If you're going to eat shark fin in Bangkok, Yaowarat (the city's Chinatown) is a place you'll want to visit at least once.
This time I headed to Hengdee Shark Fin Soup, China Town (興利), right there in Yaowarat.
I first heard about this place after seeing it featured by Japanese TV personality Junji Takada. It had been on my mind ever since, so when I finally made it to Bangkok, I went to try it for myself.
The short version: this place isn't just about shark fin.
The clear, soy-based shark fin soup and the crab fried rice I ordered alongside it were both fantastic.
Even among Bangkok's shark fin soups, this one had a charm all its own—quite different from the thick, rich style.
Hengdee: A Popular Shark Fin Spot in Bangkok's Chinatown, Yaowarat
When it comes to Yaowarat in Bangkok, it's one of the city's top food districts—come nightfall, countless signs light up and restaurants and street stalls line the road.
It's not just Thai food; there are plenty of places serving proper Chinese and seafood dishes too, and quite a few people head to Yaowarat specifically for shark fin.
The spot I visited in Yaowarat this time was Hengdee Shark Fin Soup, China Town (興利).
Rather than eating shark fin in a stiff, formal high-end setting, part of the appeal here is being able to enjoy shark fin and Chinese food in that lively Yaowarat atmosphere.
Where to Find Hengdee Shark Fin Soup (興利)
📍 Google Map
A Place I'd Been Curious About Since Seeing It on TV
There's a reason I chose Hengdee out of all the shark fin restaurants in Yaowarat.
I'd seen it featured by Junji Takada some time ago, and it had stuck in my mind ever since.
When a restaurant abroad gets featured on TV, it sometimes lodges in your memory as "I'll try that the next time I'm in town."
Hengdee was exactly one of those places.
Since I had the chance to visit Yaowarat, I figured, "While I'm here, let's go try that shark fin," and off I went.
Hengdee's Shark Fin Comes in a Clear, Soy-Based Broth
What stood out most about Hengdee's shark fin soup was the flavor of the broth itself.
Some shark fin soups look extremely rich right from the start, but this one is a relatively clear, soy-based broth.
That said, being light doesn't mean it falls short.
It has plenty of savory depth, yet the finish isn't heavy. One spoonful leads naturally to the next—it's light enough to enjoy to the very last drop.
Even people who picture shark fin soup as "rich and heavy" will find this style very easy to enjoy.
It was delicious enough that I wanted to keep sipping it right to the end.
A Classic Combination: Shiitake, Crab Meat, and Shark Fin
The main ingredients in the soup are shiitake mushrooms, picked crab meat, and shark fin.
The clear soy-based broth gains the aroma of shiitake and the sweetness of crab, and within it you enjoy the distinctive texture of the shark fin.
Instead of overwhelming you with richness, the broth lets the flavor of each ingredient come through.
The picked crab meat in particular adds a seafood sweetness, making the soup more satisfying than its light appearance might suggest.
Shark fin, crab, shiitake, and a soy-based broth.
Precisely because it's a simple combination, it's the kind of thing you can keep coming back to—a taste that makes you think, "I want this again next time I'm in Yaowarat."
You Can Choose the Soup Size, but Not the Size of the Shark Fin Itself
When you order, you can choose the size of the shark fin soup.
It's handy, since you can pick based on your group size, the other dishes you're ordering, and how hungry you are.
On the other hand, it isn't the kind of place where you specify the size of the shark fin itself as large, medium, or small.
In Bangkok, even the way you order shark fin varies from restaurant to restaurant.
In Hengdee's case, I felt it suits casually enjoying shark fin soup together with Chinese food in Yaowarat, rather than fine-tuning your shark fin selection.
The Excellent Crab Fried Rice You Should Order Alongside
And the dish that left just as strong an impression as the shark fin soup was the crab fried rice.
In fact, it makes you want to say:
Coming to Hengdee and eating only the shark fin before heading home would be a waste.
This place is also famous for its crab fried rice, and once I tried it, the reputation made complete sense.
Fragrantly stir-fried rice with the sweetness of crab—simple, yet a taste that has you reaching for more.
And above all, the combination with the shark fin soup is superb.
Take a sip of the soy-based broth, then a bite of crab fried rice. Another sip of soup, then back to the rice.
You can't stop going back and forth.
I'd come for the shark fin, but by the time I finished, the crab fried rice had left a firm impression too.
I Ordered Hoi Tod as Well
One more dish I ordered was hoi tod (a Thai-style oyster omelet).
The shark fin and crab fried rice alone are plenty satisfying, but if you're visiting with a group, adding a dish like this to share is a great idea.
Line up the shark fin soup, crab fried rice, and hoi tod, and the table instantly feels lavish.
Once you've come all the way to Yaowarat, you'll want to enjoy more than just shark fin—this is a place where that way of eating fits perfectly.
Not the Rich Type—A Shark Fin Soup You'll Want Again and Again
What I personally liked best about Hengdee's shark fin soup was how it stays clean and savory without ever feeling heavy.
The luxury of the shark fin is there, yet the broth itself is never heavier than it needs to be.
That's exactly why it's delicious not just for the first sip, but all the way through.
Rich shark fin soups have their own appeal, but Hengdee's deliciousness runs in a different direction.
"Enjoying a clear soy-based broth to the last drop while savoring the sweetness of shark fin and crab."
That, I think, is the appeal of Hengdee's shark fin soup.
A Place to Enjoy Together with Sightseeing in Yaowarat
Another reason I'd recommend Hengdee is that you can enjoy the place that is Yaowarat itself.
Yaowarat isn't just somewhere to eat; it's an area where walking the streets and soaking up the atmosphere is a pleasure in itself.
Stroll through Yaowarat at night as the neon glows, and stop along the way for shark fin soup and crab fried rice.
Just that is enough to make you really feel like you've "arrived in Bangkok."
It has a different air from central areas like Asok or Siam, and it's especially recommended for anyone who wants to pair good food with a walk around town.
Summary: At Hengdee, Have the Shark Fin and Crab Fried Rice Together
This time I visited Hengdee Shark Fin Soup, China Town (興利).
The shark fin soup I'd come for was as delicious as I'd hoped.
A clear, soy-based broth that's easy to enjoy right to the end.
And in it, shiitake, picked crab meat, and shark fin.
It's not the type that leans on richness alone—it's a shark fin soup that keeps you reaching for the spoon right to the end.
And not to be forgotten: the excellent crab fried rice.
I came for the shark fin, but I liked it so much that I'd definitely order the crab fried rice again on any return visit.
Add dishes like hoi tod and the satisfaction goes up even further.
If you're looking for a shark fin restaurant in Yaowarat, Bangkok, this is a place I'd love for you to enjoy with the "shark fin soup + crab fried rice" combination.
Restaurant Information
Name: Hengdee Shark Fin Soup, China Town (興利)
Area: Bangkok, Thailand / Yaowarat (Chinatown)
Cuisine: Shark fin, Chinese
What I ordered: Shark fin soup, crab fried rice, hoi tod
Especially recommended: Shark fin soup + crab fried rice
Tags: #Bangkok #BangkokFood #ThailandTravel #ThailandFood #Yaowarat #YaowaratFood #BangkokChinatown #SharkFin #SharkFinSoup #CrabFriedRice #HoiTod #Hengdee #興利
