Alright, so I found myself wandering through Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowarat, the other day. You know how it is, the smells, the sounds, it just pulls you in. I wasn’t really planning on eating much, maybe just grab a quick bite.
But then I saw a couple of places doing dim sum. Proper old-school looking spots, steamers piled high outside, aunties shouting orders. It kind of sparked an idea. I haven’t had decent dim sum in a while, not proper cart-style or freshly steamed stuff anyway. So I thought, why not give it a go right here?
Finding a Spot
Didn’t do any research, honestly. I just walked past a few, peeked inside. Some were packed, others looked a bit too quiet. I settled on one that had a decent crowd, mostly locals which I usually take as a good sign. It wasn’t fancy, just functional tables and plastic stools, the way many places are around there.
Getting seated was easy enough, just waved at a table. The noise level was pretty high, lots of chatter, plates clattering. Felt authentic, you know?
Ordering and Eating
Now, ordering was part of the fun. Some places have carts rolling around, this one you kinda had to flag down a server or go point at the steaming baskets near the front. My Thai is basic, and their English wasn’t great, but pointing works wonders in these situations.
I went for the classics:
- Siu Mai: Pork dumplings. These were alright. Decent filling, not too fatty. Came out steaming hot.
- Har Gow: Shrimp dumplings. The skin was a bit thick for my liking, kinda chewy. Shrimp inside was okay, but I’ve had better.
- Steamed Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao): Can’t go wrong with these usually. The bun was fluffy enough, filling was sweet and savory. Pretty standard, did the job.
- Fried Taro Dumplings: Got these on a whim. Crispy outside, mushy savory taro and meat inside. Actually quite enjoyed these, nice contrast in texture.
Washed it all down with some Chinese tea, the usual stuff they serve in little cups. It helps cut through the grease anyway.
Overall Thoughts
So, how was it? Look, it wasn’t mind-blowing, five-star dim sum. Let’s be real. Some dishes were better than others. The har gow was a bit of a letdown. But the siu mai and the fried taro were good.
But the whole experience? Pretty solid. It felt real, sitting there amidst the chaos of Chinatown, pointing at food, slurping tea. It’s cheap, it’s fast, and it fills you up. It’s more about soaking in that specific atmosphere, that Yaowarat energy.
Would I go back to that specific place? Maybe, if I was in the area and hungry. It did the trick. It’s just one of those things you do when you’re exploring Chinatown – grab some dim sum, enjoy the moment, then move on to the next discovery. That’s the way I see it.