High On Chai : Authentic Indian restaurant — Restaurant in Surat Thani Province

Due to all the excellent reviews we had actually quite high expectations and were looking forward to real good and authentic Indian food. Our last „Indian stop“ is quite a while ago, therefore we are craving for good Indian food.

I try to make it as short and objective as possible: I keep the five stars, as the owner is very, very friendly and the restaurant is quite nice.

The food unfortunately disappointed us - but maybe we did the wrong choices or had too high expectations. We had Mutton curry (forgot the name on the menu, 340), malai kofta (240 plus 30 for garlic naan) and chai (60). Water for free to refill.

We both ordered it spicy - my husband had a little nice chat regarding his curry with the owner (if he wants it Indian spicy 🌶️) and they agreed to medium with additional chili paste to season, if needed. After roughly 15-20 minutes the food came and - besides everything else - it was a very good and filling portion. You have additional sauces/chutneys and pickles on the table. The vegetable pickles indeed were fantastic and a flavor bomb. Spicy and depending on the ingredient really flavorful (lemon!).

Chai was without sugar (separate) and flavorwise ok.

The mutton curry was a little too oily and not really spice though. It was a solid and good curry, but not a flavor bomb, as it looked like. It had three pieces of mutton inside.

The malai kofta - to be honest, I never had it before, just seeing it at Indian restaurants‘ displays and on the menu - was covered in a white sauce. I didn’t expect a white sauce, but a tomato (at least infused) one. And I do believe, that the sauce is actually cooked with more spices. Fair enough - on the menu it says „baby friendly“ - after asking the staff they explained it’s less spicy and more creamy. But I ordered it spicy though, which they said was no problem at all - so I went for this one. Maybe retrospectively seen a stupid idea. Anyways, the kofta were very, very soft (not crunchy on the outside), very low seasoned and - if inside - I couldn’t taste the paneer - although this is my favorite Indian dish, respectively ingredient. And, the kofta are filled with raisins. I. Hate. Raisins. I know it’s a tough one, but I really doubt that this special dish is authentic. And although they put green chilis in and I believe chili oil on top - it was somehow not spicy.

The rest of the dishes were ok (jeera rice a little too done, samosa little too soft, Naan quite thin and a lot of garlic on it without good garlic flavor), but also here no flavor surprises. Everything was very low with spices. Papadum great.

As obvious, I am struggling with this review - as I don’t want to blame the restaurant for a bad choice or wrong expectation. But still, for us it wasn’t mind blowing - as you would expect from all the reviews before. But perhaps it’s due to the fact that mainly western tourists come to this island and rate food of which they only believe they know.

As a suggestion to the restaurant - maybe it is helpful to explain the dishes a little more in the menu, so that you are more able to decide if it fits to your taste buds. Or if there are raisins inside 😋.

Still, very nice ambiente and owner and for sure solid, good Indian food - with the right choice and without expectations (but in a good way!!!).

PS: Please re-do the bathroom doors, so that they are fully closed 😅. No one wants to to his/her business next to the kitchen or bar staff or other customers listening 🙈. Or maybe I have wrong...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the only Indian restaurant on Koh Tao, and I must say, it was an absolutely delightful experience that surpassed all my expectations.

First and foremost, the food at this restaurant is a true masterpiece. Every dish I tried was bursting with authentic Indian flavors. The menu offers an extensive selection of mouthwatering options, catering to a variety of palates and dietary preferences. Whether you're a vegetarian, vegan, or a meat lover, you will find something that tickles your taste buds. Each dish is meticulously crafted with the finest ingredients, resulting in an explosion of flavors that left me craving for more.

The ambiance of the restaurant adds an extra layer of magic to the dining experience. The space is tastefully decorated, exuding warmth and coziness that instantly puts you at ease. The restaurant strikes a perfect balance between contemporary style and traditional Indian elements, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere.

The staff deserves special commendation for their exceptional service. From the moment I entered, I was greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality. The wait staff was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, providing insightful recommendations and ensuring that every aspect of my dining experience was taken care of.

Behind this culinary haven is a passionate team of owners who have poured their heart and soul into creating a haven for Indian cuisine lovers on Koh Tao. Their dedication to delivering an unforgettable dining experience is evident in every aspect of the restaurant, from the quality of ingredients to the impeccable service. The owners have managed to create a space where food lovers can come together to savor the rich and diverse flavors of India, all while being surrounded by an ambiance that nourishes the soul. (Jay and Varun, so proud of you both 💜)

In conclusion, the only Indian restaurant on Koh Tao is a hidden gem that should not be missed. The impeccable food, beautiful ambiance, attentive staff, passionate owners, and fantastic location all come together to create an unforgettable dining experience. If you're a food enthusiast seeking an authentic taste of India in a warm and inviting atmosphere, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary journey at this culinary haven on Koh Tao!

Until...

As a native Indian I wholeheartedly agree with all the other Indians who've reviewed this place. This is one of the most authentic Indian restaurants that I've been to outside of India. Most of the food is at par with what one would find at good restaurants within the country. And the samosas are by far some of the best I've ever eaten even when compared to versions available within the country.

I don't review places often but reading some of the negative comments from non Indians reviewing the "inauthentic flavour" at this restaurant have made me want to rant. These reviewers obviously have 0 clue about authentic Indian food and have possibly only been exposed to super inauthentic Indian fare outside of India in the past. It's amazing how all the indians are calling this authentic and only some non Indians are calling it inauthentic. Complete face-palm moment.

People complaining about raisins in dishes that typically contain raisins or oil floating on top of dishes that typically are meant to have oil floating on top are simply ridiculous.

A simple google search for authentic recipes of these dishes could clear it up for them. But they'd rather just jump straight to negatively reviewing a place based on their own misconceptions.

Also, one reviewer negatively reviewed because the servers told them that the FREE water was self service. How entitled does one have to be, to be complaining about how they receive a free benefit in a country where most other restaurants don't even offer it! Quite outrageous.

Ok, rant over.

Highly recommend this place. I'd be a regular here if I lived on KT. The amount of validation this place has just from the Indian reviewers should make you want to run to it for...