Deep-fried xiao long baos, hand-pulled noodles, crackling claypot rice, and more — if you’re looking for authentic old-school Chinese restaurants in Bangkok, here are some of the places you should check out right now.
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The best old-school Chinese restaurants in Bangkok
Yok Hua
Nestled in the winding alley of Songwat’s A Nia Keng Shrine is one of the earliest authentic Hakka-style restaurants in Bangkok. The place was originally run by a 90-year-old grandma who, along with her family, moved to Thailand and settled in Songwat. Now, the place is currently helmed by the second generation owner, serving their signature red Hakka noodles (THB 250), using khao mak (Thai red yeast) to blend into the noodles. On our recent visit, the owner said it had the ability to help your digestive system.
Opening times: Tue-Sun, 11am-6pm (tables available after 6pm via call)
Location: Navy Welfare Department, Isaraphap road, Baan Chang Thong Lor, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok
Nearest station: Fai Chai, MRT
Google review rating: 4/5
Tang Chua Li
Long before mala hotpot became everyone’s go-to spot for midnight cravings, this Chinese establishment introduced Bangkok’s Talat Noi folk to their fish-head hot pot, now for over 80 years. Their speciality is their fish head hot pot (starting at THB 400 – THB 600), using Chinese bighead carp, whose firm, plump, flesh–despite occasional interferences from tiny bones–is so impressive that people normally go for a second. Don’t miss their Hweh Sae (THB 250 – 450), the pink-hued white fish sprinkled with roasted sesame seeds. Dip them in a jujube soy sauce mixed with crushed peanuts, sesame sugar, and plum juice, offering a sweet and slightly sour taste.
More info: Tang Chuan Li
Opening times: Open daily, 11am-9.30pm
Location: 2216 Khao Lam Rd, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok
Nearest station: Hua Lamphong, MRT
Google review rating: 4.3/5
Hong Teong Long
This authentic Chinese hole-in-the-wall restaurant is your ideal spot to quell your late-night cravings for Chinese food–after all, it operates until 4am. Originally known as “Khom Daeng” (red lantern), this place specialises in all things Cantonese, boasting a wide array of dumplings and stir-fried selections. Our top-pick favourite is their Sheng Jian Baos–think of your usual xiao long bao but with a crispy exterior that still oozes with delicious broth. The only downside? You have to wait around 45 minutes to an hour for this order.
More info: Hong Teong Long
Opening times: Open daily, 11am-4am
Location: 149 16, Soi Anuman Ratchathon, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok
Nearest station: Sala Daeng, BTS
Google review rating: 3.9/5
Fook Yuan Suki Seafood
How ‘old-school’ is ‘old school’? For this Chinese old-school restaurant nestled in Ratchadapisek Soi 17, it hits all the marks – the wrinkled menu, the mismatched interior, and somewhat hard-to-spot location. The chef owner hails from Hong Kong and has over 30 years experience in claypot rice making. The prices are also really affordable, too, think THB 250 for a whole claypot rice with braised beef. Their pork char siu is not to be missed either.
Opening times: Open daily, 11.30am-10pm (from 11am onwards from Sat-Sun)
Location: Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel Bangkok 92 Soi Rong Phayaban Phra Ram 9, Bang Kapi, Huai Khwang, Bangkok
Nearest station: Phra Ram 9, MRT
Google review rating: 4.5/5
Ting Tai Fu
Not to be confused with the mall favourite Din Tai Fung, this wallet-friendly Chinese restaurant in Ramkhamhaeng should not be lumped together with your typical Thai-Chinese noodle shops. Whether it’s xiao long bao (soup-filled dumpling) or noodles, everything here is made from scratch. Right at the entrance, snakes of dough swirl and form into shapes to make fantastically chewy hand-pulled noodles. Order their braised beef noodles (THB 120)–the noodles taste very fresh and the beef will melt in your mouth. Head there during the weekends to try their dao xiao mian (knife-cut noodles), and you can gulp down a large mouthful of thick blocks of noodles.
More info: Ting Tai Fu
Opening times: Open daily, 10am-9pm
Location: 166 Ramkhamhaeng Rd, Hua Mak, Bang Kapi District, Bangkok
Nearest station: Hua Mak, MRT Yellow Line
Google review rating: 4.2/5
Lanzhou Noodles (Lehaha)
Huay Kwang is so saturated with Chinese restaurants right now to the point where there are many jokes about how it might be the next Yaowarat–we somewhat agree with this–but that doesn’t mean it’s all that bad. In fact, the influx of new Chinese restaurants in the neighbourhood also means that you have more options to choose from, and one of our favourites is this 24-hour hand-pulled noodle spot Lanzhou Noodle. Here, enclosed in the glass room is the lamian shifu (pulled-noodle master) who kneads and rolls the dough with lightning speed, swiftly thinning and pulling them into a string of noodles. There are five levels of thickness and shapes available, ranging from maoxi (hair-thin round noodles–think slightly thinner spaghetti) and er xi (the bulkiest round noodles) to jiuye (thin-flat noodles) and kuan (thickest flat noodles). The braised beef noodle soup starts at THB150, but we highly recommend you to try their hot dry noodle with deep red chili oil.
More info: Lanzhou Noodles
Opening times: Open daily, 24 hours
Location: 247, Pracha Rat Bamphen Rd, Huai Khwang, Bangkok
Nearest station: Hua Mak, MRT Yellow Line
Google review rating: 4.3/5
Kor Chun Huad
This Thai-Chinese khao tom establishment has been operating for 58 years. Though we have to admit that it requires a bit of a pilgrimage to reach this spot—considering the closest public transportation available is BTS Talat Phlu, which doesn’t get you anywhere near the spot—their food offerings have been winning a lot of hearts, usually the local ones. We loved their palo moo yen (pork aspic), a savoury jelly that pairs perfectly well with their sour sauce. All-time favourites also include the palo pork offals, fried tofu sheets, and just simple pork nam liab (stir-fried minced pork with Chinese chives).
More info: Kor Chun Huad
Opening times: Open daily, 4pm-1.30am
Location: Soi Somdet Phrachao Taksin 34 (Kobo), Bukkhalo, Thon Buri, Bangkok
Nearest station: Talat Phku, BTS
Google review rating: 4.5/5
Khrua Paking
Khrua Paking has been a staple in Samyan area for so long, frequented by both locals and students from Chulalongkorn University. The menu photos covering the walls, the fish tank with one singular dish, the bill that comes in Chinese — the signs of a good local Chinese restaurant are there. So many dishes to choose from, with sharing portions and prices more than fair. Highlights include slow-cooked beef with potatoes, stir-fried frog with chili and salt, and mapo tofu.
Opening times: Open daily, 10am-10pm
Location: Soi Chulalongkorn 11, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Nearest station: Samyan, MRT
Google review rating: 4.3/5
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Porpor is the Features Editor at Lifestyle Asia Thailand. She is your definitive guide to the latest in Thailand’s internet dramas and trending topics, ensuring that no drama goes unnoticed. When not busy unraveling the latest online buzz, Porpor is often found phone in hand, delving into Bangkok’s food scene. If it’s edible and in Bangkok, Porpor has probably written about it–or is about to.
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