Best Foodie Finds in Bangkok's Chinatown

Bangkok’s Chinatown measures as the largest Chinatown in the world, and arguably one of the best for food in the world. The 1.5-kilometer road that strafes the main streets of the Chinatown is often referred to being dragon-like, weaving and curving around the Bangkok historical neighbourhood.

Chinese immigrants found their footing in Bangkok after famines that wreaked destruction across Southeast Asia in the 19th and 20th century. Refugees settled originally near Bangkok’s Grand Palace; when construction completed on the palace, scores of Chinese were resettled in Sampheng.

When trade began between China and Thailand, junk boats would import goods to Thailand, the population of Chinatown increased. Food stores, businesses, and restaurants propped up along the main Yaowarat Road that weaves through Chinatown, built originally in 1891.

Tae Jeaw Cuisine

Tae Jeaw Cuisine is authentic central Chinese food that promises a challenge to the traditionally found Chinese dishes in Thailand. With skillful wok work and ingredients sourced from China, each seafood dish is high in quality and reasonable in price.

This is strongly recommended if you are looking for a serious Chinese food place in Bangkok’s Chinatown. You can’t pay a visit to Tae Jaew without trying the fried rice with salted vegetables, clam and pickle, cockles in spicy soya sauce, fish maw with basil, and steam cod fish.

Location: 69-71 Rama IV Rd, Pom Prap, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100

Tang Jai Yoo

Tang Jai Yoo is one of the longest-standing restaurants on Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road, hailing back to the 1960s. With faded décor, harsh lighting, and cheap eats served on plain plates, the diner is known as a destination spot for foodies.

Try the Anthony Bourdain- recommended signature whole roast suckling pig, steamed crab with black olives and ground pork, deep-fried mantis prawns, steamed parrot fish, and stir-fried dou miao.

Location: 85 ถนน เยาวพานิช Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100

Chen Dim Sum

This Chinatown must-go-to diner holds 80 glorious years of experience cooking tasty dim sum snacks for tourists and locals in the canteen-style restaurant.

The offerings at this Bangkok hole-in-the-wall are economical and rank highly in foodies’ books for eating Chinese in the city. Our favourites in their classic- style dim sum selection include their barbecue pork buns, pork liver siu mai, steamed turnip cakes, lobster stir-fry, and garoupa dumplings.

Location: 119-121 ซอยอิสรานุภาพ Charoen Krung Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100

HAGOW Yaowarat

Centred on Yaowarat road, HAGOW promises fresh and quality, with the classic Hong Kong-styled dim sum familiar in neighbouring countries. With an open kitchen, the smells and sights of the bustling restaurant promises for a fun experience.

We recommend the hargow shrimping dumpling, thin shrimp rice cake wrap, goi si mee (pan- fried Hong Kong-style gravy noodles) that ooze with flavours of bamboo shoot, shiitake, carrot, and pork gravy. Don’t sleep on the delicious, chilled jasmine tea; it is silky smooth!

Location: 387 ถ. เยาวราช Khwaeng Samphanthawong, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100