Baan Ya Jai
Thai food without the resort polish, which on this stretch of Koh Samui is worth something. This is a mid-range kitchen on Choengmon Road in Bophut, and it draws people back rather than catching them once on their way past. If you want a menu that hedges its bets with pizza and burgers, look elsewhere. If you want traditional Thai cooking and a room where nobody rushes you, this is the sort of place I'd steer a friend towards.
The doors don't open until 1pm, which shapes how you use it. There's no breakfast, no morning coffee stop. What you get instead is a late lunch when the beach has become too hot to enjoy, or a long dinner afterwards, running through to closing at 10pm. It works for a solo plate of something as easily as it does for a table of six, and the Choengmon end of the island is quiet enough that dinner doesn't turn into an evening out unless you want it to.
Taste more of Koh Samui
Street-food tours, market visits, and Thai cooking classes near Baan Ya Jai — a guided way to eat like a local.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Baan Ya Jai, round out your day in Koh Samui with contrasting stops nearby.
Also Popular in Koh Samui
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui (Soi 1 Branch)
Ethical elephant sanctuary in Maenam offering daily hands-on encounters with rescued elephants in a jungle setting.
Wat Phra Yai
A 12-metre gilded Buddha, free entry and 360-degree views over the bays: half an hour well spent.
Central Samui
Air-con when you need it, open-air wings when you don't, and a food court worth the trip on its own.
Hin Ta Hin Yai
Two rude-shaped rocks, free to visit, worth twenty minutes and a coconut ice cream on the way out.
Baan Ya Jai: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baan Ya Jai worth visiting?
Baan Ya Jai holds a 4.7★ rating from 1,698 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated restaurants & food in Koh Samui.
What are the opening hours of Baan Ya Jai?
Baan Ya Jai is typically open 13:00-22:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
How expensive is Baan Ya Jai?
Baan Ya Jai is moderately priced (฿฿) relative to other restaurants & food in Koh Samui.
When is the best time to visit Baan Ya Jai?
The best months to visit Koh Samui are January – August, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in July – August & December — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon).
Where is Baan Ya Jai located?
Baan Ya Jai is at 161/10 Moo 2, Choengmon Road, Tambon Bophut, อำเภอเกาะสมุย สุราษฎร์ธานี 84320, Thailand, in Koh Samui. Getting around Koh Samui: Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road); Motorbike or scooter rental.
Location Info
161/10 Moo 2, Choengmon Road, Tambon Bophut, อำเภอเกาะสมุย สุราษฎร์ธานี 84320, Thailand+66 99 479 0707www.baanyajai.com/Visitor Information
Best time to visit
January – August
Avoid: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon)
Rainy season
October – December
Avg. temperature
24°C – 32°C(75°F – 90°F)
Crowds
Peak: July – August & December
Getting there
Koh Samui Airport (USM) has direct flights from Bangkok and regional hubs (Bangkok Airways monopoly). The ferry from Surat Thani takes ~1.5 hrs and it's cheaper.
Getting around
- •Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road)
- •Motorbike or scooter rental
- •Taxis (metered or negotiate upfront)
- •Grab available in main areas
Where to stay near Baan Ya Jai
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Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food
Learn the Spice Scale
Say 'mai pet' for no spice, 'pet nit noi' for a little spice, or 'pet mak' if you want it Thai-hot. Most cooks will default to a toned-down version for foreigners unless you specify otherwise.
Follow the Crowds
The busiest street stalls are almost always the best — high turnover means fresh ingredients and a recipe that locals vouch for. An empty restaurant at dinner time is a red flag.
Ice Is Safe
Factory-made tube or cylinder ice (used in virtually all restaurants and stalls) is made from purified water and is safe to consume. You don't need to skip the iced Thai tea.
Nearby Places
Grand Cafe Karaoke & Rooftop
Rooftop cafe and karaoke bar in Bo Put serving great coffee, food, and evening entertainment daily.
BABOU
A jungle-styled restaurant and cocktail lounge on Chaweng that people book for anniversaries, not just a night out.
Red Fish Restaurant Koh Samui
Stylish Thai and seafood restaurant on Chaweng Beach Road, known for quality ingredients and attentive service.
Onion 2 Restaurant
Grilled seafood done properly on Chaweng Beach Road, with a kitchen that actually listens to how you like it.
Similar Restaurants & Food Across Thailand
Kodtalay The Riverfront Seafood Buffet
Open-air seafood buffet on the Chao Phraya from 599 baht, and the river seats are worth asking for.
Central Pattaya
A big air-conditioned mall on Beach Road where the food court does the heavy lifting.
The Village Farm To Café
Looks like nothing from the highway, then opens up into green fields, high ceilings and properly fresh food.
Kodtalay Seafood Buffet Sukhumvit
Live river prawns from the tank, grilled at your table, and no clock ticking on how long you stay.
Where to stay near Baan Ya Jai
Find hotels in Koh Samui on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
January – August
Avoid: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon)
Rainy season
October – December
Avg. temperature
24°C – 32°C(75°F – 90°F)
Crowds
Peak: July – August & December
Getting there
Koh Samui Airport (USM) has direct flights from Bangkok and regional hubs (Bangkok Airways monopoly). The ferry from Surat Thani takes ~1.5 hrs and it's cheaper.
Getting around
- •Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road)
- •Motorbike or scooter rental
- •Taxis (metered or negotiate upfront)
- •Grab available in main areas