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Hua Hin, a charming coastal town located on the Gulf of Thailand's ethereal shoreline, is not the typical resort town that you would expect. A town with ancient palaces, this aristocratic resort town is also known for its cosmopolitan lifestyle with bustling markets, street food and shopping malls; a perfect opportunity to dive into a diverse array of savoury and sweet dishes that are a testament to Thailand's rich cultural heritage. Given below are some tips to truly immerse in Thai flavours when you visit Hua Hin.

You cannot go wrong if you visit a market in Hua Hin. Cicada Market stands out as a platform for local artists to entertain the public. A market with pretty little eateries and an amphitheatre is definitely an exciting prospect. Small plays, stand-up comedies, art exhibitions and music are a great way to experience the local culture and appreciate art. Sipping a cold beer and eating giant grilled prawns is one way to spend the evening after an outing on the beach which is only a few kilometres away from the market. You can indulge in traditional favourites like Khao Soi which is a creamy coconut curry broth topped with fried noodles. Seafood dishes like Tom Yang Goong (spicy shrimp soup) are worth tasting due to their authentic tangy flavours brought on by adding lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal and chillies. If you want to calm your taste buds with Western food like pizza or burgers, Cicada Market will not disappoint.

Hua Hin is a thriving seafood hub due to its advantageous coastal location. Most hua hin restaurants buy their seafood here. An early morning excursion to the fishing village in Khao Takiab in southern Hua Hin could be precisely what your palette desires. Both sides of the road are full of stalls with fresh catches of crab, shellfish, prawns and squid. Surrounded by the scenic views of the Gulf of Thailand, you can choose from a variety of seafood options and have a seaside stall grill or steam it just the way you like. For a more refined culinary experience, you can arrange a meal with a hotel like Avani + Hua Hin Resort without having to travel to the fishing village itself. These hotels also source their seafood supplies from local fishermen. Some seafood specialties are known to taste better in Hua Hin due to the freshness of the ingredients. An example is, Au Suan, a crispy pancake made with plump oysters and eggs. Another delicacy that is famous in Thailand is Som Tam Pu Ma, a spicy blue crab papaya salad with a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours due to the variety of ingredients such as papaya, blue crab, tomatoes, green beans, garlic, chili peppers, peanut butter plus lime for seasoning.

This night market is another place where every corner will reveal an opportunity to please your tastebuds. As you walk along the lanes, you will hear seafood sizzling on grills and the aroma of the food will leave you speechless. Look around and the petite little food stalls with their vibrantly coloured food items will call for you. One of the special dishes you can find here is Lod Chong, a traditional Thai dessert. This sweet and refreshing treat is made from pandan leaf flavoured rice flour noodles with a chewy texture accompanied by creamy coconut milk infused with palm sugar syrup. The pandan leaves give the noodles a green hue and an herbal aroma. Another unique dish in Hua Hin Night Market is Rotee, a soft-cooked thin omelette with a filling of mango, banana, cheese and coconut. If these flavours were not enough to tempt you, this food item is also served with different sauces.

In addition to the above places, you can also swing by Tamarind Market which is located close to Cicada Market. This market specializes in food and drink stalls. Mango Coconut Sticky Rice, Moo Yang (grilled pork skewers), Pad Thai and grilled corn are some of the best local dishes that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. Pop into food stalls at ChatChai Market to revel in comfort food like soft-cooked dumplings with flavourful fillings of red beans, pork, pumpkin and sweet potato. You can also try Hot Crullers, a fried pastry made of sweetened dough that is eaten with custard, coconut milk or pineapple. Hoi Wan Pad Cha, which is Babylon Snails stir-fried with aromatic herbs and spices like garlic, pepper, chillies, hot basil leaves and roasted chilli oil is a must-try for spice lovers and bold flavour enthusiasts as you navigate the culinary landscape of Hua Hin.