Alchemy Phuket – Daily Dose, Suay & More!
Monica Tindall
Earning Michelin recognition seven years in a row is no minor feat, yet that’s exactly what Suay Cherngtalay in Phuket has achieved, firmly cementing its place on Thailand’s contemporary culinary map. At the heart of this ongoing success is none other than Iron Chef Tammasak Chootong, known affectionately as Chef Noi.
His latest culinary constellation, Alchemy Phuket, gathers under one imaginative roof a series of ambitious concepts: Daily Dose Alchemy, SUAY Alchemy, a boutique bakery, a white label kitchen, and a Central Kitchen that orchestrates it all with precision.
With over two decades of gastronomic gravitas, Chef Noi remains a defining figure in Thailand’s evolving food narrative. His signature SUAY restaurant offers an inventive take on modern Thai cuisine. Yet his reach extends further still. At Daily Dose Cherngtalay and Daily Dose Phuket Old Town, he distils his culinary ethos into all-day dining that’s both stylish and refreshingly unpretentious.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Chef Noi’s “Positive Kitchen” initiative reveals a broader ambition—encompassing event catering, savvy restaurant consultancy, and Phuket’s most design-forward cooking school. In true alchemical fashion, he transforms not just ingredients but the entire experience of eating, sharing, and learning into something enduringly memorable.
While many guests will recognise Chef Noi from his two years as Iron Chef Thailand, he reflects that “When you cook good food, it comes from the heart and the focus, not from the drama.” It’s a telling quote, quietly assertive, revealing a philosophy that’s less about flair and more about flawless execution. And the more time we spend with him, the deeper we fall. We can’t help but appreciate his humility. Despite the fame, he ruminates on his humble beginnings, giving thanks to all who have supported him along the way, and almost seems in disbelief at the success he has achieved. It’s both humbling and endearing.
Daily Dose – The Alchemy Phuket
While the framework for Alchemy Phuket is in place, the space is opening in stages, with The Daily Dose, just a month old, the first to be revealed. The concept fuses Asian bistro culture with comfort-forward creativity. Think homemade ramen, Thai-inspired brunch dishes like eggs benedict laced with local herbs, and a matcha bar to satisfy both the Zen-seeker and caffeine devotee. The café boasts its own signature coffee blend, roasted locally, and concocts playful beverages at the Spritzer Bar, where house-made sodas become the base for creations such as the Limoncello Spritzer and Hugo Spritzer (THB 299), both brilliantly effervescent and wickedly refreshing. Spritzer on tap? Yes, please—somebody bottle this idea for global export.
Currently, Daily Dose operates from 7 am to 5 pm, but its garden setting, complete with a Japanese aesthetic and regular yoga on the lawn (twice weekly), encourages lingering. Jazz afternoons are also in the works. Only 60% of the concept is open to the public thus far, but what’s already in place feels remarkably whole.
Daily Dose Menu
Suay is due to open sometime in October, but Chef Noi kindly gives us a taste of one of the kitchen’s signatures – Tuna Carpaccio (THB 399), a plate of beauty and brains. Razor-thin slices of sashimi-grade tuna are topped with a scoop of brilliant green wasabi ice cream. It’s a signature move from Suay, and it works. The wasabi’s fire is cooled by yoghurt and cucumber, while ponzu brings the zing. The dish is a sensory nudge—a palate awakener that’s clean, crisp and unexpectedly clever.
Equally compelling is the Pomelo Salad (THB 390), due soon on the Daily Dose menu. Lettuce leaves act as verdant vessels for pomelo pulp and local prawns, all dressed in a sweet-tangy tamarind sauce. The flavours are Thai in the best way—sweet, spicy, salty, and sour in a choreography that feels like a midday monsoon: dramatic, fresh and overall too soon.
But it’s the Niku Kare Ramen (THB 350) that elicits actual table-wide silence—the universal sign of a dish too good to interrupt. The broth, a nod to Chiang Mai’s famed khao soi, is poured tableside, coaxing a swirl of aromas from the bowl. The house-made wheat noodles hold up beautifully to the rich coconut curry, which is thick but not cloying. Braised short ribs melt into the broth, and accents of pickled cabbage, shoyu egg, and black fungus mushroom round out each bite with textural nuance. A squeeze of lime cuts through the depth with just the right jolt.
Then there’s the Bami Goreng Udon (THB 379), which winks at the chef’s time at Banyan Tree Bintan. Plump udon noodles are wok-tossed in a satay sauce that balances richness and spice. Tender chicken, cooked sous-vide, avoids the all-too-common satay dryness. Two skewers accompany generously coated in peanut sauce. Prawn crackers punctuate the dish with crunch, a nostalgic and entirely welcome addition.
Sweet Alchemy – Dessert Menu
Dessert here is no afterthought. The Russian Honey Cake (THB 250) is a stacked cylinder of honeyed sponge and cream, delicately layered at least six times and dressed simply with fresh strawberries and blueberries. Light, subtly sweet, and just complex enough to hold our interest to the last forkful.
The Matcha Coconut Affogato (THB 250) breaks the mould with its tropical twist. A scoop of creamy coconut ice cream is doused in an earthy matcha shot and served in a cocktail glass. It’s a smart, summery riff on the classic, and frankly, far more fun.
To drink, the Immune Boost (THB 130) is not only an excellent choice to settle our tummies after such a vibrant meal, but could be recommended as a daily ritual. Turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and starfruit are brewed into a golden elixir, poured over ice, and brightened with honey and lemon. Garnished with goji berries and mint, it looks as good as it feels—and it feels very good.
What’s Next?
Coming soon: a rooftop bar with views of the mountains, a whisky and cigar lounge, a cocktail and sake bar at Suay—all built within the central structure. The wine list already holds promise, featuring thoughtful picks from the Old and New Worlds, with a few bottles of Japanese origin in the mix to keep things interesting. Within the next few weeks, the retail outlet White Kitchen Label should be open, too, allowing guests to take home chef-quality products, requiring minimal preparation for at home or in your villa.
Alchemy Phuket Review
Chef Noi is affectionately known as the Alchemist, and it’s not just a moniker. His uncanny ability to remix familiar concepts into something wholly new and somehow better has become something of a legend amongst his team and fans alike. He doesn’t just cook—he transmutes.
Reasons to visit Alchemy Phuket: The Niku Kare Ramen will change your life; the spritzers are cold, clever and carbonated in-house; it’s only 60% open and already feels like the future; excellent coffee; great choice for brekkie, lunch or all-day brunch.
Alchemy Phuket
189, 1 Srisoonthorn Rd, Si Sunthon, Thalang District
Chang Wat Phuket 83110, Thailand
Link to Alchemy Phuket on Google Maps
+66811598845
[email protected]
@thealchemyphuket
suayrestaurant.com
Alchemy Phuket Hours
Daily Dose: 7 am – 5 pm
Suay, when ready, sometime in October, will be open for dinner from 4 pm
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