Khaw Glong, Chaweng Koh Samui: Scratch-Cooked Thai Since 2011

Overview

Khaw Glong is a family-run Thai restaurant just off Chaweng Beach Road on Koh Samui’s east coast, open since late 2011 and now one of the longest-running kitchens in Chaweng. Chef and owner Isareeyaporn Yosboonthung runs a small, no-MSG menu cooked entirely to order, with vegetables cut fresh as each dish goes into the pan rather than prepped in advance. It’s open daily from 15:00 to 22:00, closed on Wednesdays.

The restaurant has stayed in the same family’s hands for over a decade, which is unusual on a strip where beachfront leases and staff turn over quickly. That continuity shows up in the reviews: regulars come back for the same handful of curries and soups rather than a menu that chases trends, and the kitchen’s own farm, opened in 2023, is a deliberate attempt to control ingredient quality rather than a marketing add-on.

Key takeaways

• Open 15:00-22:00 daily except Wednesday, on Chaweng Beach Road, a short walk from Chaweng Beach.
• Cook-to-order Thai menu, no MSG or additives, produce partly sourced from the restaurant’s own farm, Khaw Glong Hills, running since 2023.
• Rated 4.7 out of 5 from over 2,500 Tripadvisor reviews, ranked around #11 of 175 restaurants in Chaweng as of September 2026.
• Mains run roughly 200-450 THB (~5.50-12.50 USD); it’s a small, popular room that fills up, so arrive early or expect a wait.

Key Facts

Fact	Detail
Location	Chaweng Beach Road, just off the main strip, east Koh Samui
Address	200/12 Moo 2, Chaweng Beach Road, Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320
Hours	Daily 15:00-22:00, closed Wednesdays
Cuisine	Thai, seafood, no MSG
Price range	~200-450 THB (~5.50-12.50 USD) per dish
Coordinates	9.5307, 100.0617
Map	Khaw Glong on Google Maps
Phone	+66 92 446 5919
Website	khawglong.com
Recognition	Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice, multiple years including 2024 and 2025

Khaw Glong sits back from Chaweng Beach Road in a small, low-key dining room rather than on the beachfront itself: it’s the food and the owner’s reputation that draw people in, not the setting. Reviewers consistently flag that tables are limited and fill quickly during dinner service, so it suits a plan-ahead visit more than a walk-in on a busy night.

On the Menu

Khaw Glong’s menu centers on classic Thai dishes cooked fresh per order rather than a fusion or tourist-adapted format, and the kitchen states plainly that nothing is pre-cooked or held under a heat lamp. Since 2023 the restaurant has drawn some of its produce from Khaw Glong Hills, a small pesticide-free farm it runs overlooking the coast.

• Tom yum kung: the hot-and-sour shrimp soup reviewers cite most often as a highlight.
• Pad thai with shrimp (khao pad kung yai sauce): a signature noodle dish, priced around 380 THB (~10.50 USD) on the current menu.
• Panang curry rice bowls: a milder, peanut-based curry served over rice.
• Shrimp with tamarind sauce: sweet-sour shrimp, another dish that comes up repeatedly in reviews.
• Vegetarian options: available on request, with adjustable spice levels across most dishes.

The menu is compact by design rather than an oversight: fewer dishes means each one can be cooked from raw ingredients per order, which is the trade-off the kitchen has built its reputation on. Portions are described by regular reviewers as generous for the price, and the restaurant leans on a handful of signature dishes rather than trying to cover every regional Thai cuisine at once.

Prices

Khaw Glong sits in the mid-range band for Chaweng, priced above a roadside noodle stall but below a hotel restaurant. A shrimp pad thai runs about 380 THB (~10.50 USD) on the 2026 menu, and Tripadvisor lists the overall price range as $$-$$$ (moderate to above-average for the area) as of September 2026.

Item	Typical price
Pad thai with shrimp	~380 THB (~10.50 USD)
Curry rice bowls (panang, tom yum)	~200-350 THB (~5.50-9.50 USD)
Tom yum kung soup	~250-400 THB (~7-11 USD), size dependent
Shrimp with tamarind sauce	~300-450 THB (~8.50-12.50 USD)

Menu prices are not fixed to the cent and change with ingredient cost and portion size; confirm on arrival, and note the kitchen does not accept reservations after 18:00.

Getting There

Khaw Glong is on Chaweng Beach Road, roughly 300-400 meters inland from Chaweng Beach, an easy 5-minute walk from the main strip’s hotels and shops. From Chaweng Noi Beach it’s about 3 km north, a 5-10 minute taxi or scooter ride. Samui Airport is close by on the same side of the island. See this site’s airport-to-Chaweng guide for current taxi fares and drive times.

Nearby

Khaw Glong is a short walk from the length of Chaweng Beach, Samui’s busiest stretch of sand, hotels and beach clubs. Chaweng’s nightlife strip, including Green Mango and Ark Bar, is within a few minutes on foot. North of Chaweng, Wat Plai Laem (the temple known for its giant Guanyin statue and fish-feeding pond) is about 4.5 km away, a short taxi ride. For a wider spread of places to eat in the area, see this site’s Chaweng guide.

Pros and Cons

Khaw Glong’s strengths are consistency and provenance: cook-to-order dishes, no MSG, produce from its own farm, and a 4.7/5 Tripadvisor rating built over more than 2,500 reviews and 14-plus years in business. Against that, the room is small and reservations aren’t taken after 18:00, so walk-ins during peak dinner hours often face a wait; it’s also closed on Wednesdays, which catches some visitors out, and it isn’t a beachfront setting: diners come for the food rather than a sea view. It suits a sit-down dinner planned a little in advance rather than a late, spontaneous stop, and it’s a better fit for travelers who want a genuine neighborhood kitchen over a resort-style dining room.

FAQ

Is Khaw Glong still open in 2026?

Yes. As of September 2026, Khaw Glong operates daily from 15:00 to 22:00 except Wednesdays, on Chaweng Beach Road, Koh Samui. Recent Tripadvisor reviews from June and September 2026 confirm ongoing service and its current 4.7/5 rating.

What is Khaw Glong known for?

Khaw Glong is known for cook-to-order Thai food made without MSG, using produce partly grown on its own farm, Khaw Glong Hills. It has held Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice recognition in multiple recent years and is ranked around #11 of 175 restaurants in Chaweng.

How much does a meal at Khaw Glong cost?

A meal at Khaw Glong typically runs 200-450 THB (~5.50-12.50 USD) per dish, putting it in the mid-range band for Chaweng. A shrimp pad thai costs about 380 THB (~10.50 USD) on the current menu.

Does Khaw Glong take reservations?

Khaw Glong accepts reservations but not after 18:00, and reviewers note the small dining room fills quickly during dinner service. Arriving early or booking ahead for a later table is the safer option at Khaw Glong.

How far is Khaw Glong from Chaweng Beach?

Khaw Glong sits roughly 300-400 meters inland from Chaweng Beach, about a 5-minute walk from the main beach road. It’s within easy walking distance of most Chaweng hotels and the beachfront itself.