For any traveller who has to watch the budget finding cheaper places to eat is a must and Koh lanta offers some great tasty Thai food along the road side. These offer some cheap food with good portions and although they may look a little rugged are very clean restaurants. Always Look out for simple tables with plastic chairs and local Thai people sitting and eating – they always say if you see Thai people eating it must be good.
Saladan
If you want cheap food along the waters edge the best local restaurant to visit is Baifern, just enter the town and when you see the Sea turn right follow the road 150 meters and on the left is this charming restaurant built above the sea. Straight across from the 7 Eleven shop is a small vendor selling sticks of BBQ chicken, pork and sticky rice, makes for a great simple bite in the day. Then Just out side the main town center is a cluster of cheap places to eat. The one near the Kon Tiki dive shop is a great choice Pad Kapow Kai ( spicy chicken with basil ) especially if you have an egg on top of your rice.
Khlong Dao
Is one of the most populated beaches and along the road side is no exception as both sides of the road are scattered with eating places. Near the Lanta Mermaid hotel is 4 quality Thai restaurants offering ready made food, one offers rice soup and the next which is below offers Khao Man Kai. This is strips of tender chicken layered over rice with a nice sauce made from ginger, chillies, garlic and soya sauce giving that Spicy kick, also served with a small bowl of chicken broth. This cost me 35 baht for one plate. Unfortunately these are only open early mornings the rice soup is nearly finished by 9am and the Khao Man Kai by 14:00.
But that’s OK as the Thai Isan restaurant which is near the Southern Lanta Resort is open till very late. Most dishes here are around 60 baht, dont be fooled by the appearance the food is great and the kitchen is clean, just smell herbs and spices when they cook is enough for you to ask for more.
Phra Ae
Also enjoys many restaurants along the road side and one fo my favourites is the noodle shop found near the galaxy bar. Although it may look dirty in appearance the soup is great. Also a fave here is Larb Kai which is chopped up chicken with chillies eaten with sticky rice and som tam which is a spicy papaya salad. Also if you check out the BBQ area you can help your selves to chicken, fish and lots of weird BBQ eggs.
Khlong khong is not as developed as other beach areas mainly enjoying the restaurants on the beach which are offered by the resorts. How ever one little gem of a place is located opposite the Lanta Riviera resort. Pad Thai, and seafood dish like goong gratiem prik Thai -garlic and black pepper prawns are recommended as so is Lard na tally which is thick noodle is gravy with seafood -I never liked noodles until I tried this. Really a wonderful dish which I frequently go back for more.
The above picture is of Pad Thai and a nice cold Singha beer, this for me is a perfect cheap Thai food, Welcome to Thailand! The Pad Thai cost me only 50 Baht. If any one from Singha is reading please check out my below picture a bigger, rounder bottle probably more easy to hold would be greatly appreciated. It just looks more drinkable!
