Start our culinary journey with a visit to Koh Jum Seafood Restaurant, a place that defines the essence of island seafood. Located right on the water, the restaurant offers not only delicious food, but also unforgettable views. The restaurant's specialty is freshly caught fish, including barracuda, which you can pick yourself from an ice display. The restaurant is famous for the opportunity to participate in fishing with a local fisherman, which adds authenticity to the whole experience. Guests especially praise the sour curry with barracuda and the fried shrimp with tamarind sauce. The staff, who speak English, are happy to advise on dish choices.

Another spot on the gourmet seafood map is Chawle Seafood restaurant koh jum. This place impresses not only with the quality of the dishes served, but also with their variety. The restaurant is famous for its grilled lobsters and crabs, which are a real must-try for any visitor to the island. What sets Chawle apart from other establishments is its offering of less common delicacies, such as sea snails and sea cucumber salad. This is the perfect place for those who want to expand their culinary horizons and try something truly unique.

Also not to be missed is Gung Nang Seafood, a family-run restaurant offering authentic Thai flavors paired with fresh seafood. The place charms with its rustic atmosphere and direct contact with the owners, who often personally advise guests. The establishment's specialty is barracuda with garlic and a variety of squid dishes. Importantly, Gung Nang Seafood offers not only delicious food, but also a friendly, almost family-like atmosphere that makes guests eager to return here every day of their stay on the island.

All three restaurants have one thing in common - the extraordinary freshness of the seafood they serve. However, they differ in the style of food preparation and atmosphere. Koh Jum Seafood Restaurant offers the most comprehensive experience with the option to catch your own dinner, Chawle Seafood delights with its variety and rare delicacies, and Gung Nang Seafood charms with its homely atmosphere and simplicity. Prices at all establishments are similar and fluctuate around the average for the island, offering good value for money.

Continuing our culinary journey on Koh Jum, we can't leave out the Grand restaurant, which combines traditional Thai flavors with modern touches. It's a place that impresses not only with its food, but also with its atmosphere. Guests can enjoy delicious dishes while observing the surrounding nature - with a little luck, you can even spot monkeys in the nearby forest. The restaurant is famous for its excellent Panang curry with shrimp and papaya salad, which guests describe as 'the best they've eaten'. As an added bonus, scooters can be rented, making it easy to explore the island after a satiating meal.

Let's now move on to Tingrai Restaurants, a place that many believe deserves a Michelin star. Unassuming in appearance, this restaurant serves top-notch dishes, always using fresh, local ingredients. Especially recommended are the green curry and pad thai, which guests describe as among the best in all of Thailand. It's worth noting that the chef personally ensures the freshness of the ingredients, often personally driving to pick them up during service. Tingrai Restaurants also offers options for vegetarians and vegans, adapting traditional Thai recipes to suit different dietary preferences.

Another spot worth noting is Sea Charm Thai Cuisine. This restaurant stands out for the authenticity of the dishes it serves and its affordable prices. Guests especially praise the chicken satay with homemade sauce and the variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes. The restaurant's owner is always willing to talk and passionately tells about the dishes served, which further enriches the culinary experience.

Finally, it is worth mentioning Lee restaurant koh jum, which has won the hearts of guests not only with its delicious food, but also with its extraordinary hospitality. The restaurant serves both traditional Thai dishes and fresh fish prepared in various ways. Guests often point out that despite its inconspicuous appearance, Lee restaurant serves food at the level of reputable restaurants. An additional nice touch is the complimentary desserts, often served after the meal.

When comparing these places, several aspects are worth noting:

• Prices: All restaurants offer reasonably priced dishes, with Lee restaurant and Sea Charm Thai Cuisine at the top in terms of value for money.
• Diversity of menus: Tingrai Restaurants and Sea Charm Thai Cuisine stand out for their wide range of offerings for vegetarians and vegans.
• Atmosphere: the Grand restaurant offers a unique experience with wildlife viewing, while the Lee restaurant impresses with its homey atmosphere.
• Authenticity: All establishments serve authentic Thai dishes, but Sea Charm Thai Cuisine and Tingrai Restaurants particularly emphasize the use of traditional recipes and techniques.

Regardless of your choice, each of these restaurants offers an unforgettable culinary experience, combining the freshness of local ingredients with the traditional Thai flavors and hospitality characteristic of Koh Jum.

Our culinary tour of Koh Jum would not be complete without mentioning places that offer more than just traditional seafood. One such place is Mai's Homestay & Vegan Restaurant Koh Jum - a true gem for lovers of plant-based cuisine. This place proves that even on an island famous for seafood, you can find delicious vegan dishes. Mai, the restaurant's owner, prepares meals with extreme care, using fresh coconut milk from local suppliers and seasonal vegetables. Guests especially praise the pancakes made with taro, which gives them their characteristic purple color, and the homemade kombucha - a rarity on the island. The atmosphere at Mai's Homestay is extremely friendly and homely, making it an ideal place not only to dine, but also to spend the day.

Returning to seafood cuisine, it's worth noting the variety of seafood preparation techniques at the restaurants we visited. From simple grilled fish at Koh Jum Seafood Restaurant, to sophisticated curries at Tingrai Restaurants, to fusion at Grand restaurant, each place offers a unique approach to local delicacies. This variety means that even during a few days' stay on the island, every meal can be a new culinary experience.

To sum up our journey through the flavors of Koh Jum, it's worth highlighting a few key aspects:

1. freshness: All the restaurants we visited place great emphasis on the freshness of ingredients. Often you can see the owners personally selecting fish from local fishermen or harvesting vegetables from home gardens.

2 Authenticity: Despite the island's growing popularity with tourists, local restaurants have retained the authentic character of Thai cuisine. The owners are eager to share the stories behind each dish, further enriching the culinary experience.

3. Variety: From traditional Thai curries to modern interpretations of classic dishes, Koh Jum offers something for every palate. Of note is the growing number of vegetarian and vegan options, making the island attractive to those on plant-based diets as well.

4. prices: despite the high quality of the dishes served, prices at most restaurants remain affordable. This makes culinary exploration of Koh Jum accessible to a wide range of travelers.

5. Atmosphere: Each of the restaurants visited offers a unique atmosphere, from romantic dinners on the seafront at Koh Jum Seafood Restaurant to family dinners at Lee restaurant. This variety means that every meal can be a new and exciting experience.

Koh Jum is not only a paradise for beach and tranquility lovers, but also a true culinary adventure. Whether you're a fan of seafood, traditional Thai cuisine, or looking for vegan alternatives, this small island has an incredibly rich palette of flavors to offer. Remember, the best way to experience local culture is through the stomach - so we encourage you to be adventurous in trying new dishes and talking to restaurant owners. It is these culinary experiences and encounters with the islanders that will make your stay on Koh Jum an unforgettable adventure that you will want to return to.