Ask any Malaysian who has been to Hat Yai and chances are they'll immediately start talking about the food. While Hat Yai is known for its shopping and affordable massages, it's the local restaurants that keep many visitors coming back again and again. Some people even plan an entire weekend trip just to enjoy their favourite meals.If you're visiting Hat Yai for the first time or looking for new places to try, here are five restaurants that have become favourites among Malaysians over the years.
1. Chokdee Dim Sum
No food trip to Hat Yai feels complete without breakfast at Chokdee Dim Sum. This restaurant has become almost a tradition for Malaysians visiting the city. Every morning, you'll find long queues of locals and tourists waiting to enjoy freshly steamed dim sum, fluffy buns, porridge, Bak Kut Teh, and hot soy milk. The selection is huge, the prices are reasonable, and the food arrives quickly. If you're planning to visit, try to arrive early because weekends can get very crowded.
2. Kai Tod Decha
When people talk about Hat Yai fried chicken, Kai Tod Decha is usually the first name that comes up. Their crispy fried chicken served with fragrant sticky rice and crispy fried shallots has become one of Hat Yai's signature dishes. The chicken is juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and packed with flavour. It's a simple meal, but one that almost every Malaysian recommends trying at least once during a trip to Hat Yai.
3. Kan Eng Restaurant
If you're travelling with family or a group of friends, Kan Eng Restaurant is one of the best places for lunch or dinner. The restaurant is famous for its fresh seafood and authentic Thai-Chinese cuisine. Popular dishes include steamed fish, butter prawns, crab, tom yum soup, and mango salad. The portions are generous, making it ideal for sharing, and it's one of the restaurants many Malaysians return to every time they visit Hat Yai.
4. Mui Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice
Sometimes the simplest dishes leave the biggest impression. Mui Kee Hainanese Chicken Rice has built a loyal following thanks to its tender chicken, fragrant rice, and homemade chilli sauce. It's a popular breakfast and lunch spot that has been recommended by Malaysian travellers for years. While the menu isn't complicated, the consistency and quality keep people coming back whenever they're in Hat Yai.
5. Pranee Thai Cuisine
For those looking to experience authentic Southern Thai flavours, Pranee Thai Cuisine is well worth visiting. The restaurant is known for its famous crab omelette, spicy curries, stir-fried seafood, and traditional Thai dishes prepared using fresh local ingredients. Despite being popular with tourists, the food still feels authentic, making it a favourite among Malaysians who want to enjoy genuine Thai cuisine.
One of the best things about visiting Hat Yai is that great food is never far away. Whether you're craving dim sum for breakfast, crispy fried chicken for lunch, fresh seafood for dinner, or authentic Thai flavours throughout the day, these restaurants have earned their reputation for a reason. Many Malaysians visit Hat Yai multiple times a year, and these five restaurants often become regular stops on every trip. If you're planning your next Thailand road trip, make sure to add them to your itinerary. You might even discover a new favourite that keeps you coming back to Hat Yai again and again. Before crossing into Thailand, don't forget to prepare your Thailand vehicle insurance. With Drive2Thai, you can get your Thailand Compulsory Insurance (CI) or optional Voluntary Insurance (VI) online in just a few minutes. TM2 and TM3 forms can also be arranged before your journey, so you can spend less time worrying about paperwork and more time enjoying Hat Yai's incredible food scene.
