Fresh seafood in local restaurants?

[DDD]

Recommendations? Maybe it’s me but I’ve found better fish in Chiang Mai then HH. Looking for fresh, probably locally caught seafood.

[Dannie Boy]

Recommendations? Maybe it’s me but I’ve found better fish in Chiang Mai then HH. Looking for fresh, probably locally caught seafood.

Due to Covid we haven’t had visitors for a long time, but I always found the nigh market was good for fresh seafood at reasonable prices - no idea what it’s like these days? Obviously if you’re looking for a nice setting you’ll have to try elsewhere.

[HarryVardon]

There are quite a few good seafood restaurants along the coast between Hua Hin and Cha-Am. The night market is still very good.

[Ratsima]

This is the place we go for seafood in Cha Am. Always fresh. Good service. Excellent food.

ครัวป้าแมว

Almost never see other foreigners; mostly Thais, often in groups.

[Dannie Boy]

This is the place we go for seafood in Cha Am. Always fresh. Good service. Excellent food.

ครัวป้าแมว

Almost never see other foreigners; mostly Thais, often in groups.

I ride past this place on my bicycle nearly every time I go out, but as it’s before 7.30 in the morning it’s usually closed - I’ve often wondered what it’s like, so based on your recommendation will probably give it a try

[migrant]

Also in Cha Am after the beach road splits is Medsai, a large restaurant on the beach. Primarily Thai but has always been good.

[STEVE G]

Also in Cha Am after the beach road splits is Medsai, a large restaurant on the beach. Primarily Thai but has always been good.

I haven't been there recently but it was very good before, also there used to be some very good seafood restaurants by the harbour in Cha Am.

[ahandpatsy]

We went to Happy in the harbour at two nights ago. Very good seafood

[caller]

If you want fresh, just go down to the fishing village at Takiap, at the back of some of those old ramshackle frontages are places to sit and eat. Just choose from the living menu and sit back and wait for it to be cooked and served. Or once cooked, you can take it away with you, or take away to cook by yourself.

Avoid weekends like the plague. Bangkokians flock there in very large numbers, traffic can be horrendous and you cant park. Or you're up with the monkeys half way to the temple.

By comparison, we were there earlier, perhaps 4pm? Park where you like and browse the various shops in safety. The other half was after dried fishy things to take back to Bangkok.

[Scout]

There are seafood restaurants down near the Hilton, with good views, that we enjoy here in Hua Hin. There are also places in Pak Nam Pran (OX comes to mind) that I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet.

[Benroon]

Be wary of the Night Market if you want good seafood as most of it simply isn't! It's farmed.

You eat a lobster, for example but same applies to fish, from the sea and then one from a farm and the difference is massive. They will always tell you it's from the sea but then when you ask them why their prices are the highest in the strip, they'll tell you the others are selling farmed stuff (and god knows what they feed them!) Then the cheaper ones will tell you the same about the expensive ones. Personally I avoid the place for this reason. I want fresh seafood not creatures that have been fed their dead cousins in a cage!

[Dannie Boy]

Be wary of the Night Market if you want good seafood as most of it simply isn't! It's farmed.

You eat a lobster, for example but same applies to fish, from the sea and then one from a farm and the difference is massive. They will always tell you it's from the sea but then when you ask them why their prices are the highest in the strip, they'll tell you the others are selling farmed stuff (and god knows what they feed them!) Then the cheaper ones will tell you the same about the expensive ones. Personally I avoid the place for this reason. I want fresh seafood not creatures that have been fed their dead cousins in a cage!

So where would you recommend for fresh seafood?

[Nereus]

So where would you recommend for fresh seafood?

Maybe here:

[Benroon]

Be wary of the Night Market if you want good seafood as most of it simply isn't! It's farmed.

You eat a lobster, for example but same applies to fish, from the sea and then one from a farm and the difference is massive. They will always tell you it's from the sea but then when you ask them why their prices are the highest in the strip, they'll tell you the others are selling farmed stuff (and god knows what they feed them!) Then the cheaper ones will tell you the same about the expensive ones. Personally I avoid the place for this reason. I want fresh seafood not creatures that have been fed their dead cousins in a cage!

So where would you recommend for fresh seafood?

If you're willing to cook it yourself get yourself down to Khao Tao - go over the junction where left will take you to the market(and beach) and right to Hat Sai Noi beach, and the kings palace - then as far as you can taking a left turn before the road ends then go down to the beach where the boats come in. It's where the hotel buyers go to snap up the best seafood BUT the ladies there disentangling the nights catch will happily sell you what they have. No way you can get fresher. If you're very lucky, (dependant on where the moon is, seriously) you will get 10 inch long prawns for about 700 baht a kilo, and you can choose your own. Though they don't often come in with them, they'll let you know when it's likely to be. The old ladies don't talk a lot of english but are very warm, happy people and their skill in untangling some odd looking creatures at speed is worth the trip alone to witness. BUT you'll have to be there at first light or the hotels get it all. I've even waded out to the boats up to thigh level to get whatever they have before taking their catch ashore.

If however you want someone else to do the cooking, I would recommend McFarland House if you're not budget conscious and as someone said above XO is pretty good. Still on a fishy theme, but not seafood, I went into Salmon House on 102 - now that is one of those gems you always wish to find, if you love your salmon as I do, this understated very small restaurant is a winner!

[Dannie Boy]

Be wary of the Night Market if you want good seafood as most of it simply isn't! It's farmed.

You eat a lobster, for example but same applies to fish, from the sea and then one from a farm and the difference is massive. They will always tell you it's from the sea but then when you ask them why their prices are the highest in the strip, they'll tell you the others are selling farmed stuff (and god knows what they feed them!) Then the cheaper ones will tell you the same about the expensive ones. Personally I avoid the place for this reason. I want fresh seafood not creatures that have been fed their dead cousins in a cage!

So where would you recommend for fresh seafood?

If you're willing to cook it yourself get yourself down to Khao Tao - go over the junction where left will take you to the market(and beach) and right to Hat Sai Noi beach, and the kings palace - then as far as you can taking a left turn before the road ends then go down to the beach where the boats come in. It's where the hotel buyers go to snap up the best seafood BUT the ladies there disentangling the nights catch will happily sell you what they have. No way you can get fresher. If you're very lucky, (dependant on where the moon is, seriously) you will get 10 inch long prawns for about 700 baht a kilo, and you can choose your own. Though they don't often come in with them, they'll let you know when it's likely to be. The old ladies don't talk a lot of english but are very warm, happy people and their skill in untangling some odd looking creatures at speed is worth the trip alone to witness. BUT you'll have to be there at first light or the hotels get it all. I've even waded out to the boats up to thigh level to get whatever they have before taking their catch ashore.

If however you want someone else to do the cooking, I would recommend McFarland House if you're not budget conscious and as someone said above XO is pretty good. Still on a fishy theme, but not seafood, I went into Salmon House on 102 - now that is one of those gems you always wish to find, if you love your salmon as I do, this understated very small restaurant is a winner!

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