I recently had the opportunity to check out Buster’s Fish and Chips, Bangkok’s latest joint specializing in, you guessed it, English style fish and chips. I’ve lived in the UK and this is one of my favorite dishes especially after a pub crawl. It’s a simple but satisfying dish, but it’s got to be done right to be enjoyed.

Buster’s does it right, and if you’re a fan of fish and chips they are definitely worth checking out.

But let me show you what I mean!

More than fish and chips…

Buster’s also offers more than fish and chips. They specialize in “comfort food”. That includes meat-filled pies like Lamb and Rosemary (185 baht), Chicken, Leek, and Ham (150 baht), and Wagyu Beef and Onion (185 baht), as well as other comfort food like Macaroni 3 Cheese (250 baht) and Shepherds Pie (290 baht). Soon battered sausages will debut on their menu…

Despite the varied menu of interesting comfort food, for my first visit, I wanted to focus on their fish and chips. I was not disappointed!

Fish and Chips

Buster’s offers 4 different kinds of fish for their fish and chips menu: cod, haddock, sea bass, and halibut. With the exception of the sea bass which is sourced locally, all the other fish are imported “frozen fresh”. The haddock is Norwegian line-caught from the Atlantic and served loin cut. The Halibut also hails from the Atlantic near Greenland and is served loin cut but in smaller filets (2 or 3 depending on what size you order). The cod is caught in the Pacific and is served in tail-cut portions.

Each fish and chips meal (except for the larger halibut meal) averages 200 grams of beer-battered yumminess. A fairly sized portion in my opinion.

Cod Fish n’ Chips (330 baht)

For my first experience, I opted to try the cheapest (cod) and their most expensive (haddock) fish and chips meal. The Beer Battered Cod (330 baht) filet is tail-cut so that its tapered tip is thin and the thicker, flakier meat is found at the other end. The filet is beer battered and then deep fried in imported Canola oil from Canada.

Cod’s a great fish for those who like a mild, less flavorful fish. It’s also probably why malt vinegar and tartar sauce are obligatory condiments for this dish. Accompanying the fish are steak cut potatoes (frozen) which were excellent dunked in their homemade Sriracha Mayo sauce.

Rounding out the meal, I also ordered Mushy Peas (50 baht). I learned that mushy peas are made with Marrowfat Peas, which are basically garden peas allowed to mature and dry out naturally. These starchier peas are then soaked, cooked, and mashed to make mushy peas. Who knew?

Let me upgrade ya!

Haddock Fish n’ Chips (380 baht)

Are any Beyoncé fans reading this? The cod fish and chips are satisfying, but for a real treat, upgrade to the Beer Battered Haddock (380 baht). Because it’s a loin cut filet, the haddock is thicker and has flakier meat. It’s also a more flavorful fish. I like a fish that tastes fishier, but not too strong (though I have been hurt before).

Of the two dishes, this haddock also had a crispier, flakier batter. Maybe it’s the texture of the filet that allows the batter to get crunchier. I welcome all theories…

Thick cut haddock loin…

In summary, both the cod and haddock were excellent, but if you’re one who likes a thicker cut, and a more flavorful, flaky filet, I’d recommend spending the extra 50 baht for the haddock. You won’t be disappointed!

And now for something completely different…

Deep Fried Mars Bar (75 baht)

I believe a fish and chips review deserves a little Monty Python humor (or is it humour?). But seriously, a deep fried candy bar is definitely something different.

The Fried Mars Bar (75 baht) is a new item on Buster’s dessert menu and I was astonished to see it there. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see it on a menu at a County Fair in Mississipi right next to the Deep Fried Snicker’s Bar or Deep Fried Twinkies. But a fish and chips joint?

Looks like crap, tastes like heaven!

But this dish didn’t originate in America’s bible belt. Rather it was created in a fish and chips joint.  It was invented by John Davie in 1992 in the Haven Chip Bar (now the Carron Fish Bar and still on the menu!) in Stonehaven, on Scotland’s northeast coast.

Yes, it kind of resembles a battered and deep fried turd. But trust me, it tastes heavenly!

Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s not a large dessert but it will surely satisfy your sweet tooth.

A chat with the owners…

Fah and David, Proprietors

I had the opportunity to chat with the owners David and Fah, a father and daughter pair who in the midst of COVID-19 uncertainty decided to do something completely different and start a business delivering English comfort food to satisfy the cravings of Bangkokians unable to dine out. The delivery service was very successful, and when a good location for a venue became available they decided to open up a full-service restaurant.

Originally from Surrey in the United Kingdom, David (nicknamed “Buster“) has been in the F&B arena for 54 years and living in Thailand for 35 years. David’s hope in creating Buster’s Fish and Chips is to be able to pass his F&B knowledge to his children. Fah has been going gangbusters with marketing and creating all the different sauces (seriously, you need to try the Sriracha Mayo with the chips!).

On August 21, 2020 Buster’s opened its red telephone booth door to welcome customers who wanted their fish and chips hot off the fryer.  Their continuously expanding menu has ensured that those who crave English comfort food will never go hungry here! It certainly helps that their location is also a staggering distance from 4 popular watering holes (Robin Hood, The Royal Oak, O’ Shea’s, and Hair of the Dog) on Sukhumvit Soi 33/1.

I’m hungry. Where is it?

I love the phone booth doorway entrance…

Buster’s Fish and Chips is located on Sukhumvit Soi 33/1 near the Villa Market. It’s an easy 5 minute walk from the Phrom Phong BTS station. Even if you’ve been enjoying some libations beforehand you can’t miss their GIANT signage nor can you miss the large red telephone booth style entranceway (a nice touch!).

The downstairs floor has a few plastic casual dining tables for a quick meal and counter takeaway service. The second floor offers a more formal dining area that can accommodate larger groups (or those who want to take their time exploring their wine list).

I want to hear from you!

Should you decide to experience Buster’s Fish and Chips I’d love to hear your feedback in the comment section below, directly to me, or via message on either the Chow Traveller Facebook page or Chow Traveller Instagram. However you choose, I’d love to hear from you!