Western Food - when only this will do !

[VBF]

4 hours ago, Joinaman said:

5 hours ago, CharlieH said:

So help people out and tell them where !! 

cheap Charlies  ?

If referring to Pattaya, the area around Cheap Charlies (which establishment I would strenuously  avoid) being the Sois Buakhau, Lengke, Diana, LK Metro have many UK-style restaurants. You could walk around that area for 10 minutes and be spoilt for choice - really.

 

Just Soi Lengke alone, there's Kungs and The Devonshire both visible from the Buakhau junction - that was as of April '24 - there may be more now. From CC, head north or south and just glance around you. 

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

5 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

So mainly you're living unhealthy when it comes to food?

Some of the oily Thai food just as bad. 

[fredwiggy]

5 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Not necessary to eat all that processed food. Thailand can offer better and more healthy food, vegetables and herbs in particular. And fresh fruits.

So I can pass your KFC or mac-shops without even thinking to buy any of that crap.

Anywhere you go you can get healthy food, if that's your passion. Steaks, pizza, roasts, sandwiches, and burgers can all be healthy if you make them yourself or go to places and tell them what you want in them. Thailand food, tasty, can be healthy or not, depending on how it's prepared. I eat mostly western food, healthy, made mostly by myself but sometimes I go to a western restaurant, although many aren't close, and like when I visit my girlfriend, who makes a variety of healthy Thai food.

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

We have roast every Sunday. Either Chicken or Pork with roast veggies, pumpkin, capsicums, potatoes, carrots, onion and broccoli. Green peas and gravy a must.

Just like my mum cooked in "50s and 60s.

Dessert Apple crumble or pie

Afters Home made cherry ripe bars infused with cabbage condensed milk.

Way to go, 2 more sleeps.😄

[newbee2022]

21 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Anywhere you go you can get healthy food, if that's your passion. Steaks, pizza, roasts, sandwiches, and burgers can all be healthy if you make them yourself or go to places and tell them what you want in them. Thailand food, tasty, can be healthy or not, depending on how it's prepared. I eat mostly western food, healthy, made mostly by myself but sometimes I go to a western restaurant, although many aren't close, and like when I visit my girlfriend, who makes a variety of healthy Thai food.

If you you're convinced it's healthy I can't help you but say "enjoy"🤗

[newbee2022]

26 minutes ago, Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai said:

Some of the oily Thai food just as bad. 

I don't know where you eat - and don't want to know - but sunflower oil or olive oil got a good flavour for me. A spoonful of olive oil (not only) will keep you healthy 

[fredwiggy]

5 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

If you you're convinced it's healthy I can't help you but say "enjoy"🤗

For the last 51 years I've eaten almost all very healthy, with only an occasional cheat. Before that I ate what my parents cooked, which was mostly healthy also.

[MangoKorat]

The only Western food I can't do without is my English breakfast. The rest of the time I eat 99% Thai food.

 

Getting decent bacon used to be difficult but its readily available now - depending on where you live. Mine comes from Korat Chef in Korat. They sell quite a lot of Western branded food - at a price.

 

I bring Yorkshire Tea, Aldi brown sauce (identical to HP at 1/3 of the price) and a few tins of baked beans in with me when I come back from the UK - the beans run out pretty quickly though. I used to pay ridiculous prices for the local Ayams brand but they seem to have changed recently and are 'mai arroy' - I'd rather go without.

[Rumpelstilskin]

22 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

When I arrived in Thailand, long time ago, I somehow had this idea to only eat Thai food. I think I did this for maybe one or two months and then I was really fed up with it. And for some time I ate only farang food.

Then not much later I adjusted to eat whatever I feel like at that moment. Sometimes Thai food, sometimes food from "back home", sometime Japanese, Korean, Lebanese, whatever.

Living in the middle of Bangkok here it is easy to find whatever I want.

 

And sometimes I do it myself. I.e. decent steak is very expensive outside, and doing it myself is a fraction of the price and it tastes just fine.

 

Makkro Wagyu beef steak is quite good. Unless you're talking El Gaucho with US and Japanese beef DIY is better. Australian beef has almost no taste.

[harryviking]

On 1/29/2025 at 3:09 PM, CharlieH said:

    

 

 

Western food—whether it’s a proper fry-up, classic fish and chips, a Sunday roast, or a perfectly cooked steak—sometimes, you just need it.

 

What do you find yourself craving the most? And, more importantly, where do you go to get it in your area?

We all know places like McDonald's and KFC exist here, but let’s be honest—they're just not quite the same as back home. They’ll do in a pinch, but they don’t always hit the spot.

 

So, what’s your go-to when the craving strikes? Do you cook it yourself, or have you found a hidden gem that serves the real deal? Let’s hear your recommendations! - share with and help other find some great food ! 

 

I have my own kitchen and make all the food myself from the bottom up. But if I am away from home, I always make sure I find an English/Irish Pub where they always have decent western food! I am especially fond of the English Breakfast!! I am Norwegian by the way and always enjoyed good Pubs!! They are my Oasis in the "dessert"!! Thai food is for the Thais...not me.😄

[pelagicpete]

For great European and Thai food try YUPINS Restaurant in Jomtien Complex.

there are plenty of bars there too, to choose from.

Yupins has been there for 12 years and has a great reputation for quality.

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Rumpelstilskin said:

Makkro Wagyu beef steak is quite good. Unless you're talking El Gaucho with US and Japanese beef DIY is better. Australian beef has almost no taste.

 

Every couple of weeks I eat Thai ribeye steak from Foodland. I like it. And about 550THB/kg it's not expensive.

I tried sirloin three times and three times I was disappointed. But the rib-eye is always good.

This one was 400g for 200THB. 🙂 

 

[JingerBen]

22 hours ago, CMHomeboy78 said:

In Chiang Mai it's The Duke's [Iron Bridge] for me.

Low-balling it, Mickey D's Double Quarter Pounder with cheese is a pretty good burger when the craving strikes unexpectedly.

+1 for The Duke's Iron Bridge.

You didn't mention pizza.

IM [not so] HO it is the Gold Standard in CM.

Not quite comparable to what you get in Little Italy; Court St. in Brooklyn; or Arthur Ave. in the Bronx, but it is very good and has been for many years now.

That said, I'm always glad to try another place.

Any suggestions?

[Hanaguma]

20 hours ago, VBF said:

Thank you...I'm going to try that!  Where exactly is PP Night Plaza?? Is it known by another name?

It is in the Pratumnak Hill area. If you look for The Winner Condominium on Prathumnak Soi 6, it is right across the street.

[CMHomeboy78]

3 hours ago, JingerBen said:

+1 for The Duke's Iron Bridge.

You didn't mention pizza.

IM [not so] HO it is the Gold Standard in CM.

Not quite comparable to what you get in Little Italy; Court St. in Brooklyn; or Arthur Ave. in the Bronx, but it is very good and has been for many years now.

That said, I'm always glad to try another place.

Any suggestions?

Not really.

Every time I try a new pizza place it doesn't seem to be any better.

Although some aren't too bad - Rosie's Roadhouse, Peppino's, etc.

With so many good restaurants around these days, there may be some better than The Duke's that I've never heard of.

[VBF]

3 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

It is in the Pratumnak Hill area. If you look for The Winner Condominium on Prathumnak Soi 6, it is right across the street.

Thanks - on the list to try 👍

[Ralf001]

8 minutes ago, VBF said:

Thanks - on the list to try 👍

PP is Pattaya Park if you try to find on google.

[Centigrade32]

On 1/30/2025 at 12:16 AM, Hanaguma said:

I get the craving for good Greek (food) sometimes.  GRK Restaurant in the Pattaya Park Night Plaza is actually pretty good. 50 baht for souvlaki, good roast potatoes, even tzatziki.  

 

I don't remember paying 50 baht for those particular items. Not that it makes any difference, a few baht here or there if you want something different. But I can make better at home, so once was enough.

[kbb]

I live in the middle of nowhere - 10 hours north of Bangkok. 

 

Farang food markets are 2 hours away in Khon Kaen.

Need to buy online - One or two options already, but - not too reliable for keeping things in stock. 

 

Black bean burgers - frozen turkey breast - Dutch Croquetten - Beef jerky - Stuff like that. 

 

Lazada hit/miss.

 

Any suggestions for vendors who ship up here to  would be appreciated (and life saving)

 

 

[JAS21]

We have just been to Brooks Brunch and Bar for breakfast ..open 8:30am to midnight and a very popular place. Haven't been there for months but just fancied someone else to cook breakfast. No coffee or whatever, 842thb. Yes, it tasted nice whilst eating but afterwards just had a sort of greasy aftertaste in my mouth and a full feeling. Probably because we don't eat that sort of meal as generally stick to Thai type food.

 

 

      

[sharot724]

On 1/30/2025 at 12:18 PM, Cameroni said:

In Chiang Mai if you crave Western bread, ie French Baguette, you are blessed with "L'Opera". They have bread better than in France.

 

If you crave Burgers, "Rock Me Burger" has burgers better than America.

 

Mix Restaurant next to One Nimman has awesome steak, but it costs of course.

 

For quality Chinese Tolou delivers like in the West.

 

At San Kamphaeng walking street on Saturday's you'll get a quality Chicken Doner from a Halal Muslim guy for 60 Baht. Churros too.

 

Why Ribs make superb ribs in Chiang Mai.

 

Rimping Chiang Mai sells good fresh Bagels if you get there on time.

 

Mega Bangna in Bangkok has Shakeshack.

 

Basically you can get anything in Thailand. Just a question of price.

 

 

 

How about your choices for both Italian and Mexican in ChiangMai?

[BritManToo]

10 minutes ago, sharot724 said:

How about your choices for both Italian and Mexican in ChiangMai?

LA Casita is the only Mexican place I go.

I'd rate the food as average and reasonably priced. as opposed to everywhere else where the food is awful and expensive. Tacos are in the 70-80bht range, two of those (usually spicy pork and chicken for me) along with the free chips and dips make a filling meal total of under 200bht.

[Tookea]

In Udon Thani there are a number of good restaurants, 2 that stand out are Country Grille and Irish Clock. But really there are a ton of good recipes on Youtube/Facebook/etc.  Toss out your microwave, get an oven and a couple of cooking plates, stock up on good supplies at cheese2meatu and/or ud villa. The final step is to let your woman see what a disaster you are chopping most anything; she'll kick you out of the kitchen and learn to use YouTube to make those meals your inner WesternMan™️ craves. Make sure and compliment her liberally - I find what works best is "you even cook better than my mom".

[keysersoze276]

On 1/29/2025 at 3:09 PM, CharlieH said:

We all know places like McDonald's and KFC exist here, but let’s be honest—they're just not quite the same as back home. They’ll do in a pinch, but they don’t always hit the spot.

KFC in Thailand gives me diarrhea every time. I have no idea why. The oil the use?  Anyone else?

[chickenslegs]

2 minutes ago, keysersoze276 said:

KFC in Thailand gives me diarrhea every time. I have no idea why. The oil the use?  Anyone else?

Not diarrhea, but certainly loosens thing up. Yes, every time.

[keysersoze276]

21 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

Not diarrhea, but certainly loosens thing up. Yes, every time.

I love KFC, but avoid it.  I’m on the toilet every hour or two the next day and the urge comes on very urgently. 555. 

[Thingamabob]

Fortunately for me why wife regularly serves up the only western food I would otherwise miss, namely fish and chips.

[Dario]

How about good bread and pastries like in France, Switzerland and Germany? Any people missing those? Christmas cookies when year end is in sight? I for myself bake a lot.

[KhunLA]

4 minutes ago, Dario said:

How about good bread and pastries like in France, Switzerland and Germany? Any people missing those? Christmas cookies when year end is in sight? I for myself bake a lot.

Living in a foreign country, Asian to top it off, one needs to learn how to make all those things themselves.  Or be prepared to pay a silly price, for someone to do it for them.

 

Sometimes not so silly, as many of one's favorites, are time consuming to make, and ingredients, unless buying in bulk, aren't cheap.

 

Try making a simple pizza, if buying 100gr or 250gr of cheese & meat toppings, and the jar of sauce, which is too much.  It turns into an expensive pizza.   

 

I buy that stuff by the 1 or 2 kilos.   Same with cream cheese, if making a cheesecake.  250gr isn't enough, so you get 500gr, (still not enough for mine (680gr) for ฿300, if lucky, or you buy 4X that (2kg) for ฿700.  Then it's affordable.  But now got 1.5 kg left over, and do you really want to eat cheesecake every day for a week ... hell yea 

 

But now you need more space in your frig (we have 2) and a full kitchen & appliances to make.   Doesn't work in a small box condo, apartment, hotel room living space.

[NoshowJones]

On 1/30/2025 at 3:48 PM, VBF said:

If referring to Pattaya, the area around Cheap Charlies (which establishment I would strenuously  avoid) being the Sois Buakhau, Lengke, Diana, LK Metro have many UK-style restaurants. You could walk around that area for 10 minutes and be spoilt for choice - really.

 

Just Soi Lengke alone, there's Kungs and The Devonshire both visible from the Buakhau junction - that was as of April '24 - there may be more now. From CC, head north or south and just glance around you. 

I would avoid Cheap Charlies in Soi Bukawo, two nights in a row I asked  a waitress (the same one) if I could order a carry out and was completely ignored, I can understand her being busy, but if she would just have acknowledged me I would have been prepared to wait.

Kung's I would fully recommend, excellent for a carry out and always service with a smile.