Lhong Tou Cafe: A Cool Modern Chinese Cafe in Yaowarat, Bangkok
Cafe hoppers in Chinatown shouldn't miss Lhong Tou, a modern Chinese cafe that draws queues of Thai and international visitors every day.
Meeting Point Management Team
Published · Updated
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Quick answer
Lhong Tou Cafe is a modern Chinese-style cafe and restaurant on the corner at the start of Yaowarat Road, about 400 metres' walk from MRT Wat Mangkon. It is known for its staggered two-level seating, the 129-baht Chinese breakfast set and a 75-baht butterfly pea latte. Open 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Key takeaways
- Lhong Tou means dragon's head, after its corner spot at the head of Yaowarat Road
- Staggered two-level seating with Chinese-style art and graphics
- Must-order: the 129-baht Chinese breakfast set, rice porridge with 8 small side dishes
- A pretty layered butterfly pea latte for 75 baht
- Always busy, so book a queue on the QueQ app
Contents
Lhong Tou Cafe is a tasty spot in Yaowarat with a modern Chinese style and a super cool check-in place for young people. Both Thai and international visitors stop by to eat here. It is delicious and the decor is very stylish. Today we are taking you to eat at Lhong Tou Cafe.
Where the name comes from
Lhong Tou comes from Chinese and means "dragon's head". It refers to the cafe's location on the corner just before you enter Yaowarat Road, the heart of Bangkok's Chinese community.
What really catches people's attention is the unusual, clever use of space. Seating is arranged in two staggered levels, so if you sit upstairs you will need to climb a few steps.
The interior is decorated with artworks and Chinese-style graphics, so even though the cafe is small, it never feels cramped.
Food
Lhong Tou is a Chinese-style restaurant and cafe that stands out for both its food and its unconventional design. Dim sum sets, tea sets and rice porridge sets are all served in a modern way that makes you forget the old-fashioned porridge breakfast.
Our go-to dish, no matter how many times we visit, is the Poi Sian set (Chinese Breakfast Set) for 129 baht: hot plain rice porridge served with eight dishes in adorable little cups, including Chinese pork sausage, shredded pork floss, sweet boiled peanuts, preserved olive leaves, stir-fried jute leaves, pickled mustard greens, sweet radish with shiitake mushrooms and salted egg yolk.
Recommended drink
We recommend the Butterfly Pea Cafe Latte for 75 baht. It looks beautiful, with the coffee and butterfly pea milk in separate layers, and it tastes great. Stir it together and it is delicious.
This place is always busy. Every time we come, there is a queue outside, and there aren't many seats inside. We suggest downloading the QueQ app so you can book a queue before you arrive and avoid a long wait.
Getting there
To reach Lhong Tou Cafe in Yaowarat, take the MRT to Wat Mangkon station and walk about 400 metres, around 5 minutes. If you drive, you can park at the car park near Tian Fah.
And if you are visiting Yaowarat, there are so many great places to eat that you can wander around all day.
A short history of Yaowarat Road
Yaowarat Road was built in the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) as part of the Sampheng district road project, a policy of building roads in developed areas to support trade. The Sampheng and Yaowarat area was one of the most prosperous trading districts.
Every Chinese New Year, Yaowarat becomes very lively. The road is closed and turned into a walking street, crowds come to stroll, and lots of red lanterns are hung for good luck, following Chinese beliefs.
Lhong Tou Cafe contact details
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lhongtou
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lhong_tou
- Website: Lhong Tou
- Phone: 085 824 6934
- Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
FAQ
How do I get to Lhong Tou Cafe?
Take the MRT to Wat Mangkon station and walk about 400 metres, roughly 5 minutes. If driving, park at the car park near Tian Fah.
What are Lhong Tou Cafe's opening hours?
9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Phone: 085 824 6934.
What should I order?
The Chinese breakfast set (129 baht), rice porridge with eight small dishes, and the butterfly pea cafe latte (75 baht).
Is there usually a queue?
Yes, it is almost always busy and seating is limited, so download the QueQ app and book a queue before you arrive.
The Meeting Point management team loves eating, travelling, temple visits and lifestyle. We pick the restaurants, cafes, stays, attractions and temples we have visited ourselves and write about them honestly.
