absolutelyBangkok archive · Being farang
Originally published May 21, 2009
An old Bangkok classic that is. Sometimes the urge prevails and I need a real filler. Haven’t been there for ages. But there’s hardly a more authentic Fish & Chips shop in Bangkok than Offshore Fish & Chips near Soi Cowboy.
The décor is shabby — since how long again Offshore is there? Can’t recall, but for sure since my first Bangkok days. That’s how run down the place looks like. Nothing has ever changed. But you don’t worry too much about outwardness, do you.
Stuffy and grumpy, but it’s all about fish and chips. You’re in there for the chunky cod for 150 baht in a nice crisp batter and maybe the onion rings for a bargainy 35 baht. Hardly another chippy in Bangkok can match Offshore’s taste and price. Even though:
I recently seemed to have been the first customer of the day. The two girls just heated up the frying oil? The french fries were a kind of soggy. But a jolly old Brit who arrived shortly after assured that his London eateries don’t serve better chips.
Praising the cod between praising his numerous nearby Viagra adventures, he seemed to be living proof that some hearty food can be good for you — yep, he just had a big heart surgery and some carbon heart valve inserted.
And Offshore has the malt vinegar and appropriate beer. The pint of Tetley ’s goes for 170 baht.
Again, Offshore’s a no-brainer. Just don’t head there for the rather rotten ambience. And the deeper the night, the rougher the characters you’ll meet down there at 7/8 Sukhumvit Soi 23.
And no, they don’t wrap their fritter in old newspaper.
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