Koh Samui’s Weirdest Food — Would You Try It?

Koh Samui’s Weirdest Food — Would You Try It?

If you’ve ever found yourself on the sun-dappled shores of Koh Samui, you’ll know the island is a sensory feast. The scent of jasmine rice and lemongrass wafts from beachfront kitchens; the call of hornbills mingles with the slow lap of turquoise water. Yet, amid the familiar pad Thais and coconut curries, there lurks a culinary curiosity that’s not for the faint of palate: Goong Ten—the infamously “dancing shrimp.”

The Dance of the Bravest Snack

There is a particular pleasure in discovering a food that’s as much an experience as it is a meal. Goong Ten (กุ้งเต้น), which translates charmingly to “dancing shrimp,” is as literal as it sounds: a dish of tiny, translucent freshwater shrimp, served alive and wiggling in a spicy, citrus-laced marinade. One might call it the Thai answer to sashimi, albeit with a bit more choreography and considerably more wriggling.

The first time I encountered Goong Ten was at the Lamai Night Market, an open-air theatre of culinary adventure. There, amid the sizzle of grilled skewers and the cheerful clamor of locals and travelers, I watched a vendor deftly toss a handful of shrimp into a bowl with a handful of punchy herbs, chilies, lime juice, and fish sauce. The shrimp, predictably, did not take this lying down.

A Bite of History (and a Twitch of the Tail)

The roots of Goong Ten trace inland to the riverbanks of northern Thailand, but Koh Samui’s adventurous spirit has adopted the dish with gusto. It reflects a time-honored island ethos: take what the land (or water) provides, and make it sing—sometimes literally. In a way, the dish is a metaphor for the island itself: lively, a touch irreverent, and always ready to surprise.

Eating Goong Ten is not unlike attending a dinner party where the guests are a bit too lively. The experience toes the line between the thrill of the unknown and the universal urge to shrink from the unfamiliar. It also offers a curious communion with the food—an immediacy that is, dare I say, rare in the age of frozen entrees and vacuum-sealed everything.

How To Try It (If You Dare)

Should your curiosity (or Instagram feed) lure you toward this kinetic snack, a few words to the wise:

• Go Where the Locals Go: Seek out bustling markets like Fisherman’s Village in Bophut or the aforementioned Lamai Night Market. There, Goong Ten is freshest, and you’re likely to find friendly vendors keen to show you the proper way to eat it (hint: close your mouth quickly).
• Mind the Marinade: The citrus and chili not only season the shrimp, they also—mercifully—numb the sensation a bit.
• Start Small: Cautious first-timers might request a half-portion. After all, bravery is best built in increments.

Pro-tip: Wash it down with a bottle of local Singha beer, which, like a trusty sidekick, will help you through any unexpected sensations.

Why Try It?

Beyond the spectacle, Goong Ten is a flavor bomb—bright, tart, spicy, and somehow more lively than even the freshest ceviche. There’s a subtle sweetness to the shrimp, drawn out by the marinade, and the crunch of toasted rice powder (often sprinkled on top) is pleasantly grounding. More than the taste, though, there’s a story in every bite—a fleeting connection to the riverbanks of Chiang Mai, the markets of Samui, and the centuries-old dance between hunger and ingenuity.

Trying Goong Ten is less about bravado than open-mindedness. It’s about saying yes to surprise and yes to the curious, persistent weirdness that makes travel memorable. In the end, whether you savor every bite or snap a single tentative photo, you’ll have joined the ranks of eaters who know that sometimes, the best souvenirs are the stories you bring home—twitching tails and all.

A Final Thought (And a Gentle Dare)

Koh Samui is many things: a postcard landscape, a riot of flavors, a gentle nudge out of the ordinary. Goong Ten is its edible emblem—unexpected, a little wild, and best enjoyed with a friend and a sense of humor. Would you try it? Only one way to find out.

If you do, let me know—the best travel tales always start with a leap (or, in this case, a wriggle).

Ready for your own culinary adventure? Explore more at Lamai Night Market or Fisherman’s Village on your next visit to Koh Samui. And remember: the world’s weirdest foods are often its most memorable.