You hear it at the cinemas. And everyday on TV. Even in car showrooms. But it’s the first restaurant to be included in Samui Dining Guide – “By Popular Demand”!

Every month we get recommendations from diners who’ve particularly liked a restaurant they’ve visited on the island. Some turn out to be mediocre, to put it politely. Others are excellent, and are therefore included. But this one not only generated numerous emails, it also engendered much ‘snail mail’ too. So, with great pleasure, we proudly present, by popular demand – Zazen Restaurant !

Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa is on the borders of Bophut and Maenam. And whether you’re arriving via the ring-road, or along the beach, it’s very distinctive. The ring-road entrance has an attractive, gabled, terra-cotta archway. Go through this and simply follow the lane for a couple of hundred metres until you reach the car park.

But do take your time wandering through this unique boutique resort. It really is exquisite. And as you pass its boutique shop, displaying a vast array of treasures from Chiang Mai, you’ll get an idea of what I mean.

Approaching from the beach is easy too. And being at the far-western end of Bophut Bay, you can see the distinctive orangey-yellow beach wall from miles away. Especially at night when it acts as a beacon. Certainly one worth following.
 
Zazen Restaurant is one of the most attractive places to dine on Samui. It’s right on the water’s edge, raised up upon its own sea wall. It’s beautifully decorated. And it’s extremely comfortable. Choose to sit in the open-sided 20-seater restaurant building with its classic interior, or under the stars on the open-air terrace that caters for a further 30. This is the area that fills quicker (when it’s dry!), so do specify where you’d like to sit when making a reservation.

Heavy wrought-iron chairs with ample padding; glass-topped tables; ornate candle-lamps; discreet spotlighting; linen drapes, plus lots of plants. And, very importantly, lovely soft jazz playing in the background. Collectively all these elements create a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Absolutely perfect for enjoying excellent food.

And that part’s all made possible by Walter Andreini – popularly known as ‘Wally’. He’s the Master Chef here who’s responsible for tantalising the taste buds. Which he certainly does in style!

Being part of a resort means that the menu is huge. All manner of snacks, salads, and pastas are always available. There’s an excellent Thai menu, and also an Asian Tropical Menu offering a set-meal for 2 with a variety of dishes coming from Viet Nam, China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and India respectively. But do try at least some of Wally’s international dishes while you’re here.

“…and Wally’s Sliced Barracuda with roesti and sesame
cream will certainly do some tongue tantalising!”

Both the Tuna Tartar Zazen-style with mashed fresh herbs, and the Chipirones à la Plancha – small squids on the plancha Spanish-style, with red capsicum and garlic are good examples of how great appetizers can be. And Wally’s Sliced Barracuda with roesti and sesame cream will certainly do some tongue tantalising, as will his Grilled Lamb Chops with a Café de Paris sauce.

But it’s his exciting new Lobster 4-course Set-meal for 2, with its main course comprising Half a Phuket Lobster, oven-baked and stuffed with herbed shrimps on saffron sauce, served with lemongrass-skewered shrimps and grilled shark steak, that’s proving the most popular. Mmm!

And there’s drink to match the cuisine at Zazen too. An extensive wine list offers both New and Old World wines, plus some excellent bottles of champagne.

And after you’ve had your meal, there’s a cozy lounge area with a fully-stocked bar and new pool table where you’re more than welcome to kick back and enjoy the rest of the evening in comfort on the water’s edge.

Now I know why this place generates so much mail!