A first-timer’s guide to eating in Chinatown

Yaowarat Road comes alive after dark, when the stalls set up and the neon comes on. Go hungry and go slowly.

Start with breakfast

If you can get here in the morning, start at Jade Lantern for dim sum and tea — it opens at 8am and is calmer than the evening rush.

After dark

Walk the main road from the gate towards the river. Share everything: grilled seafood, noodles, bird’s nest soup if you’re brave, and mango with sticky rice to finish.

Getting there

Take the MRT to Wat Mangkon and you’re in the middle of it. Weekends are busiest; Tuesday to Thursday is easier.

Coming up: the Chinatown Street Food Festival closes the road to traffic for three nights.