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It is just after 7 am and the streets are still quiet in Chinatown, Bangkok. Well, as quiet as it gets in this part of town but definitely quiet enough that I can cross the streets without fearing for my life.
There is an easy early morning buzz in the air; shutters being opened, some people having breakfast soup on the side of the road, and an older man sitting on a stool in front of his shop wearing nothing but neatly pressed light blue boxer-shorts and black glasses while he is reading his morning paper. Despite his sparse outfit he manages to look quite dignified sitting there with his paper. A few houses town a woman is opening her shop while artfully picking her nose.
I walk past open shops with palettes and palettes of eggs and one that I conclude must be some kind of Chinese medicine pharmacy as I see neat plates with dried seahorses, geckos, and a small coiled-up snake in the window.
Chinatown in Bangkok is vibrant, traditional, and at least to me wonderfully weird. It is one of those places where I become acutely aware of how little I have seen of the world and how different many parts are from everything I know. My mind struggles to make sense of much that I see here, and is constantly challenged by the new sights and sounds. I love it even if I feel sad for the seahorses and the geckos fearing that they have been died and been dried in vain. Then again Chinese medicine is old and quite powerful so who knows what seahorses and geckos can do for your health.
A guide to Bangkok, Chinatown – Eat, sleep, do.
It’s not quite clear how many Chinatowns there are in the world these days but fact is that Chinatown, Bangkok is one of the oldest and was established in 1782. Start your Chinatown visit at Chinatown Gate, the entrance to Yaowarat Road, the heart of Chinatown or rather its belly – Yaowarat Road is often considered the ‘tummy of the dragon’ due to its famous food stalls.
How to get to Chinatown, Bangkok
From Suvarnabhumi Airport it is about 32 km to get to Chinatown, Bangkok. You can either take the Airport Rail Link to Ratchaprarop and then the bus or a taxi or Grab. The distance to Don Muang is 28 km, and you will need to take and change buses if you want to use public transport to get from the airport to Chinatown. Again, I recommend a taxi or Grab – the price including tolls will be about 450 baht.
A great and convenient option is to book a transfer with Welcome Pickups. They charge slightly more than a taxi but you will be in touch with your driver via WhatsApp and welcomed directly in the arrivals hall.
If you are coming from other parts of Bangkok, you can also take the MRT, the Bangkok subway, to the Wat Mangkon in the heart of Chinatown. Other convenient stations are Hua Lamphong, by the old Bangkok train station, or Sam Yot in the Old Town. To avoid traffic, you can also take the Chao Phraya Express Boat and get out at Marine Dept or Ratchawong.
Keep in mind that if you are staying on or off Yaowarat that you want to avoid taxis in the evening – the traffic is crazy.
Where to Stay in Chinatown, Bangkok
There are a few big hotels in Chinatown but I think this area is better suited to stay at a little guesthouse. Some of my favorite Chinatown accommodations are on Nana Soi and the adjacent streets.
Shanghai Mansion
Sleep surrounded by typical Chinese style and history at the Shanghai Mansion. Bold Colors, lush fabrics, and a great location right on Yaowarat make this over 130-year-old house one of the best hotels in Chinatown. The interior resembles Shanghai of the 1930s, and even if you are not staying here, you should definitely pop in for one of the Mansion’s famous jazz nights.
Book Shanghai Mansion: Booking / Agoda
Ba Hao
Bā Hào is my favorite accommodation in Bangkok and has rightfully won some design awards. They only have two rooms and a communal living room for guests to use. Keep in mind that this is not a hotel with hotel amenities but if you are looking for a home away from home, this is the place to stay in Chinatown!
It is also an old shophouse (same steep stairs) beautifully renovated and decorated by Bua and her family. The two rooms, Maitri chit and Santiphap, merge vintage design and comfort with modern touches. Santiphap has a private terrace while Maitri chit a whole window front overlooking the road – it can get a bit noisy at night but they provide earplugs should you need them. Best of all, you can order dinner and cocktails from their downstairs restaurants and eat in your own living room.
Arun Sa Wad 103 NaNa
If you are looking for a slightly less expensive option than Ba Hao, check out Arun Sa Wad 103 NaNa, formerly 103 Bed and Brews. It is located right at the corner of Soi Nana and Rama IV and has a cafe/ bar with lots of craft beer options downstairs.
It is also an old shophouse and the charming rooms upstairs are full of antiques (some for sale as the price tags seem to imply). A few even have a loft with an extra bed – perfect if you are traveling with kids. You will get your own bathroom, however, they are not ensuite but just across the hall.
While the house is quaint and the staff is lovely, do keep in mind that just like all the other guesthouses on Soi Nana, this also keeps with some very steep staircases. Also, thanks to its prime location it can get a bit noisy at night so bring your earplugs.
The Mustang Blu
Weird and wonderful – those words probably describe The Mustang Blu best. It feels a bit Addams Family inside, but in the best way possible.
Rooms are eclectic yet opulent – perfect to finish your first novel or for a romantic weekend away. It is one of the few adult-only hotels in Chinatown!
The cafe draws the Instagram crowd thanks to a taxidermied giraffe head and even more eclectic interior. Probably not worth the trip for the food alone, however, if you are staying here, it’s a cozy backdrop for your morning coffee.
Baan Yak
If you are looking for a great Airbnb in Chinatown, BaanYak offers a few different rooms in an old Chinese shophouse. The rooms are simple but comfy and when you walk in you feel like you are traveling back in time. Keep in mind that the stairs are steep which unfortunately makes it not a great place for small kids, people who have trouble walking, or those like me who tend to have a lot of luggage.
- Book BaanYak: Airbnb
Where to eat in Chinatown, Bangkok
Chinatown is a food lover’s paradise and Yaowarat Road is its center. Don’t be scared of the street food here, it is the best place to have a freshly made seafood feast. Alternatively, you will find local restaurants all around which serve some great dim sum and other Chinese delicacies.
Fi Keaw
There is an almost endless array of seafood places on Yaowarat some with a line that literally goes around the block. I only tried Fi Keaw which came recommended to me and was not disappointed. It was full but there was no wait for a table and the seafood was as fresh as it gets.
While you are sitting on tiny plastic stools and cooking happens right in front of you on the street, prices here are definitely not your average street food budget. This is the perfect place to eat fresh fish and seafood in Bangkok and maybe even try something a little exotic. I had some giant prawns which were grilled and served with a spicy sort of chimichurri and absolutely delicious.
Hua Seng Hong
Being in Chinatown I had to eat dim sums. A quick Google search lead me to Hua Seng Hong – the Chinatown, Bangkok restaurant for dim sum. The place was incredibly crowded with locals and I was quickly put at a table with an older Chinese woman – I think it was the single girls’ table.
I am still not quite sure how their system works as they do have menus in Chinese and English yet when I told them I wanted dim sums someone just brought a selection of bamboo baskets for me to chose from. I didn’t care, sometimes you just go with the flow and eat as many dim sums as you can – they are delicious!
One thing that really bothered me about the Chinatown, Bangkok food was the sale of shark fin. While I do eat meat and fish, I am adamantly against eating something like shark fin and unfortunately, most restaurants and the Chinatown market, Bangkok do serve it. I will admit that I was too hungry to stick to my convictions and still ate there but be warned – eating in Chinatown is not for the sensible mind and stomach.
Odean Crab Wonton Noodle
I came across Odean quite randomly when I was searching for Friend’s exact location on Google maps. A Chinatown restaurant that is solely focussing on crab and noodles sounded right up my alley and so I went for lunch to check it out.
Odean is like many Bangkok restaurants which are not quite street food nor something you’d consider fancy but perfect for a quick bite.
On the menu: crab, prawn wontons, pork, and noodles in various combinations. If you feel like splurging you can also order some extra crab claws in various sizes with your meal. I ate noodle soup with prawn wontons and crab, and it was great especially for 70 baht. I was momentarily tempted to order some prawn dim sum as well but decided again as I needed to leave space for dinner at…
Bā hào
I found out about Ba Hao, the restaurant, even before I discovered that they have rooms as well. If you are keen on some incredible Chinese food in Bangkok but are not ready to face the streets and stalls with whole ducks hanging in the vitrines this might just be the place for you.
The restaurant is located on the corner of Soi Nana in an old Chinese shophouse, and the interior is equally kitschy and cool. The Tan Tan Mian noodles are a MUST though I also love their duck wontons and the braised pork belly that is served with a bao bun. In addition to their delicious food, they also have a superb and innovative cocktail menu, and if you book a room you get 10% off your dining bill which came in hand in my case.
Cataplana
If you are in the mood for something Mediterranean, head to Cataplana right opposite Ba Hao. Small tapas-style dishes with a distinct Portuguese flavor profile are on the menu. And yes, that includes traditional Pasta del Nata for dessert (or just to accompany one of their yummy cocktails).
Downstairs, you will get cool bar vibes and some sidewalk tables, and upstairs is a proper dining room. That said, you can order from both menus when eating downstairs.
Wallflowers
I was never a huge cake fan until I came across Kynd’s vegan red velvet cake in Bali. Ever since red velvet cake has become my thing though few come even close to their version.
I discovered Wallflowers last year when Bangkok was still in lockdown. I have had their Cesar’s Salad as well as a salmon don. To be honest, the food is a bit underwhelming and overpriced but wow, their cakes are incredible! They are not only pretty but so very yummy. I recommend you go for cake or cocktails – at night they open up their rooftop bar for cocktails with a view.
Friend’s Coffee & Lounge
Fancy a fancy piece of cake? Then head to Friend’s, a coffee shop in Chinatown that claims to have the first and only architectural cake in Thailand.
Their tiny cakes look like little pieces of art and while not cheap, they are certainly worth a splurge. The inside of apples, spheres, and berries are filled with different mousses, sponges, and flavors to suit all tastes – whether you prefer fruit, chocolate, or a combination thereof.
While you can get the cakes for takeaway (be warned they don’t travel easily) I recommend you eat one there as they are served on pretty plates with berries and edible sparkles.
Jok One Table
Did you know that you can browse Michelin’s website for inexpensive street food places they recommend? I love doing that because even if a place hasn’t gotten a Michelin star yet they recommend quite a few that they have tested (and you can see many places proudly showing off the honorable plaque they got!).
Jok One Table was one of those places that popped up when I looked for something quick and nice in Chinatown that was within walking distance of me.
Apparently, they have not one but five tables but you will need reservations if you want to have a sit-down meal. However, they are mainly known for their takeaway prawn dumplings. The stand, you can’t really make out that it is a restaurant as well, is located in a tiny market alley with other street food vendors and fruit and fish sellers. The atmosphere is awesome!
At Jok’s, you can only get fish soup or dumplings for takeaway. They are 100 baht for 10 dumplings and while I haven’t eaten enough prawn dumplings in my life to vote for the best ones, they were damn good!
Jee Seng Heng Restaurant
Looking for something with duck other than Chinese duck pancakes? Check out Jee Seng Heng on Soi Nana! While the term restaurant is probably a bit much for a counter, a mobile kitchen, and a few tables, it delivers when it comes to flavors – duck, duck, and more duck await.
And if you like me are a huge fan of Pad Krapao try their duck version – it is juicy and very very yummy. Best of all, it is only 90 baht. Obviously, if you prefer duck only, you can simply order a portion in S, M, or L – I am not a duck connoisseur but according to reviews, they know what they are doing.
T & K Seafood
For more fresh seafood head to T & K Seafood, a restaurant at the corner of Yaowarat. It has a fun rivalry with Lek on the other side (I arrived just in time for a House of Dragon cook-off) but I reckon both are good.
You can either sit outside on the sidewalk or make your way upstairs. The upper floors can be reached by a tiny staircase, up and up it goes. How the staff manages to bring up sizzling plates of seafood and literally burning hot pots, I do not know. There is even a funny half floor a la John Malcovitch.
If you are into fish and seafood you can’t really go wrong here. I personally loved the giant prawns with a spicy dip and mussels with holy basil. Best to come with a few friends and try as many dishes as you can!
Read more: A Foodie’s Guide to my favorite Restaurants in Bangkok 2026
Chinatown Street Food Tour
If you want to dive deeper into Chinatown’s vibrant street food scene you have to do a Bangkok street food tour. I recently did Bangkok Backstreets, a Chinatown food tour with A Chef’s Tour.
First things first: come hungry. Actually, that’s it. Once you have found your guide you can just follow them through a fascinating maze of tiny backstreets and eat to your heart’s delight.
Curated by an actual Bangkok chef, there are some adventurous dishes like durian, insects, and soy sauce soft-serve on the menu, but also just yumminess. Michelin-awarded dumplings, hearty pork belly broth from a multi-generation restaurant on Yaowarat, and crispy Thai donuts.
In addition, to around 15 dishes and tastings, you will get an insight into Thai food culture and Chinatown, Bangkok history. A Chef’s Tour offers some of the best food tours in Bangkok and they are great for solo travelers as well. A fun way to spend an evening with like-minded foodies and avoid dinner for one.
What to Do in Chinatown, Bangkok
Walking around at night or in the early morning, peaking my head into obscure shops (at least for this German girl), and just getting lost – it is one of my favorite things to do in Chinatown, Bangkok. Here are some sights and areas you shouldn’t miss when you take a wander.
GOLDEN BUDDHA in Wat Traimit
The Golden Buddha is a must-see when exploring Chinatown in Bangkok. Phra Buddha Maha Swuana Patimakorn as it is properly called is 398 cm tall and weighs about 5.5 tons thus making it the biggest golden Buddha in the world. While its history and size is impressive I think I have seen too many Buddhas in my life to still get excited about any. That said, if you are new to Buddhism in Thailand and want to learn more about it I highly recommend a visit as it is quite fascinating. Please make sure to follow the signs in regards to proper behavior inside – this is a religious place for devout Buddhists!
Talad Noi Tour in Chinatown
You can explore some lesser known Chinatown highlights on a walking tour which will show you around the old Talad Noi community. I previously explored Nang Loeng with HiveSters and enjoy their concept of showing off old Bangkok communities and what they are all about to visitors, and this one was no different.
Talad Noi translated means “little market” but you will not only find a Chinatown market in Bangkok here but so much more. While you could technically explore the area by yourself a knowledgable guide comes in handy in Talad Noi because roads are maze-like and you will want someone to show you all the cool shops. Walk past metal dealers, handymen, and traditional pharmacies all adorned with small shrines and offerings. Don’t forget to stop by the guy who makes 600kg of rice noodles every day (I was ready to move in and become his apprentice!), the old lady who sells the best kanom pea (filled pastries) while wearing her finest outfit and all of her diamonds, and the famous duck noodle restaurant when you get hungry.
In addition, there are great photo spots around every corner including an old VW which Nemo told me was THE Instagram spot of Talad Noi. There is also a whole road with murals which are regularly painted by various artists which come to the community while one side covered in paintings as an homage to Singapore murals by an autistic boy from the community.
Other Chinatown Tours
Have a sundowner at River Vibe
River Vibe is a bar in Chinatown in Bangkok and quite unassuming from the outside. But from their roof terrace which spreads over two floors, you have an incredible view over the Chao Phraya river in both directions. And unlike so many of the other fancy rooftop bars in Bangkok, there is no dress code, no overpriced cocktails and you can even take your kanom pea and eat them while enjoying the views.
Scuba Diving in Chinatown
A highlight for me was the Sol Heng Tai Mansion, an old Chinese merchant’s house which is now home to a small cafe and live-in museum while the descendants of the former owner still live here. Personally, I think this house should be turned into a heritage stay or retreat center because it is beautiful and the pool is stunning too but for the time being, it has become home to the one and only dive center in Bangkok.
Nana Soi – Explore the hip part of Chinatown, Bangkok
Nana Soi (not to be confused with Nana plaza, known for its adult entertainment) is a tiny road not far from Yaowarat and one of my favorite parts of Chinatown in Bangkok. Old shophouses have been transformed in guesthouses, bars and cafes and the street has a distinct hipster vibe.
This is the area I like to stay at when I come to Chinatown in Bangkok. You can have a sangria at El Chiringuito, have a cocktail at TEP Bar or Teens of Thailand, one of Bangkok’s favorite bars, and eat ice cream at Ice Cream Labs.
From here it is not far to Yaowarat and any of the other sights in Chinatown so you can just walk there.
Have you been to Chinatown in Bangkok? Anything I should add to the list and try next time?
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