Our Culinary Visionary

At Takieng, the kitchen is guided by a deep respect for Southern Thai heritage, seasonality, and time-honoured techniques. Each dish reflects a thoughtful balance of bold regional flavours and carefully sourced local ingredients, celebrating the richness of Phuket’s culinary traditions.

This dedication to authenticity and craft continues to define Takieng’s place for traditional Thai dining in Phuket, where genuine Thai cooking is presented with warmth and intention.

Discover the journey and heart behind Takieng’s Thai flavors

Kitja Muakin, known as Chef Ja, brings over 12 years of culinary experience to his role as Chef de Cuisine at Takieng. His journey began in 2012 at Saffron, the renowned Thai restaurant of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, after graduating from Dusit Thani College in Bangkok. Chef Ja's career has taken him from Phuket to Bangkok, then to Macau, and back to Thailand, where he honed his skills at Saffron in Krabi and Samui, rising to the position of sous chef.