Krua Dan Tai Restaurant — Restaurant in Ko Lanta Yai

I would strongly vouch that this is one of the most authentic Thai cuisine restaurants—or perhaps the only one—on Koh Lanta. Their flavors lean towards the Bangkok-style Thai-Chinese cooking tradition. Conveniently located on the fringe of Saladan, it’s easy to spot along the main road.

This was our second visit to the restaurant, our first being in April. It gets very crowded, especially after 7 PM, so we recommend making a reservation if you plan to dine later in the evening.

We ordered their signature deep-fried whole seabass in fish sauce. The skin was perfectly crispy, while the tender flesh inside offered a delightful contrast of textures. The dish delivered a refreshing crunch with a hint of tanginess, beautifully complemented by the pickled vegetables, which added depth and a harmonious balance to the flavors.

The Tom Yam Soup with seafood was exceptional, featuring a generous serving of shrimp, squid, and fish. Cooked with fresh, authentic ingredients, it stood out as one of the best Tom Yam soups I’ve ever had, with flavors reminiscent of Bangkok’s culinary scene.

Next, we tried the stir-fried morning glory with crispy non-halal meat in garlic. This simple yet delicious dish featured a perfect combination of crispy skin and juicy meat, enhanced by a savory oyster sauce that added depth and umami.

We also ordered glass noodles cooked with large prawns in a clay pot. The rich aroma from the ingredients, including garlic and soy sauce, made for a highly satisfying and flavorful meal.

For dessert, we indulged in mango with three vibrant colors of sticky rice—white, pink, and green—served with creamy coconut milk. The dish was a delightful blend of sweetness and richness, a perfect ending to the meal.

The owner, who is usually friendly and attentive when taking orders, seemed a bit more serious this time. Unfortunately, one of our orders was missed, likely due to the bustling environment or age catching up with him. We suggest having the owner double-check your order to avoid any oversight.

Overall, I would rate the taste and cooking style 5 out of 5.

If you’d like to read more of my reviews on places and restaurants, don’t forget...

We came in here on a recommendation from a local. He said they have 2 menus. 1 for Thai and 1 for English speaking. He said the Thai one is very spicy and they make no changes to the heat. You get the food as is.

When we sat down, we got the English menus and that was fine with us. We usually order med spice at home. (Canada)

I had three pad Thai with egg, which was very light and fresh with tons of veggies. Mike had the Thai Larb med spice with a side of rice. Way too spicy for him. Lol. He said his tongue would never be the same. Haha Both plates came out beautifully decorated. Very nice presentation.

We also had a Chang beer and an orange shake. The shake was so good. Not too sweet but tons of pulp which I like.

We ordered the deep fried banana and and ice cream for dessert. Kind of our go too dessert here. When the plate arrived, I was like oh that’s not ours as looked like deep fried shrimp and hat a little salad on it. It also came with strawberry ice cream, which seemed a weird combination. The ice cream tasted like cool whip with strawberry yogurt. Not like gelato or ice cream. Quite different. Probably wouldn’t order again.

Everything was very affordable and tons of people coming and going. Our bill came to around $500 Baht.

Knocked off a star for the deep fried bananas. Everything else was excellent and the staff were friendly and...

It's been a few years since I've been back to Thailand. When I was here last I found what was then my favorite restaurant on my favorite island. I've thought about krua Dan Thai since then. I just came back to Thailand since before covid. I went to Phuket, which has the Michelin guide. I went to as many as I could and I loved every one. I went to khao lak and they had the guide there too, so I used it to find the best of the best. It was all amazing. I just arrived on Koh lanta and the first place I wanted to eat was krua Dan Thai. After following the Michelin guide for the better part of two weeks I was blown away. Krua Dan Thai was and is better than every bib gourmand restaurant I have had on this trip(around 10). It is the best Thai food I've had in Thailand. And it's just a little place on Koh lanta. I only have one complaint: as a farang I am given a different menu, which doesn't include most of what I end up eating here. My Thai girlfriend gets the real menu, and it delivers. I'm not sure of the workaround here, but I'd just suggest going and telling them to make you dishes from the Thai menu. Whatever they want to make you. I will forever crave...