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Youthapong Charoenpan


If I had to toss a coin to decide between dining on fresh seafood by a beach in Hua Hin (‘heads’) or Pattaya (‘tails’) I’d be hoping to see the image of His Royal Highness King Bhumibol Adulyadej, so I could confirm a trip to the former.

Conveniently located 12 kilometers south of Hua Hin in Prachuap Kiri Khan province, the menu at Rodthip Seafood Restaurant in the Khao Tao community is very much like ‘home cooking’ for this writer since my family used to meet up for meals there when we lived in the neighborhood.

First, I’d like to recommend Rodthip’s Pla Samlee Tord Narn (Steamed Cotton Fish with Herbal Stock) at 380 baht (US$9.50). If you were to choose one main dish, this would be an excellent option since the fish is incredibly fresh, delivered straight from the fisherman’s catch. The tasty stock offers hints of tamarind and plum.

Another tasty seafood-inspired dish on the menu, which features mussels, scallops, and squid, is Yum Woonsen Talay (Thai-Style Spicy Seafood With Glass Noodle Salad).

The cooking process is quite delicate, and since the seafood is boiled, it could easily be overcooked. But Rodthip’s chef always seems to cook this 100-baht dish to perfection, creating a subtle combination of chili, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar. Be warned, however, this dish can be a bit spicy, so order mai phet (not spicy) if you think you may prefer a milder version. rodthip-04.jpg
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You could try ordering this next dish – Pla Muk Yang Kratiam (Grilled Marinated Squid With Garlic) - mai wan (not sweet) if you want to avoid too much sugar. The chef would then use less dark soy sauce when preparing this affordable dish (120 baht).

Rodthip’s Kaeng Pah Kai (Jungle Curry [Chicken]), which comes served up in a rustic clay pot, offers more good value at 150 baht. This dish is fairly spicy and features several Thai herbs, including lemongrass, lime leaves and sweet basil.

 

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For a milder dish, order some Kai Tun Poo (Steamed Egg With Shredded Crabmeat). Again, the portion was quite reasonable for the price (90 baht).

Along with our drinks, my companion and I were able to enjoy a well-prepared and diverse Thai meal, with a balance of culinary creativity from the chef and great value in terms of the pocketbook. The whole meal came in at just 840 baht, so expect to pay about 1,000 baht, including drinks for two.

‘Freshness, flawlessness, and fulfillment’ best describe a visit to my culinary ‘local’. The nearby fishing village and beach offer lots of other possible destinations and activities nearby, offering added allure for any visitor, as well as convenient transport options from Bangkok.
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Transport connections:
Car: Hua Hin is 243-km drive from Bangkok, which takes three to four hours, depending on the traffic conditions and the specifications of your vehicle. Either take Highway 4 directly from Bangkok all the way to Hua Hin or Highway 35 until you pass Samut Songkhram, where you will need to switch to Highway 4.


After passing through Hua Hin, you will see a signpost for Khao Tao on your left. Take this road and then another left turn once you see a reservoir on your right.


You can find further information about bus and train options here.