Luk Nun Shop in Phuket is a family house serving the best cashew chicken — cheap local Isaan that quietly outclasses tourist traps
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Small place, huge score — and a few reasons to double-check the hype
Luk Nun Shop (Old Ubon Larb) carries a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5 from 37 reviewers. That metric reads like a promise: authentic, cheap, family-run food that keeps people coming back. The reality painted by the available data mostly supports that claim, but a few structural contradictions matter to anyone deciding whether to go out of their way for it.
What the reviews consistently praise
- Signature dish: cashew chicken appears repeatedly as the dish that convinces skeptics. Multiple independent reviewers single it out as the best they had during their Thailand stays.
- Portions and value: guests emphasize very large portions and low prices, with one reviewer explicitly noting they ate six dishes in a single meal and still called it chear value.
- Local, homey setting: five independent reports describe the place as family-owned and literally somebody’s house, which readers link to authentic preparation and friendly service.
- Menu practicalities: a picture menu is available, making ordering easier for non-Thai speakers.
- Dish variety: positive mentions include tempura garlic, pad see ew, papaya salad, red curry paste, and chicken laab — a spread that leans Isaan but covers broader Thai comfort food.
Actions you should take when planning a visit
- Time it around the schedule: open 10:00–20:00 Monday through Friday and Sunday, closed on Saturday. If you’re in the area over a weekend, don’t expect it to be available on Saturday.
- Drive if you can: free on-site parking plus free street parking is explicitly available, so arriving by car or motorbike removes a common tourist-area headache.
- Bring a small group or order several plates: reviewers noted large portions and tried multiple dishes; this is a place to sample rather than nurse a single entrée.
- Use the picture menu: reviewers flag it as useful for visitors. Rely on it if your Thai is thin; staff are described as friendly and family-oriented, which helps with special requests.
What the raving score hides
The 4.9 average comes from just 37 people. That’s a high concentration of enthusiasm but a small sample by any street-test standard. The reviewers in the dataset are uniformly positive; none in the provided subset offered constructive criticism. That pattern can indicate a genuinely exceptional small spot, or it can reflect a limited, highly satisfied local-tourist crossover audience that doesn’t capture fluctuation on harder nights. Treat the number as an invitation to try, not a guarantee of perfection every night.
Context matters: tourist cluster, but a home kitchen
The shop sits among hostels, a resort, car rental and massage businesses, which points to a mixed local-tourist footfall. Despite tourist infrastructure nearby, reviewers insist the operation feels domestic and made-to-order. That tension is useful: you get the convenience of tourist proximity combined with an atmosphere reviewers describe as truly local. Expect simple, efficient service rather than slick restaurant theatre.
Menu intelligence: what to order and what to expect
Cashew chicken is the single safest bet according to several independent reports. Tempura garlic drew attention for both size and value. For variety, reviewers also recommend pad see ew, papaya salad, laab, and red curry paste. Multiple guests returned for second (or multiple) visits specifically because different dishes maintained the same praise. If you want to minimize risk, build a meal around cashew chicken plus one strong salad and one fried dish.
Practical warnings I care about and you should too
Because this is effectively a family kitchen in a residential setting, don’t expect restaurant trappings. The operation is described as friendly and made-to-order, which suggests occasional waits during busy periods. The dataset does not include negative reports on hygiene or service, but it also doesn’t include any operational details such as payment methods or accessibility features. If those factors matter to you, check before you go.
Recommendation and final read — who walks away happy
If you value authentic, large-portion Thai and an informal, home-run dining environment, Luk Nun Shop is worth a detour. It’s especially appealing to drivers and to guests staying in the nearby hostel or resort cluster. The food reputation is concentrated around a handful of dishes that consistently please reviewers, so order with those strengths in mind.
Expect genuine family cooking, substantial plates, and a picture menu that makes ordering simple for non-Thai speakers. Avoid assuming the place will be open on Saturday.
Bottom line
Luk Nun Shop earns its high rating from a small but emphatic group of diners. The evidence in the dataset points to exceptional cashew chicken, generous portions, low prices, and a family-run atmosphere in a tourist-friendly pocket. If you’re in the neighborhood and prioritize authenticity over ambiance, go. If you require broader guarantees about consistent service, accessibility, or payment options, do a quick pre-visit check with the venue — the data supports the food, but not the logistical fine print.
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