Travel / Thailand

Bangkok (Day 3) – Chokchai Steakhouse & Manchester United Restaurant and Bar

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The mornings in Bangkok are extremely cool and comfortable. When we stepped out of our hotel each morning, we would be like, whoa, chilly! Compared to the hot climate in Singapore, the 15C weather was pure bliss.

That’s why shopping at Chatuchak Weekend Market in the morning feels a whole lot more bearable. Unfortunately by 10-ish, the weather gets pretty hot. So we did our last bit of shopping in a hurry and escaped the heat after buying gao sai (pork floss rolls).

Being the thrifty travelers that we were, we commuted on the skytrain and MRT (two separate lines) or walked whenever possible. At times we did wander around like lost souls, and depended on the helpful locals to point us in the right direction. While trying to locate Chokchai Prime Steak House, a place I came across online, we even mistakenly combed Soi Cowboy, a red-light district area!

Once we found Prasanmit Plaza, identifying the steakhouse with its prominent rock exterior was a breeze. The waiters wore suits, although the restaurant did not appear to be particularly posh. There was even a wild wild west theme in place.

Chokchai Prime Steak House, Bangkok

Carnivores can indulge in stuff like buffalo wings and various kinds of meats. We were rather disappointed by the sight of the plain wings that arrived at our table.

Buffalo wings

I guess not everyone can do wings like Jerry’s! This was considered a main course rather than a side dish, and came with fries.

Spicy dips for buffalo wings

On their own, the wings tasted every bit as bland as they looked. But the two different spicy dips served alongside totally saved the day! One was the traditional sweet Thai chili sauce. The other was a thick sourish chili paste. The Thais really know their spices, and we love to eat them just as much!

Hot & spicy steak

The beef steaks came in either the usual plain slabs or cooked in a sauce, like the hot and spicy one we had. It’s pretty good, and was beautifully garnished and served with rice, strangely.

Various types of steak

There’s even a whole page on the menu that gives diners a crash course on the various types of steak and the pros and cons of each. Perfect for a steak idiot like me!

I’m not sure about the other meats, but the beef here actually came from their very own farm, Farm Chokchai! It’s pretty cool — you can go there for a farm stay and learn to make ice cream, presumably with milk from their cows! That’s going straight into the itinerary for my next Bangkok trip!

Chicken steak with honey

As I was nursing a sore throat at that time, I ordered a chicken steak with honey. The portion was ample and the chicken was just okay, mostly because I’m no big fan of honey. The checkered pattern on it was a nice touch though :) and that’s that for our meal at Chokchai Steakhouse.

Chokchai Prime Steak House
Prasanmit Plaza
45 Sukhumvit Soi 23
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

(66) 0 2259 9596
Service:

www.farmchokchai.com

Our next stop was the new Manchester United Restaurant and Bar in Bangkok. (There’s one in Singapore, too.) We are both die-hard fans. So when we first knew of this restaurant, we couldn’t wait to check it out. It would be so, so awesome to catch a game there!

Manchester United Restaurant and Bar, Bangkok

The place is located on the ground floor of the President Palace Hotel. As the hotel has yet to open for now, some taxi drivers may not know the place. A good tip is to print out the address, preferably have it in Thai script as well, and show that to the driver. We adopted this practice for all the not-so-famous places that we wanted to go.

Manchester United Restaurant and Bar, Bangkok

The restaurant is rather big, decked out in the club colors of red and black.

Merchandise at Manchester United Restaurant and Bar, Bangkok

Near the entrance is where you’ll find the merchandise section. There are jerseys, t-shirts, bags, caps and scarves. Some other items such as glasses, coasters and cushions that are in use within the restaurant are sold here too. We bought a t-shirt with a silver crest that we had never seen in Singapore! I would have gotten a tote bag too if it wasn’t so darn expensive.

Manchester United Restaurant and Bar, Bangkok

The ceiling at the bar counter has the club’s name in changing colors.

Wall of photos at Manchester United Restaurant and Bar, Bangkok

On one side of the wall fans can admire the black and white photos of players from past to present.

Signed jersey of David Beckham, Manchester United Football Club

I also spotted a couple of signed jerseys that were framed and displayed proudly. One was of David Beckham, the other, Ruud van Nistelrooy, both who were once great united players.

Signed jersey of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manchester United Football Club

Wish I had gotten a picture of the Rooney jersey too!

VIP lounge at Manchester United Restaurant and Bar, Bangkok

The private VIP room can accommodate larger groups, with karaoke facilities and its own washroom.

#7's, past and present, at Manchester United Football Club

In that washroom I spy this framed montage picture of the four great #7′s — George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo! In the past four decades, has there ever been a united player that wore the #7 jersey and wasn’t spectacular?

The menu consists of a variety of Asian and Western dishes. There’s even nasi lemak! That’s probably because the owner is Singaporean.

Dinner at Manchester United Restaurant and Bar, Bangkok

We ordered crab and lobster bisque, quesadillas and a couple of pasta dishes. With the exception of the seafood bisque, the food was pretty much abysmal (a word I first learned from playing Championship Manager football).

Manchester United Restaurant and Bar, Bangkok

But that’s okay. We weren’t there for the food anyway. But it definitely was a delight to use the fancy United napkins and coasters, and serviettes in red and white!

Manchester United Restaurant and Bar, Bangkok

Besides the giant projector screen in the alfresco dining area, the restaurant also has multiple LCD screens. And when the game started, that’s when our (and many other fans’) nightmare began.

We soon realised that despite the many screens available, only a handful of these were hooked up to show live matches. The rest were simply replaying past matches. That’s not a big issue, although it sure would be nice if all the screens were tuned in to the game.

But here comes the real nightmare. The live feed is streamed directly from the — get this — internet! For a place that claims to be an official sports bar of Manchester United, can’t they at least subscribe to a decent cable channel?

Imagine watching a stretched and disproportionate youtube video on a large widescreen LCD. That’s exactly what it’s like. The video was so horribly pixelated that you can’t even see the jersey numbers, and the right portion was cropped off. The worst thing is that the streaming lagged horrendously, paused frequently and even stopped for MINUTES at certain points. When Ronaldo took his direct free kick, the video stopped at the precise moment where his foot touched the ball! We never got to see how that played out. You could hear all the boos in the room.

We left barely 20 minutes into the game. It was an utter disappointment and calling this place a disgrace to Manchester United wouldn’t be too harsh a word. The feeling of being in a United-themed restaurant was nice. But the experience of catching the game there completely sucked.

Manchester United Restaurant and Bar
President Palace Hotel
Sukhumvit Soi 11
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

(66) 0 2651 2933
Service:

www.mufbthai.com

Has any of you been to the United bar in Singapore? I would love to hear your feedback!

No farting sign on taxi

We did find some funny moments in the taxi ride on our way back to our hotel. This sign was pasted prominently at the back of the two front seats. It’s so in your face you can’t even ignore it! Is it just us or does it really mean “no farting”? Lol!

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About the Author

Veron Ang is the founder and chief editor of Sparklette. She lives in Singapore and has dined and traveled across the world. She also runs Sparklette Studio, a web design and WordPress development firm. If you'd like to connect with her, head on over to the contact page or follow her personal updates on Twitter: @VeronSG.

Bangkok (Day 2) – Chatuchak, Central World & Roadside Dining

Bangkok (Day 4) – Jim Thompson House & Suan Pakkad Palace

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25 responses

Leave your comment

Edmund Ng
January 14, 2009

wow, gotta check out Chokchai Prime Steak House – its just round the corner from my hotel on Sukhumvit Rd! Pity about the “live” football match screening, considering so many bars and beer gardens in the vicinity show the match live from cable tv I’m sure you didn’t miss out too much.
Reply
- Veron
  January 14, 2009
  
  There are a lot of interesting places in that area! Soi Cowboy has the nightclubs and the strip bars too :P Of course, you can just go there for the famous fish and chips. That’s something I missed.
  Reply
  - Edmund Ng
    January 15, 2009
    
    yep, gotta agree the area near Soi 23 Asoke is pretty happening. They even have the True Yoga branch there. Surprised you went to Soi Cowboy! haha
    Fish & chips there? haven’t heard of that one!
    I normally go to RCA for the nightclubs.. unfortunate what happened to Santika :(
    Are you gonna do a review of Suan Lum night bazaar? I actually prefer it to Chatuchak since its more organized, cooler and the prices are about the same (after much negotiating and bargaining).
    Reply
    - Veron
      January 15, 2009
      
      Oh that’s right! I remember seeing a True Yoga branch in that area, at this place called the Exchange Tower. We went in that building to use the washrooms lol!
      
      The only time I’ve been to Suan Lum was during my solo trip. Agree with you that the place is more organised and structured. But prices seem steeper so I still prefer Chatuchak :) Maybe things have changed.
      Reply
pkchukiss
January 14, 2009

I heard that Thailand has some problems with their international bandwidth; I guess you got to experience it first hand :)
Reply
- Veron
  January 14, 2009
  
  Perhaps, although the broadband connection in our hotel room was wonderful :) Actually even if the video streaming for the game was smooth, the resolution itself still sucked. They really NEED to install cable TV!
  Reply
smint
January 17, 2009

i went to farm chokchai! :) you really have to go the next time. it’s boutique camping. :) sleeping in tents with air coolers and proper beds. bbq dinners you dont have to lift a finger to cook. and making ice cream! :)
Reply
- Veron
  January 17, 2009
  
  That sounds so fab and you’ve made me totally jealous! It seems like a really fun camping experience. Thanks for sharing. Now I really got to try it out for myself.
  Reply
  - smint
    January 17, 2009
    
    yes you do! :) if you wanted to know, the founder of MBK centre are the grandparents of the one managing chokchai farm now. he’s an only son and a very humble man who dines at chokchai steakhouse once in a while. and by the way just because foodies always share about food, i’m making cny cookies for sale. cornflake raisin cookies 25 pieces for $6. peanut cookies 45 for $10. honeyjoys 25-28 pieces for $5. made with butter or ghee depending on preferences. :)
    Reply
neo
January 17, 2009

can’t wait to visit MANCHESTER UNITED cafe in AUG!
Reply
innesbabekezzayeahyr
January 27, 2009

great place to go reaLLY my brother will love it there
Reply
Edmund Ng
January 28, 2009

although I’m not a Man U fan, i did check out the bar at Soi 11. Quite impressive. it was a Saturday night so naturally it was quite packed. Soi 11 is quite a happening place with the Bed Supperclub next door and Q Bar around the corner.
Reply
pornwipa siriboon
August 5, 2009

Hi…. it very good reataurant and bar…
Reply
dawnelle
September 8, 2009

hi babe,
i need your help regarding the man utd restaurant & bar.
wanna surprise my bf by bringing him there..
would like to know roughly the price range for main course etc, and where to get the location of it in thai.
must i reserve in advance. please get back to me asap!
will be waiting for your reply!! thanks alot
Reply
- Veron
  September 8, 2009
  
  The prices are definitely higher than the average restaurant you would find in Bangkok. If I remember correctly, a meal there is probably equivalent to a Swensen’s meal in Singapore. Haha hope that’s a good estimate :)
  
  For the location, I’m not sure where to get it in Thai now. But if you ask the cab driver to take you to President Palace Hotel, now that the hotel has already opened for months, he should know the way.
  
  There’s ample seating available, so I doubt you would need to make reservations in advance. At least, we didn’t.
  
  Hope this helps!
  Reply
neo
September 8, 2009

If wanna save money, u can drop at NANA skytrain and take around 8min walk from the skytrain station to President Palace Hotel.
Just walk straight~
But anyway, the taxi are very cheap, starting from 35Baht~

Just went…the place looked dead in the noon so I just walk away after satisfying myself with tonnes of pictures of MANCHESTER UNITED bar & restaurant~
Reply
- Veron
  September 8, 2009
  
  Wow very detailed instructions! I’m impressed :)
  
  Yeah the taxis are cheap. That’s why even the normally stingy me would opt for a taxi ride :P
  Reply
Edmund Ng
September 8, 2009

here’s a good map of the Sukhumvit Soi 11 area, where the Man U restaurant is located. Check out Bed Supper Club too since its next door.
Entry price of 600Baht is quite steep though..

http://www.travelfish.org/map_detail/thailand/bangkok_and_surrounds/bangkok/sukhumvit_soi_1_to_asok/8
Reply
- Veron
  September 8, 2009
  
  Thanks for the map, Edmund :) The Nana BTS station actually looks pretty near to Soi 11.
  Reply
dawnelle
September 8, 2009

thanks alot babe. your review says that the tv that show matches there cannot make it..im bringing my boyfren there on the oct 25 to let him catch the man u vs. liverpool big match… any pub or bar other than this that we can watch matches with the local or tourist?
Reply
- Veron
  September 8, 2009
  
  Hmm I wonder if the bar has improved on the live screening since I visited them in January. My friend Neo (above) just came back from there recently. Maybe he can offer his feedback! Hehe ;)
  
  About the other pubs, I heard many of them do show soccer matches. As I’m not too familiar with the area, I can’t exactly recommend any. Sorry.
  
  By the way I think it’s really sweet and thoughtful of you to be planning this for your partner :)
  Reply
neo
September 8, 2009

Pity I cannot give much feedback as the bar did not play any live screening during my visit which explain why I did not bother to stay there for long.

But I did catch the CHARITY SHIELD MANCHESTER UNITED vs CHELSEA at my hotel restuarant. Almost spilled all my food when Ryan Giggs cannot convert the penalty at the end.

Most of the Thais love soccer. I believe most pubs will show live screening the big match…Trust me…
Reply
- Veron
  September 8, 2009
  
  “Almost spilled all my food when Ryan Giggs cannot convert the penalty at the end.”
  
  lol!!!!!
  Reply
Edmund Ng
September 8, 2009

For live football matches, free wifi and an amazing atmosphere, try Gulliver’s at Soi 5: http://www.gulliverbangkok.com/locations.php?branch_id=BR002
(nice location map on the page too)
~ its just a 5 minute walk from Soi 11 where the Man U restaurant is located.

The German Beer Garden on Soi 7 also has 4 big screens showing football matches. Good cheap food too :)

The Sukhumvit area is full of pubs, cafes and restaurants – no shortage of live football matches every weekend. Hope this helps.
Reply
dawnelle
September 8, 2009

thanks veron, pamper him abit haha. anw, i check out the singapore man utd restaurant & bar official site and it seems alot better than the bangkok ones!
so wont be going the bangkok one.. Now looking for those decent pub and bar like what edmund suggest, like gulliverbangkok, etc.. any other alternative? THANKS TO THE MAX ALL.
Reply