Chinatown Bangkok

Bangkok Chinatown is situated in the Samphanthawong District of Bangkok, Thailand. It stretches along Yaowarat Road, which serves as its main artery. The entire area of Chinatown roughly coincides with the Samphanthawong District and includes neighborhoods such as Song Wat and Talat Noi along the Chao Phraya River, as well as Charoen Chai, Khlong Thom, and Nakhon Khasem along Charoen Krung Road

1. Walk to the nearby Sukhumvit MRT Station.
2. Take the MRT Blue Line from Sukhumvit Station to Hua Lamphong Station.
3. From Hua Lamphong Station, take a taxi or a local bus to Chinatown (Yaowarat).
4. Estimated Time: Approximately 1 hour.
5. Fare: Around 20-40 THB for the MRT and additional fare for the taxi or bus.

1782: King Rama I founded Bangkok as the new capital and enlisted the aid of Teochew merchants (with whom he shared ethnic ties) to supply rice and provisions for the city. In return, he granted them land on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, opposite his palace. This area became the home of the mainly Teochew immigrant Chinese population, who soon became the city’s dominant ethnic group.

The Teochew community settled around Sampheng, an area between Wat Sam Pluem (now Wat Chakkrawat) and Wat Sampheng (now Wat Pathum Khongkha). Initially, this swampy, inaccessible land gradually transformed into the heart of Chinatown.

As adept merchants, the Chinese community prospered in trade, and immigrants from China (including non-Teochew minorities) flooded into Bangkok, contributing to Chinatown’s growth.

Throughout the late 19th to early 20th centuries, Chinatown thrived as Bangkok’s commercial hub. However, as the city expanded, commercial activity shifted elsewhere, leading to a decline in Chinatown’s prominence.

Despite this decline, Chinatown remains a hub of Chinese culture, with numerous shops selling traditional goods and a reputation as a gastronomic destination.

Yaowarat Road serves as the main artery of Chinatown. The entire area roughly coincides with Samphanthawong District and includes neighborhoods along the Chao Phraya River and Charoen Krung Road.

Visitors can explore colorful street food stalls, historic temples, and traditional Chinese decorations. Yaowarat Road, one of Thailand’s oldest roads, offers a glimpse into an ancient kingdom filled with exotic sights and sounds.

Today, Chinatown Bangkok thrives as a vibrant center for commerce, entertainment, and culture. It’s a place where tradition meets modernity, and visitors can immerse themselves in its unique atmosphere.

1. JAM JAM Eatery & Bar: Good vibes, healthy Asian cuisine.
2. Red Rose Chinese Restaurant & Jazz Lounge: Professional service, very good food, and a touch of glamour.
3. Fikeaw Yao Wa-Rat: Seafood specialties in the heart of Yao Wa-Rat.
4. Nang Gin Kui – Bangkok Private Dining: Alternative dining experience with charm.
5. Nai Ek Roll Noodles: Delicious pork, duck, and fish dishes.
6. Tep Bar: Authentic Thai bar with a huge drinks menu.
7. T & K Seafood: Yummy seafood in a bustling atmosphere.
8. The Coffee Club – River City: Nice brunch and great service.
9. Teens of Thailand: Refreshing cocktails and vibrant ambiance.
10. Jumbo Lobster Riverside Bangkok: Excellent seafood dinner, especially the lobster.

source: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g293916-zfn8308059-Bangkok.html

1. Phan Fa (Bib Gourmand): Established in 1939, Phan Fa delights with its signature Hainanese chicken rice and steamed crab claws. The menu also features crab-fried rice, deep-fried pork intestines, and seafood vermicelli, ending with Nakhon Chai Si pomelos.
2. S.B.L. (Bib Gourmand): Serving Teochew cuisine for over 60 years, S.B.L. offers set menus with dishes like stewed fish maw, XO scallops, Peking duck, and fried bua loy, in an elegantly refurbished setting.
3. Sae Phun (Bib Gourmand): A comfort food staple since the 1940s, Sae Phun’s Khao Na Kai features tender chicken in brown gravy, served over rice with a crispy fried egg and kun chiang sausage.
4. Nai Ouan Yentafo Bateng Sao Chingcha (Plate): Specializing in Yen Ta Fo, Nai Ouan serves this pink noodle soup with a variety of toppings like fish balls, tofu, and squid, flavored with fermented soybean paste.
5. Weng (Woeng Nakhon Kasem) (Bib Gourmand): Known for its khao phad pu (crab fried rice), Weng uses fragrant Thai jasmine rice and fresh crabmeat, topped with nam pla prik kee nu and lime.
6. Guay Jub Ouan Pochana (Bib Gourmand): For over 50 years, Guay Jub Ouan Pochana has been known for its rice noodle soup with rolled noodles, peppery pork broth, and an assortment of pork offal.
7. Lim Lao Ngow (Bib Gourmand): With 80 years of history, Lim Lao Ngow’s fishball noodle dish features homemade fishballs and egg noodles, maintaining the original recipes and quality across ten branches.

source: https://guide.michelin.com/th/en/article/dining-out/best-places-for-chinese-food-in-bangkok-s-chinatown-and-the-historic-phra-nakhon-district

1. Charmgang: A stylish, neon-lit curry shop where chefs from Nahm present authentic Thai flavors in modern ways. Monthly menus feature specialties like grilled dishes, yum salads, and curries with Thai fruits for dessert.
2. Contento: An Italian restaurant in historic Hua Lamphong, offering spiced-up classic dishes to suit Thai tastes. Highlights include Tagliolini Carabineros and Orecchiette Al Pesto with fresh tomatoes and farm cheese.
3. Guay Chub Auan Phochana: A roadside stall near Chinatown Rama Cinema, famous for its guay chub—rolled noodles in a peppery broth with pork belly and offal.
4. Jing Jing: A modern cafe near Wat Mangkon Kamalawat temple, serving trendy ice creams with flavors like Gin & Tonic, and caffeinated treats alongside hearty breakfast options.
5. Lim Lao Sar Fish Ball Noodle: Known for its fish ball noodles, this shop offers a clear, aromatic soup with homemade tasty fish balls.
6. Nai Ek Roll Noodles: Popular for its guay chub with minced pork balls, crispy pork, and pork offal in a peppery broth, and slow-cooked pork spareribs in rich gravy.
7. Nai Yong Noodle: A hidden gem in Chinatown, offering chewy egg noodles and fish balls, sometimes accompanied by pork liver and heart.
8. Padthai Kikuya: An old-school pushcart known for its charcoal-cooked pad thai, served with Thai chive and banana flower for added crunch.
9. Potong: Chef Pam’s fine dining spot, Potong, offers a 20-course tasting menu inspired by Thai-Chinese heritage, featuring dishes like steamed black chicken and black soy sauce ice cream.
10. Sweettime (Chinatown): A street food stall in Chinatown, Sweettime entices with simple desserts like colorful glutinous rice balls, grass jelly, and sago cantaloupe in coconut milk.

source: https://www.timeout.com/bangkok/restaurants/best-restaurants-in-yaowarat

1. Gu Long Bao: An ancient Teochew bun shop with handmade buns using sweet potato flour. Choose from minced pork and salted egg fillings. Available steamed or frozen for home steaming or baking.
2. Dumplings: Legendary trolley shop selling traditional dumplings for over 105 years. Pure pork filling wrapped in thin dumpling dough, served with unique dipping sauces.
3. Emerald Red Pork Rice Shop: A 70-year-old restaurant known for red pork rice. Crispy pork grilled three times, topped with red pork sauce and boiled pork bones, served with quince rubber duck egg.
4. Noodle Shop Mr. Ek: Popular for clear water noodles with crispy pork and chewy offal. Rich, fragrant soup with black pepper. Also offers pork blood boil and rare dishes like Chinese medicine stewed bamboo pulp soup.
5. The Delicious Baker Chinatown Recipe: Known for delicious bread and grilled patties. Offers a variety of fillings and drinks to accompany your meal.
6. Lod Chong Singapore, Charoenkrung Intersection: A Singapore Channel restaurant serving Lod Chong (sweet green rice flour noodles) with pandan custard or sweetened condensed milk.
7. Pa Tong Ko Savoey Chinatown: Michelin-recognized patongo (fried dough) shop. Choose from fried or grilled patongo, paired with pandan custard or sweetened condensed milk.
8. Nong Guy & Nong Nine & Nong Gus Grilled Squid: Long queues for grilled squid. Delicious dipping sauce accompanies fresh grilled squid from Surat Thani.
9. Jeda Crayfish Pickled Egg: Pickled egg crab shop with unforgettable dipping sauce. Offers pickled egg crayfish, clams, shrimp, and horse crab.

source: https://www.makesend.asia/en/yaowarat-street-food/