Is Chinatown Bangkok (Yaowarat) really worth the Hype?

Want to know if Bangkok’s famous street food district, Yaowarat in Chinatown is really worth it?

Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling and contrasting capital city is a mix of old and new. There’s the towering skyscrapers, luxurious malls, rooftop bars and fancy restaurants on one side. And then there’s pockets of old local neighborhoods mostly concentrated in Rattanakosin.

This part of the city is where the main temples and cultural sights are located. It’s to the west of the bustling part of Bangkok like the popular Sukhumvit road and also spills into the busy business districts of Silom and Sathorn. And in the middle of all this there’s Chinatown, a charming and lively part of the city where the first Chinese immigrants settled.

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Chinatown Bangkok

Many tourists and travelers know Chinatown in Bangkok as a street with loads of big neon lit Chinese signs hanging off the buildings and creating a bright colorful atmosphere. The name of that street is Yaowarat. There’s a large concentration of street food vendors and restaurants serving various Chinese/Thai dishes along with dozens of shop houses and gold shops.

In short, there is no other place in Bangkok as synonymous with street food as Yaowarat road. It’s one big chaotic and busy street with street stalls vying for space and skillful street chefs clikkity clakkiting their woks while trying to keep up with the long lines of hungry patrons.

For most Western tourists unfamiliar with Asian food culture, going to Yaowarat is often a cause of stress. There is just so much going on and dozens of restaurants and street carts to choose from along a busy and crowded main-road. It can often feel like too much.

For those adventurous tourists and travelers visiting Bangkok for the first time, I always suggest →doing a street food tour. This will throw you directly into the food scene. Otherwise, it’s common that your time in Thailand will come and go without really trying the real and authentic Thai food.

Related – Getting from Bangkok to the Islands

Is Chinatown Bangkok worth it?

Yes it definitely is. Although I may be biased because I love the food in Chinatown Bangkok and Thailand as a whole. Even for someone that isn’t planning to eat any streetfood in Yaowarat, it is still a good night out. It’s a lively and bustling scene under huge bright neon sights.

Now, if you plan eating in Yaowarat, you’re bound to come across certain stalls and restaurants that have long lines. These are usually for famous places and in most cases have been mentioned in the Michelin food guide which just keeps creating even more hype. Often the lines move fast as guests tend to eat their meal and leave without lingering around. However, if it’s a fish place like T.K Seafood where the fish need to be grilled, a long line usually means a long wait. Wether you wait in line or not is up to you.

Personally I don’t wait if it will be longer than 10/15 minutes. There’s dozens of places to eat in Yaowarat and the side streets branching off it. And may of the places with lesser crowds are just as good and obviously more peaceful.

Related – Choosing where to stay in Bangkok

What are the best places to eat in Chinatown Yaowarat?

There are quite a few places in Yaowarat and Chinatown that I would recommend. Some of the places open during the day while others open in the evening or are open all day long.

As a side-note, Mondays are for street cleaning and most stalls and shops take the rest of the day off. So expect that around 50% of places to eat in Yaowarat and Chinatown to be closed.

Khao Gaeng Jek Pui

Eating good food in Chinatown Bangkok doesn’t necessarily have to be in a nice restaurant. In fact, at Khao Gaeng Jek Pui (or just Jek Pui) there isn’t really a restaurant. It’s just a street stall with a bunch of those red plastic stools and no tabels.

They serve simple yet really good curries over rice dishes. It isn’t a typical Thai dish, or at least not something that is found everywhere. That is probably why this place is always packed especially around lunch time when workers from nearby all come for a quick bite at this famous street food stall in Chinatown.

Jae Eng Pork Satay

You can tell a place is good if you see a big stack of take away boxes ready to be delivered to offices nearby. Jae Eng grill their tasty pork and chicken satay sticks on the side of the road outside their sit down air conditioned restaurant. It’s a typical Thai restaurant serving simple and affordable dishes at affordable prices.

Heng Yod Phak

My favorite noodles shop in Chinatown is Heng Yod Phak. It’s on the opposite corner of the above satay place. Both shops are located in an up an coming street named Soi Nana with hip cafes and chic cocktail bars like wallflower cafe. Come here during the day to enjoy these noodles, drowned in a gooey gravy and with a charred flavor and chunks of pork or chicken as the place closes during the evening.

T & K Seafood

Lobster, oysters, giant prawns, fish and various seafood sides are what T & K Seafood specializes in. Everything is cooked there on the spot on a busy corner along Yaowarat road. It arguably the most famous seafood place in Chinatown. So be prepared as their is often a line which moves slower due the dishes taking longer to be served.

Tia Sua

There is this typical fancy Chinese restaurant just outside the busy Yaowarat area. Tia Sua isn’t a place you’re just randomly going to pass by as it’s out of the way. It’s popular, but with the Chinese community. Dishes aren’t cheap. One of their specialities is the sea cucumber. It’s a Chinese delicacy which is said to have many health benefits and was the highlight of our meal and stir fried with various vegetables and nuts. The sea cucumber itself doesn’t have any type of flavor other than being a piece of tender sort of piece of fat. If you want an authentic Chinese place that isn’t touristic and serves really good dishes, this is it.

Nai Ek Roll Noodle

There’s something about the shops in Yaowarat where it seems only the very best places can survive. Nai Ek Roll Noodle has long been a favorite noodle shop for locals and Asians. The long lines have gained international attention as this place is now featured on the Michelin guide. And as a result is attracting an increasing number of western tourists. They’re famed for their rolled up noodles mixed with tender chunks of pork with a crunchy skin drowned in a watery broth.

The bottom line

In my opinion, as someone that loves food and culture, I can confidently say Chinatown Bangkok is worth it. The main draw is obviously the food so if you’re not quite sure about where to eat, or would rather have someone guide you to the best places, definitely consider doing a →food tour. It will cost a bit more than doing a self guided food tour in Yaowarat but will be well worth it.

Where to go after Bangkok

Deciding where to go after Bangkok can be confusing. There is just too many beautiful places to visit in Thailand that you will need to prioritize what you want to see during the amount of time you have.

If you have at least 2 weeks in Thailand and want to see a bit of everything, I would suggest spending 2 days in Bangkok and then heading north to Chiang Mai. It’s a gorgeous region rich in both culture and landscapes. Spend 3 or 4 days in the North before flying to South Thailand for the islands. On the east there is Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. The islands are all near each other and perfect if you want to spend a week island hopping.

Or either go to Krabi and the stunning landscapes on the west of Thailand. From here you can visit the beautiful Railay beach and also go to Phi-Phi island. If you have an extra week, so 3 weeks in Thailand. You’ll manage to see most of the popular destinations. Bangkok 2 days – Chiang Mai (North) 4 days – 7 days Gulf islands (Koh Samui etc) – 7 days west Thailand (Phuket – Krabi – Railay – Phi Phi)

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→ Bangkok to Chiang Mai

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