Places to eat in Trang

Trang’s one of a kind food scene is delectably different from other parts of Thailand. Heavily influenced by Chinese and Muslim-Thai, it's renowned for its spiciness known in the South.

Markets

Trang, an early morning city originating from its history of rubber harvesting, when locals back from working through the night would catch up over the city’s famous coffee and some food. The bustling morning markets are the perfect way to experience this tradition. Known by their awards as the cleanest fresh markets in Thailand, they’re the best place to find the local specialty: muu yang (whole hogs marinated in herbs and slowly roasted over a wood fire). For around THB80 you can get a good amount of tender, fatty pork belly wrapped in its own crispy skin.

Spicing up the evening the Centrepoint market vendors serve up several varieties of khao gaeng (curry and rice). Favourites include gaeng nuea (beef curry), kung sator pad prik (prawn with stink beans), and gaeng som (sour orange curry with fish). Fried chicken, khao mok gai (biryani rice with chicken), fresh fruit, roti and Thai sweets are also on the table.

On weekends a second night market springs up in front of the train station and has a wide selection of local foods, desserts, and souvenirs mixed up with cultural and musical performances. This opens Friday to Sunday from 5.30 pm to 10 pm.

Western and International cuisine

Travelers looking for some international cuisine can check out 1952 Cafe, a modern Euro-Thai cafe situated below the Sri Trang Hotel and serving up western style dishes alongside typical Thai fair. Food cost between THB80 and THB200 and their terrace overlooks the train station night market making it great for people watching.

Cafes and Coffee houses

Looking for a caffeine fix try the local bitter, wood-fired Ko Pii (coffee) at Sin O Cha just left of the railway station. Known as the best coffee in town it opened in 1967 and recently underwent a significant renovation. Almost always accompanying the coffee is delicious dim sum, typically eaten for breakfast early in the morning. Plenty of other coffee shops dot the city, many of which have been around for years and seem suspended in time, sporting marble topped tables and rickety chairs.

Food festivals in Trang

Trang is the king of festivals and hosts a different one every month. Among them are four food related ones. Trang Food Festival runs at the end of March into April and is held to promote the delicious dishes of the province. Besides the various foods offered, activities such as eating contests and other forms of entertainment can be found.

Famous for its roast pork it is no surprise there is a festival dedicated to it. In September Trang presents the mouth-watering pork made with a special recipe from the area. The pork skin is crispy and the meat tender due to the process of marinating in Chinese herbs, spices, and honey before roasting them whole during the night. It used to be served only on special occasions, but now is part of a typical daily meal.

Vegetarians fear not it isn’t just meat as Trang hosts a traditional festival of the Chinese, the Trang Vegetarian Festival. The festival runs for nine days, where people dress in white to bring good fortune and make merit.

Lastly, the tooth fairy may need to pay a visit after August when Trang, famous for its mouth-watering cakes has a festival dedicated to them. The soft sponge cakes have no frosting and come in several flavours such as orange, coconut, and coffee.

Trang is a city rich in outstanding food. A true culinary delight for any food enthusiast, it provides many venues sporting unique and tasty dishes found only in this region of Thailand.