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Everything You Need to Know about Ratchada Night Market in Bangkok

Ratchada Night Market, also known as The One Ratchada, captures the busy Bangkokian atmosphere. 

It’s a bright and bustling venue with scores of local street stalls offering delicious street food, casual clothing, chic accessories, artsy handicrafts, and antiques.

This modern market is all about full-on variety, fun vibes, and affordable prices, which explains its undeniable draw among local and foreign visitors. 

It’s also easily accessible by the MRT train, so it’s never out of reach just like most, if not all, night markets in the capital.

Where is Ratchada Night Market?

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Ratchada Night Market is in the eastern section of the central Bangkok area. It’s behind the Esplanade Ratchada shopping mall, next to the MRT Thailand Cultural Centre station.

Things to Know

Operating Hours: 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. (Daily)

How to Get to Ratchada Night Market

Train: The most convenient way to get to Ratchada Night Market is to board an MRT train to the Thailand Cultural Centre station. You can easily find the market via the train station’s Exit 3.

It’s the 19th station under the MRT Blue Line which runs from Tha Phra to Lak Song station. Blue Line trains arrive every 2 minutes.

Bus: Riding a city bus is another way to get to Ratchada Night Market. You must board a bus that can drop you off at the Esplanade Ratchada bus stop.

It should have a bus number of 63 Ko, 73 Ko, 136, 137, 172, 185, 206, 514, or 529.

Taxi: Though pricey, another easy alternative is to ride a taxi to Ratchada Night Market. You can hail any taxi in the streets of Bangkok or you can book one through apps like Grab or Bolt.

Rental Car/Motorbike: You can also self-drive a rental vehicle to get to Ratchada Night Market. The entrance to the night market is at the back of the Esplanade Ratchada in Din Daeng District.

A driver’s license and an International Driving Permit are needed when renting a vehicle in Bangkok. The market’s car parking fees are expensive, so bring a motorbike if you want to pay less.

What to See and Do in Ratchada Night Market

Eat your way through Ratchada Night Market

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Ratchada Night Market is a food haven, so it’s a must-visit for Bangkok foodies. Here, you’ll find lines of local street food vendors and restaurants serving traditional street food, regional and international dishes, desserts, and more.

The volcanic pork rib, in particular, is the most well-known dish among the people who frequent this night market. It’s a massive serving of tender pork ribs cooked in a spicy and sour broth.

For the adventurous, numerous food stalls sell unique and exotic snacks as well. This includes deep-fried insects and the famous “dancing shrimp,” a Thai snack made with live baby shrimps mixed with chili, garlic, lime, and fish sauce. 

Browse through the market’s numerous non-food shops

Though Ratchada Night Market is known for its food variety, it also has plenty of shops and stalls selling non-food products. Think clothes, accessories, antique items, handicrafts, souvenirs, medicine, beauty products, toys, and more.

But keep in mind that most of the market’s shops and stalls only accept cash payments so look for an ATM before going on a shopping spree. It’s also worth noting that you can typically haggle at cash-only shops. 

Check out the night market’s cafes and dessert shops

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Our team’s sweet-toothed cafe fanatics say this market has a nice selection of outdoor cafes and dessert shops. Some of their most notable shops are Ten Ten, Oh Sweet Sweetheart, I Tim Yimwhan, and Chocohol Ratchada.

Chocohol Ratchada, in particular, is a must-try for its unique offerings. Our top pick is their signature cocoa soda. It’s a chocolaty and fruity clear soda made from picked cocoa shells.

But if you’re a huge ice cream fan, I Tim Yimwhan is an excellent choice. They serve affordable homemade gelato in different flavors: chocolate, vanilla, khanom ping, yogurt blueberry, choco rum, Hokkaido milk, rum raisin, Kyoho grape sorbet, and more.

Hop between Ratchada Night Market’s lively bars

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If you like to drink and have fun, bar-hopping in Ratchada Night Market won’t disappoint. This place has a section at the back dedicated to open-air bars, pubs, and clubs, so you have plenty of options for drinks and entertainment.

Most of these establishments also serve food, so you can do more than just drink and enjoy live music. When it comes to music, bars like The Classic, Black Spade, and Maomind are solid options if you prefer listening to live bands.

Or you can go to G Star Ratchada if you like drunk dancing to music. They also have mini cabaret shows and topless dancers.

Stroll around Ratchada Night Market

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For the uninitiated, strolling around Ratchada Night Market is a great way to learn about potential shops and establishments to try. This market has many unique shops, so walking around lets you scout places you don’t normally think about when shopping.

This includes repair shops, cannabis cafes, tattoo shops, nail salons, barber shops, and more. Plus, it’s fun to soak in the lively atmosphere and check out curious shops you don’t usually see elsewhere.

Capture the iconic bird’s-eye view photo of Ratchada Night Market

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Ratchada Night Market is well-known for its lines of colorful stalls. In fact, it’s one of the most photographed night markets in Bangkok, particularly from a bird’s-eye view angle.

The best part? You can easily replicate this and capture a postcard-perfect shot for yourself. 

Go to one of the market’s two-story bars at the back to get a great panoramic view of the entire venue or relocate to any of Esplanade Ratchada’s top floors. 

For an awe-inspiring photo, capture the market’s colorful tents in contrast with Bangkok’s towering buildings and night sky.

Where to Eat and Drink in Ratchada Night Market

Hotpot Man

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Address: 55, 8 Ratchadaphisek Road, Din Daeng

Phone: +66 2 059 9191

Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿

Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. (Daily)

Good to know: Good for hotpots

Website

If you’re a fan of Chinese mala hotpot, Hotpot Man is a solid option. They have many hotpot broth options, from classic mala to vegetable mala, beef, tomato, mushroom, bone soup, and more.

They also have plenty of hotpot inclusions like pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, squid, noodles, egg, tofu, assorted veggies, etc. Also, there are three hotpot sets, so this place is suitable for all budget ranges.

Just know that serving times can be slow especially when the restaurant is packed. But, there’s a waiting zone with free water, snacks, and ice cream which is a plus.

Pae Yim BBQ Grill and Shabu

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Address: Khwaeng Din Daeng, Din Daeng

Phone: +66 85 454 3444

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 5 p.m. – 12 a.m. (Daily)

Good to know: Good for BBQs and hotpots

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Pae Yim BBQ Grill and Shabu is a well-known barbecue and hotpot spot in Ratchada Night Market. Their signature shabu has a decent selection of hotpot inclusions, from beef to pork, tofu, crab sticks, shrimp, jellyfish, jade noodles, and numerous vegetables.

Their bestsellers are their a la carte Thai dishes. Of these, our top pick is the pork larb. It’s a delicious Lao-style meat salad with ground pork, toasted rice, lime juice, and various fresh herbs.

If you want a challenge, you can try their fiery pork ribs. It has three size options, so see if you can conquer its XL version.

Vanguard Bar & Cocktail

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Address: Ratchadaphisek Road, Din Daeng

Phone: +66 81 059 2407

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 5 p.m. – 7 a.m. (Daily)

Good to know: Good for music and drinks

Website

Vanguard Bar & Cocktail is a casual music bar known for its lively atmosphere and excellent drink menu. It serves local and imported beers, world-class labels, and unique mixologies, perfect for all your drinking needs.

Their wide range of signature cocktails also means you have many unique and interesting flavors to try. 

However, our favorite thing about this bar is its special drink promotion. This includes beer and brandy sets which get you a discounted price or an extra bottle—great if you plan to drink until you’re hammered!

Where to Shop in and Near Ratchada Night Market

Ratchada Night Market Clothing Section

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Address: The One Ratchada, 55, 10 Ratchadaphisek Road, Din Daeng

Operating Hours: 4 p.m. – 12 a.m. (Daily)

Good to know: Good for budget shoppers

The clothing and accessories section in Ratchada Night Market is the best place for fashion shopping. Here, you’ll find lines of stalls selling chic clothes, shoes, bags, hats, glasses, beauty products, and more.

The prices are also cheap, so you can buy many items without burning a hole in your pocket. For instance, a t-shirt will typically set you back around 100 baht.

You can also haggle for a better price which is a plus.

Esplanade Ratchada

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Address: 99 Ratchadaphisek Road, Din Daeng

Phone: +66 91 818 4197

Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿฿

Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Daily)

Good to know: Good for families

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If you prefer shopping for quality over price, the nearby Esplanade Ratchadaphisek is a good option. For one, it’s next to Ratchada Night Market, so you don’t have to travel far to get there.

It’s also a large shopping mall, so there are shops with all kinds of products, from clothes to home goods, books, sports gear, gadgets, musical instruments, and more.

There’s also a supermarket so you can shop for food supplies and other necessities.

Central Rama 9

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Address: 9/9 Rama IX Road, Huai Khwang

Phone: +66 2 103 5999

Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿฿

Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Daily)

Good to know: Good for families

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Central Rama 9 is a 7-story shopping mall boasting over 300 shops, so it’s definitely worth the 5-minute drive. Given the number of shops here, you’ll mostly find many products not sold in Ratchada Night Market’s small shops.

It’s perfect if you have plenty of items on your shopping and grocery list. This mall also has cafes, restaurants, a cinema, and an ice skating rink, so you’re already covered for food and entertainment.

Where to Stay Near Ratchada Night Market

Amanta Hotel & Residence Ratchada 

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Address: 77, 88 Ratchadaphisek Rd, Din Daeng

Phone: +66 2 660 6300

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Good to know: Good for shopaholics

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Amanta Hotel & Residence Ratchada is a chic, 4-star hotel near Ratchada Night Market. It’s only a 7-minute walk away, so you have easy access to the market’s lively food stalls while staying here.

Plus, it’s an all-suite hotel, so you get a larger space, extra amenities, and top-tier facilities by default. This includes a separate living room, fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with a bathtub and vanity table, and private balcony.

Also, expect other amenities like a fitness gym, outdoor pool, steam room, and an International restaurant.

Swissôtel Bangkok Ratchada

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Address: 204 Ratchadaphisek Road, Huai Khwang, Khet Huai Khwang

Phone: +66 2 694 2222

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Good to know: Good for foodies

Website

Swissôtel Bangkok Ratchada is an upscale hotel known for its modern high-rise building. It offers top-of-the-line amenities and facilities, and a stunning view of the Bangkokian skyline.

It’s also only 8 minutes from Ratchada Night Market, so you don’t have to travel much to get there. Their standard rooms are fully decked out and their suites add an extra living space and kitchenette which are great options.

Its biggest draw is its on-site food spots which foodies will definitely love. This includes a contemporary Japanese restaurant, a casual cafeteria, and a stylish bar.

Sitara Place Serviced Apartments and Hotel

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Address: 576/1 Yoo Charoen Soi 11, Ratchadaphisek 3 Soi Din Daeng

Phone: +66 2 246 1200

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Good to know: Good for budget travelers

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Sitara Place Serviced Apartments and Hotel is an excellent budget option near the Ratchada Night Market. It’s only 8 minutes away and you get a sizable warm-toned studio with a dedicated sitting area, kitchenette, and balcony.

They also have an on-site fitness gym, coin laundry machines, and free shuttle service to the nearest MRT station. In fact, you can use their shuttle service to get to the MRT Thailand Cultural Centre station, which makes the market a 4-minute walk.

FAQs about Ratchada Night Market

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