Mr. Kai Kitchen
The wait is the trade-off here. Dishes are cooked to order, and when the place fills up, which is most evenings, that can mean 30 to 60 minutes between ordering and eating. Regulars have decided it's worth it. Plenty of reviewers report eating here several times in a single week's holiday, which tells you more than any rating.
The menu runs to curries, noodles and salads at prices that make ordering four dishes for two people feel sensible. Massaman, Panang, tom yum, papaya salad, pad thai. The whole deep-fried sea bass comes up again and again, done with garlic or with Panang sauce. Vegetarians are unusually well served: most of the noodle and curry dishes take a tofu swap, and there's tofu satay to start. Seating is outdoors with fans. It works as well for a solo dinner as for a group.
Not everyone leaves happy. There's a fair criticism in the reviews about heavy rice portions and light protein, so order a side dish or two rather than relying on one plate.
Taste more of Koh Samui
Street-food tours, market visits, and Thai cooking classes near Mr. Kai Kitchen — a guided way to eat like a local.
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Mr. Kai Kitchen, round out your day in Koh Samui with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
We stayed on Koh Samui for one week and ate here four times – I think that says it all. An absolute recommendation and for us the best restaurant on the island. We tried several dishes from the menu, including Massaman curry, Panang curry, Tom Yum, papaya salad, fried papaya salad with prawns, corn salad, Pad Thai, deep fried seabass with garlic and deep fried seabass with Panang. Everything was incredibly delicious, authentically cooked and very fairly priced for Bophut. My girlfriend is vegetarian and always found great veggie options on the menu as well. The service was always very attentive and friendly, and we never had to wait for a table. A big thank you to the whole team for the amazing food and service! Recommendation: try the deep fried papaya salad! It's addictive.
Best Thai food in Koh Samui! We absolutely love this place. It is busy every night but we always find a table quickly. Very affordable and kind staff. Food can take 30-60 minutes when it is busy but it is worth the wait because it is delicious. Highly recommend the whole fried sea bass! Great outdoor seating with fans. We love this place and will definitely be returning!
We chose Mr. Kai Kitchen for the last lunch of our holiday. It was recommended to us and always seemed busy, but unfortunately it was a disappointment. We ordered two fresh fruit juices, cheese balls, and two typical Thai dishes. The food lacked flavor, with too much rice and very little protein. Overall, it didn’t meet our expectations, especially considering the recommendations and the popularity of the place.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 1,599 reviews on Google.
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.
Mr. Kai Kitchen: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mr. Kai Kitchen worth visiting?
Mr. Kai Kitchen holds a 4.8★ rating from 1,599 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated restaurants & food in Koh Samui.
What are the opening hours of Mr. Kai Kitchen?
Mr. Kai Kitchen is typically open 12:00-22:00 — 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 Mr. Kai Kitchen?
Mr. Kai Kitchen is budget-friendly (฿) relative to other restaurants & food in Koh Samui.
When is the best time to visit Mr. Kai Kitchen?
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 Mr. Kai Kitchen located?
Mr. Kai Kitchen is at 17 28, Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand, in Koh Samui. Getting around Koh Samui: Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road); Motorbike or scooter rental.
Location Info
17 28, Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand+66 80 264 5254www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063754172671Visitor 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 Mr. Kai Kitchen
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.
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
Malee Kitchen Fishermans
A well-regarded seafood restaurant in Bo Phut, Koh Samui, open daily from noon to 10 PM.
Salt & Oak
Seafood-focused restaurant in Bo Put serving fresh catch cooked to order, open daily from 1 PM.
Ban Thai
Home-style Thai cooking from a grandmother's kitchen, inland from Bo Put, at a fraction of beachfront prices.
Samui Street Eats @Fisherman Village
Casual street food spot in Fisherman's Village serving mango sticky rice, Pad Thai, and more from noon daily.
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 Mr. Kai Kitchen
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