BEST Food in Chinatown Bangkok: What is Actually Worth It
Food in Chinatown Bangkok is a wild culinary paradise, where Michelin-recognized gems meet street-side legends under neon lights.
Yes, it’s just as dreamy as it sounds.
From delicious crispy pork soup hidden away outside a 7-Eleven, to juicy mango sticky rice Bangkok is totally worth the hype – even in some packed, tourist-loved spots.
We spent two weeks uncovering the best food in Chinatown Bangkok. We loved it so much we created a custom map to help you do the same without feeling overwhelmed by the area’s beautiful mayhem.
If you are short on time, start with our quick picks below. Then scroll for the full list organized by category.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book or buy something through them – at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we’d actually use ourselves. Read more in our Privacy Policy.
Quick Picks: Best Food in Chinatown Bangkok
If you only eat at 5 places, make it these:
• Best overall street food: Nai Pon Kao Seer Po
• Best Michelin listed stall: Lim Lao Ngow Fishball Noodle
• Best dessert: Ba Hao Tian Mi – Yaowarat
• Best sit down restaurant: Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien)
• Best classic Thailand experience: Any 7-Eleven
Bangkok has incredible food at every level, from convenience store snacks and grab and go pork buns to street stalls with plastic stools and Michelin starred restaurants overlooking Wat Arun.
You can absolutely find quiet romantic dinners and food courts inside air conditioned malls, and the food there will probably be excellent too.
But our hearts are in the streets of Yaowarat. We love the classic pink plates, the tiny stools spilling onto the pavement, and sitting shoulder to shoulder with locals while the city moves around you.
That is where we have found our favorite food in Bangkok Chinatown, and that is what we are recommending here.
Chinatown Bangkok Food at a Glance
Restaurant | Type | Price | Best For | When to Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lim Lao Ngow Fishball Noodle | Street Food | $ | Classic Bangkok Dish | Dinner |
Madame Teng Original Yaowarat Noodles | Street Food | $ | Local quick food | Dinner |
Guay Jub Song Wat | Street Food | $ | Crispy pork soup | Lunch |
ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำ เย็นตาโฟ หมูตุ๋นจีนๆ | Street Food | $ | Classic Thai soups | Breakfast or Lunch |
Nai Pon Kao Seer Po | Street Food | $ | Crispy pork or duck | Dinner |
NAAM 1608 | Sit Down | $$-$$$ | Elevated classic Thai | Dinner |
Tai Sua Restaurant | Sit Down Casual | $$ | Thai-Chinese dishes you’ve never tried | Dinner |
Jae Hmoy Kia Pork Porridge | Street Food | $ | Congee porridge | Breakfast |
Bangkok Chinatown Night Market | Street Food | $$ | Night market bits | Dinner |
Ba Hao Tian Mi – Yaowarat | Dessert | $$ | Unique local dessert | Evening |
Nuury Chestnut Ice Cream | Dessert | $ | Local institution dessert | Morning/Afternoon |
7-Eleven | All Foods | $ | Fun snacks + toasties | Any time |
Ice Cream Samosorn | Dessert | $$ | Fun ice cream experience | Evening |
Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien) | Sit Down | $$$ | Michelin sit-down dining | Dinner |
Best Street Food in Bangkok Chinatown
This is the classic, core Chinatown experience. We say the “best” food, but these are just SOME of our favorites of the places we tried (which, to be fair, is A LOT!).
Make sure you save our Bangkok food map for even more options!
Lim Lao Ngow Fishball Noodle
- Best For: Classic Bangkok Dish
- Price: $
- What to order: Fish ball soup
- Michin status: Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized
- Heads up: Fish balls are literally just like meatballs, but made of white fish. But if this puts you off, get the soup without them.
Welcome to one of the best alley “restaurants” in Bangkok. Stop by this fishball noodle soup stand for a bowl of rich broth and handmade noodles.
Lim Lao Ngow also sells chicken skewers and dumplings – take your pick as everything here is incredible.
📍Lim Lao Ngow is located here. Opening hours are daily from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Madame Teng Original Yaowarat Noodles
- Best For: Local Quick Food
- Price: $
- What to order: Kway Teow (stir fried flat rice noodles)
- Heads up: Madame Teng can be a bit tricky to find down an alley, so click the linked location below to make sure you head to the right spot!
The perfect hole in the wall shop to try some new foods. This shop serves mostly locals, so you know you’re getting real, quality dishes.
Try the kway teow (stir fried flat rice noodles) – we really enjoyed this one! The charred flavor of the noodles is really like nothing else.
📍Click here for the exact location. Madame Teng is open during normal day time hours.
Guay Jub Song Wat – ก๋วยจั๊บถังไม้ ตรอกอาเนี๊ยเก็ง
- Best For: Crispy pork soup
- Price: $
- What to order: We ordered the #1 – Classic crispy pork soup
- Heads up: The other menu options have offal (organs, intestines, liver, etc.) so stick with menu item #1 if that’s not your thing.
Please go to Guay Jub Song Wat – you won’t be disappointed. An unassuming restaurant that’s a true hidden gem for visitors in Chinatown Bangkok.
There are 4 options to choose from on the menu which are posted on the walls so you can easily point to your choice. We ordered the #1 and it was honestly one of the best soups we tried in Bangkok.
The broth is flavorful and peppery and the noodles are the perfect level of chewy and fresh. We HIGHLY recommend a meal here for only $2.50 USD!
📍Click here for the exact location. The shop is open from 9 am to 2 pm Monday – Friday, closed weekends.
ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำ เย็นตาโฟ หมูตุ๋นจีนๆ
- Best For: Classic Thai soups
- Price: $
- What to order: Tom Yum (hot and sour soup)
- Heads up: Be prepared to wait a few minutes if you want a seat because there are not too many.
Copy and paste this name (or click on the linked location below) to find this delicious street food stand.
Outfitted with only one stand and a couple seats, this is a must visit local spot for food in Chinatown Bangkok.
Try the tom yum for a treat, or opt for the classic broth with noodles and fish balls (a Chinatown Bangkok classic, if you haven’t noticed!)
📍Click here for the exact location. The stand is open daily from 8 am to 2 pm.
Nai Pon Kao Seer Po
- Best For: Crispy pork (our fav) or duck
- Price: $
- What to order: Crispy pork rice
- Heads up: You can just point at what you want as the owner is super friendly but doesn’t speak any English!
We stumbled upon this gem by accident (something you have to try in Bangkok, by the way). Our affinity for crispy pork drew us in, and we were not disappointed!
Nai Pon Kao Seer Po is really on the edge of Chinatown, but we wanted to include it anyway because it’s SO good.
It’s only a stand on a street corner, so you can just point at what you want, and it will come with rice, soup, and complimentary tea.
The sauce on the meat was maybe the best we tried on this trip – slightly fruity (maybe plums?), sweet, and gingery. The meat comes with slices of ginger as well for an added kick and to cut the saltiness a bit.
Truly a 10/10 meal and at street food prices too!
📍Nai Pon Kao Seer Po is located here. The stand is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 pm to 10 pm.
Best Sit-Down Restaurants in Chinatown
NAAM 1608
- Best For: Elevated classic Thai
- Price: $$-$$$
- What to order: Fried rice with duck and lychee
- Heads up: When you make a reservation, ask for a seat at the bar facing the river around 6 pm for sunset. Thank us later 😘
Looking for a nicer, yet still affordable date night spot? NAAM 1608 is for you! Serving higher end Thai food right on the river, this the perfect place to sample Thai dishes in a mid-range restaurant.
We tried the fried rice with duck and lychee and the fried rice chili and salted with crispy pork – both dishes were incredible!
TOP TIP: This is a popular spot and gets booked up. You can Facebook message the restaurant for a reservation.
👉 For more top tips for where to go around Thailand, read our post about must-do destinations (and the ones you can skip).
📍NAAM 1608 is located here. Opening hours are 11 am to 10 pm Tuesday – Sunday, closed Monday.
Tia Sua Restaurant
- Best For: Thai-Chinese dishes you’ve never tried
- Price: $$
- What to order: Salty taro soup
- Heads up: This is a popular local spot so you may or may not be the only tourists here.
This is the perfect local spot for Chinese food in Chinatown Bangkok. Every time we walked by here the music was pumping and always looked busy. We finally stopped in and definitely did not regret our choice!
You can sit inside here but it’s still pretty casual.
Try the salty taro soup, the seafood boiled rice, or the deep-fried tofu with salt water. You may not have tried these dishes before, but what a better time than in Chinatown Bangkok!
📍The exact location of Tia Sua is here. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm.
Best Breakfast in Chinatown Bangkok
Jae Hmoy Kia Pork Porridge 猪肉粥
- Best For: Congee porridge
- Price: $
- What to order: Congee with pork meatballs, a poached egg, ginger, and spring onion
- Heads up: Make sure you add some sauces from the table to give it more salt and flavor. It closes early at 10am.
Porridge, also called congee, is a classic Thai-Chinese breakfast and this is a hidden-gem local shop. Order at the counter by pointing to what you’d like to add in then pick a chair from the street seating.
Don’t be put off by the appearance of this dish – we promise it’s so flavorful and perfect on a cool Bangkok morning.
📍Click here for the location. Open 4:30 am to 10 am Tuesday – Sunday, closed Monday.
Bangkok Chinatown Night Market
Stepping into the Chinatown Night Market feels like entering a lively kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and aromas.
How to Eat at the Chinatown Night Market
- Best For: Night market bits
- Price: $$
- What to order: Turnip cake, BBQ pork buns, pandan coconut pancakes
- Heads up: The night market is BUSY at any time. Be prepared for crazy crowds.
Head over to Yaowarat Road as the sun sets to walk through the bustling crowds and street food vendors selling everything from Pad Thai to fried turnip cakes to mango sticky rice.
🍜 Want an even deeper look at Bangkok’s food scene? Read our full review of the tour we booked here — it’s one of our favorite experiences ever in Bangkok.
TOP TIP: The Chinatown Night Market is very touristy and while it’s absolutely worth a visit, we recommend you avoid eating a full meal here as the prices are high and the quality isn’t as high. Grab a fresh juice or mango sticky rice from one of the vendors and maybe some fried turnip cakes (our fav) and just take in the energy with some snacks!
📍Click here for the exact location of the market. Chinatown Bangkok operating hours are from sunset till late.
Best Desserts in Chinatown
There is no shortage of dessert around Bangkok’s Chinatown, but these are out favorites we’ve tried.
Ba Hao Tian Mi – Yaowarat
- Best For: Unique loca dessert
- Price: $$
- What to order: Black sesame, peanut butter, or literally anything
- Heads up: The puddings are a bit pricey by Bangkok street food standards but they’re a worthwhile treat.
Next to mango sticky rice, this is our favorite dessert food in Chinatown Bangkok! Pick from the many creative flavors of soy pudding and prepare to be amazed!
Our favorite flavors are the black sesame (with boba added on top) and the peanut butter. The pudding isn’t too sticky or sweet – the perfect combination of flavor and texture!
📍Ba Hao Tian Mi is located here, just off of Yaowarat Road. It’s open daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
Nuury Chestnut Ice Cream
- Best For: Trying a local institution dessert
- Price: $
- What to order: The classic coconut with chestnuts
- Heads up: Sit in the bar seats to people watch while you enjoy your ice cream.
Jess spotted this place down an alley off Song Wat Road (arguably the coolest neighborhood in Bangkok) and we were intrigued enough to stop in.
Roasted chestnuts are amazing, so why wouldn’t chestnut ice cream be?
We settled for just the classic option – fresh coconut ice cream with chestnuts on top. Delicious.
This shop is a local institution and has been around since before the neighborhood was popular with tourists.
📍Nuury Chestnut Ice Cream is located here. The shop is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm (except sundays when they close at 12pm).
Convenience Stores in Bangkok
Convenience stores are the beating heart of the city – you can’t visit Bangkok without a trip to one!
7-Eleven isn’t exclusive to Chinatown (of course) but there are plenty scattered around to explore.
7-Eleven
Of course we can’t have a Bangkok food guide without a shout out to 7-Eleven convenience stores.
Grab the iconic backpacker’s ham and cheese toastie, but also take the opportunity to try some snacks you’ve never seen before! To get you started, some of our favorites are:
- Melon milk
- Spinach and cheese croissant sandwich
- Any new flavor of chips
- Seaweed and imitation crab sandwich
- Melon and cream ice cream bars (miss this one so much)
- So many more we can’t remember!
📍Just walk around and you’ll definitely pass a shop, or google maps 7-Eleven to find your closest shop.
Bonus: Outside Chinatown but Worth It
Ice Cream Samosorn
- Best For: Fun ice cream experience
- Price: $$
- What to order: Anything on the menu
- Heads up: You definitely can split one ice cream as the portions are huge and very rich.
We were just going to give one ice cream recommendation, but Ice Cream Samosorn was so good we had to add it to the list.
Jess saw this place on Instagram so we thought we’d see what the hype was about. The hype is justified!
It feels like a mixed locals-tourist spot. There were plenty of other tourists trying the creations, but it was also packed with young Thai people sharing a treat.
We got the Banana Cream Brûlée, but they also have options like match sundaes and red velvet ice cream. You definitely only need to get one to share!
It can get busy, so be prepared to potentially wait for a table.
📍Ice Cream Samosorn is located here. It’s open everyday from 4 pm to 12 or 1 am.
Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien)
- Best For: Michelin sit-down dining
- Price: $$$
- What to order: Cocktails, Tom Yum Goong and dessert
- Michelin status: Michelin Guide Recommended
- Heads up: The outdoor patio is weather dependent so there’s a chance you’ll have to sit inside if the weather is bad.
We ate at Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien) at the recommendation of one of our Thai friends who lived in Bangkok (Hi, Pim) and boy oh boy was this an AMAZING meal.
TOP TIP: The restaurant is set directly across the river from Wat Arun. Book a table on the riverfront rooftop for the most incredible views of the wat lit up at night. Reservations are mandatory.
We actually didn’t realize it was a Michelin Guide recommended restaurant until we got there and we can confidently say it lived up to the title.
We ordered the Tom Yum Goong (a spicy, creamy soup with jumbo prawns) and the spicy green curry, then finished the night off with a Thai tea flan.
Supanniga Eating Room is definitely a splurge meal, but we still only paid about $65 USD total for two cocktails, two main meals, and a dessert + a tip. Worth it if you’re saving for one fancy meal!
📍The Supanniga Eating Room with Wat Arun views is located here. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 pm to 10 pm.
How to Plan the Perfect Food Day in Chinatown
If we were to spend one day eating at our VERY favorite places in Bangkok Chinatown, this is what we would do:
Option 1
- Breakfast: Try some savory porridge at Jae Hmoy Kia Pork Porridge
- Lunch: Grab a toastie and a new flavor of chips at 7-Eleven
- Dinner: Order a plate of crispy pork and rice (the literal best) at Nai Pon Kao Seer Po
- Dessert: Walk over to Ba Hao Tian Mi – Yaowarat for a sweet treat after dinner
Option 2
- Breakfast: Start your day with a local Tom Yum at ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำเย็นตาโฟหมูตุ๋นจีนๆ (located here)
- Lunch: Stop at Guay Jub Song Wat for some crispy pork soup
- Afternoon Treat: Try the iconic Nuury Chestnut Ice Cream in Bangkok’s coolest neighborhood
- Dinner: Treat yourself to a nice sunset meal on the river at NAAM 1608. Get dessert while you’re here too.
📍All of our favorite spots (including these + about 90 more) are saved in this Google Map for you.
Top Tips for Eating in Chinatown Bangkok
Food is always good around here, but these are our top tips to make the most out of your dining experience in Bangkok’s Chinatown:
✔ Nighttime is the Best Time – Most street food stalls get going in the late afternoon, but the best time to visit is after dark. The temperatures are cooler, the food is fresh, and the people watching is top notch.
✔ Expect to Share Tables – Many food vendors in Chinatown have limited seating. Don’t be surprised if you’re seated at a table with others – this is completely normal and part of the experience!
✔ Explore Beyond the Main Street – The main roads have plenty of options, but the best finds are often tucked away in small alleys. Chinatown is super safe – don’t be afraid to wander around!
✔ Ask Locals for Recommendations – Google Maps is great, but locals know best. Chat with shop owners, market vendors, or Grab drivers to find the real hidden gems.
✔ Expect Some Chaos (and Embrace It!) – Chinatown’s food scene is fast-paced, loud, and a little overwhelming – but that’s part of the experience. Find a busy stall, grab a seat, and enjoy the organized chaos.
✔ Try a Bit of Everything – From crispy pork to fragrant noodle soups, the variety is endless. Order small portions when you can and taste as much as possible!
Types of Food Outlets in Chinatown Bangkok
Chinatown has everything from quick grab-and-go snacks to full-on seafood feasts. Here’s what to look out for:
✔ Hawker Stalls – Tiny street carts dishing out classics like pad Thai, satay skewers, filled buns, and crispy pork belly. Perfect for a cheap, tasty bite on the go.
✔ Shophouse Restaurants – Family-run spots with plastic stools and recipes that have been around forever. Expect bowls of noodles, roast duck, and wok-fried dishes.
✔ Seafood Stalls – Grilled prawns, chili crab, and garlic-butter scallops – usually piled high on metal trays.
TOP TIP: If there’s a tank of live seafood out front, you know it’s fresh.
✔ Dessert Carts – End on a sweet note with sesame dumplings, coconut ice cream, or mango sticky rice.
Basically, if it smells amazing, follow your nose and grab a plate. You really can’t go wrong here.
Why You Should Take a Food Tour in Chinatown Bangkok
Food tours and cooking classes are our very favorite ways to explore a city, but in Bangkok the food is so good and affordable our choice is always a food tour!
No one can share their knowledge of local food better than…a local guide (surprise!).
🤌 If you’re looking to taste the real Bangkok, this chef-designed food tour is a must.
💎 With small groups of just 8 people, you’ll explore hidden gems and taste incredible street food that you may never have found on your own!
We love trying a new dish during a tour, saving our favorites, then going back to have the whole experience!
Interested in a cooking class instead? Check out this amazing cooking class we did in Chiang Mai!
Where to Stay in Chinatown
Chinatown used to be known mainly for budget guesthouses, but today it offers everything from simple hostels to stylish boutique hotels and riverside stays.
We were honestly shocked at how much it changed in just two years between our visits, with new cafés, bars, and accommodation popping up all over the neighborhood.
If you’re planning to eat your way through Yaowarat, staying in Chinatown means you can walk to the best food in Bangkok Chinatown without worrying about late night taxis or long journeys back to your hotel.
We’ve rounded up our favorite places to stay in Bangkok Chinatown, from affordable private rooms to more comfortable mid range and boutique options, so you can base yourself right in the heart of the action.
👉 Find out more about your accommodation options in Bangkok here. 👈
Hostel Urby – OUR CHOICE
We stayed here and loved it! Hostel Urby offers a perfect blend of comfort and social atmosphere, with modern amenities and cozy communal spaces ideal for meeting fellow travelers.
Located along the Chao Phraya River, it provides easy access to Bangkok’s top attractions while offering stunning waterfront views.
Big plus: The rooftop balcony is connected to a bar and coffee shop – PERFECT for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing and sunsets over the river.
103 – Bed and Brews
If you’re looking for more of a typical hotel, but still on a budget, 103 – Bed and Brews is a great pick.
Nestled in a historic shophouse in the heart of Chinatown, it provides an authentic local vibe close to Bangkok’s cultural sights and street markets.
Hotel Royal Bangkok@Chinatown
Luxury doesn’t come at a high cost in Bangkok.
Ideally situated in Chinatown, Hotel Royal Bangkok@Chinatown is a great base for exploring local markets, street food, and cultural landmarks, all just steps away from your door.
Shanghai Mansion Bangkok
Looking to realllllyyy treat yourself in Bangkok? Shanghai Mansion Bangkok captivates with its opulent 1930s Shanghai-inspired decor, offering guests an immersive experience in luxury and style.
👉 Explore more hotels in Bangkok Chinatown here 👈
How to Get to Chinatown
Where is the Closest MRT station to Chinatown?
The MRT station at Wat Mangkon will drop you right into the heart of a bustling Chinatown. The beautifully decorated station sits on the Blue Line which runs from Tha Phra to Lak Song.
Key stops on the Blue Line include Sukhumvit for classic Bangkok nightlife, Lumphini for a walk around the gigantic Lumphini Park, or Sanam Chai Station for the Grand Palace and Wat Pho temple.
What is the Easiest Way to Get from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Chinatown?
Suvarnabhumi is the main airport for international flights these days, and most visitors land here.
The easiest way to get from BKK to Chinatown, and also the fastest way, is to take a taxi. There is a newly opened 24 hour Grab Pick Up Area located at Gate 4 on Level 1 of the terminal building.
If, like us, you won’t have an internet connection on arrival (old school), you can use the public taxi service also located on Level 1 of the terminal building.
You just need to follow the taxi queuing system, receive a ticket from one of the machines, then head to the lane number that is stated on your ticket and the driver will take you to your hotel.
What is the Easiest Way to Get from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Chinatown?
This airport is now used mostly for domestic and regional flights to Bangkok. If you’re flying in from somewhere else in Thailand, you may fly in via this airport.
The easiest way to get from DMK to Chinatown is also by car. You can book a Grab upon arrival and meet your driver at the pick up points outside Gate 2 or Gate 5 in the Arrivals Hall.
Alternatively, DMK offers a similar service to BKK for their public taxi service. Follow the “Taxi” signs out of the airport and take a number from the ticket machines.
Once your number appears on the screen, go to the taxi stand where your driver will be waiting to take you to your destination.
What is the Cheapest Way to Get from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Chinatown?
The cheapest way to get from BKK to Chinatown is by the Airport Rail Link, and MRT.
1. In the airport, follow signs for “Airport Rail Link”.
2. Upon arrival, purchase your ticket from one of the machines. You can only pay with coins or notes.
3. You are going to Makkasan Station – approx 23 minutes, 5 stops.
4. From Makkasan, walk 5 minutes to the Blue Line MRT station called Phetchaburi.
5. Purchase your MRT ticket from one of the machines, you can pay by cash or card here.
6. You are taking the Blue Line towards Lak Song and your stop is Wat Mangkon.
FYI, if your budget is super tight, you can take the bus from the airport into the city too, and this is actually the cheapest option.
In our opinion, the buses are a little more uncomfortable, so we would recommend the train for that tiny bit extra!
We were shocked how cash orientated Thailand is still. Always have cash on you as you never know when an establishment in Thailand will only take cash.
💱 The best international currency card has been Wise for us. The app is easy to use, making it easy to move money around amongst currencies.
💲There are no foreign transaction fees and you can withdraw a reasonable amount of cash each month with little to no ATM fees.
What is the Cheapest Way to Get from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Chinatown?
The cheapest way to get from DMK to Chinatown is via public bus. You can find the routes available to you via Google Maps or Moovit.
TOP TIP: Download the Bangkok bus app, Viabus, for up to date bus routes and live tracking. This app was SO helpful for us getting around Bangkok!
However, for a couple dollars extra, you can also take the trains for a less stressful journey. First, take the Commuter train (Dark Red Line) to Bang Sue station.
From there, follow signs for the Blue Line MRT station and your stop will be Wat Mangkon.
Bangkok is a great jumping off point for travel all around Southeast Asia. We started in Bangkok before exploring Southeast Asia for 3-4 months.
👉 Follow our route here. 👈
What Else is There To Do in Chinatown Bangkok?
Sampheng Night Market
The Sampheng Night Market is home to literally anything you could ever think of buying. Need shoes, make-up, jewelry, batteries or fruit? No problem, you can find it here!
Walk through the stalls and take in one of the most popular markets in the area. Maybe you’ll find some fun souvenirs to take home!
ATT 19
An art gallery and cafe in one, this is a major hidden gem in Bangkok. Enter the complex through an alleyway of greenery, then step into the gallery to experience some of the most creative local art in the city.
The gallery is FREE to enter.
Once you’re done in the gallery, stop by the cafe for an iced coffee to recharge before moving on.
Coffee and People Watching at Song Wat Coffee Roasters
Bangkok is full of amazing coffee shops with delicious, creative drinks. Order a drink, grab a table and watch the people of Bangkok go about their day.
This is one of our favorite things to do in any city, but especially in Bangkok!
Cruise Down Chao Phraya River
One of the best ways to see Bangkok is by water.
The Rachtawong water taxi station is located right in Chinatown – hop on the blue, orange, or green lines to reach any of the major sites in Bangkok, or just cruise down the river taking it all in until you’re ready to turn around!
The water taxis are our favorite way to get around the city!!
Talat Noi
Another somewhat hidden gem in Chinatown! Wander through alley after alley painted with street art and lined with street food sellers. This area is the ultimate blend of tourists and locals coexisting.
While the street art draws tourists to the area, this is very much still a local’s street, so remember to be respectful!
We cover Talat Noi and much more in our guide to spending 24 hours in Bangkok. Click here to give it a read!
River City Bangkok
We stumbled into River City Bangkok by accident and we definitely were not disappointed! This mini-mall is a collection of shops and art galleries spread between two floors.
If you need a bit of air conditioning after wandering around Chinatown for a few hours, this is a great spot to spend an hour or so!
There is also a rooftop bar if you visit later in the day and a few different dinner cruises leave from the dock here as well.
We didn’t take a dinner cruise, but watched them float by every night from our hostel balcony. We will definitely be taking one next time we’re in Bangkok because they looked like a blast!
FAQs About Food in Bangkok Chinatown
Is Bangkok Chinatown safe at night?
Absolutely. There is very little crime in Thailand in general, and Bangkok Chinatown is no exception.
We’ve walked around both solo and together (even holding hands as a queer couple) and have never felt unsafe.
What is the best food in Chinatown Bangkok?
The best food is very subjective! But we love anything with crispy pork like Nai Pon Kao Seer Po and Lim Lao Ngow Fishball Noodle for some Michelin-rated street food.
✨ To get a taster of all the best foods you can book the same street food tour we LOVED here.
Is Food in Chinatown Bangkok expensive?
The beauty of food in Bangkok Chinatown is that you can pay as much or little as you want.
An average meal on the street will cost between $2-4 USD but you can absolutely spend more on the trendy or fancy places as well.
Final Thoughts on Chinatown Bangkok
In our opinion, Chinatown is the ultimate destination for food lovers in Bangkok.
This vibrant neighborhood is a culinary treasure trove, offering some of the most delicious and diverse street food and restaurant experiences in the city.
From savoring steaming bowls of noodles to indulging in crispy dumplings, spicy tofu, and sweet mango sticky rice, every corner of Chinatown offers a new food adventure.
After exploring various neighborhoods in Bangkok, we keep returning to Chinatown for its incredible food scene.
Its lively atmosphere, bustling markets, and an endless array of food stalls and eateries make it a must-visit for any food enthusiast.
How to Fit Bangkok into Your Thailand Itinerary
If a visit to Bangkok is part of a larger trip, you can use these itineraries to figure out where to go before and after + how to get there:
- 10 days in Thailand for a short trip
- 3 weeks in Thailand to see the highlights + a unique stop
- One month Thailand itinerary to see more of the country
- Spend 3 weeks island hopping in South Thailand
