13 Coins

It is not difficult to find a "13 Coins" location as there are 26 or 27 scattered around Bangkok. We visited the Surawongse Road location many times over the last 5 or 6 years which is open 24 hours and like most of the branches there are also guestrooms for customers at a very reasonable price, This time, however, we chose to visit the newest location, not far from the airport, the Airport Grand Resort. This place is huge, with all types of things to do, it is truly a resort with a couple dozen karaoke rooms, facilities to have a huge gathering such as a wedding, there's an air-conditioned room with snooker and pool table, a swimming pool, internet, and the new popular Muay Thai training facility, but we were here for the food and looked forward to having a feast.

When entering most "13 Coins" restaurants, people are usually quite surprised at the interior. First thing inside the door there are often numerous tanks filled with fresh fish and seafood. The dining area offers imported marble floors and are filled with lovely fabric chairs and couches generously spaced for people to relax during their meal. Most locations have televisions hanging throughout the dining area for customers to view football games, movies, or the latest news. Our visit was on Tuesday night and the live entertainment included a duo of Filipino singers that sang many of the patrons favorite western-style hits and I especially enjoyed some of the oldies.

Many of the 13 Coins dining rooms are attached to a large counter where guests can dine while watching the chefs perform their expertise in preparing the food. With high back cushioned chairs and televisions placed the length of the counter to view the latest sporting events, the show really starts and stops for guests while watching the chefs work their culinary skills on the other side of the counter. Via a speaker system, an expeditor reads out customer orders to the chefs, then they start to demonstrate their cooking talents. The acrobatic cooking feats start as they fill steaming pans and shake flaming woks, work the grill, prepare soups and sauces, pizzas and salads all in plain view for the customers sitting at the counter to enjoy. Before you know it, two, three, or even four chefs have joined forces, preparing complete platters of food ready to be served.

There's 400 items on the Thai menu and the English side has just about as many selections of International favorites. What seems to amaze most customers is how a place can be so luxurious and offer such good food yet offer such reasonable prices. That's part of the attraction of "13 Coins" and just one thing that makes it one of the most popular dining attractions in Bangkok. The owner has consistantly emphasized that the prices must be very reasonable as to keep bringing customers back, and that, it has surely done. Of course, there are other factors, such as being open 24 hours, and guest rooms at rates not usually found with comparable amenities.

The menu features dozens of favorites, both Thai and International, and we will try to mention some of the highlights although there are to many to mention here. Our first starter was fresh Sea Mussels baked with basil along with an order of Hot & Spicy Soup, Duck Curry, Crispy Wonton, and even a Chef Salad. An odd combination to start our meal but we wanted to try a real variety of food so we ordered from many parts of the menu. Next up were some of the main features on the menu but we started with one more salad, the Som Tam Kung Paw (Lobster) in Papaya Salad which is served with veggies and is delicious. Our first choice of mains was the Combination Pizza, served nice and crispy, it was only a preamble of what was coming. Next we chose a couple pasta dishes, the Chicken Parmagiano, served with a side of Spaghetti and Meat Sauce, and the Fettucini with Chicken which came with a large fresh fried-chicken breast. Both dishes were very good and went quickly. Then came our New York Steak & Salmon, and eventhough we were all getting quite full, the guys ate most of the steak while the three girls devoured the salmon of which I got a taste and it was fresh and as equally delicious as the steak and needless-to-say, it was certainly a hit. Every dish was a good choice and we had no complaints as the food arrived hot and in nice portions but unfortuantely we had chosen so many dishes that we had no room for dessert.

Sea Mussels Hot & Sour Soup
Duck Curry Chef Salad
Taco Salad Pizza Chicken Parmagiano US T-Bone Steak & Salmon

Dress: Casual
Free Water: No
Use MSG: No
Vegetarian Dishes: 10+
Private Parking: Yes
Mobile Phones: Yes
Established: 1988

Accepts Major Credit Cards