Yaowarat Road (Chinatown)

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Bangkok's 200-year-old Chinese quarter. After nightfall, the seafood stalls, bird's nest and shark fin dishes, and Michelin-recommended street vendors along Yaowarat Road turn the street into a food lover's paradise.

Bangkok's Chinatown centers on Yaowarat Road. When the capital was founded in 1782, Chinese residents moved here from the area around the Grand Palace. It is one of the largest and oldest overseas Chinese communities in the world. Neon Chinese signs, gold shops, herbal medicine stores, and Teochew restaurants give the area a distinct blend of Teochew and Thai culture. During the day, you can visit Wat Traimit, the Temple of the Golden Buddha, which houses a 5.5-ton solid gold Buddha statue (100 baht admission), and explore the old lanes of Samphanthawong. The real highlight comes at night. From 6 p.m., food stalls line both sides of Yaowarat Road. Must-eats include the grilled prawns from T&K Seafood and Sae Ngee, pork offal noodle soup from Nai Ek, guay jap recommended by Michelin, bird's nest and braised shark fin, grilled bread with kaya jam, durian and rock sugar stewed fruit, and a variety of Teochew sweet soups. You can enjoy a wide variety of dishes for 200 to 500 baht per person. Tips: Exit at MRT Wat Mangkon station, where the decor is distinctly Chinese, then walk along Yaowarat Road from the direction of Wat Mangkon Kamalawat toward Odeon Circle, eating as you go. Most stalls are closed on Mondays. You can also extend your visit to the neighboring Talat Noi district, with its street art, old auto repair shops, and riverside cafes. Getting there: Take the MRT Blue Line directly to Wat Mangkon station. Note: Crowds are heavy at night, so keep an eye on your belongings. Waiting 30 to 60 minutes at seafood stalls is normal. During Chinese New Year, dragon and lion dances take place, but the area becomes extremely crowded.

Yaowarat Road (Chinatown)

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