18 Must-try local restaurants of Old Town, Sao ChingCha

Sao Ching Cha, the famous Giant Swing, is one of the symbols of Bangkok located in the center of the old town, Rattanakosin Island. The area is considered as a center of prosperity, religions, and cultures. This time, we are bringing you to see another side of Sao Ching Cha which is their authentic and delicious street foods and desserts.
In this article, we provide you a list of 18 must-try local restaurants in this area. Most of the front of the shophouses are open towards the street and all of the restaurants below are within walking distance of each other and from our hotel.

1. Nai Ouan Yentafo (MICHELIN STAR) นายอ้วนเย็นตาโฟ

A famous restaurant in Sao Chingcha area that has been opened for more than 50 years and recently received a Michelin The Plate, Michelin Guide 2018-2020 award by their quality of food and taste. This restaurant serves Yentafo – a pink noodle soup that comes with many toppings such as fish balls, squid, and deep-fried wonton and pink sauce made from red tofu. Their fishball is freshly-made daily resulting in a delicious flavor where many customers can’t resist coming back!

Address: 41 Soi Nawa, Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-20:00 & Sat-Sun 09:00-16:00

2. Lanfah Khao Man Kai Baytong (Hainanese Chicken Rice) ลั่นฟ้าข้าวมันไก่เบตง 

This 2-decade eatery serves Thai-style Hainanese chicken rice serves with bean-sauce spike with chilis dip in a small bowl and chicken soup with radish and chopped scallions. They offer various menus such as fried chicken rice, boiled chicken rice, roasted pork rice, and pork leg.

Address: 140 Thanon Mahannop, Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: 06:00-14:00h  Open daily except for Monday

3. Mont Nom Sod มนต์นมสด ถนนดินสอ

This bakery shop has been opened for more than 40 years with the quality of fresh milk that they selected that results in a rich and delicious flavor of drinks and bakery. Their popular menu is the toasted bread and steamed bun (Super soft!) dipped with Pandan or egg custard.

Sometimes the queue can be long, spare your time!

Address: 160 1-3 Dinso Rd, Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Open daily 14:00 – 23:00h

4. Krua Apsorn ครัวอัปษร ถนนดินสอ

Krua Apsorn is a Thai restaurant thrives on simplicity and quality that serves delicious food including seafood dishes. Their food was even won favor by a member of the Thai Royal family! They have all kinds of Thai dishes including Green Curry, Fluffy Crab Omelette, and Stink Beans with Shrimp. No matter what menu you order, it is going to be absolutely delicious.

Address: 169 Dinso Rd, Bowonniwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: 10:30-20:00h Open daily except for Sunday

5. Ko-Lun Hainanese Noodles ขนมจีนไหหลำโกหลุ่น

This restaurant is at the corner of a building which is very easy to spot. They serve delicious original Hainanese rice noodles that everyone should try!

Address: 110/1 Soi Mahannop 2, Thanon Mahannop,  Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: 07:00-15:00h Open daily except for Monday 

6. Cheng Sim Ei เช็งซิมอี๊ เสาชิงช้า

It is one of the most famous and street dessert shops that has many branches in Bangkok. The place serves wide-selection of dessert (such as grass jelly and crispy ruby) for you to choose and customize it by yourself together with choices of syrups, coconut milk and many more serves with snowflake ice. Give it a go for those who like sweet refreshing dessert.

Address: 212, 1 Dinso Rd, Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Open daily from 11:00-23:00h

7. Kope Hya Tai Kee โกปี๊เฮี้ยะไถ่กี่

Start your day with a local breakfast shop at Kope Hya Tai Kee. It is an antique Chinese coffee shop that was founded in 1952 that serves Thai-Chinese food and coffee. Any coffee lover who has tried their coffee has never disappointed because there are choices of coffee for all types of coffee lovers.

Address: 37 Siri Phong Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Open daily from 07:00-20:00h  
 

8. Thian Song Roast Duck เทียนซ้งเป็ดย่าง

This ancient restaurant has been around for over 70 years serving food, drinks, and desserts. Their famous menu is the Roasted Honey Duck topped with a unique delicious sauce. There are also other menus such as Spicy Salad, Dumplings, Fried Squid, and Crispy Pork (with crispiness on the outside and softness on the inside! Yum..). The restaurant pays attention to every step of cooking to get the best quality from the best raw material at affordable prices.

Address: 168-172 Dinso Rd, Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Open daily from 08:00-19:30h

9. Jay Fai (MICHELIN STAR) ร้านอาหาร เจ๊ไฝ

This restaurant has been opened for more than 60 years and is famous for its seafood dishes and the chef, Jay Fai, she is the only chef here where she cooks like a performance! This could be a part of the dining experience 
The famous dishes are Stir-Fried Kale with Abalone, Crab Omelet, and Seafood Drunken Noodle – no alcohol! Just the feeling of intensity of flavors.

Address: 327 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 13:30-00:00h (closed Sun&Mon)

10. Pad Thai Thipsamai ผัดไทยทิพย์สมัย (ผัดไทยประตูผี) 

Pad Thai Thipsamai is also be called Pad Thai Pratu Phi. It is a legendary Pad Thai Noodles in Bangkok since 1966 that a lot of tourists might have heard of it before. The secret to deliciousness is their fresh ingredients and their expert chefs that made this restaurant hold its champion of best Pad Thai in Bangkok for 40 years! As you can see from the queue in front of the restaurant. And due to a lot of customers,  Pad Thai has to be cooked in a medium-sized wok that one time can serve 10-15 full so you can’t really choose what you want to have on each plate of yours.

Address: 313 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Open daily from 17:00-01:00h (closed on Wednesday of first and last week of month)

11. Luang Pha Phadthai ผัดไทยลุงภา (เจ้าเก่าสำราญราษฏร์)

This authentic Pad Thai Restaurant has been for more than 40 years but the skill and deliciousness never fall. They use traditional noodles and cook over a charcoal fire instead of gas. It is located next to Thip Samai Pad Thai Restaurant. However, Luang Pha Pad Thai atmosphere is very relaxing, local, and have a lesser queue (Both restaurants are good, Why not try both and see which one suits your taste!). 

Address: 315/1 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Open daily from 10:00-14:00h 

12. Rat Na Yot Phak 40 Years ราดหน้ายอดผัก (สูตร 40 ปี)

The legendary tasty restaurant that has their recipe for over 40 years. The highlight of this shop is to select the best raw materials including the selection of pork, flour, kale, all ingredients are chosen from the finest to make their delicious Rat Na. Rat Na is a rice gravy noodle seasoned with garlic, straw mushroom, and kale comes with a selection of pork or seafood. Their noodle is stir-fried, their pork is marinated until soft, and crispy fresh kale makes the dish very mouth-watering. The shop also offers other menus such as Pork Satay and Grilled Meatballs.

Address: 514 Thanon Tanao, San Chao Pho Sua, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Open daily from 09:00-22:00h  

13. Siripond Pochana

This restaurant has been serving savory dishes for over 60 years. Their signature dishes include Crispy pork rice (Khao Moo Krob), Barbecued red pork (Khao Moo Dang), and Fish Tom Yam

Address: 152 Thanon Mahannop, Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Open daily from 09:00-19:30h

14. Kao Tom Ped ข้าวต้มเป็ดอ้วนเจ้าเก่า

This porridge shop has been opened for over 50 years famous for their Duck Porridge. Good for a stop by with a relaxing atmosphere, delicious dishes, and a cheap price.

Address: 112 Maha Chai Rd, Soi Samran Rat, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Open daily from 11:00-23:00h 

15. Tee Yentafo Rot Det ตี๋เย็นตาโฟรสเด็ด

This place is famous for Tom Yam noodle soup, Yentafo noodle soup, and pork stew. The deliciousness lies in the shop's unique broth and home-made fish balls. The taste of the dishes is so great that you don’t have to add more seasonings!

Address: 256 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Open daily 18:00-02:00h (Mon 18:00-00:00h) 

16. To Kuay Jap โตก๋วยจั๊บ

This stall serves Kuay Jap and Kao Lao. Kuay Jap is a soup that combines a peppery broth, garlic, lettuce, fresh herbs, tofu with chunks of crispy pork belly, and roll rice noodle. Kao Lao has the same soup base as Kuay Jap is served with rice and with more meat. They also sell yummy steamed bun and dumpling!                         

Address: 447 Maha Chai Rd, Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 1020
Opening hours: 18:00-02:00h open daily except Monday 

17. Mit Ko Yuan ร้านอาหาร มิตรโกหย่วน

This is another ancient restaurant in this area that has opened for more than 60 years. The decoration of the restaurant is very simple with an open-air atmosphere. Their recommended menu is Stir-Fried Seabass with Celery, Tenderloin Salad, and Beef Tongue Stew.

Address: 186 Dinso Rd, Sao Chingcha, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-14:00h / 16:00-22:00h  &  Sat-Sun 16:00-22:00h

18. Udom Potchana อุดมโภชนา

Udom Potchana has been opened for over 80 years. Although the menu is very basic it is a menu that everyone should try! They serve Barbequed Red Pork Sauce with Rice, Crispy Pork with Rice, Curry with Rice, Beef Stew, Fresh Spring Rolls which their sauce simmers for a long time to create a rich taste.

Address: Phraeng Phuthon Rd, San Chao Pho Sua, San Chaopho Suea, Bangkok 10200
Opening hours: Open daily from 07:00-15:30h except for Sunday
 

Picture credits: Chillpainai, EDT Guide, Openrice, Painaidii