Updated: November 2022
When visiting Bangkok, you definitely must make a trip down to Yaowarat (Chinatown). I love the vibe there. Always lively and so happening, with lots of good food around.
Check out our latest video, “BKK District Guide: Yaowarat” featuring some of Yaowarat’s Must-Eat, Must-Stay, Must-Drink and Must-See. Enjoy!
However, be prepared for taxi drivers to reject you as they will tell you that there will be a traffic jam and they will want to charge you a flat rate. If you are patient, wait for the next one, as an honest driver will bring you there by the meter.
With the opening of Wat Mangkon MRT station, getting to Chinatown is so much easier, and you no longer have to rely on taxis. Do check out our video on Wat Mangkon MRT station and find out what you can explore during the day:
Oh, avoid coming here on Mondays because street vendors are not allowed to operate, so many of them will not be around.
When arriving here, you will see many people, not shopping but eating.
There is so much to eat here, and even after visiting this place so many times, I have not finished trying all the stalls. But still, here are 15 MUST EAT in Yaowarat Chinatown!
#1 Yaowarat Toasted Bread
Yaowarat Toasted Bread is always seen with a long queue, patronised by both locals and tourists. Its buttered toast is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. What makes it even more delicious is its filling. My favourite filling is Condensed Milk & Sangkaya. read more…
Where > Outside Government Savings Bank, along Yaowarat Road (left side) map
#2 Kway Chap Auan Pochana
This Kway Chap is different from Singapore’s version. The soup is peppery and comes with rice noodle rolls and pig innards. The Thai pepper makes the peppery soup so popular that locals keep coming back to eat it. read more…
Where > Outside Chinatown Rama Theatre, along Yaowarat Road (left side) map
#3 Grilled Squid
This grilled squid is currently the best I have tried. The squid is grilled to perfection, not too hard nor too soft. If you can take spicy food, make sure you add in the chilli sauce because it makes it even more delicious. It’s super spicy but, at the same time, so shiok.
Where > Along Yaowarat Road (left side)
#4 Bird’s Nest
You can find Bird’s Nest almost in every corner of Yaowarat. I like coming to this shop called Xing Li. It starts from 300 baht per bowl, and I prefer having the hot version so that your bird nest will not be mixed with ice bits.
Where > Along Yaowarat Road, further up from T&K Seafood (right side) map
#5 Patonggo (Dough Sticks)
Patonggo is actually Fried Dough Sticks (You Tiao). The thai version is a little different, it’s smaller in size and this particular stall does it differently. You can drizzle sauce on it and this sauce is sangkaya (kaya). A new way of eating and of course, very beautiful for photos.
Where > Intersection between Song Sawat & Chaloen Buri Road, outside 7-11 (right side) map
#6 Ba Mee (Mung Korn Khao Noodle)
Ba Mee (Wanton Noodle) is a popular dish with Singaporeans. The version here is pretty good and the portion is just right so that you can eat other street food later.
Where > Along Yaowarat Road (left side) map
#7 Seafood
The most popular cheap seafood restaurant in Yaowarat Chinatown is T&K Seafood (in green shirts). You see queues forming during dinner hours, and they are seated along the road. They do have indoor air-conditioned seats but it will take a longer time. If you don’t mind eating along the road and have no problem with hygiene issues, do try it. read more…
Where > Intersection of Yaowarat Road & Phadung Dao Road (right side) map
Some of the places below are recommendations from locals because we joined one of the Street Food Tour some time back. If you want a local expert to bring you around to try the different street food, do check out the street food tours offered by TakeMeTour.com
#8 Pad Thai & Mussel Omelette
This Pad Thai is less sweet and stronger in “wok hei” flavour. This is the most suitable for you if you want a good Pad Thai that is not so sweet. They also sell mussels omelette, which is delicious too. Crispy on the outside.
Where > Along Yaowarat Road (left side). You will see lots of food stalls gathered in a lane)
#9 Cockles Pa Jin (Auntie Jin)
This stall specialises in cockles, and they are very popular. To eat this, you have to queue due to the limited number of seats too. You have to try the fresh cockles dipped in their special sauce.
Where > Phadung Dao Road (same lane as T&K Seafood) map
#10 Thai Toast & Milk Tea
As this is located at the end of Phadung Dao Road on the other side of Chinatown, not many people will know of this shop. They specialise in Thai toast and Thai milk tea. A good place for traditional bread and drinks.
Where > Intersection of Phadung Dao Road and Charoen Krung Road map
#11 Thai Desserts
Other than Mango Sticky Rice, there are also many Thai desserts which are quite similar to Singapore’s Ice Kachang. Of course, the filling is different, and it’s uniquely Thai in flavour.
They are famous for their ginger soup for hot desserts, which goes well with Tao Huey (Soya Beancurd).
Where > Along Yaowarat Road (left side)
#12 Lhong Tou Cafe
Lhong Tou Cafe instantly became an internet sensation because of its unique double-decked seats. This is not your “coffee” cafe but one which sells “hipster dim sum”. More importantly, this place is beautiful for photos which is an important criteria for new openings these days. read more…
Where > 538 Yaowarat Rd (left side)
#13 JingJing Ice-cream Bar and Cafe
This is the ideal rest stop in the middle of your sweaty Chinatown exploration. In recent years, many new hipster cafes have been popping up around the area (with a modern Chinese feel), and this is one of them, selling homemade ice cream. read more…
Where > 154 Charoen Krung 14 Alley
#14 Ba Hao Tian Mi
Ba Hao Tian Mi sells hipster Chinese-style desserts, and after opening in April 2019 at Soi Texas, this lane has become more popular, thanks to Instagrammers! read more…
Where > 8 Phadungdao Road, Soi Texas
#15 Thai Snacks & Tidbits
After your food trial, don’t leave Yaowarat yet. Drop by this shop Lin Zhen Xiang to buy Thai tidbits and snacks for your friends and family. They sell pork-related stuff, cuttlefish, dried fruits, tea, etc. You will surely find something to buy back. read more…
Where > Along Yaowarat Road (left side)
Yaowarat is full of good food. Don’t just rely on what I have recommended. Take a walk around on your own and see what you want to eat. Be careful of the vehicles while you are walking on the road though. Enjoy your food trail here! :)
