A Cultural Dining Journey Through Immersive Southeast China’s Timeless Beauty and Culinary Traditions
Steve Leung Design Group (SLD) presents The China House by Chef Fei at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, an exquisite celebration of Chinese Chaoshan (Chaozhou and Shantou) and Cantonese dining experience. Located in a heritage house beside the hotel’s main entrance, the 1,100-square-metre culinary sanctuary pays homage to the lyrical beauty of southeast China’s heritage, where strong family ties, generations of craftsmanship and gastronomic wisdom unite in a profound dining narrative that bridges cultural legacy with contemporary sophistication.
The China House is artfully designed to welcome guests seeking both cherished family traditions and refined culinary exploration. The restaurant serves as a cultural haven for Bangkok’s affluent families and international epicureans, providing a stylish and gracious environment where multiple generations can gather to honour the precious traditions of Chinese family dining.
The transformation of The China House coincides with another significant milestone for SLD: the Bangkok office has officially opened recently as part of the 2025 strategy of “Rejuvenation, Diversification, and Globalization.” With a team of talented designers who possess deep local insights into Southeast Asia markets, SLD is poised to unveil more exciting projects in the near future.
Stealthy Savor: A Design Philosophy Rooted in Cultural Discovery
Anchored by the concept of “Stealthy Savor”, The Chinese House unveils the intricate layers of Chaozhou’s cultural richness through refined designs and handcrafted details. Each area incorporates unexpected and unique design elements, ensuring guests walk into an air of mystery and intrigue throughout the space, inviting them on a journey of discovery and delight.
Drawing inspiration from rich Chaozhou and Shantao’s heritage, Mai CHONGCHAIYO, Chief Creative Officer of Steve Leung Hospitality (SLH), and his team have re-interpreted the Chaoshan heritage in a contemporary and stylish hot spot for family gathering.
“We want to create a contemporary nostalgia venue. It’s not about recreating the past, but rather curating its essence and re-presenting it through a modern lens. The goal is to make current customers feel a warm, familiar recognition while making the newcomers see that heritage as compelling, sophisticated, and relevant. Every design element is paired with something timeless; every nostalgic reference is presented with a twist.” Shared by Mai.
Artisanal Synergy and Thai Cultural Honour
The interplay of texture and patterns, and the collaboration with local Thai artists and brands are also another highlights of the project, from the Key Hanging Phoenix Crown pendant lights by Thai artist “Pin Metal Art” at the atrium and staircase, to the wall papers by famous Thai brand Jim Thompson, Bellitas’ lighting Task’s furniture, Cotto Italia and L Thai tiles, as well as Siam Woodland timber, all chosen to champion Thai artisanship while upholding the restaurant’s refined aesthetic vision. Luxurious accents include spider green flooring, carvalho wood textures, and graduated metalwork that establish richness and visual fascination throughout the restaurant. The collaboration among SLH team and Thai brands synergize the creative expression and bring out this beautiful immersive dining place where texture, craft and quiet storytelling come together. The restaurant’s material vocabulary reflects SLD’s dedication to both opulence and cultural integrity.
An Inheritance of Happiness: Architectural Storytelling Across Two Floors
To Chinese families, the inheritance of happiness is rooted in unity, gathering, and celebration. The overall design embraces this concept and is carefully curated across its two levels. From the atrium bar and lounge to the tea bar, main dining hall, semi-private salons, and intimate private dining rooms, The China House offers ‘one restaurant, many experiences. It caters to the different needs of guests, providing a space where they can strengthen their emotional bonds through gathering and sharing cuisine across generations.
The ground floor welcomes guests into a bar and lounge area. Here, the two-story-high atrium is themed in wood and deep burgundy red with teal accents, creating a sense of openness and a cozy ambience and complemented by red abacus-inspired curtains that hang from the second floor. Together, they guide guests into a contemporary Chinese atmosphere of relaxed joy. The Phoenix Crown pendant lights, suspended in the central atrium and above the stairway, embody the passing of joy through generations. This makes the space not only visually attractive but also emotionally resonant.
The secluded tea bar, nestled beneath a stylish ceiling design to foster a sense of refinement, honours the Chinese tradition of tea pairing with food in Chaoshan culinary culture. The ceiling, finished in deep burgundy and teal highlights, is complemented by locally sourced luxury stone and artisan-made furnishings, fostering an atmosphere ideal for reflective interludes and cherished conversations. The adjoining bar and social lounge extend this contemplative experience, presenting a sophisticated environment where seasonally updated tea and food pairings harmonize with contemporary hospitality.
Private Sanctuaries: Exclusive Retreats for Treasured Moments
The primary dining halls provide glimpses of the culinary spectacle while preserving an atmosphere of dignified intimacy. The upper floor features a curated collection of intimate four private dining rooms, including a VVIP Private Dining Room designed for celebrations and large personal gatherings. These environments embody the restaurant’s philosophy, where luxurious textures, bespoke lighting fixtures, and thoughtfully selected artworks settings befitting life’s most meaningful occasions. Each private chamber provides adaptable arrangements and personalised attention, making them perfect venues for family milestone celebrations, distinguished entertaining, and ceremonial events.
A Cultural Testament to Dining Through Design
With The China House, SLD combines tradition and hospitality, developing an immersive dining experience that amplifies cultural expression and culinary mastery. The China House invites guests to enter a realm where every feast becomes a ceremony, every assembly strengthens connections across generations, and every experience deepens respect for the profound cultural heritage that continues to inspire and sustain the spirit of Chinese family unity.
SLD continues to expand its footprint across Asia with a series of prominent residential and hospitality projects. Recent highlights include the completion of The Sky Waters and Marina Bay Sands’ Paiza Royal Collection in Singapore, alongside the ongoing development of Hanaridge in Japan. Stay tuned for more exceptional projects to come.
