The rise of Chinese food in Thailand

Driven by investment from China and demand for its culinary traditions, new eateries are popping up across the country

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Thailand is no stranger to Chinese cuisine as the largest migration into the country was from China, especially from the Hokkien and Teochew regions.

To say it has had significant influence on Thai dining would, perhaps, be stating the obvious. But, Thai-Chinese cuisine, though immensely popular, isn’t what is driving the current “Chinese-in-Thailand market”.

As of Dec 31, 2024, data from Thailand's Department of Business Development revealed that Chinese have invested a staggering 3.1 trillion baht in restaurants and dining establishments. Chinese restaurant businesses have expanded rapidly, with Chinese brands growing rather aggressively in the Thai market. In 2024, some 8,119 new restaurants with 58.78% Chinese investment were registered.

The rise in the number of Chinese hotpot brands in Thailand have increased in recent years, especially with the popularity of mala (the spicy and numbing pepper). Despite the hot tropical climate, hotpot restaurants are a dime a dozen, especially in student-heavy areas like Banthat Thong and Huai Khwang. Though not far behind are Chinese fine dining establishments. Two of the most prominent ones are Chai Jia Chai and Cross Bangkok.

Though Chai Jai Chai is helmed by Taiwanese chef Tsai Shih Wei, it started off focusing on Cantonese cuisine, but has now moved to offering modern Chinese cuisine. The tasting menu is a comprehensive food journey that traverses the wide spectrum of Chinese cuisine. The dishes take inspiration from the Manchu-Han Banquet, which is an Imperial feast from the Qing Dynasty.