Street Food Asia is a docuseries on Netflix which has captivated tourists and avid foodies worldwide with its insights into the fascinating street foods in 9 popular cities in Asia.
Bangkok is presented in the first episode of Street Food Asia by Chawadee Nualkhair, a Thai-American blogger and writer of the book “Bangkok’s Top 50 Street Food Stalls”, which guides readers to the most famous and popular culinary hotspots in Bangkok.
One of the places mentioned in this series is “Yaowarat,” an area known by foreigners as “Chinatown” because it’s home to the biggest Chinese community in Thailand. In September 2022, the world tourist magazine “Time out” ranked “Yaowarat” as the 8th coolest street in the world based on a survey of 20,000 people worldwide. In the words of Time Out: “Lined with neon signs and bustling day or night, this cultural hub is home to temples, restaurants, markets, and legions of acupuncturists and dispensers of Chinese medicine. It has been a street food lovers’ favorite for generations.”
Now with the art galleries of a new generation of artists and many high-end gourmet restaurants adding to its charismatic appeal, Yaowarat has become an increasingly compelling attraction for tourists worldwide.
Stretching 1.4 km in length, this lively street is a prominent business area. Both sides of Yaowarat are teeming with shops and activity, especially at night when street food stalls pop up to sell food and desserts along the full length of the street.
If you search for “Yaowarat” online, you will find many articles introducing and recommending street food, available both day and night. Once you get there yourself, you can easily spend many hours wandering around this area, exploring the many tourist destinations and the rich culture of the Thai-Chinese community. Marvel at the temples of Wat Traimit or Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Wat Leng Noei Yi), have your photo taken at the Chinese Gate at Odean Circle, or simply enjoy shopping for cheap accessories at Sampeng Lane Market.
It’s recommended to take the MRT and get off at Wat Mangkon station, exit 1. From there, turn left and walk for about 200 meters to the end of Plaeng Nam road, where there is a bustling food zone.
