Where to find Bangkok's best fish and chips

With mid-19^th century origins as an easy and cheap dinner for working-class Britons, the popularity of deep-fried fish and potato (traditionally eaten with salt and vinegar and a host of other deep-fried goodness) remains undiminished today. 

As any self-respecting Brit, Aussie, Kiwi, Saffa or occasional Canuck will tell you, there’s nothing quite like a filling Friday night dinner of fish ‘n’ chips.

Even if you’re not from the former British Empire, there’s no reason you can’t tuck into a paper-wrapped (or more likely crockery plated) helping of greasy goodness at one of these top Bangkok chippies.

Sam's Fish & Chips

Bored by the idea of retirement, Manus "Sam" Surapisitchat struck upon the idea of opening up a restaurant.

Rightly, he reasoned that his own house off Soi Convent would make the ideal location (he was actually born in it), and set about converting the unused rooftop into an eatery complete with open kitchen, landscaped garden and oodles of rustic charm.

The largely expat clientele comes here for the John Dory (137 baht), without doubt one of the best value fish ‘n’ chips you’ll find in the city. If you’re lucky, Sam’s Filipino musician friend will have dropped by to serenade diners with an Elvis song or two.

146 Phiphat Soi 2, Convent Road. Tel: +66 (0)2 234 73335. Open daily 5 p.m.-10 p.m. BTS: Chong Nonsi or Sala Daeng. 

Oh My Cod

Despite its inconvenient location next to Khao San Road (unless you happen to be a hungry backpacker), this quiet little chippy off Soi Rambuttri, not far from the ferry pier, is regularly rated as one of the city’s best plaices (sorry) for a fish ‘n’ chip supper. 

As the name suggests, they serve imported Atlantic or Pacific cod with chips, garden or mushy peas and a homemade tartar sauce for 220 baht  (a locally caught red snapper is also available for 195 baht).

Though the setting close to Asia’s most notorious guesthouse strip is a long way from the dish’s U.K. roots, there’s something very English about the taste -- that, and the pun-tastic name.

95D Rambuttri Village Inn, Soi Rambuttri. Tel: +66 (0)2 282 6553. www.fishandchipsbangkok.com. Open daily 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m. 

Cafe Fish

The only non-standalone outlet on this list, Cafe Fish sits atop the high-end Emporium mall close to the food court. 

But don’t let its location fool you. This small restaurant still serves up a decent portion. Using Atlantic cod, your meal comes served in a stainless steel pan with a large portion of thick-cut chips.

We like the fresh taste of the fish here, though the lack of mushy peas on the side (not to mention a battered sausage, pickled egg and deep-fried Mars bar) may disappoint some purists.

In short, this is a clean, convenient location if you’re craving a quick fish ‘n’ chips dinner, but you’ll find more authentic versions elsewhere.

Park Food Court, 5/F Emporium, 622 Sukhumvit Road. Tel: +66 (0)2 259 9345. Open daily, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Fat Gut'z

The brainchild of Iron Fairies’ founder Ashley Sutton, this sleek speakeasy is a hi-so favorite for its clever range of nautical-themed cocktails and swinging live jazz.

However, the fat(al) attraction extends to an item not usually on the menu of most Thong Lor bars -- Australian-style fish ‘n’ chips.

Made with an old family recipe, this dish is not exactly cheap (320 baht), but it hits the mark for its authentic beer batter and chunky chips.

With fish ‘n’ chips the main course here, and burgers at Iron Fairies, we can’t wait to hear about Sutton’s next venture, presumably centered around that other Down Under dinner favorite, the Aussie meat pie.

264 Thong Lor Soi 12. Tel: +66 (0)2 714 9832. www.fatgutz.com. Open daily, 6 p.m.-2 a.m.

The Offshore

One of the oldest chippies in town, The Offshore fish ‘n’ chip shop was opened to feed the drunken oil rig workers stumbling across from the adjoining bar of the same name (there’s a door between the two).

In terms of decor and class, it hasn’t moved on much since, but patrons still swear that you won’t find a better batter anywhere.

Costing 215 baht for cod and chips (165 baht if you order the local red snapper instead), most customers drop by for a takeaway order (if you must eat in, seating is available in a small backroom or at the bar), standing at the stainless steel counter while their meal is deep-fried.

Then, depending on how late it is (and your state of inebriation), the charms of Soi Cowboy await around the corner.

7/8 Sukhumvit 23. +66 (0)2 661 7830. Open daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

We also hear that the British Club (189 Suriwongse Road/Silom Soi 18) has an excellent fish ‘n’ chips on the menu. Sadly, it can only be enjoyed by either members or their guests, meaning that for most of us this dish will remain tantalisingly out of reach.