20 Chinese restaurants in Bangkok that won’t disappoint Amma

Shop house or Michelin star, it’s hard to narrow down the best Chinese restaurants in Bangkok to a solid list of 20 places. Nonetheless, with the courage of an unmarried aunt at family reunion dinner, we attempted the impossible. Here are our 20 favourite Chinese restaurants in town, including an ‘Amma rating’ for each one. You know that’s important.

Cantonese, Sichuan, or Hunan: Bangkok sees a huge selection of Chinese restaurants all across the city. There’s dim sum in the mornings, hotpot in the evenings, and noodles, abalone, duck, and suckling pig wedged in between throughout the day. Home to one of the world’s most impressive Chinatowns, and a massive population of Chinese and Thai-Chinese families, it is a city that doesn’t only provide good Chinese food. It thrives on good Chinese food.

Imagine, then, the plight of the writer who aims to put together a list of only 20 of the best Chinese restaurants in Bangkok. The Old Town is ridden with hidden and unnamed gems, and the city centre sees a sprinkling of new openings every season. Everybody seems to have a regular spot, and everybody has an opinion on the unconventional spot. Therefore, please consider this list a mere starting point.

There’s white table cloths and exquisite wine pairings, but there’s also communal tables and plastic stools. Though we love a good Din Tai Fung, Chef Man, or Shangarila meal, we steered away from major chain restaurants, and also didn’t include Yaowarat Road on this list, to provide a wider offering. Here, everybody has a bit of a specialty, and everybody delivers flavour with authenticity. We hope your Chinese grandma — your Amma — approves. That red envelope won’t fill itself.

Please note: This list is in alphabetical order, and is not a ranking.

[Hero and Featured Image Credit: Nan Bei]

A guide to the best, most authentic Chinese restaurants in Bangkok

Ah Yat Abalone

With a tagline that reads, “a fabulous dinner at your old friend’s home,” Ah Yat Abalone knows where it stands. The restaurant serves Cantonese delicacies in a setting that feels old-school, yet remains charming enough for the new-school. This Chinese restaurant is particularly popular for dim sum, as well as the namesake braised abalone soup. Spacious, and with plenty of table space for family gatherings, it’s a real Bangkok classic.

Style: Busy, family-style, old-school hotel ambience
Price range: THB 800-1100/person
Google Review rating: 4.3/5
What Amma would say: The setting reminds Amma of her youth, feels like good old days.

Ah Yat Abalone Forum Restaurant, 2047 Charoenkrung Road, Wat Phraya Kai, Bangkok, +66 2 6881000. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Saphan Taksin. Open daily, 11am-3pm and 6pm-11pm.

Boon Pochana

Beloved with the late-night crowd, you will often find F&B industry heavyweights gathered around a round table at Boon Pochana. Not just great for drunk dining, the restaurant serves up Sichuan classics like deep-fried squid with chili and garlic, mapo tofu, and fried rice noodles (so good). More ‘adventurous’ dishes also include sautéed frog and bitter melon, as well as pig ear salad.

Style: Super casual
Price range: THB 500-700/person
Google Review rating: 4.3/5
What Amma would say: These portion sizes are generous. Amma says call the whole family.

Boon Restaurant, 152/18-19 Narathiwas Rajanagarindra Road, Surawong, Bang Rap, Bangkok, +66 2 237 2764. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Chong Nonsi. Open daily, 11am-3am.

Dalian

In a similar vein to the more casual restaurants on our list, Dalian opened in a busy area in central Bangkok, serving up affordable and delicious Chinese dishes. The spicy fried green beans are definitely one of the most popular, though most come here for the fried dumplings and noodles, and the cold appetisers to snack. A rarer (and more expensive) favourite is also the fried mutton chop dish. The staff speaks mostly only Chinese, so you know this is legit. Originally located in Phrom Phong, there’s a second outlet in Ekkamai Soi 63, too, and many are divided on which is better.

Style: Super casual
Price range: THB 350-450/person
Google Review rating: 3.9/5
What Amma would say: Amma had trouble finding the Phrom Phong location, but felt better when she started eating.

Dalian, 591 10 Soi Sukhumvit 33/1, Watthana, Bangkok, +66 2 662 2586. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Phrom Phong. Open daily, 11am-11pm.

Evergarden Chinese Restaurant

We almost didn’t want to include this restaurant on the list, in large part because it is a well-kept secret, ranking very close to the top of our personal favourites list. Located inside the Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Evergarden is a quiet yet elegant Chinese restaurant, serving everything from dim sum, soups, and barbecue dishes, over to heartier feasts like Peking duck or suckling pig. Whilst the hotel itself is not particularly flashy, Evergarden’s attention to detail and lesser-known location makes it a real hidden Chinese dining gem.

Style: ‘90s high-end hotel dining, but without any stiffness
Price range: THB 750-1150/person
Google Review rating: 4.4/5
What Amma would say: Feels like time-travel. Very well maintained. Amma wants to do her birthday dinner here.

Evergarden Chinese Restaurant, 88 North Sathorn Road, Silom, Bangkok, +66 2 266 9988. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Chong Nonsi or BTS Sala Daeng. Open daily, 11am-2.30pm and 6-9.30pm.

Gokfayuen

For when a craving for Hong Kong noodles and congee hits, Gokfayuen is a top choice. The egg noodles at this Cantonese restaurant have been a Bangkok favourite for years now, with signatures including the shrimp wonton noodles and the braised beef noodles. Congee is also available with multiple toppings (century egg FTW), and for something different, definitely also try the shrimp roe tossed noodles. There is also a good selection of classic Hong Kong teas available.

Style: Casual, clean
Price range: THB 150-250/person
Google Review rating: 4.6/5
What Amma would say: Amma likes the Hong Kong milk tea to pair with her noodles, too.

Gokfayuen, 161/7 Soi Thonglor 9, Watthana, Bangkok, +66 2 712 5779. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Thong Lo. Open daily, 7am-10pm.

Hong Teong Long

Hong Teong Long rose to fame because of its super affordable xiao long bao (soup dumpling) offering, and has amassed a mini cult following for its sheng jian bao (pan-fried dumpling) dish. We’re part of this cult. Authentic flavours are met with affordable prices at this late-night Chinese restaurant, which serves what some describe as ‘mainland China cuisine,’ with a spotlight on Shanghainese dishes.

Style: Extremely casual, narrow but with multiple floors
Price range: THB 300-700/person
Google Review rating: 3.9/5
What Amma would say: Amma thinks the spice kick from the soup might teleport her back to China.

Hong Teong Long, 149/16 Surawong Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok, +66 2 238 3379. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Sala Daeng, MRT Samyan. Open daily, 11am-4am.

K by Vicky Cheng

This new Chinese restaurant in Bangkok has quickly become one of our favourite new openings of the year. Vicky Cheng’s first restaurant outside of Hong Kong is located within the new EA Rooftop, perched atop The Empire on the 56th floor. Here, you’ll find elegant Chinese dishes, with highlights including a wonderfully-tongue-numbing grilled whole squid with green Sichuan peppercorn, hot and sour soup with fish maw, and K’s signature crab with Chinese black olive and garlic. Gorgeous presentation in a sky-high setting is met with refined and delicious flavour here.

Style: Upscale, elevated, city panorama vibes
Price range: THB 2200-2700/person
Google Review rating: 4.6/5
What Amma would say: Let Amma sit away from the window please, we are really high up here!

K by Vicky Cheng, 56/F, The Empire, 1 South Sathorn Road, Sathorn, Bangkok, +66 2 407 1654. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Chong Nonsi. Open daily, 5.30pm-10.30pm.

Liu

Liu aims to fuse culture and tradition with contemporary takes on Cantonese classics. These span from dim sum and barbecue dishes over to Chinese delicacies like bird’s nest, abalone clay pot, beef cheek, and Peking duck. Located within the Conrad Bangkok, they are especially popular for their all-you-can-eat dim sum lunch. A quick mid-town break for dumplings? Always a good idea.

Style: Upscale
Price range: THB 1500-2500/person
Google Review rating: 4.5/5
What Amma would say: All of Amma’s classic favourites are here. Amma approves.

Liu, Conrad Bangkok, 3/F, 87/3 Witthayu Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, +66 2 690 9255. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily, 11.30am-2.30pm and 6-10pm.

Man Ho Bistro

The new Erawan Bangkok building has proven itself to be quite a hotspot for dining out, with a wide selection of interesting restaurant openings. Man Ho Bistro is one of these, a more casual companion to the well-known Man Ho, offering a great selection of dishes from the Sichuan and Shandong provinces. We especially enjoyed the signature char siu barbecue Australian beef rib, crispy rice with sea conch and shrimp soup, and the wok-fried egg crab with sweet potato noodles. There’s a fine selection of dim sum (including double pepper chicken feet), too.

Style: Modern, heart-of-the-city energy
Price range: THB 1000-1500/person
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
What Amma would say: This is great for Amma’s shopping break from Gaysorn.

Man Ho Bistro, 494 Phloenchit Road, Lumphini, Bangkok, +66 2 079 1189. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Chid Lom. Open daily, 11.30am-10pm.

Mei Jiang

Located on the riverside, Mei Jiang has been serving authentic Cantonese recipes for years now. Handcrafted dim sum, wok-style dishes, and even seasonal specialties can be found on the menu here, elevated by a Chinese tea pairing. Highlights include the deep-fried snow fish, tea-smoked chicken with crispy rice, stir-fried roasted pork belly, and ‘yin yang’ fried rice with scallop black truffle sauce. Come mooncake season, Mei Jiang makes some of the best egg custard mooncakes in Bangkok, too.

Style: Upscale
Price range: THB 2500-2750/person
Google Review rating: 4.2/5
What Amma would say: Amma loves the calming river view, good job.

Mei Jiang at The Peninsula Bangkok, 333 Charoennakorn Road, Khlong San, Bangkok+66 2 020 2888. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Khlong San (or BTS Saphan Taksin and Peninsula riverboat transfer). Open daily, 11.30am-2.30pm and 6-10.30pm.

Mott 32

The trendy Mott 32 opened its first outpost in Thailand at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon a few years ago, and has been welcoming equally-trendy guests ever since. The cuisine here stems from various regions, including Canton, Shanghai, and Beijing, and is served in a design-forward dining room. Highlights include the apple wood roasted Peking duck, Iberico plume char siu, lobster mapo tofu, and signature smoked black cod. For an extra special experience, book one of the stunning private rooms.

Style: Upscale, millennial ‘grammable
Price range: THB 1800-2500/person
Google Review rating: 4.5/5
What Amma would say: Once Amma dines in the artsy private rooms here, Amma can never go back to regular dining.

Mott 32 Bangkok, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, 2/F, 114 Narathiwas Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok, +66 2 085 8888. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Chong Nonsi. Open daily, 11.30am-2.30pm and 5.30-10pm.

Nan Bei

Nan Bei presents a unique Chinese experience for Bangkok, focusing on the cuisine of the north and the south of China. On arriving, guests are first woo-ed by the interior design, inspired by the Chinese folktale of the ‘Weaver Girl and the Cowherd.’ Once you open the menu, you’ll find dishes of Nan (the south) and Bei (the north) on either side, with highlights including the abalone with black truffle, eel Mala, and precious dried seafood dishes. Freshly hand-pulled and hand-cut noodles are also available, and the Peking duck is among the most famed in the city, too.

Style: Upscale, design-savvy, modern
Price range: THB 2750-3000/person
Google Review rating: 4.6/5
What Amma would say: One moment, Amma needs a minute to take in the gorgeous architecture.

Nan Bei, Rosewood Bangkok, 1041, 38 Phloenchit Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, +66 2 080 0080. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily 11.30am-2.30pm and 6-10.30pm.

Pagoda

The classic and the contemporary come together at Pagoda, a Chinese restaurant that hits the spot with fair pricing, cosy ambience, and a big menu. You’ll find all your favourite dim sum and barbecue dishes here, as well as more specialty items like crab meat and Mala dumplings, fried rice with minced wagyu beef and foie gras, or the crowd-pleasing crispy fried prawn with salted egg yolk. We especially like the cute touches found in the swan-shaped sweet potato, pork, and shrimp dumplings, as well as the hedgehog-shaped chocolate Rocher custard bun. A full vegetarian menu is also available, so veggie-loving diners leave satisfied, too.

Style: Elevated but warm
Price range: THB 1250-1850/person
Google Review rating: 4.4/5
What Amma would say: Amma likes the cute food presentation here. Pass me my iPhone to take photos for the group chat.

Pagoda Chinese Restaurant, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, 199 Sukhumvit 22, Khlong Toei, Bangkok, +66 2 059 5999. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Phrom Phong. Open daily, 11.30am-2.30pm and 6-10pm.

Potong

Sometimes it seems like there is nothing Chef ‘Pam’ Pichaya Soontornyanakij can’t do. The youngest Thai female chef to win the Asia Best Female Chef award, the leading lady behind the Michelin-starred Potong is unstoppable. At her restaurant in Old Town, diners are in for a 20-course menu of progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine, centred on the 5 elements (salt, acid, spice, texture, and Maillard reaction). Beyond dining, the Sino-Portuguese setting itself is impressive from the get-go, once the home of Chef Pam’s family’s herbal medicine business, and now beautifully reconstructed. To complete your visit here, definitely also visit the beloved Opium bar upstairs for award-winning cocktails.

Style: Fine dining in fantastic ambience
Price range: THB 6300++ for the “revolution” menu
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
What Amma would say: Amma was confused at first, but then Amma trusted the process. Amma approves — very clever.

Potong, 422 Vanich 1 Road, Samphanthawong, Bangkok, +66 82 979 3950. Nearest BTS/MRT: Wat Mangkon. Open Thurs-Tues, 4.30-11pm.

Prachak

Some would say that Prachak makes the best roasted duck in Bangkok. Located along Charoenkrung Road, the street food restaurant specialises in roasted duck, crispy pork, and char siu pork, specifically, though it also offers other dishes. The signature duck comes with a rich gravy, so it is highly recommended to order rice or noodle sides to fully appreciate its flavour. For a really authentic experience, you can also order the che po rice, which comes with a whole bunch of meats: roasted duck, barbecue pork, pork belly, and Chinese sausage, to name a few. As this is a street food spot, Prachak doesn’t accept reservations. Walk in and try your luck.

Style: Casual, street food
Price range: THB 150-350/person
Google Review rating: 4.2/5
What Amma would say: Amma loves duck. Order more duck tongue!

Prachak Roasted Duck, 1415 Charoenkrung Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok, +66 2 234 3755. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Saphan Taksin. Open daily, 8.30am-8.30pm.

Shang Palace

Shang Palace truly takes things back to the classics, having operated for many years now. In an elevated setting, diners can enjoy dim sum and barbecue dishes, as well as other Cantonese favourites. The all-you-can-eat dim sum lunch is among the most price-friendly for its high level of quality, though other highlights also include scallop truffle, onion lobster, and slow-cooked whole grouper casserole. Round tables and high red chairs add to the classic ambience, welcoming larger groups on the regular.

Style: Elevated
Price range: THB 2000-2500/person
Google Review rating: 4.4/5
What Amma would say: A nice restaurant for family time. Amma likes the traditional Cantonese desserts.

Shang Palace Chinese Restaurant, Shangri-La Bangkok, 3/F, 89 Wat Suan Phlu Alley, Bang Rak, Bangkok, +66 2 236 9952. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Saphan Taksin. Open daily, 11.30am-2.30pm and 6-9pm.

The Silk Road

The Silk Road pulls from a unique concept for its design, drawing on a special Shanghainese Art Deco style. Once inside the restaurant, diners can enjoy Cantonese cuisine “with a 21st-century edge,” as classic dishes are elevated elegantly. Dishes we love include the spicy black fungus salad with Sichuan sauce, the stir-fried tiger prawns in Beijing sauce, the wok-fried longevity noodles with crab meat, and the Hokkien-style organic fried rice. Though the restaurant design already makes for an intimate dining experience, private rooms are available, too.

Style: Upscale, elevated dining
Price range: THB 1750-2500/person
Google Review rating: 4.6/5
What Amma would say: Are we in 1920s Shanghai? Amma likes the decor. Take a photo please.

The Silk Road, The Athenee Hotel, 61 Witthayu Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, +66 2 650 8800. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Phloen Chit. Open daily, 11.30am-2.30pm and 6-10pm.

Tuang Dim Sum

Tuang Dim Sum started as a really famous street food eatery on Charoenkrung Road, recognisable by the busy ambience and noisy crowd nestled inside its narrow shop. More recently, the restaurant moved to a new location, still on Charoenkrung Road, albeit with more breathing space. Open bright and early from 7am, and closing at 3pm, you know Tuang Dim Sum is a proper dim sum spot. It is run by Chef Yip from Hong Kong, and delivers dumplings at extremely reasonable prices. No fuss and not too fancy, head here to try a broader selection of dim sum in a more casual environment.

Style: Very casual, open-air
Price range: THB 200-350/person
Google Review rating: 4.3/5
What Amma would say: Amma likes these prices. Order one of everything!

Tuang Dim Sum, 89 Charoenkrung Road, Wat Phraya Kai, Bangkok, +66 89 603 0908. Nearest BTS/MRT: Saphan Taksin. Open Tues-Sun 7am-3pm.

Yong He Dou Jiang

Most foodies will refer to this Taiwanese restaurant as “the soy milk place,” given that soy milk is Yong He Dou Jiang’s specialty, and first claim to fame. Nonetheless, even if you’re no fan of milk, you can get really good food here. The menu differs slightly from the other restaurants on our list, and highlights include the xiao long bao (soup dumplings), the pan-fried dumplings, the beef or mutton noodle soup, and the rice with spare rib and egg (so simple but so good). Soy products aside, the XO sauce is also totally worth taking home.

Style: Very casual
Price range: THB 400-500/person
Google Review rating: 4.1/5
What Amma would say: Pack up some soy milk and plum juice for Amma to-go, please.

Yong He Dou Jiang Soy Milk, 68 Narathiwas Rajanagarindra Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok, +66 2 635 0003. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Chong Nonsi. Open daily, 11am-10pm.

Yu Ting Yuan

If you’ve ever wondered what lies across the pond when you arrive at the Four Seasons lobby, the answer lies in Yu Ting Yuan. The beautiful Cantonese restaurant is helmed by Executive Chef Tommy Cheung, who aims to highlight authentic flavours through quality ingredients. Yu Ting Yuan serves possibly the most lavish and dedicated dim sum experience, though they also execute other classics really well, including the beloved crispy pork and the Peking duck.

Style: Upscale, elevated
Price range: THB 2500-3500/person; ‘Hidden Recipes’ set menu at THB 3800/person
Google Review rating: 4.4/5
What Amma would say: You take Amma here, and Amma is impressed.

Yu Ting Yuan, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, 300/1 Charoenkrung Road, Yan Nawa, Sathorn, Bangkok, +66 2 032 0888. Nearest BTS/MRT: BTS Saphan Taksin. Open daily, 11.30am-2.30pm and 6-10.30pm.