Chinatown is certainly not short of eating establishments, but if you are looking to add a real touch of panache to your meal then it’s impossible to beat the 1930s Shanghai parlour concept at Cotton restaurant. Located on the second floor of Shanghai Mansion Bangkok Boutique Hotel, the decor is simply wonderful, with a spiral cast-iron staircase, traditionally upholstered seating and period touches such as gramophones and antique furniture. The fact that Cotton restaurant faces onto Yaowarat Road means it is central to all the sites and shops of Chinatown and makes a great place for lunch or dinner.
Cotton Restaurant
An award winning chef is now at the helm of Cotton and under his stewardship they have compiled a tourist friendly menu that skirts its way through the best of Thai and Chinese cooking with a focus on taste and presentation:
To start we go for some crispy shrimp rolls (250 baht), which are rolled thin and long, and served poking out of a large wine glass. The shrimp is minced and plentiful inside, and the six ‘sticks’ per serving make a perfect appetiser when combined with the sweet, sticky dipping sauce. Next up we went for hot and sour Szechuan soup, packed with sea cucumber, shitake mushroom, egg, shrimp, and a special ingredient, sliced abalone (288 baht). The spice is definitely tempered for tourist palate but the sheer quantity of tastes and textures ensures it is a delicious option.