Naklua, an Eldorado for fish lovers
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If you're tired of Pattaya's bar life or want to try a different restaurant, head to nearby Naklua. Especially if you are a fish lover, you will get your money's worth here.
Although there are plenty of so-called baht buses driving there, my favorite means of transport in Pattaya is still the motorbike.
Via the Second Road we drive to the large roundabout and continue our way towards Naklua. Once there we see a large tree wrapped with the well-known colorful cloth, with the middle of the road also marked with red and white concrete blocks. At this point you will see a parking lot on the left with an extensive fish market.
The market
Just walk around the market and see the many types of fish that are for sale. The fish shine at you here and if you look into the fish's eyes and the fresh gills light up for a moment, you can see that it is all super fresh. The fish is brought here daily by the fishing community located behind the market. In addition to the more well-known fish species, you will also see less common species, such as small sharks. Let's call it the catch of the day.
There is certainly no shortage of shellfish either. Lobster, crab, shrimp, scallop shells, mussels and many other shellfish are for sale in all sizes and types. Too bad I'm here on my hotels and depend on a restaurant, because how I would love to cook here.
Of walk
A tiled promenade has been laid out behind the market, it is actually more of a large square where you can sit on a bench overlooking the sea. To the right you see the tiny fishing harbor and the houses of the people who have to earn a living from fishing. Judging by the meager houses, the reward is not exactly florissant. You can walk around freely there and perhaps take a nice picture.
We're going to eat fish
After seeing all those beautiful fresh and undoubtedly tasty fish, you may have been hungry for a bite of seafood. There are two special fish restaurants near the market. On the way we have already passed the first one. From the market we drive or walk back a very short distance and now see the Plathong fish restaurant on the right side of the road. You walk in through the parking lot, after which you can enjoy a delicious fish meal with a view of the quietly rippling sea. For non-fish lovers there is plenty of choice from other dishes.
Before the second restaurant we drive straight past the market. We cross a bridge and go straight ahead. So do not follow the traffic, which will turn right at some point towards Sukhumvit Road. A few meters further you will see a large long building on your left side of the road, in which the large Mumaroi restaurant is located. You will also find a branch on 3rd Road and in Siracha, some 25 kilometers away. The restaurant is very popular with the Thais and a nice orchestra regularly plays in the evenings. Civilized and not too loud, so that you can also converse with each other at the table. Try to get a table with a sea view. The name of the Mumaroi restaurant is on top of the roof in the Thai language, illuminated in neon letters, indicated. Both restaurants are located by the sea and I can wholeheartedly recommend them.
Mumaroi is indeed a very nice restaurant with delicious fish/seafood. It is located by the sea and has several nice terraces with umbrellas if I remember correctly.
What I regret is that the Thai cannot make fillet. Fish fillet has no bones and no skin, but that doesn't matter to the Thai people, they just eat everything and chew off the head and tail as well.
Lately about 70% of the orders we make in restaurants go wrong. My wife orders in Thai but even then it seems to be too difficult to serve the correct order. Well, it usually works out in the end anyway.
Although I usually stay halfway between Pattaya and Jomtien, I always make the effort to go to Mum Aroi. A paradise place with a rich choice of fresh fish and shellfish. There are indeed many well-to-do Thais, which is a good sign for the quality of the food. Actually, we should not promote these exquisite places too much, because then it will become busier and more expensive. That's the beauty of Pattaya. It has something to offer for everyone, especially when it comes to the basic necessities of life.
I know both restaurants because we live close to them in Naklua (27 Road).
That fresh fish (especially if you cook yourself) is fantastic.
Another tip in a fish restaurant. Choose the fish you want on your plate.
Fresh is: Red inner gills and clear eyes.
It often happens that a fish is chipped from the bottom of the freezer and you can do that
get sick of it.
I wouldn't use shellfish anyway. They are stored unrefrigerated and that is possible
cause serious poisoning. (Eat those in NL!)
Frank F
We know Mum Aroi.
We have also eaten there several times.
It's certainly good business.
But we still prefer to drive to Bang Sarai.
You can also eat right on the sea at the seafood restaurant called RimHad.
We think that the price-quality ratio is better here.
But it is a bit outside (beyond) the city.
We eat here regularly
We ate here once with 10 people.
Includes crab and quite assorted seafood dishes, drinks and dessert.
Cost a 3.000 Thb.
Last month I had dinner there with 10 people and didn't place any excessive orders and I spent 9000 bath. The band played quite well.
I prefer to go to Ton Hack, (Na jomtien), track amphur or bang sarai. Just on the beach and the food is exquisite and affordable.
In addition to the fish market, it is also wonderful to have a picnic ... my (Thai) wife does the shopping and collects shrimps, cockles and whatnot ... then with the fresh stock to the various tents that grill it for you on the spot ... now I have on the rolled out some rugs (for rent for 10 baht at the kiosk located there .... bring it back neatly because you don't pay a deposit) and then enjoy a nice meal between the many Thai people present ... costs nothing and fresher is not possible ... there is also enough drinks etc for sale next to the market then you don't even have to lug that along
Groet
Piet
Did it myself several times, sitting on that grass between 95% Thai, everyone friendly, with the Thai smile.
Blissfully relax after visiting the busy market, eat good and fresh fish, make social contacts with the other connoisseurs next to you, enjoy the grass, tranquility and sea view, all at a very short distance from the extremely busy Pattaya.