In South Phuket Kan Eang actually offers three restaurants a short distance apart. The original Kan Eang sets at the end of the pier at Chalong Bay and has a charm of its own. From the Chalong traffic circle, go east a few blocks to where the road ends at the Chalong pier. The rather nondescript building at the right is the original Kang Eang #1. You enter on the back side. To get to Kan Eang 2, take the north spur from the Chalong traffic circle to Phuket, turn right on the first paved road and follow it to the end.

30 years ago Kan Eang started life as a humble fish stand, buying the highest quality seafood and preparing it southern Thai style. This restaurant was so successful that 18 years later the Kan Eang II was opened. And adding a little variety, a third venue was opened beside Kan Eang II, Da Nang Restaurant specialising in Vietnamese and North East Thai recipes with a seafood theme.

All three restaurants are located on the beach of Chalong bay, amidst tropical gardens and other natural attractions. All seafood is freshly caught, with lunch and dinner served in an open-air atmosphere at reasonable prices. As we sat down, we were given a menu with over 200 items and weekly specials. A kaleidoscope of Thai dishes - traditional favorites, local Phuket dishes and many others that even Thais have never heard of, however, seafood is what Kan Eang is all about. Specialties include Phuket lobster, king prawns, soft shell crab, oysters and a wide variety of fresh fish cooked as you like. I just had to have the Phuket lobster. With nine preparation styles to choose from--baked with butter, sashimi, or baked with chili paste--you'll never go wrong. I had mine baked with garlic. I also adored the delicately fried crab meat Kan Eang style--dipped in a sweet chili sauce. Set under trees on the beach looking out at distant boats twinkling in the bay, the tables next to the sand help make the dining experience extra memorable.