Looking for must-try local food in Hat Yai? Here’s 19 places to eat in Hat Yai, Thailand.

Let’s get real here, the whole experience of travelling is immersing yourself in the local culture – from the food to the people. Especially the food.

If you love Thai food, and are on the hunt for something a little different…

We’ve put together a list of ours (and the locals’) favourite spots in and around Hat Yai – some that have been standing for over 40 years! Now that means business!

Indulge, drool, tantalise your taste-buds, walk the streets of the city and discover a world of traditional Thai delights.

Here’s what we found!

Read more:

10 Instagram-worthy cafes & restaurants in Hat Yai with good food & great views

3D2N Hat Yai weekend itinerary with stays, dining & activities

3D2N Hat Yai weekday itinerary with stays, dining and activities

1. Crab, I mean, grab it while it’s fresh – Bankampu Crab Seafood Hatyai

Claiming fame on the social media networks for its ‘Flower Crabs’, many flock to Bankampu for it’s array of fresh, delicious seafood.

Its tidy, fast-service and not badly priced for the amount of seafood on your plate.

Again, this is Thailand so expect a bit of spice in your life. Try their Kengsom Soup for extra fire.

Oh, and we’ve heard their lobsters – fresh out the shells – are pretty damn scrumptious too!

Advertisement

2. Everything is better flame-grilled, especially SEAFOOD! – Rim Rua Kratha Ron

Piping hot and fresh off the flames, if you’re looking for a good seafood grill, we’ve found your maker.

Imagine a seafood extravaganza with everything under the sea – but they do have a selection of meat to barbeque, if you’re more of the carnivorous type.

(We would however, recommend coming here for the seafood, as it’s one of the few places that offers great value for (seafood) money).

Grilled fish…and prawns and clams and mussels, pleaseeee!

3. Enjoy a bowl of birds’ nest dessert cooked Thai-Chinese-style! – Burapha Bird’s Nest

For those of you that didn’t know, birds’ nests are a considered a food delicacy here in Thailand, and paying just 200 Baht for a bowl, is basically unheard of.

That is except in Hat Yai, of course.

Enjoyed either as a savoury dish, or a dessert, Burapha offers both sweet and savoury soup options.

They are also popularly known for their Shark Fin soup.

Editor’s Note: Here at TripCanvas, we’re against the killing of our endangered species and wildlife, especially our sea-creatures – and would really ask you to take a second thought about it before ordering the soup.

4. Just before your bedtime story – Pa Ad Fresh Milk (ร้านนมสดป้าแอ๊ะ)

Did your mom ever give you a cup of warm milk before bedtime to help you sleep? Or maybe you’re just a dairy queen (or king).

Whatever the case may be, Pae Ae is the perfect after dinner pit-stop – celebrating that creamy stuff we all love.

The menu is small as they simply offer milk, teas and coffee with steamed bread dipped in Kaya.

Kaya is a typically South-east asia jam like spread, and here in Thailand, they call it sangkhaya. It’s soft, gooey and oh-so-scrumptious, and goes down perfectly with a glass of frothy milk.

The perfect night-time relaxer, highly recommended!

5. Get your Thai dimsum overload here – Chok Dee Dimsum

Cheap, bite-sized and delicious. Three words that come to mind when we think of our first locals’ (and tourists’) favourite joint.

Overload and over-indulge in a bajillion different dimsum options, variety is one of the things we love about this place.

There’s something here for everyone, from their green egg noodles with steamed pork, to the more classic Tom Yum Goong Dumplings.

My personal favourite is the King prawn on steamed pork, but that’s just because I’m a seafood lover!

The crowds roll in early so be sure to get there before the breakfast rush.

6. For seafood lovers only! – Sujinda Seafood

There’s no better way to enjoy seafood than a fresh catch from the day, right by the oceanside. And this place has the view to go accompany the food, found down at Songkhla Beach.

Freshly caught everyday, you can pick and choose your own seafood as well as the way you would like it cooked! (But make sure your Thai is on point, otherwise keeping it simple is best).

Their large prawns go for around 600-700 Baht/kilo and their red-snapper fish is a serving good for two at only 250 Baht!

7. An affordable family-style meal with many dishes to try  – Kan Eng Restaurant

A delicious mix of Chinese-Thai cuisine, this is another place that’s popular with the crowds.

They have an array of dishes, and if your stomach is unbearably hungry after a long day of exploring – their extremely quick service will sort you (and that grumbling tummy) right out!

A crowd favourite seems to be the fried yellow-sand fish – but make sure to watch out for the bones – as well as their Pig Trotters, a speciality of Kan Eng.

From the outside it doesn’t look like anything fancy, and meals are reasonably priced – making it an awesome choice for a family-style meal.

8. Thai boat noodles that’s been around for over 30 years! – Chen Loong

This breakfast spot is the perfect way to start off a long day of shopping, and is very well known for their Thai boat noodles, or Kuaitiao Ruea.

Kuaitiao Ruea is a Thai-style noodle soup with an intense flavour – usually served with both beef and pork, dark soy, pickled bean curd and some spicing.

There are four different types of noodles to choose from, with 4 different veggies; The Original Noodles, Boat Noodles, Dried Noodles and Tom-Yam Noodles (but be careful because this sh*t is spicyyyy).

PS: They’ve been around for 30 years, which speaks volumes about how good this place is!

9. Another golden oldie that’s been around for decades! – Nai Roo (ร้านในรู)

Having been around for decades, this gem of a restaurant sure knows what the people love – and they do it so well.

Expect small, intimate vibes, situated down a tiny alleyway, and top-class food to boot.

Their style is another fusion of Chinese-Thai and food is freshly made upon ordering.

Their spring rolls are mouth-watering, and my personal favourite is their sliced crispy pork over vegetables – deep-fried deliciousness at it’s best.

It’s a family run business, so friendly and warm service is a guarantee! I mean, who doesn’t like a smile?

10. Chicken rice in the shape of a chicken?! – Betong Chicken Rice

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good chicken rice? (Especially Thai chicken rice… T.T)

Of course we all know (arguably), that if you’re looking for the real-deal, Singapore/Malaysia is where it’s at – but here in good ol’ Hat Yai… We’ve found the next best chicken rice for you.

Soft juicy chicken (the Betong chicken to be exact), sits by a bed of aromatic chicken-shaped rice (brown rice available too!). This chicken rice isn’t too oily – which I prefer – but traditionally, some may beg to differ.

Apart from succulent juicy chicken, you’ll also be able to order crispy 3-layer pork and roast pork. All in all, you’re set for a really yummy meal.

Definitely jump in early for this one, otherwise expect to be waiting in a queue for about 30mins. You can also call them beforehand to pre-order your box!

11. Try Thai satay with their unique satay sauce – Pork & Chilli Fish Satay (ร้านหมูปิ้งปลาร้า)

Firstly, at just 10 Baht a pop, what’s not to love? I’m a huge fan of street food and Thailand is famous for their sticks of all sorts on every corner.

A lot of the times, it’s all those processed sausages and such, but we’ve found the real deal.

We’ve come across this gem in Hat Yai, with delicious satay sticks of soft pork (glazed and deep-fried), ribs, chilli fish and chicken. And we think their secret is in their dipping sauce – a chunky, chilli infused mouth-bomb explosion. YUM!

12. What’s hot and comes in a pot? – ร้านเตี๋ยวตุ๋นหม้อไฟ INDY หาดใหญ่ by Cho Cha

A hot-pot made with traditional Chinese medicine and herbs, sold! Talk about feeling good after a meal!

This tiny little spot opened up only a few months back, but it already seems to be the word on everybody’s culinary lips.

The owner opened the shop, simply because she likes eating noodles, don’t you just love it?

Brewing Chinese medicine at home, she decided to marry the two together. And voila, deliciousness.

The meat is succulent and you taste a real earthy, sweetness from the medicine, all the while, herbaceous aromas fill the air.

13. Spicy, sweet, bursting with flavour, this is Thailand – Jae Lek

If you’re on the hunt for some real, delicious, local Thai food – then you’ve got to have at least one sit-down at Jae Lek – this is authenticity at its best.

They’ve got some of the usual Thai favourites, from your Pad Thai’s to your Tomyum’s – but their speciality comes in the form of the not-so-known Thai dishes.

Fried tumeric and garlic chicken, pork green curry and their Kaeng Massaman Khai is crazy-good (a spicy chicken and potato curry).

Be careful though, there’s chilli in basically every dish, so if you can’t handle a bit (a lot) of heat, just keep that one in mind!

14. Balls, ahem, beef ball bowls, of deliciousness – Thanatsri Hatyai

It seems to us that Hat Yai is filled with decades old restaurants, so it was no surprise when we stumbled upon this place, popular to celebrities since the late 60’s.

Another favourite and busy breakfast spot – if you’re after a good morning noodle soup – you won’t be disappointed.

But it’s not so much about the broth that the people flock to Thanatsri for, but the actual meatballs that accompany the soup – which are rated the best in town!

Simply select your noodles, the type of broth you want, and your toppings – we would go for the beef ball soup, it’s what they’re most famous for!

15. “A spicy salad so delicious, you’ll forget about your husband” – Miss Ann’s (เจ้แอน ยำลืมผัว)

If you’ve ever eaten on the streets of Thailand, you’ll know what I’m referring to when saying that dynamite really does comes in small packages – but like, no, we mean it quite literally here.

Make sure to swing by Sister Ann’s and try her spectacular seafood salad, whether on-the-go or a quick sit-down.

It’s served with clams, prawns, crab, slices of corn, bean sprouts, peanuts, fish sauce and a generous cup of lemon juice – all raw and al natural.

She’s loud and proud and you simply cannot miss her stand – look out for a tuity fruity Miss Ann, pumping music down the road, a bunch of high-spirits served with every helping!

16. Here’s one for your sweet tooth – Mun Duey Tua (มันเดือย)

This dessert stands out from the rest because Mun Duey Tua is actually only typical to that of the city of Hat Yai!

It’s simple, sweet and delicious. So what is this Mun Duey Tua?

Basically, it’s fresh pineapples and red bean in coconut milk, some crushed or shaved ice, topped with icing sugar. All layered in a pint-sized mug.

A sweetness overload for sure, but what could be more refreshing on a blistering hot summer’s day?

It’s right outside the Train station, so hop on over on the way to or from your next ride.

17. Thai-style Chendol with ice cream and more – Island Ice (น้ำแข็งใสคนเกาะ – กะทิสดน้ำตาลโตนด ของแท้เจ้านี้เท่านั้น)

Just in case you were wondering, chendol is an iced sweet dessert that contains worm-like shaped green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar syrup.

Adding their own signature Thai spin, we’ve found the best spot in Hat Yai to slurp on a cup of these mouth-watering treats. This one is all about mixing things up a little.

With over ten different ones to choose from and try, Island Ice makes their cups a little differently.

Instead of using a sugar syrup to top off the ice, they use an aromatic palm sugar and…ice-cream! Okay, you’ve got me sold!

18. Legendary smoothies in Hatyai – Uncle Pong’s Fresh fruit Juice (ร้านผลไม้ปั่นหัวรั้ว)

What I love about Uncle Pong’s – that makes him different from the very many different smoothie stalls on every stretch – is you actually get to pick and choose your own fruit.

Mr Pong weighs it all up for you, and your drink is priced as such. Add in a bit of ice, a dash of lime, salt and syrup and hey, presto!

Fruits range from grapes to dragonfruit, beetroot to carrots, green and red strawberries, tomatoes, the ist goes on. Expect a whole lotta vibrancy and freshness!

19. Wonton, I want one (or ten) – Nan Yuan

For me, I’m a HUGE fan of a GREAT wonton soup, and my stomach screamed with joy when I found this little treasure chest.

So let’s get to it and talk about the food; wonton soup with crispy, roasted pork, fried wontons…

And their famous duck noodle wonton soup are just a few of the dishes that keep me coming back for more every time. The duck is full of flavour and really tender.

Again, it’s another price that isn’t heavy on the pockets with soups for a dollar.

Trivia: Wonton Noodle is also known as Mi Kiao in Thai.

Now you know about at least 19 delicious local spots to grab some food for your adventuring soul!

We’re sure there’s more delicious food in Hat Yai – please let us know in the comments below if we’ve missed any out!

Sign up to win fantastic prizes from our partners

Sign up now if you want us to send you an email whenever our partners have something to share with everyone!
FREE air tickets, free stays, free tours or free gifts!

Coming soon! Exclusively on TripCanvas

Name

Email

PLEASE NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you! Tell us

• share on facebook
• twitter
• google+
• linkedin

Advertise with us