On the first day of our Phuket trip, we stayed at The Tint at Phuket Town, which was conveniently located for exploring Phuket Town.
After dropping off our luggage, we headed out to explore before check-in.
In this article, we share our first local meal in Phuket, the drinks we tried, and some of the colorful streets and temples we found along the way.
Trying Phuket's Famous Hokkien Noodles at Mee Ton Poe
If you want to try local food in Phuket Town, one well-known place is Mee Ton Poe.
The restaurant has been serving food in central Phuket Town for more than 60 years and is located near the clock tower.
It has a casual, open-air atmosphere that feels almost like a local street-food restaurant.
When we visited at lunchtime, the restaurant was busy.
We wondered whether it would be full of tourists, but most of the people around us appeared to be locals.
That made the experience feel even more authentic.
Our main reason for visiting was to try Phuket-style Hokkien noodles, or Hokkien mee.
We had read about this local specialty before our trip and wanted to try it as soon as we arrived in Phuket.
Mee Ton Poe is also a well-known restaurant featured in travel guides.
Thick, Chewy Hokkien Noodles
Hokkien noodles are made with thick yellow noodles and can be served either stir-fried or in soup.
The version we tried at Mee Ton Poe came in a light soy-based broth with ingredients such as pork and seafood.
We also tried a seafood version with plenty of tender seafood.
There were both spicy and non-spicy options available during our visit.
The seafood noodles reminded us a little of Nagasaki champon, a Japanese noodle dish with seafood and vegetables.
The flavor was lighter than we expected from the appearance, and we really enjoyed it.
The portions were not especially large, which made them a good choice for a relatively light lunch.
If you are traveling with other people, ordering different dishes and sharing them can be a fun way to try more of the menu.
Our First Thai Tea and Watermelon Smoothie
It was over 30°C during our visit, so sitting in the casual open-air restaurant already felt very tropical.
But what really completed the experience were the drinks.
We had been looking forward to trying Thai tea and a watermelon smoothie as soon as we arrived in Thailand.
So naturally, we ordered both.
The watermelon smoothie was icy, sweet and very juicy.
After walking around in the Phuket heat, it was incredibly refreshing.
The Thai tea was quite sweet, with its distinctive rich flavor.
After a long flight and a tiring journey, the sweetness was exactly what we wanted.
Location and Basic Information
Srin Clock Tower Location
- Address: Srin Clock Tower Roundabout, Phuket Rd., Muang Phuket
- Opening hours during our visit: 10:00–18:00
- Phone: 076-216-293
- Access: Near the clock tower in central Phuket Town and easy to reach on foot while exploring the area.
Sakdidejana Road Location
- Address: 9 109 Sakdidejana Rd., Soi 1, Talad Yai, Muang Phuket, Phuket 83000
- Opening hours during our visit: 10:00–20:00
- Phone: 076-216-293
- Access: Around a short ride from central Phuket Town.
Opening hours and restaurant information can change, so check the latest details before visiting.
Walking Around Phuket Town After Lunch
After lunch, we took a walk around the neighborhood and found a colorful temple close to Mee Ton Poe.
The bright colors and decorative architecture immediately caught our attention, so we stopped for a closer look.
Seeing styles and details that are different from what we are used to at home is one of the things we enjoy most about traveling.
During our time in Phuket Town, we noticed many signs and decorative details influenced by Chinese culture.
This reflects the multicultural history that gives Phuket Old Town much of its distinctive character.
If you visit Mee Ton Poe, it is worth leaving a little time to walk around the surrounding streets as well.
Was Mee Ton Poe Worth Visiting?
For us, Mee Ton Poe was a great first meal in Phuket.
We were able to try a local noodle specialty, enjoy Thai tea and a refreshing watermelon smoothie, and experience the casual atmosphere of Phuket Town at the same time.
What We Liked
- A chance to try Phuket-style Hokkien noodles
- Casual local atmosphere
- Both spicy and non-spicy options during our visit
- Refreshing Thai tea and watermelon smoothie
- Easy to combine with a walk around Phuket Town
Trying local food while exploring the neighborhood around it is one of our favorite parts of travel, and Mee Ton Poe was a memorable introduction to Phuket.
