The dining in Hat Yai is truly world-class, and you should definitely experience it. Be sure to enjoy meals at local restaurants and sample some unique offerings. Eating is really what you do in this city. There is amazing street food, impressive floating restaurants, and authentic cuisine that locals and visitors alike enjoy. The dishes include lots of seafood and some Chinese influences.
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Hat Yai is around $18 (฿642) per person, with previous travelers spending from $8 to $43. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Hat Yai are as follows:
- Breakfast: $2 to $6
- Lunch: $3 to $7
- Dinner: $6 to $13
- Coffee: $1
- Fast Food or Street Food: $3
Being a large city, Hat Yai is host to a large amount of different food options. While there are international chains offering Japanese and Western food for the less adventurous palette, Thai street food is abundant and a must for experiencing the local flavors. Here are some of the favorites:
Thai Boat Noodle (Doy Kuay Teow Reua): small bowl with slices of pork, a pork ball, bean sprouts, kang kong (water spinach), and garnished with spring onions and coriander, can be served dry or in soup.
Pad Thai Noodles: national dish of Thailand, includes freshly fried noodles, tamarind, garlic, chili, peanuts and sometimes vegetables.
Thai Grilled Pork Skewers (Moo Ping): seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, and sugar.
Thai Grilled Chicken (Gai Yang): Thailand's version of street BBQ
Pad Kra Pao: minced pork or chicken stir-fried with Thai basil and chilies and served over white rice
Pad See Ew: warm and comforting dish of wide flat noodles stir-fried in a dark soy-sauce with chicken, pork, or beef, and some vegetables.
Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Neeo Mamuang): served with a coconut milk syrup.
These are just a few examples of the many tasty Thai dishes to try in Hat Yai.
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Use a water bottle instead of splurging on drinks everywhere you go. It's a smart choice for the environment, too.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
Typical prices for food in Hat Yai are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the food prices in Hat Yai. However, your individual costs will vary based on your travel style, selected restaurants, and the items that you order.
I love that everything is cheap here because it's not one of the more touristy places in Thailand. We went to the park and rode the cable car up to the top of the peak and it was very cheap. We also did a tour to the waterfalls and it was also pretty cheap. The markets are fun and free, too.