Tamarind taste of the South
Beachside with breathtaking views overlooking the Andaman Sea, Tamarind Restaurant offers up a family-style dining experience of authentic Thai dishes made from premium ingredients. Located in the Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort, the restaurant is a hidden gem with a charming atmosphere. I’m a huge fan of the bold and intense flavours of authentic Southern Thai cuisine, and upon perusing the restaurant’s menu, I knew that my dining partner and I were in for a treat. Wanting to try a little bit of everything, we decided on the Andaman Sea Set Menu, Kai Yang Nam Chim Chaeo, and Kung Pad Sa Tor.
First up is the Kung Sarong from the Andaman Sea Set Menu and the Kai Yang Nam Chim Chaeo. The presentation of both dishes is beautiful, and after approximately a million photographs, we dig in. Kung Sarong is a dish of crispy Tiger prawns, wrapped in a nest of Vermicelli noodles and served with sweet chilli sauce, while Kai Yang Nam Chim Chaeo is an organic chicken thigh marinated in oyster sauce & black pepper before being grilled and served with spicy Nam Chim Chaeo dipping sauce. Both of these iconic Thai dishes were sensational.
The rest of the Andaman Sea Set
Menu arrives and the dishes include Yum Sam Krob Talay, Tom Yum Kung, Choo Chee Kung, Pla Kao Sam Rot, and Pad Pak Ruam. These dishes are a testament to the diverse flavours of Southern Thai cuisine, well plated and presented, and so fresh and flavoursome. The Tom Yum Kung with king prawn, galangal and kaffir lime is so silky, and the Choo Chee Kung, woksautéed Tiger prawns in thick coconut milk with red curry and kaffir lime leaves, is rich and tangy. All of the dishes in this set menu are very good, but another standout is the Yum Sam Krob Talay featuring the seafood catch of the day, shallots, cashew nuts, crispy Thai anchovies and green mango. The salad dish is truly top-notch.
Our a la carte order, Kung Pad Sa Tor, is made of fresh wok-sautéed king prawns, stinky ‘Sa Tor’ local broad beans, jungle curry and kaffir lime. The prawns are juicy, the jungle curry spicy and the ‘Sa Tor’ bitter and pungent... the flavour combination of this is off the charts, and in all honesty, it’s one of my favourite dishes.
We wait for our dessert to be served, which is included in the Andaman Sea Set Menu, and we are not disappointed when it arrives. A platter of Phon La Mai Ruam with seasonal Thai fruits is accompanied by Ice Cream Ma Phrao. The latter is a handcrafted artisanal coconut sorbet with a coconut crepe and bananas in syrup. It’s a fantastic dessert and a wonderful sweet treat to end our delicious dining experience.
Without a doubt, Tamarind is one of the best restaurants I have ever dined at in Phuket. Everything is exceptional – the setting, the food, the hospitality of the staff – and I look forward to recommending this hidden gem to other friends in Phuket.
From the restaurant: We now use sustainable fish. Sustainable seafood has become a global priority as we strive to protect the world’s oceans and marine ecosystems. Pullman Phuket Panwa is no exception to this growing movement, as it continually seeks to make responsible choices in its culinary offerings.
The resort recognises the importance of sourcing seafood in a manner that doesn’t harm the environment or deplete fish populations. When you dine at Pullman Phuket Panwa, you not only savour the flavours of the sea, but also contribute to the preservation of marine ecosystems. It’s a culinary experience that aligns with the global movement towards responsible dining.
Tamarind Restaurant. Open daily
6pm- 10pm. Price range: B800-B1,200. Reservations highly recommended (Tel: 076-602500). Major credit cards accepted. Parking on-site, has smoking area and free WiFi hotspot. Website: PullmanPhuketPanwa.com. Facebook/Instagram: PullmanPhuketPanwa