What happens when Bangkok’s dining scene expands beyond the familiar. Ethnic border cuisines from Myanmar, Shan State and Yunnan have found a home in the city.

Bangkok has long been celebrated for its international dining scene, yet some of its most exciting flavours come not from far-flung continents, but from much closer to home. Along Thailand’s northern borders, particularly around Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, culinary traditions from Myanmar, Shan State and China’s Yunnan province have crossed paths for generations.

These cuisines are shaped by mountains. Expect warming broths, fermented notes, gentle bitterness, fresh herbs and spice. In Bangkok, a new wave of chefs and restaurateurs are bringing these border flavours into the light, interpreting them with care while staying true to their origins. Here are three places where we experienced that spirit first-hand, and left wanting to return.

1/3 Hninn

Burmese but Make It Modern Fusion

Hninn feels like a gentle introduction to Burmese cuisine, balancing authenticity with approachability. Opened this year by the champion of MasterChef Myanmar Season 2, the restaurant focuses on contemporary brunch alongside reimagined dishes. The name Hninn carries personal meaning, echoing the owner’s family heritage and her wish to share Burmese flavours beyond borders.

The space itself sets the tone: airy, calm, and centred around a large olive tree that gives the room a comforting presence. Guests can begin with diced tofu fries, crisp on the outside, soft within, lightly seasoned with paprika and paired with a sweet dipping sauce that keeps things balanced. The highlights include nan gyi thoke dumplings, inspired by a beloved Mandalay breakfast staple. Thick rice noodles wrap a warmly spiced chicken filling, coated in a creamy curry sauce. Toasted chickpea flour, sliced onions, chillies and crunchy noodles add layers of aroma and texture.

One of the most memorable moments comes with the tableside laphet thoke. Tea-leaf paste is tossed with nuts, rocket, dried shrimps and quail egg, creating a complex interplay of earthy, nutty and gently bitter notes – unmistakably Burmese, and surprisingly moreish.

The coconut noodle ramen, a nod to ohn nò khao swè, is light yet comforting, its smooth coconut broth lifted by red onions, crisp noodles and chilli for contrast. Desserts lean towards softness and subtle sweetness: warm bread topped with coconut milk curdles and icing sugar, or a lightly sweet panna cotta brightened by fresh berries.

Don’t miss the chicken liver pâté, European in form, but Burmese in flavour, layered with melon and served with sourdough. Drinks range from cocktails to non-alcoholic teas and fresh juices, rounding out a menu that feels thoughtful, personal and confident.

Degree Square, 1980 Phetchaburi Rd, Bang Kapi, Huai Khwang, Bangkok. Tel: +66 95 858 6875. Open daily from 7am-9pm, closed on Wednesdays. Pet-friendly.

2/3 Yun

The Soul of Yunnan in Bangkok

Stepping into Yun feels like entering another rhythm. The darker tones and tribal photography create an atmosphere that is elegant yet slightly mysterious, while still warm and welcoming. Located on Chuea Phloeng Road, Yun is one of the few places in Bangkok dedicated to Yunnan cuisine, bringing the mountain spirit of China’s southwest into the city.

The menu invites exploration, and honestly, it’s hard to go wrong. Guests can open the meal with Yun pancake: layers of arugula, coriander, crown daisy, perilla, chives and celery, brought together with tomato and radish sauces and finished with cheese, full of character.

Wok-fried mushrooms with Yunnan ham offer a satisfying chew, while cold sliced beef with chilli sauce refreshes with crisp celery, crushed peanuts and coriander, dressed in chilli oil that warms the palate before cooling down again. The charred eggplant and tofu salad showcases how humble ingredients can shine – smoky, silky, and gently spiced with garlic and sesame oil.

The highlight for us is the braised pork belly with aged citrus peel. The pork is meltingly tender, while the citrus releases a bright, almost heady aroma just before each bite. Grilled spicy sea bass with lemongrass brings bold, distinctive flavours, and the mapo tofu delivers a satisfying numbing heat for spice lovers.

Dessert is playful: pumpkin pancakes and falooda layered with purple rice, pandan jelly and coconut milk. Yun is generous in spirit and variety, welcoming families, groups and vegetarians alike. For atmosphere, downstairs seating is best – and birthday guests are treated to a complimentary Yun pancake.

6 Chuea Phloeng 2 Alley, Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Bangkok. Tel: +66 62 606 1308. Open daily from 11am-2pm and 5pm-10.30pm.

3/3 Namsu

Shan Cuisine Meets Izakaya Culture

Located on the second floor of Baan Trok Tua Ngork in Chinatown, Namsu is Bangkok’s first dedicated Shan izakaya, and one of the most exciting openings of early 2025. Burmese restaurateur Htet Myet Oo of Rangoon Tea House and Namsu brings the flavours of Myanmar’s eastern highlands into dialogue with Japanese izakaya culture.

At its heart is chef Honey Rae Zenang, whose Lai/Shan heritage and upbringing in Shan State inform the menu. After formal training in Japan and years in kitchens across Tokyo and Singapore, she brings this precision to dishes rooted in memory and tradition.

The menu centres around Shan yakitori, skewers inspired by Japanese technique but flavoured with Shan ingredients and sensibilities. Available à la carte or as omakase-style sets, they’re ideal for sharing and discovering different profiles. These sit alongside Shan noodles and small plates influenced by borderland cuisines.

The sake programme is one of the most thoughtful in the city, with over 100 labels personally curated to complement the herbal, spicy and textural qualities of Shan food. Here, sake feels like an extension of the kitchen’s storytelling.

Beyond food and drink, Namsu thrives as a social space. Karaoke nights, tiny desk performances and chef collaborations bring the room alive, echoing the communal spirit of a true izakaya. The space itself is intimate, seating just 45 guests. Vintage record covers line one wall, neon glows softly in another corner, and modern Shan prints add colour and warmth. It’s cosy, slightly kitsch, and effortlessly cool, a place where food, music and conversation combine naturally.

Level 2, Baan Trok Tua Ngork, 306 Santiphap Rd, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok. Tel: +66 97 109 4699. Open for lunch from 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and for dinner from 5-11pm from Tuesday to Sunday.