Krua Luang Ten @ Khao Lak · Michelin Bib Gourmand · Traditional Southern Thai Cuisine

Buddy Wilson has been a fan of Krua Luang Ten before it became famous with Michelin Bib Gourmand award and all. I am glad we stayed at La Vela Khao Lak Resort, so we can swing by to have a taste of this local legend during our stay in Khao Lak.

Stall name: Krua Luang Ten

Address: 160 ม.2 Petchkasem Road, Khuekkhak, Takua Pa District, Phang-nga 82190, Thailand

Tel: +66 90 716 4182

Hours: 11:00am - 1:00pm | 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Krua Luang Ten is hidden behind hedges, have only a small signboard and only in Thai language. If you are coming here, you need local help or a navigation app. Their English name is "Krua Luang Ten" - it's on Google Maps but not on the signboard at the location.

The sun was blazing on a typical sunny Khao Lak mid-day when we were there 🌞

Step behind the leafy hedges into the cool of Krua Luang Ten. No air conditioning but the high roof shielded the tables and benches from the sun and a battery of fans kept the large space breezy. I love the kampung ambiance of Krua Luang Ten (which enclosed air con space would take away).

Wilson said this new set up is a far cry from the humble highway (Route 4) side stall that Krua Luang Ten was when he first ate here. Today, Krua Luang Ten is bigger, very clean, more comfortable without losing its hyperlocal charm.

🎗 A note for photographers 📸 The fibreglass roofing kept the space bright but gave the photos an ugly greenish hue. So, check your white balance before shooting. Too late for me already 😓 I realised it only when I got home 😭

The boss Ping Ken remembers Wilson, so we can take pictures of the kitchen and the boss. I like Krua Luang Ten already when I saw the boss hands on in the kitchen.

The daily specials - don't ask me what they were 😂 Fortunately, we had local friends who helped us with ordering. Anyway, Thais have a hospitable, friendly culture, so it is easy to get help with the menu. Alternatively, you can just refer to this post 😄

Our order sheet. The staff has such neat hand writing 😮

Krua Luang Ten serves southern Thai dishes. Compared to northern Thai dishes, southern dishes are spicier as well as feature coconut and seafood more. Our selection was nothing fancy (which is just perfect 👌) I love hyperlocal cuisine when I travel 😋

Salty and Sour Pork Cartilage with Cowa Leaves. The tender sweet pork cooked in savoury soup with sourish taste from cowa mangosteen leaves.

Tom Yum Seafood. Savoury, sourish, spicy, fresh sea food, I especially love the spongy sweet mushrooms inside.

Turmeric Fried Sand Fish (Whiting Fish). The deep fried whiting fish was encased in crisp turmeric flavoured batter which had tiny white bait fish blended in. The crackly batter kept the fresh whiting fish meat soft-tender and its natural, delicate sweet flavour intact. I love whiting fish and Krua Luang Ten do this dish really well.

Stir Fried Local Spinach Vegetable with Egg. The ultimate comfort dish, rich in protein and vitamins with eggy flavours and savoury umami from fish sauce.

Local Mushroom Salad. I am a mushroom lover but forgot to taste this 😓 What was I doing? 🙄 Looks so delicious 😥

Wilson added this Crab Omelette. The eggy fluffy egg and natural delicate umami sweetness of soft pulled fresh crab meat were perfect together. 

Spicy Savoury Sauce with Fresh Vegetables. This is a side dish usually provided free of charge. The chili sauce (sambal) adds savoury flavours and spicy heat to the green taste and juicy crunch of the vegetables.

We've only touched the surface of what Khra Luang Ten offers. They have fish, sea catfish, sting ray, clams, snails, squid, curries, stinky bean, crispy pork, ants and ant eggs ( 😬 ), and more dishes which we haven't tried yet. But, from what we had this afternoon, if you are looking to taste local southern Thai cuisine, I can say Krua Luang Ten is a good bet. The ingredients are fresh and their dishes are well executed. Prices are affordable.

       

Written by Tony Boey on 8 May 2022

Next time, I want to try these dishes at Krua Luang Ten.