Affordable authentic Thai food is definitely hard to find in sit-down restaurants. Many travellers are stuck with the selection of street food available. However there are times when you just want to sit down at a table and enjoy a meal. Wanting to try something more authentic and family style, rather than the usual selection of restaurants for diners staying in Sairee, we headed down the main road back towards the port. Rumour has it that somewhere down here is the best massaman curry in Koh Tao.
Always up for an adventure and wanting to find out for ourselves, we started walking. Hesitating at Su Chilli, we decided to push on with our mission. It wasn’t long, barely even 100 metres down the road that we found J’nee. The very place we were in search of. Located across from Hippo Bar on the beach side of the main road is the home to this small humble family run restaurant.
The basic and simple decorated restaurant had many tables to choose from and we didn’t hesitate in taking a seat at the closest table that would accomodate our group. The staff were all friendly and welcoming with a great knowledge of their menu. Without needing to look at the menu, I ordered my curry at a medium spice level as the owner insisted that it was very hot.
Promptly we received all our meals. The rumours were definitely true. This was the best curry I had had on the island and was ecstatic. Chatting to the owner, we also learnt that we were lucky to have come in low season as during peak times it would be hughly unlikely we’d get a table at the time we arrived. We sadly however missed out on spring rolls as we arrived too late. During low season the owner prepares fewer of these items to ensure all their meals are served fresh to customers. So get in early!
The final great thing about this restauarant which every long term traveller will be excited about is the price. J’nee is considerably cheaper than other sit-down restaurants in Sairee.
All opinions are subjective to the writers personal travel experience. The writer travelled at her own expense.