Mama tam (Mama’s)

If you’re eating your way around Koh Tao, make time for Mama tam. It’s a no-frills Thai kitchen where the wok never seems to cool and plates land big, hot, and fast. Expect the classics done properly — fragrant fried rice, pad thai, sweet-and-sour — plus the dish regulars rave about: cashew nut stir‑fry, crisped tofu or chicken tossed with roasted nuts and plenty of veg. Portions are generous, prices stay friendly, and the fruit shakes are the move when the island heat kicks in. Everything is cooked to order, so there can be a short wait when the room fills up — worth it for the fresh, just‑off‑the‑wok flavors. Vegetarians are well looked after, and they’ll happily do tofu swaps and lighter seasoning on request; gluten‑free pad thai is also possible if you ask. Come for lunch, take a beach break, then roll back for dinner when the kitchen fires up again. Practical bits: open daily for lunch and dinner, 11:00am–3:00pm and 5:00pm–9:00pm. Phone: +66 64 463 2942. You’ll find it in the village center on Koh Tao, a short walk from Sairee’s main strip. Hours last checked March 2026.