Inter Restaurants Since 1981
- Rayki Goh, MSc
- Jun 21
- 4 min read
Dear food people,
If you grew up in the 1980s and still crave those comforting Chinese dishes your grandma used to cook, I have got you covered on this one.
BACKGROUND
The Inter Restaurant in Bangkok is one of those places that might bring it all flooding back. This spot has been around since 1981, quietly serving Thai-Chinese home-style meals that have stood the test of time.
If you haven’t heard of this place, it’s probably because the regulars had been gatekeeping and quietly keeping it to themselves. Once it gets too popular, a two-hour wait might become the norm (think queueing for Din Tai Fung or Haidilao >.<).
I visited this place for the first time in mid-June with 2 other friends from my travel group, hoping to relive the taste of something familiar and uncomplicated. The kind of food that relies on honest ingredients, straightforward seasoning, and no fuss in the preparation. It delivered just that.
The setting of the restaurant feels like a classic Thai diner buzzing with life and sounds of chatter in the background from the regulars that frequent this place. You get open seating of tables for 2 or in groups of 4, and booths divided by wooden or wood-framed glass panels good for a group of 6.
We dropped by between 1.30 and 3.30pm in the afternoon for a late lunch, and the place was still buzzing. Judging by the crowd, it’s clear this spot has built a loyal following for its simple, flavourful dishes at very reasonable prices.
WHAT WE ORDERED?
Between the 3 of us, we ordered 6 dishes to share: (1) Deep Fried Chicken Mid-wing, (2) Stir-fried Pork with Beansprouts, (3) Stir-fried Kailan with Pork Belly Slices, (4) Pork and Basil with Rice, (5) Deep Fried Chicken Skin, and (6) Seafood Tom Yum Soup.
The portions were small enough to allow variety without being overwhelming, which made it ideal for sharing.
My personal favourite was the deep fried chicken mid-wings and chicken skin. Anyone who knows me knows I have a soft spot for deep fried food, anytime, any day.
I know I should probably be more health-conscious, especially since the ethos of dear-food-people is meant to raise awareness of the often overlooked food risks. But I am also a supporter of: if you keep things in moderation and get your exercise in, there’s room for a few indulgences. :p
The mid-wings seemed to be from “kampong” (village) chickens, which are usually leaner and drier than commercial chickens but tend to have a better flavour. Both dishes would go perfectly with a cold beer, especially if you're not looking for a full meal.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that Kampong chickens are generally considered free-range, even if they’re not explicitly labelled that way? The term "Kampong" refers to a traditional village setting in Malay and Indonesian cultures, and these chickens are typically raised in rural environments with access to outdoor spaces, similar to free-range systems, where they can roam and forage.
This natural lifestyle helps them build stronger legs and bodies, resulting in firmer, more flavourful meat. So technically, you're getting free-range chicken without the hefty price tag that usually comes with the "free-range" label.
The seafood tom yum soup was sharp and tangy, great for cutting through the richness of the fried items. The stir-fried vegetable dishes were fresh and clean, not overly seasoned, just the way grandma would’ve done them.
The pork and basil with rice was easy on the spice, and the pork didn’t have that strong aftertaste that puts some people off. Definitely suitable if you’re not used to spicy flavours.
We waited about 20 minutes for the food after placing our order, which felt reasonable given how busy the place was. The total bill came to 685 baht, which works out to around SGD 26.90 for 3 people. That’s less than SGD 9 per person.
No exaggeration. It’s about 20% cheaper than what you’d typically pay for Thai food in a restaurant, and easily 80% less than what you’d spend in Singapore.
THE VERDICT
Shiok Rating: 5 out of 5. A solid score for the dishes that brought back genuine nostalgia, were fresh, flavourful, and exactly what I had hoped for. That kind of simplicity, when done right, is hard to beat.
Vibe Rating: 3 out of 5. The space isn’t designed to impress visually, and you won’t find polished interiors or curated corners. But it makes up for that with authenticity. What you’re really paying for here is the food, and for that, it delivers above expectations.
Think of it as stepping into a living piece of local dining culture that hasn’t changed for the sake of keeping up with trends. And that, in itself, is something worth preserving.
For me, The Inter Restaurant ticks all the right boxes for casual dining. It’s not trying to be trendy, and it doesn’t need to. The food speaks for itself. Every dish we had tasted like it was made with care, not rushed or overcomplicated. It reminded me of meals you’d have at home, surrounded by people you like, without worrying about plating, presentation or portion precision.
The beauty of this place lies in its honesty. There’s no attempt to reinvent traditional dishes. Instead, they deliver exactly what they promise; familiar, well-executed comfort food that warms both your belly and your heart. And let’s not forget how affordable it is.
In a city where prices can swing wildly between tourist traps and luxury dining spots, The Inter Restaurant offers a kind of reliability that’s becoming increasingly rare.
Whether you’re a Thai-Chinese food lover, a nostalgic eater, or just someone who enjoys a good value meal without the fuss, this spot deserves a place on your list. Don’t go expecting fireworks. Go expecting flavour, tradition, and a quietly satisfying meal that just feels right.
Location: 432/1-2 Siam Square 9 Alley, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Opens daily from 11am to 8:30pm.
