Discovering local lifestyles and experiencing first-hand how people live, work and manage their day has to be one of the most rewarding elements of travel. Local food can tell many a tale, and on Phuket, you have th advantage of being able to sample this fare in very real, homely settings.

A large portion of the Phuketian population is of Chinese origin. The immigrants when they first came here brought with them their culture and habits and much of these still live and thrive on Phuket.

Over the years, the habits, traditions and cuisine have blended with the indigenous counterparts and what we have today is a unique blend of Chinese and Thai elements.

“Dim Sum”, Chinese specialties are treasured as favoured local breakfast options, even for native Phuketian people.

Various incarnations can be found all over the island, Janjira Dim Sum Restaurant located on the front of the By Pass road between Index Living Mall and near Jasmine Furnitures Store boasts of a family recipe that has stayed the same for generations. This institution has been around for decades, serving the typical small dishes of delectable Dim Sum...starting early morning until nearly mid-day.

Janjira Dim Sum offers various types of Dim Sum like prawn dumplings or Har Gau which is a popular and tasty Dim Sum option that I strongly urge you to try. Next, there's the Kanom-Jeen (mince pork or prawn dumplings), the steamed delight- tofu and steamed stuffed-mince buns (Sa La Pao) with mince pork or roast pork dip and pastes ranging from sweet and sour to spicy, they all go splendidly with steaming hot Chinese tea.

They also offer regular Thai dishes like crispy pork with rice (Kao Moo Krob), Kao Man Kai (Rice and steamed chicken). If you've been planning to get healthy, start with the Chinese pork-chop soup with herbs.

The small Dim Sum dishes are all served up at every table, a blessing for clueless non-Thai speakers who wouldn't know what to order. You choose what you eat and leave the rest. Your bill is totalled according to what has been consumed. The cost is just 8 -10 baht per dish and the steamed mince bun (Sa La Pao) comes at the same price. Thai main dishes like Kao Man Kai, Krapao- Pla (Dried Fish Maw Soup) are about 30-35 baht each.

It's a great family atmosphere - the restaurant has been carved out of the side of the owners' home. Join locals every morning, in having their Dim Sum breakfast with Chinese tea or coffee after their exercise and discussing the news about what's going on in Phuket and Thailand.

In a fast developing city like Phuket, these charming rituals are a treat. Be up early and catch one of these, and perhaps even a sunrise, at least once.

Janjira Dim Sum
Bypass Road. Nr., Index Living Mall