Chinatown is back, baby!
Not that it ever went away, of course, but there’s a buzz and boisterousness to Yarowat that we haven’t seen for years, with pandemic restrictions loosened and a shiny new MRT stop – Wat Mangkon – just a stone’s throw from Bangkok’s most famous thoroughfare.
While there are dozens of spots serving up stuff from the ocean here, for atmosphere, affordability and freshness of the product itself, T&K has to be our favourite place for seafood in Bangkok’s Chinatown.
You’ll spot (or smell) T&K Seafood from a mile off, with throngs of farang and locals alike waiting for their number to be called, and the smell of blood cockles grilling on the charcoal luring you in.
If you’re still struggling to find it, just look for the staff’s lime green uniforms as they ferry plates of steamed crab, grilled prawns, deep-fried fish and accompanying dipping sauces – so many dipping sauces! – from kitchen to kerbside.
Alongside the obligatory grilled prawns and blood cockles, big hitters include clams in a sweet, richly roasted chilli sauce with Thai basil (hoi laai pat nahm prik pao) and squid coated in a velvety salted duck egg yolk emulsion (bplaa meuk phat khai khem). Both are popular in Thai-Chinese seafood restaurants in Bangkok, and the versions at T&K seafood are exemplary.
Another must order from here is stuffed crab shells, coming accompanied by a piquant ajat dipping sauce. For those who prefer their shellfish free from exhaust fumes, there’s a tightly packed, usually-full air-conditioned dining room. Do be warned that you’ll likely wait some time for a seat in there.
Anyway, wash it all down with a cold beer and you’re in for a cheap and cheerful night you won’t forget. Unless, of course, you have too many of those cold ones…
T&K Seafood Restaurant – หน้าหลัก | Facebook
T&K Seafood Bangkok (@tkseafood) • Instagram photos and videos
Address: 49, 51 Phadung Dao Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
