Tasted: Explorar Koh Samui

Explorar Koh Samui offers the perfect getaway with gorgeous rooms and atmosphere, but for foodies, it’s simply a paradise. This adults-only resort on Mae Nam Beach deserves a place on your bucket list not just for its chic and relaxing surroundings but also the umami-packed menus.

After a busy day soaking in the sun and sea, we stepped out of our serene Beach Pool Villa for a culinary adventure at the Odyssey – the hotel’s beachfront restaurant.

Here, a Santa Maria-style grill sizzled and smoked with a sumptuous selection of seafood, sausages and meats, all prepared by Explorar’s culinary director, Chef Raphael Kinimo, and his team for their signature “Blue Smoke – Taste of Spain” Thursday night. 

Our seaside feast opened with “sustainable” cocktails crafted by Joey Lai, the hotel’s chief mixologist, as part of his “Go Green” drinks menu. We opted for Smokey Cacao, a medley of mezcal, prosecco and orange bitters served in a cacao shell; Cocco Bello, a playful blend of coconut infused Campari, plantation dark rum and Cinzano Rosso, served in a coconut and topped with coconut foam; and Mauve Margarita, a delicate ballet of butterfly pea brine, tequila, yuzu, agave and lime.

Dinner began with a Cold Cuts & Cheese platter alongside a rainbow-hued Greek Salad and Modern Salad. Next came Chef Raphael’s Spanish Pinchitos Platter, spread with Beef Kebabs, Butifarras, Chorizo, and juicy, salted-to-perfection Pollo à la Barbacoa.

One of only 350 Maître Cuisiniers de France, Chef Raphael’s culinary pedigree shone through in every mouthful we ate. Just when we thought we were done, he served up his mind-blowingly good Gambas AlAjillo and BBQ Corn under a blanket of cheese. The night ended with a devilishly delicious dessert of Apple Tarte paired with house-made limoncello.

With beaming faces and bursting bellies, we turned to each other and gave thanks for a heavely Southern island flavour adventure.

Explorar Koh Samui

44, 134, Tambon Mae Nam, Amphoe Koh Samui, Surat Thani
Tel: +66 (0) 77 953 035 www.explorarhotels.com/koh-samui