Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Eat where the islanders eat. It's a communal hall with various vendors, each with their own small kitchen. It works just like the food courts found throughout Thailand: you stroll along the row, look at the dishes in the pans, and order from the one that appeals to you most. Noodle soups, rice dishes, curries, stir-fries – all very straightforward.

It's so affordable that indecisiveness costs nothing. Order from one stall, eat, and then get something else from another. That's the whole point, and it's an easy way to discover what you really like before spending money elsewhere. Don't expect special service, a fancy atmosphere, or a great view. Come hungry, ideally at lunchtime or in the early evening when it's busiest and the food is freshest.

If you can't say exactly what you want, pointing is perfectly normal here and nobody minds. That's how half the customers order.