Bangkok Asian restaurants

Hungry?  Or just curious about what other tempting dishes are available in Bangkok?  While Bangkok offers some of the best Thai cuisine, the city also has food from all over Asia. From spicy Thai salads to Vietnamese spring rolls, from Chinese Dim Sum to Indian curries. Not only will you find an extensive choice, but also very reasonable prices at many of Bangkok's great value Asian restaurants. Let our quick guide help you.

Also have a look at Bangkok's finest Asian restaurants in our Tatler's reviews.

A huge choice and predictably all good. A number of Thai restaurants offer a classical dance performance or traditional live music to accompany dinner for a great dining experience. Have dinner in an old Thai style or colonial house, or down by the riverside. Sample classical Thai dishes, specialities from different regions, especially the north and north-east, or a seafood barbecue with delectable dipping sauces. Below is some brief information on the more established restaurants just to whet your appetite. For more information on Thai food, have a look here.

Cabbages & Condoms
This oddly named restaurant started out a part of a campaign to promote birth control and has become an established attraction in the Bangkok dining circuit with its imaginative menu and free condoms. Profits support family planning and anti-AIDS projects in Thailand.
Location: Sukhumvit soi 12
Contact: + 66 (0)2 252 7349

Blue Elephant (formerly Thai Chine)
Blue Elephant made their name outside Thailand as an stylish restaurant chain serving authentic Thai food, but this is their first Bangkok restaurant. Located in an old colonial style building in a great setting, style and ambiance.
Location: Sathorn, near Surasak Skytrain Station
Contact: +66 (0)2 212 6401

The Spice Market
Reflecting the understated, elegant style of the The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, this place offers beautifully presented Thai food in refined surroundings.
Location: Ratchadamri
Contact: +66 (0)2 251 6127

The Mango Tree
Located in an 80 year-old Thai house, where the sound of Thai classical music produced by local musicians wafts from room to room. Classic dishes like Gai Hor Bai Toey (chicken wrapped in Pandanus leaf) on the menu. 
Location: Soi Anumarn Rachthon, Surawong Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 260 1988

Lemongrass
An established expat favourite with an interesting menu. Dishes from all regions of Thailand, including some fiery southern dishes. Located in an old Thai mansion and furnished with antiques. Good pomelo salad and classic tom yung goong (hot and sour shrimp soup) Reservation recommended. 
Location: Sukhumvit soi 24
Contact: +66 (0)2 258 8637

Tongue Thai
Traditional Thai fare that includes luscious items like soft shell crab curry, mussels in a clay pot, and crispy morning glory. Intimate and nicely decorated.
Location: Along Chareoun Krung Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 630 9918

Patara
Elegant and popular with local office types for group parties. Some interesting cross cultural combinations like rack of lamb with chilli sauce, tuna with lime and lemongrass vinaigrette in addition to the more traditional favourites.
Location: South Sathorn Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 212 6420

Also have a look at Thai restaurants in our Tatler's reviews.

While similar to Thai food, Lao cuisine tends to be more spicy and more inventive with ingredients. While some ingredients, like ant eggs and fried crickets, may not be to everyone's taste, specialities like 'larb' (minced pork or chicken salad with mint, lime and shallots) are definitely worth trying. Many Thais from the north-east (Isaan) consider themselves Lao, and historically this part of Thailand and Laos have very close connections reflected in the music, dress and of course, the food.

Isaan food vendors can often be found close to most markets, terminals and wherever people want a quick tasty snack. The area around Hualampong main raliway station is no exception, with lots of stalls and small Isaan eating places.

Vientiane Kitchen
Location: 8 Sukhumvit Soi 36 (near Thong Lor BTS station)
Contact: +66 (0)2 258 6171

Krua Rommai
Location: 16 Sukhumvit 36, Klongton (close on Sundays)
Contact: +66 (0)2 661 2340

Ban Lao
Location: 49 Sukhumvit Soi 36
Contact: +66 (0)2 258 6096

Sara Jane's
Location: Ground Floor, Sindhorn Tower 1, 130-132 Wireless Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 650-9992-3

Also have a look at north-eastern/Isaan Food restaurants in our Tatler's reviews.

Quick snack or sumptuous dinner?  No shortage of places to eat Chinese food in Bangkok, which vary from the humble noodle shop to very expensive hotel dining. Dim Sum lunches, seafood dinners and items not always on the politically correct eating list like Sharks' fin can be found all around the city. Since the Chinese community is prominent in Bangkok, quality Chinese dining can be found in most smart hotels where a good Chinese restaurant is often patronised by local  businessmen as well as visitors.

China House
Located just outside the hotel, the China House is a colonial style house transformed into a first class Chinese restaurant. It specialises in Cantonese food, but with additional dishes from other regions such as Szechuan, Shanghai and Chiu Chow. The China House also offers a daily Dim Sum lunch, together with its a la carte menu.
Location: The Oriental Hotel, 48 Oriental Avenue
Contact: +66 (0)2 659 9000

Mei Jiang
Fine Cantonese dining in Bangkok comes no more elegantly than at Mei Jiang, a serene and elegant restaurant with a resident Chinese chef who has devised banquets for royalty and heads of state. The interiors of Mei Jiang are reminiscent of an exquisite Chinese teak box. Colors emphasize organic, earth tones, with blues and greens transposing the lush landscape and surrounding waters that can be viewed from the restaurant. An adjacent area may be converted into five private dining rooms. Mei Jiang is located on the ground floor.
Location: The Peninsula Bangkok, 333 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan
Contact: +66 (0)2 861 2888

Man Ho
This Chinese restaurant features the finest Cantonese specialities, served on elegant table settings.
Location: JW Marriott Bangkok
Contact: +66 (0)2 656 7700 ext 4245

Shang Palace
Savour the best of regional Chinese cuisine in elegant surroundings. Delicious steamed seafood, noodles, dim sum and tasty barbecued meats.
Location: Level 3, Shangri-La Wing, Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok
Contact: +66 (0)2 236 7777 ext 1205, 1350

Also have a look at Chinese restaurants in our Tatler's reviews.

The Japanese community in Bangkok has quietly settled in over the last few years making their mark on Bangkok's culinary map. Clusters of Japanese restaurants are located around Sukhumivt soi 33 together with hostess bars around Soi Thaniya off Patpong. Go through any shopping mall and you'll always find a sushi bar or Japanese restaurant. Below are a few great places to practice your chopsticks skill.

Sakura Tei
Location: The Grand China Princess Hotel, China Town
Contact: +66 (0)2 677 6240-5

Kisso
Location: The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel, 259 Sukhumvit Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 207 8000

Tsu-Nami
Location: JW Marriott Bangkok, Ploenchit
Contact: +66 (0)2 656 7709

Genji
Location: Swissotel Nai Lert Park, 2 Wireless Road, Pathumwan
Contact: +66 (0)2 253 0123

Also have a look at Japanese restaurants in our Tatler's reviews.

Vietnamese food offers subtle flavours and a slightly less fiery approach compared with Thai cuisine. Vietnamese Spring Rolls, which have morsels of minced pork, shallots, beansprouts and coriander eaten with a dipping sauce, make a yummy appetizer or snack.

Dao Vien
Location: 118 North Sathorn Road, Bangrak
Contact: +66(0)2 266 4961-2

Thang Long
Location: 82/5 Soi Langsuan, Ploenchit
Contact: +66(0)2 251 3504

Le Dalat
Location: 47/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23
Contact: +66 (0)2 260 1849

Thien Duon
Location: Dusit Thani Bangkok, Silom
Contact: +66(0)2 236 0450

Pho
Location: 25 Soi Chidlom, Second Floor, Alma Link Building
Contact: +66 (0)2 251 8945

Also have a look at Vietnamese restaurants in our Tatler's reviews.

Desperate for kim chi?  Check out these delectable authentic Korean dining.

Kongju
Kongju means 'Princess' in Korean. It's the Pathumwan Princess Hotel's pride and joy, having been tagged as Bangkok's best Korean restaurant. The decor in itself is simple, classy and comfortable. The ambience is friendly, clean and inviting. Connoisseurs may opt to dine in the main restaurant area or one of its private rooms, to sample are of fifty Kim Chi varieties as a prelude to other delicious Korean delicacies, including a tasty Korean barbecue.
Location: Pathumwan Princess Hotel, MBK Centre, Phayathai Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 216 3700 ext 20230

Koreana
Location: 446-450 Siam Square Soi 7
Contact: +66 (0)2 252 9398

Myung Dong
Location: 128/4-5 Silom Soi 6
Contact: +66 (0)2 235 6208-9

New Korea
Location: 41/1 Sukhumvit Soi 19
Contact: +66 (0)2 251 5273

Seoul
Location: 47 Ratchaprasong
Contact: +66 (0)2 252 9285

Also have a look at Korean restaurants in our Tatler's reviews.

Follow your nose around the Paruhat Textile Market area where you'll find some great local Indian food. Curries, Thalis, breads accompanied by lassi and poppadams, a complete contrast to traditional Thai food. Unlike Chinese cuisine which has melded in some Thai dishes, Indian food remains distinctly apart . Wander around this area known as 'Little India' and eat with the locals.

Rang Mahal
Location: Rembrandt Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 18
Contact: +66 (0)2 261 7100

Mrs. Balbir's
Location: Sukhumvit Soi 11
Contact: +66 (0)2 651 0498

Indian Hut
Location: 311/2-5 Suriwong Road  (New Road end), opposite Manohra Hotel.
Contact: +66 (0)2 237 8812

Indus
Location: 71 Sukhumvit Soi 26, Klong Toey
Contact: +66(0)2 258 4900

Also have a look at Indian restaurants in our Tatler's reviews.