Zong Zi Pad Pad Rustic Cuisine & Lounge, Koh Chang

Discover the true taste of Koh Chang at Zong Zi Pad Pad Rustic Cuisine & Lounge. Situated near Klong Prao Beach, this charming restaurant serves authentic dishes rooted in family tradition and local flavors from Trat province. Enjoy expertly crafted meals made with fresh, local ingredients and pair them with unique, island-inspired cocktails. Experience genuine Thai hospitality in a warm, relaxed setting — a must-visit culinary restaurant on Koh Chang.

Zong Zi Pad Pad Rustic Cuisine & Lounge: Authentic Koh Chang & Trat cuisine with Family roots

During our stay at Sol Beach Koh Chang, we were invited to dine at the neighboring Zong Zi Pad Pad Rustic Cuisine & Lounge. What followed was not a standard dinner, but a culinary introduction to the local cuisine of Koh Chang and the Trat province. The friendly owner let us taste dishes with a long family history, prepared with pride, knowledge and respect for local ingredients. Exactly the kind of cuisine that, in our opinion, deserves to be cherished and passed on.

Where is Zong Zi Pad Pad located on Koh Chang?

The modern-designed restaurant is located close to the sea, directly behind Klong Prao Beach and along the main road on the west coast of Koh Chang. Inside, you’ll find a clean, contemporary interior with plenty of wood, warm tones and soft lighting. While sitting there, you can almost hear the sea in the background. It immediately feels like a place where time and attention matter. No crowds, no show — just a pleasant setting to truly enjoy local cuisine.

Zong Zi Pad Pad Rustic Cuisine & Lounge is easy to reach. From White Sand Beach, it’s about a ten-minute ride by scooter or car. From Lonely Beach, the drive takes around fifteen minutes. Coming from Bang Bao in the south of Koh Chang, expect a drive of roughly thirty minutes.

Cuisine & Philosophy – Trat’s authentic kitchen

The menu fully revolves around the local cuisine of Trat. Many products come from their own land, from Koh Chang itself or from the mainland of the Trat province. Think local herbs, homemade chili pastes and the well-known sweet Trat pineapple. Everything is prepared using traditional cooking techniques that have been passed down for generations. It’s therefore no surprise that Zong Zi Pad Pad carries the Thai Select label, an official recognition of authentic Thai cuisine. We believe there is a strong chance this restaurant will receive a Michelin listing or Bib Gourmand in the future.

What did we had at Zong Zi Pad Pad

The owner of the restaurant put together a selection that perfectly shows what this kitchen stands for:

Welcome drink and cucumber with dip – a sweet drink made from Bael Fruit with cucumber and a dip of brown sugar.

Papaya salad (Som Tam), Koh Chang style called Yok – fresh and very different in flavor from the Som Tam we had elsewhere. Nice extra bites come with it, such as crispy fried small fish and Koh Chang fish cakes, plus two different types of leaves that you can eat together with the salad. If you’re choosing a starter, go for this special dish.
Rice noodle with sun-dried shrimp paste (seasonal menu) – rice noodles with sun-dried shrimp paste; intense, with a deep umami flavor.

Bonus: a small piece of jellyfish (seasonal menu) – served with spicy chili peanuts paste on a bed of fresh lettuce and half a calamansi (citrus fruit) to squeeze over just before eating.

Trat golden pineapple with mussel yellow curry – sweet Trat pineapple combined with mussels and a delicious mild yellow curry. Our favorite, especially together with the unique pink rice.
Fried rice with bean curd sauce and pickled vegetables – this special pink rice is a traditional Trat way to eat with curry.

Stir-fried squid with shrimp paste – perfectly cooked squid, savory and bold in flavor thanks to Thai basil, local fish sauce and chili.
Deep Fried Minced Pork Cake – these meatballs resemble Western-style meatballs, but with a distinctly Thai twist.

Koh Chang lady finger banana in syrup with coconut cream – soft, warm, not overly sweet and nicely balanced.
Coconut rice ball & rice dumplings in ginger soup – a classic lightly sweet dessert with a gentle kick from aromatic ginger.

Everything was carefully served with clear craftsmanship, often on classic tableware that is decades old. The portions were generous and clearly visible.

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Cocktails – Koh Chang in a glass

The cocktails are just as thoughtfully local as the food. These are certainly not standard beach cocktails, but drinks that truly complement the cuisine. We tried three signature cocktails:

Zong Zi Pad Pad – fresh cocktails with jasmine and mangosteen, perfect as an aperitif. Light and easy to drink.
Ched – a sweet-and-sour salak (snake fruit) cocktail with dried shrimp, sweet fish sauce and a hint of rose. Our favorite!
He – golden Trat pineapple, malva nut and coconut water, a cocktail made with local Trat specialties.

Reasons why you should dine at Zong Zi Pad Pad while visiting Koh Chang, Thailand

Local cuisine with some very special dishes
Must try cocktails
Nice ambiance
Great service
Recipes with a rich family heritage

Our conclusion

Zong Zi Pad Pad is one of our favorite restaurants on Koh Chang and a place where you can truly taste the soul of the island. Go here if you want to look beyond the well-known Thai classics. We will definitely be back!!

Tip!

Pair the dishes with several of their locally inspired cocktails.

General information: Zong Zi Pad Pad Rustic Cuisine & Lounge

Address:20/8, Ko Chang District, Trat 23170, Thailand
Opening times: Every day except Thursdays from 11:00 – 20:00
Tel: 0066 (0)8301 24229