Welcome to Sriracha: The Birthplace of Your Favourite Hot Sauce

When you hear the word "sriracha", chances are the spicy condiment is the first thing to pop into your mind. But Sriracha is actually an idyllic seaside town on the coast of Thailand. Located in Chonburi Province, the city of Sriracha is an easy 90-minute drive from the capital city of Bangkok and a 30-minute drive from the famous beaches of Pattaya. 
 

Unlike Pattaya, Sriracha is largely off the well-trodden Thailand tourist track, offering a more laid-back and authentic experience. Take some time to explore Sriracha and you'll find amazing local markets, excellent seafood restaurants, beautiful Buddhist temples, and a tropical island just off the coast.
 

One thing that makes this city truly unique is that it's home to a large Japanese population. Because of its proximity to the massive Laem Chabang Port, the area is a thriving industrial zone, home to numerous Japanese companies.

The city of Sriracha has emerged as a popular home base for the many Japanese nationals who work in the area. Hence, the city's nickname, "Little Osaka". With roughly 10,000 Japanese residents, don't be surprised when you hear people speaking Japanese or notice an inordinate number of Japanese restaurants.
 

Today, Sriracha is more well-known for its Japanese influences than for being the birthplace of the famous hot sauce.

There is still much debate about where and when the famous sriracha chilli sauce was invented. However, it is widely believed that the original sriracha hot sauce was cooked up in 1932 by Ms. Thanom Chakkapak, a native of Sriracha, Thailand. 
 

Using a mix of chilli peppers, vinegar, pickled garlic, sugar, and salt, she created her signature sweet and spicy sauce for friends and family to pair with Thai food. But it didn't take long for it to gain popularity in Sriracha and Bangkok. By 1932, Sriraja Panich, the original sriracha chilli sauce brand, was officially born.
 

Because the family was never able to copyright the name, many other versions of sriracha sauce began popping up. The sriracha that most of the world knows today was created in the 1970s by Vietnamese immigrant David Tran. In order to pay homage to its origins, Tran called his sauce "Sriracha". And the rest is history.  
 

While the city has become synonymous with the world-famous sauce, you won't find many references to sriracha sauce here. Instead, you'll find a lovely and underrated Thai city that's well worth adding to your Thailand bucket list.

There’s really no bad time to holiday in Sriracha. That being said, the weather is at its best from November to February. You can expect sunny days and little rainfall with temperatures hovering around 25°C to 30°C at this time of year.
 

Things start to heat up from March to May, with temperatures reaching the 35°C mark. However, the humidity and low rainfall during these months can make things feel hotter.
 

The rainy season falls between June and October. While you can expect daily downpours, this should by no means deter you from visiting. You’ll still have plenty of sunshine.

While this under-the-radar city sees far fewer tourists than Pattaya and Bangkok, there are still plenty of cool activities and attractions to keep you entertained.

A visit to Koh Loi is a must. You can walk to this tiny island via the 500-metre bridge that leads from the mainland to the island. While strolling around the island, be sure to check out the beautiful Wat Koh Loi, see the sea turtles in the sanctuary, and take in the truly spectacular sunset views.

Koh Loi also happens to be where the ferries depart to get to Koh Sichang. The journey takes 45 minutes, making this an excellent day trip from the mainland. Explore the island by motorbike or tuk-tuk, and you'll come across a few picturesque beaches, the Phra Chuthathut Palace (King Chulalongkorn's 19th-century summer palace), and some beautiful wats, shrines, and sacred sites, including Buddha's footprint.

For a truly local experience, it's well worth waking up at 5am to check out the Muang Si Racha Morning Market. This is a great place to go shopping for fresh seafood, meats, and veggies at super cheap prices. But it's worth it just to do some people-watching and enjoy a breakfast of local foods. Try the pa thong ko (an addictive type of doughnut).

Located right outside Pacific Park mall is where you'll find one of the best foodie night markets in town. Come hungry because there are dozens of vendors selling everything from grilled meat skewers and fresh fruit juices to barbeque seafood, sushi, desserts, and all the Thai street food classics.

Perched high on a hill, Khao Phra Khru is an Instagram-worthy Buddhist temple and one of the city's top attractions. You'll have to walk up a steep set of stairs to reach the top, but you'll be rewarded with panoramic city and ocean views. There's also a giant Buddha, a statue of naga with a crystal ball, a koi pond, and other picturesque attractions to check out on the temple grounds.

To tap into Sriracha's Japanese side, be sure to visit J-Park Nihon Mura. This Japanese-themed mall is kind of like stepping inside a little Japan. Expect Japanese architecture and koi ponds, shops selling Japanese products, a grocery store stocked with Japanese foods, and really good restaurants serving authentic Japanese food.

A visit to the zoo is one of the top activities for families. You'll find over 8,000 animals and 300 species here, from zebras and giraffes to elephants, deer, and flamingos. But the zoo's most famous resident is definitely the pygmy hippopotamus named Mood Deng.

Golfers will love teeing off at one of Sriracha’s many excellent golf courses, including Laem Chabang International Country Club, Burapha Golf & Resort, and Pattana Golf Club & Resort, to name a few.

Novotel Marina Sriracha is a solid pick if you're looking for an amenity-packed oceanfront resort.

The modern rooms here feature plush beds, cool wall art, designated workstations, flat-screen TVs, and huge picture windows with ocean or city views.

You can also take advantage of the awesome oceanfront infinity pool, five bars and restaurants, luxury spa, and state-of-the-art gym.

For a tropical island getaway, consider staying at Novotel Koh Si Chang. From the mainland, you'll take an exclusive speedboat to the resort's private pier on Koh Si Chang.
 

Spend a few days out here, and you can relax around the oceanfront pool, sip tropical drinks at the pool bar, get massages at the spa, work up a sweat in the fitness centre, and explore all of Koh Si Chang's top attractions. Plus, you'll love the luxury rooms and suites here, many of which offer private balconies with stunning ocean views. 

There you have it. A guide to visiting Sriracha. As you can see, there's much more to this city than its saucy history. If you're looking for a unique and authentic getaway in Thailand, a weekend away in this laid-back seaside city is for you.