The Offshore, Sukhumvit Bangkok – Fish-and-Chip Shop in a Red-Light District

By Veron | Posted in Travel / Thailand
Tags: Bangkok, Bar, English, Western

On a recent trip to Bangkok, I stayed in Sukhumvit and visited what is perhaps the best-known chippy in Bangkok — the Offshore. It is situated in Soi Cowboy, the red-light district in Sukhumvit that is notorious for its strip bars and risque sex shows.

The Offshore first started out as a bar, and expanded into the fish-and-chips business with a unit next door. I may be wrong, but I think the owner is a Brit, if he’s the same elderly male who is seen supervising his female Thai staff.

Most customers buy their fish and chips as takeouts, waiting at the stainless steel front counter while the staff deep-fry their orders. You can dine here as well, in the rather dingy-looking backroom, and order a drink or two from the bar. The place is rundown, yes, and lacking in any decor whatsoever. But the food speaks for itself.

Fish & chips from Offshore, Sukhumvit Bangkok

Red snapper & cod
100baht & 150baht

We order both the red snapper and cod. These arrive as chunky, square-shaped fillets, lightly coated in batter. Both are moist and tender, and thankfully devoid of that unwelcome fishy stench. Of the two I actually prefer the cheaper red snapper; it has somewhat of a more delicate taste.

Fish & chips from Offshore, Sukhumvit Bangkok

The fish certainly do not sport a heavy jacket of batter. Rather, the texture is light, crispy and tasty. None of that cheese-stuffed glitz, too. Just simple, wholesome English food.

The accompanying tartar sauce, home-made perhaps, and a whole jar of it, is served cold straight from the fridge. Hmm.

If you’re wondering, where are the chips? They come only as a separate order. But in this case we opt for the rings of gold instead:

Onion rings from Offshore, Sukhumvit Bangkok

Onion rings
35baht

Jumbo-sized onion rings! You see, I have an unconditional love for onions, however pungent or breath-polluting they may be. Sure enough, this is one appetiser that we find extremely enjoyable. Once again, they get the batter right. The dish is light and crispy and bursting with sweet onion flavor.

Offshore, Sukhumvit Bangkok

For a complete experience, wash down all the deep-fried calorific goodness with imported beers like Tetley’s (170baht) and John Smith’s (150baht) from the bar.

To avoid all the naughty action of the area, visit Soi Cowboy in the day. It is a short walk from the Sukhumvit MRT and Asoke BTS stations.

The Offshore
7/8 Sukhumvit Soi 23
Bangkok, Thailand

Nearest BTS/mrt: BTS Asoke / MRT Sukhumvit
(66)02-661-7830

11am-2am daily

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 development and design firm. If you'd like to connect with her, head on over to the contact page or follow her on Twitter: @sparklette.

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15 responses

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Kidtalentz
November 16

sparklette@ The Offshore, Sukhumvit Bangkok – Fish-and-Chip Shop in a Red-Light District: On a recen.. http://bit.ly/2DfkFq
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
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Nicholas
November 16

tempting leh…
Reply
- Veron
  November 16
  
  Yes, you can go there for dinner first, THEN hit the strip bars.
  Reply
Edmund
November 16

wow, gotta really check it out when I’m celebrating New Years in Bkk!
Not surprised they close at 2am since its the imposed curfew time in Bkk for the bars and nightclubs.
Here’s a good map to help the ‘geographically challenged’ :P
http://www.bts.co.th/th/stationMap.asp?s=E4_Update
Reply
- Veron
  November 16
  
  Wow, that’s a really good map! Just to add on: The Offshore is along Soi 23 on the stretch directly opposite Jasmine Tower. So after you see Jasmine, just keep walking in straight and along the way, you’ll see a couple of 7-11’s, and Offshore. I think it’s the first bar you would see.
  Reply
  - Edmund
    November 16
    
    Thanks for the detailed directions – I thought it was more towards Soi 21.
    I was actually having a drink at the Old Dutch Bar (cnr Soi Cowboy and 23) in January and totally missed The Offshore… i think i was visually distracted with other things that night…
    Reply
J2Kfm
November 16

classic. though makes one wonder, an authentic Fish n Chips outlet in such a stained area?
gotta be cool digging into one’s piece of batter fried fish while feasting the eyes.
Reply
- Veron
  November 16
  
  Gotta go there at night then!
  Reply
Ivy
November 17

Travel, have nice food, this is beautiful life.
Hope I can travel to Thailand one day.
Reply
ouzodave
November 27

Been to the Offshore chippy everytime i have been to Bangkok. It’s an absolute must when you have had a skinfull of ale…..yummy! I stayed in the Taipan hotel on Soi 23 for the first time i was in Bangkok in 2001. I was on a gap year and had just been in India for over two months. I met my mate at the hotel then we went to hit the bars of Cowboy. We couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw Girls, Beer and Fish and Chips! ;-)
Reply
- Veron
  November 29
  
  Looks like you found the perfect area to stay in ;)
  I find it pretty cool that you went to India for two months. I have always wanted to travel there myself. The food is to die for and I’m sure there’s much to see in such a colorful country!
  Reply
Audrey
December 2

Hi,
Have already booked our flight to BKK for June 2010…..just wondering, where did u stay this time round?
Actually just came back from BKK in Sep 09. Can never get enough of BKK leh…this year we stayed at Bangkok City Inn. Very convenient, but theres no more vacancies for June.
Reply
- Veron
  December 2
  
  I stayed at the S Sukhumvit Suites and would recommend it to anyone. It’s a new and very modern-looking hotel. The location is really unbeatable — literally one minute’s walk from BOTH the MRT line and the BTS line! There’s free wireless Internet in your room, too.
  This is the website where I made my hotel booking. It’s where I found the cheapest online rates. You can see more photos and details there.
  Reply
Audrey
December 3

Hi Veron,
Thanks for your reply.
Reply
min
December 4

hey do you know if the train from the airport to city is already in operation? i’m wondering whats the cheapest way from airport to sukhumvit. staying at jasmine city apts on soi 23. and i wanted to ask you about nightlife in bangkok. any mild clubs/ bars? sirocco looks really tempting. how much did it cost for drinks? drop me a mail? i’d really appreciate it. thanks!
Reply
Melissa
December 16

I find that you get the best food at the most casual places in BKK, rather than the high-end expensive restaurants or those in shopping malls.
Reply