Chinatown Restaurants

Chinatown Scala Shark’s Fin Restaurant

For added measure we feature another restaurant which specialises in sharks fin (once there you will realize that it pretty hard to escape). If you don’t warm to that then there are plenty of other options that you can fill up on. The fried fish with black bean sauce is delicious, especially when accompanied by some crab fried rice.

The fried whole crab with black pepper is well priced and equally as tasty. For the more adventurous the barbecued suckling pig might not look like the most appetizing thing on the menu but appearances can be deceptive, especially in Chinatown.  

Himali Cha Cha

This long-established restaurant is the work of Cha Cha, who for 40 years cooked for the rich and famous. Cha Cha's son has maintained the family tradition of serving hearty Indian fare. Curries abound with mutton chutniwalla being the pick of the lot. Vindaloo is also recommended but for those of a less fiery disposition, chicken kashmiri, a rich, mild Himalayan blend with dried fruits, nuts and yoghurt will hit the spot. 

Hong Kong Noodles

One of three noodle and dim sum establishments in the city, treats include Hong Kong-style noodles with grilled duck or pork. Homemade egg noodles, shrimp wonton soup and khao moo deang (rice and grilled pork topped with red sauce). Prices are very reasonable with dishes going for as little as 40 baht. 

Hua Seng Song

One of Chinatown's more expensive options, but don’t doubt that you will get your money's worth. Famed for its birds' nest soup, other tasty alternatives include roasted Cantonese meats and hoy tawt (mussels in batter). The atmosphere is typically Chinese, bustling while still efficient. 

Lao Li Shark Fin

Goose webs, sea cucumber, shellfish, birds' nest soup and goat meat are just some of the culinary wonders that feature on this menu. This is a great place to try the restaurant's signatures dish, shark fin soup. While not compromising on taste, Lao Li Shark Fin is the one of the cheapest in town. 

Nai Sow

Cheap and cheerful yet still mouth-wateringly delightful. Many of Bangkok’s residents claim Nai Sow does the best tom yam goong (spicy shrimp soup) in the city. Next door to Wat Plaplachai, this is a consistently good restaurant and a certain bet for good Thai dishes. Try the ‘naw mai thalay’ (sea asparagus in oyster sauce), delicious. 

Nai Yong Curry Restaurant

An alternative to Chinese food if you fancy a bit of spice, Nai Yong is very reasonably priced, serving up all your favourite Thai treats including thick and creamy Massaman gai and Penang curries. 

Shangri-La Restaurant

This well-established Chinese restaurant is famous for its Cantonese-style roast duck, barbecued pork and dim sum. Other popular dishes include hot and cold hord'oeuvres, Peking duck, abalone in oyster sauce, scallops in XO sauce and steamed seabass in white soy sauce. The interior decor leands towards old-school, with the usual gold and red colour scheme and tables setup for banquets and large gatherings. 

T&K Seafood

For many this is Chinatown’s best restaurant, nothing much to look at, it would be a mistake to be deterred by the rough exterior. T&K is all about the food (and brisk service). Simple, fresh, tasty southern-Chinese recipes and the best seafood in the area; try the oysters and sea bass.  

Texas Suki

Reasonably priced, clean and comfortable, Texas Suki serves up a conventional Cantonese treats including noodle and rice-based dishes as well as the more adventurous fare such as birds nest soup and fried puffed-up fish stomach.