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Writer's pictureAlan Ho

Amazing Old Restaurants in Bangkok

Updated: May 10, 2023


BANGKOK, THAILAND: Bangkok is a food lover's paradise, offering a vibrant and diverse culinary scene that reflects the city's rich cultural heritage. One of the most fascinating aspects of Bangkok's food culture is the presence of family-owned restaurants and street food stalls that have been passed down from generation to generation. These establishments offer a glimpse into the city's past, preserving traditional recipes and cooking techniques that have been in use for centuries. One such example is Mee Krob Jeen Lee, a restaurant that has been serving up delicious Thai-style crispy noodles for over 140 years. This iconic eatery is a testament to Bangkok's culinary legacy, and a must-visit for anyone looking to experience authentic Thai cuisine.

Here are our flavour old restaurant in Bangkok



Tek Heng (Mee Krob Jeen Lee)


Tek Heng, also known as Mee Krob Jeen Lee, is a renowned restaurant in Bangkok that has been serving up delicious Thai Chinese cuisine for over 140 years.


The oldest restaurant in Bangkok. Tek Heng (Mee Krob Jeen Lee)
The oldest restaurant in Bangkok. Tek Heng (Mee Krob Jeen Lee)

The restaurant's roots can be traced back to the early 19th century when it started selling food in the canal before moving to a permanent location on land in 1907. Tek Heng is famous for its crispy vermicelli, or Mee Krob, which is still prepared using the same family recipe that has been passed down for generations.


Mee Krob is a traditional Thai dish that features crispy vermicelli noodles coated in a sweet and savoury sauce. The dish is made by deep-frying the vermicelli noodles until they become golden brown. The crispy noodles are then tossed in a sauce made from ingredients such as tamarind, fish sauce and sugar creating a addictive flavours of sweet and salty. Mee Krob is often served as an appetiser or snack in Thailand and is a popular street food item. The dish is also commonly found in Thailand, making it a must try when visiting Thailand.


The restaurant is currently run by the fourth generation of the family, who continue to uphold its tradition of serving authentic and flavourful dishes. Besides their signature Mee Krob, they also offer other popular dishes like Fried Century Egg with Basil, Oyster Omelet, and Fish Maw Soup. Tek Heng is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the rich history and delectable flavours of Thai Chinese cuisine.


Read more about The oldest restaurant in Bangkok here.



Menu at Tek Heng
Menu at Tek Heng
Address: 326-330, Talat Phlu, Thon Buri, Bangkok 10600, Thailand



Wattana Panich


Wattana Panich is a legendary restaurant in Bangkok that has been serving up their famous Thai Chinese-style beef stew for over 50 years. The restaurant, now run by the third generation of the family, is located in the Ekkamai area of Bangkok and continues to draw in crowds of loyal customers who come to savour the delicious beef stew.


Wattana Panich Beef Stew
Wattana Panich Beef Stew

The secret to the dish's success lies in secret recipes of Chinese herbs which simmers beef bones and other ingredients forever give the broth a rich and savoury flavour. The stew is as old as it can get, nothing is thrown away the night before and each morning the restaurant will top up the soup with a new batch of beef and herbs. It's this decades of constant simmering what makes it unique.


Wattana Panich Beef Stew
Wattana Panich Beef Stew

In addition to their famous beef stew, the restaurant also serves up a mouth-watering goat stew. Customers can enjoy the stews in individual bowls or opt for a hot pot to share with friends and family. Wattana Panich is a must-visit for anyone looking to sample some of the best Thai Chinese-style stews in Bangkok.




Address: 336 338 Ekkamai Rd, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand



Jok Prince


Jok Prince is a small restaurant in Bangkok that has earned the coveted Bib Gourmand rating from the Michelin Guide. The restaurant is famous for its rice porridge, which is cooked over charcoal to give it a unique smoky flavor.



The menu at Jok Prince is simple and straightforward, with the focus solely on their delicious rice porridge. The porridge is served with either pork or eggs, and is the perfect comfort food for any time of day. Although porridge is typically thought of as a breakfast food, Jok Prince's porridge is so delicious that customers come back time and time again for breakfast. The restaurant's no-frills atmosphere and humble prices add to its charm, making it a favourite among both locals and tourists alike. If you're looking for a simple yet delicious meal in Bangkok, Jok Prince is definitely worth a visit. However, do come early as they sold even before noon.


Jok Prince
Jok Prince


Awards and Accolades for Jok Prince
Awards and Accolades for Jok Prince
Address: 1391 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand



Charoen Saeng Silom


Charoen Saeng Silom is a hidden gem in the bustling city of Bangkok, known for serving up some of the best stewed pork knuckle, or Kao Ka Moo, in Thailand.


Charoen Saeng Silom - ข้าวขาหมูเจริญแสงสีลม(เลิดสิน)
Charoen Saeng Silom - ข้าวขาหมูเจริญแสงสีลม(เลิดสิน)

The restaurant has been around since 1959 and has garnered a loyal following of both locals and tourists over the years. Located down a side alley behind the corner of Silom and Charoen Krung Road, the restaurant is tucked away from the main street, adding to its charm and authenticity.





The star of the show at Charoen Saeng Silom is their signature stewed pork knuckle, which is slow-cooked until it is tender and falls apart at the touch of a fork. The dish is served with a homemade spicy sauce and pickles, adding a burst of flavor to the rich and savoury pork. The pork is also caramelized, giving it a slightly sweet taste that balances out the spiciness of the sauce.


The restaurant's simple and no-frills atmosphere adds to its appeal, and it's the perfect spot to enjoy a comforting and delicious meal. Charoen Saeng Silom is a must-visit for any pork lovers looking to taste some of the best Kao Ka Moo in Bangkok.


Address: 492/6 ถ.สีลม ติด Soi Charoen Krung 49, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand



Siang Ki Khaotom Pla


Siang Ki Khaotom Pla is a true gem in the bustling streets of Chinatown Bangkok. This small eatery has been serving up authentic Teochew-style fish and oyster soup since 1928. What's more impressive is that they still cook their soup using charcoal, which you can hardly find anywhere else. The menu is simple, but the taste is outstanding. You can choose between seabass, pomfret, or oysters in your soup, or have a combination of all three. The soup is light and refreshing, with a delicate sweetness from the fish and a subtle brininess from the oysters. It's easy to see why Siang Ki Khaotom Pla has been a favourite spot for locals for almost a century.

Siang Ki Khaotom Pla
Siang Ki Khaotom Pla



Oysters at Siang Ki Khaotom Pla
Oysters at Siang Ki Khaotom Pla
Address: 54 Soi Charoen Krung 12, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100


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