Bucha Gallery and Restaurant — Restaurant in Chalong

Worst Dining Experience — A Complete Tourist Scam Dressed in Cultural Disguise

If I could give this place zero stars, I would. Let me save you the trouble: this is not a restaurant — it’s a tourist trap, hiding behind fake elegance, religious misappropriation, and outrageous pricing. Located in the middle of nowhere, it’s almost as if they intentionally placed it far away from real competition, hoping the isolated setting would distract from their lack of quality and hospitality.

They try to portray themselves as “Thai-infused fine dining,” but nothing about the experience respects Thai cuisine, culture, or hospitality. The worst part? They misuse sacred Buddhist symbols, such as the Lotus and monk statues, to decorate the restaurant — an act that is not only deeply offensive to Thai people, but also entirely inappropriate. Thai religion and culture should not be used as marketing gimmicks to deceive unsuspecting tourists.

The food quality is mediocre at best — regular Thai dishes presented with fancy plating, but with no understanding of proper service, timing, or dining etiquette. They don’t know how to serve a proper course — appetizers came after mains, and everything was staggered in the most confusing way. The staff lacked basic training in fine dining or hospitality.

Example? We asked for a simple wet towel or wet tissue, something you’d expect from even a casual restaurant in Thailand — and were bluntly told “No.” Not “Sorry,” not “We’re out.” Just No. That was a shock for a place that charged us over 20,000 THB.

Let that sink in: 20,000 Baht (nearly $600 USD) for average food, untrained staff, no service standards, and a location far from convenience. And once the bill was paid, we were asked to leave immediately — no thank you, no follow-up, just ushered out as if we were no longer welcome once the transaction was complete.

It’s manipulative, overpriced, and disrespectful on every level. If you’re looking for authentic Thai cuisine or real fine dining — go somewhere else. This place is all about pretending to be something it’s not, using Thai culture as a costume while delivering one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had.

#unreal Thai...

From the moment we entered Bucha Gallery & Restaurant, we knew we were somewhere extraordinary. The atmosphere wraps you in warmth—not just from the beautifully curated space, but from the radiant smiles of the team who treat you like cherished guests. This isn't just dining; it's an experience that nourishes both body and soul.

The food, absolute perfection. Every dish was a celebration of flavors, but one stood above all —the Beef Massaman Curry with Roti. This wasn't just a meal; it was a revelation. The curry—rich, fragrant, with tender beef that melted like a dream—paired with what we can confidently say is the best roti we've ever tasted in our lives. Flaky, buttery, with that perfect crisp exterior giving way to soft, pillowy layers... it was pure magic. Each bite transported us to culinary heaven.

A deep bow to the brilliant chef and co-founder, whose mastery transforms ingredients into poetry. The balance of spices, the depth of flavor, the artistry in every plate—it's clear this is cooking done with both precision and passion.

The floral mocktails, bursting with the delicate essence of lotus and fresh blooms, provided the perfect refreshing counterpoint to the rich, soulful dishes.

But what makes Bucha truly special is its heart. The entire team moves with such genuine care—from the warm greetings to the thoughtful service. You're not just fed here; you're celebrated.

To the chef, the co-founder, and the wonderful Bucha family: special mention, Tia, Jane, and Mon Thank you for creating a dining experience that transcends the ordinary.

If you visit Thailand and don't eat here, you're missing out on one of the world's great culinary treasures. We'll be back soon—count on it!

With full hearts and...

The ambiance at this restaurant is nice and decorated with a lot of statues. The service was great. The staff was very attentive.

Getting down to the food, which is why I gave them 4 stars. There were some hit and miss on some of the dishes for me. I ordered the lotus salad, grandma's chicken, the catfish curry, and stir fry chayote.

The lotus salad wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. The lotus flower gave it a taste that didn't agree with me. I probably should have tried it without the lotus flower.

Grandma's red sauce chicken is a must!! The chicken thigh was so tender and flavorful. The pickled cucumber complimented that dish perfectly. I would order this dish again for sure.

The catfish curry was not too bad, but my partner and I could not really enjoy the dish itself because of all the little bones we had from each bite. Wouldn't order it again. Initially, we were going to order the stir fry crab meat with yellow curry but went with this because it was a chef's choice on the menu.

The stir fry chayote is a must as well. This compliments any meat dish you decided to get or simply eating it on its own. The large garlic pieces added more flavor to each bite and the sauce was very well balanced and delicious.

For dessert, we got the assorted dumplings in coconut syrup. It was like mochi with red bean paste inside and coconut skin. Really well balance dessert. It was not too sweet, so it was perfect to end the meal.

Overall, if I was staying near old Phuket, I would revisit this restaurant again and try ordering their other dishes. Since we traveled from Patong, which was at least 45-60 minutes each way depending on traffic. We probably wouldn't make the...