Pepper And Garlic (Phuket Style)
Wrap up your meal with a savory and filling serving of steamed pork belly with pepper and garlic. The pork is indeed marinated with shallots and garlic and palm sugar to perfection before it is braised until tender. Each slice of pork is heavenly succulent and packed with flavor.
Key Takeaways
At the end of the day, the food flavor profile boils down to personal preferences. Some admit the food at Raya restaurant is overpriced and not up to their palate. However, it’s still one of the must-try food spots in Phuket with a humble decor enriched with history and lots of characters. The flavor is not that popular compared to what you’re used to eating in other parts of Thailand but there’s truly a unique touch to that. All in all, I highly recommend you visit here once and decide for yourself.
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