NongJoke Restaurant — Restaurant in Krabi Province

If you're ever in Krabi, a visit to Nong Joke Thai Restaurant is an absolute must! The 43KM drive from Klong Thom was well worth it, and after watching Mark Wiens rave about the place, it was high on our bucket list. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

We went all in with the exact same order as Mark, and every dish was a hit. The standout for me was the King mackerel (or tenggiri, as it's known in Malay). The portion was large enough to serve four people and it was fried to perfection—crunchy on the outside, yet tender and juicy inside. The fish was served with a deliciously thickened soy sauce, with subtle hints of sesame or fish oil that added an extra layer of flavor.

Next, we dove into the dry curry made with minced non-halal meat, known as Khua Kling Moo—a classic southern Thai dish. The flavors were explosive, spicy, and just the right balance for my taste. If you're a fan of heat, this dish will definitely excite your palate.

The deep-fried squid in sea salt was another highlight. Golden-brown and crispy on the outside, it was perfectly seasoned with patches of white salt that balanced out the tender, juicy squid inside. A perfect bite!

For the kids, we got a plate of fried rice with chicken. The jasmine rice was incredibly fluffy, fragrant, and perfectly seasoned with garlic and soy sauce. It had that amazing "Wok Hei" flavor, that smoky charred taste you only get from stir-frying at high heat. My son loved it so much, he ordered a second plate!

And of course, no meal would be complete without dessert. The mango sticky rice was simply divine. The rice was served in beautiful shades of white, green, and pink, topped with rich coconut milk. The sweetness and creaminess of the coconut paired perfectly with the fresh Thai mango—an unforgettable combination.

Overall, my experience at Nong Joke Thai Restaurant deserves a solid 5 out of 5. From the flavors to the presentation, everything was exceptional. If you're in Krabi, this is a restaurant that should definitely be on your list. Highly recommend it!

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Nong Joke in Krabi offers a delightful dining experience with its eclectic menu that beautifully marries Southern Thai flavors with Chinese culinary traditions. Highlights like the fried whitefish and tamarind prawns impress with their fresh ingredients and robust flavors. The ambiance of the restaurant adds to the charm, providing a warm and inviting setting perfect for enjoying their signature dishes like the visually appealing crab broth with butterfly pea-stained blue noodles and the pungent yet tasty shrimp paste served with an assortment of vegetables.

While the food was marvelous, the service experience varies. Some younger staff members seem to need more training. However, the overall service is pleasant, characterized by a friendly demeanor that complements the casual, yet vibrant dining atmosphere. With its impressive menu and great prices, Nong Joke is a great value and recommended destination for those seeking to explore the rich tapestry of Krabi's local cuisine in a comfortable and engaging environment. There were too many dishes we wanted to try but had limited space in our stomach, looking forward to visit again...

khua kling moo (คั่วกลิ้งหมู), a southern Thai dry curry. This is one of the most complex versions of the dish that I’ve ever had, filled with all sorts of herbs and spices. The flavor was incredible. We then tried a dish called gaeng som pla krapong yawd ma prao (แกงส้มปลากะพงยอดมะพร้าว), one of the signature dishes at the restaurant, a dish of southern Thai yellow sour curry with fish and coconut shoots. It had incredible flavor, and was rich and thick from the spices, chilies, and turmeric.

P’Joke, the owner of the restaurant, and a friend of Ying, recommended we try the pla insee tod see ew (ปลาอินทรีทอดซีอิ๊ว), a piece of king mackerel deep fried and coated in a mixture of soy sauce seasoning. The fish was incredibly delicious. It was crispy on the edges, moist and tender on the outside, and the sauce was perfectly salty and fragrant. On this day I also had goong pad kapi sataw (กุ้งผัดกะปิสะตอ), fresh meaty shrimp stir fried with shrimp paste and also some tamarind sauce in the recipe. Finally we tried the nam prik goong siab (น้ำพริกกุ้งเสียบ), a popular southern Thai chili sauce made...