“At Otto” in Bangkok: traditional restaurant has to start again after 40 years

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After termite and corona shock
Traditional German restaurant in Bangkok: “Bei Otto” has to start over after 40 years

Kevyn Michel (right), operator of the traditional German restaurant “Bei Otto” in Bangkok, and his advisor Herrmann Quint in new rooms: celebrities and princesses as guests

© Carola Frentzen / DPA

Those who prefer to eat fries with currywurst in Bangkok instead of Pad Thai have been going to the traditional restaurant “Bei Otto” for 40 years. The German ambience also attracts celebrities and princesses. In the middle of the pandemic, the institution had to move – not just because of termites.

Rustic wooden benches, blue and white checked tablecloths, wheat beer and an owner in lederhosen: if it weren’t for the palm trees and the hot tropical climate, visitors could almost forget that they are in Bangkok. “At Otto” has been inspiring not only Germans living there for 37 years, but also Thais, Japanese and Chinese with a preference for dirndls and white sausages.

“We’re more than a restaurant, we’re an institution in Bangkok,” says the current owner, Kevyn Michel. The shop in the busy Sukhumvit district was buzzing for decades. In the midst of the corona pandemic, of all places, the restaurant had to move – and is daring to restart elsewhere.

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Pizza An important import ingredient made pizza into pizza, before it was only known as bread and had been for 2000 years. In the middle of the 18th century the tomato came to Naples and probably also on bread. The food spread rapidly, and it was mainly the tourists who spread the delicacy in all countries. Pizza was street food, a dish for the common people. But it also quickly found its way into the royal courts. One of the most popular pizzas therefore still bears the name of an Italian queen today. Legend has it that Margarita absolutely wanted to taste the local specialty when she visited Naples in 1889. With the best pizza maker in town at the time, she had a choice of three varieties: white with pork bacon, caciocavallo cheese and basil; Olive oil and anchovies; and tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. The story goes that the queen chose the third because it resembled the flag of Italy. Since then, the pizza has worn "Margherita" your name. However, Italian emigrants who brought pizza into the world in the 19th century helped her to gain global fame. In the USA, the simple dish became a world hit. Click here for the recipe!

Pizza
An important import ingredient made pizza into pizza, before it was only known as bread and had been for 2000 years. In the middle of the 18th century the tomato came to Naples and probably also on bread. The food spread rapidly, and it was mainly the tourists who spread the delicacy in all countries. Pizza was street food, a dish for the common people. But it also quickly found its way into the royal courts. One of the most popular pizzas therefore still bears the name of an Italian queen today. Legend has it that Margarita absolutely wanted to taste the local specialty when she visited Naples in 1889. At the time, the best pizza baker in town, she had a choice of three varieties: white with pork bacon, caciocavallo cheese and basil; Olive oil and anchovies; and tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. The story goes that the queen chose the third because it resembled the flag of Italy. Since then, the “Margherita” pizza has borne her name. However, Italian emigrants who brought pizza into the world in the 19th century helped her to achieve global fame. In the USA, the simple dish became a worldwide hit. Click here for the recipe!

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“At Otto”: German ambience also moved

The move was even worth a note to numerous media in the mega-metropolis. Time Out magazine spoke of “shocking news” for foodies in Sukhumvit. The new “Bei Otto” is not that far away: a few days ago it reopened in a chic building a little further north on Phetchaburi Road, one of Bangkok’s main thoroughfares. All the furniture, including heavy wooden tables, red pillowcases, beer mugs, antlers and a regulars’ table sign, came with me.

“We gave everything so that the atmosphere is the same as before and that people feel at home,” says Kevyn Michel, who took over the shop in 2017 together with his German husband Sven. Since the unexpected death of his partner two years ago, the Thai has been running the business alone – but with the active support of German advisors, such as the emigrant Hermann Quint. “It’s a bit like in Düsseldorf here, in the bars right on the Rhine, isn’t it?” He asks, pointing to the canal that flows right past the outside terrace.

Termites have infested earlier buildings

But why this move? A lot has come together, says Kevyn Michel. “The house on Sukhumvit Soi 20 was made of wood and was a stately 65 years old.” Termites infested the building, and urgent renovation costs also increased. When the owner wanted to increase the rent in the middle of the pandemic, the barrel overflowed. “It just didn’t work anymore. Because of the crisis, we had to lay off a lot of employees anyway: Instead of 70 employees, we currently only have 40,” says the 48-year-old.

The name of the inn comes from its founder: Otto Duffner, who emigrated to Thailand, started his own business in the early 1980s. Under his guidance, Thais learned how to sway and the Japanese learned what homemade sausage is. They affectionately called the chef from Königsfeld “Black Forest Otto”. FC Bayern Munich footballers, TV stars and politicians from numerous federal states tried homemade spaetzle, filled beef roulade, pork knuckle and apple strudel.

Dry spell under the English operator

But after many years of hard work, Duffner sold his business in 2013. At first an Englishman took over – and things went downhill with “Bei Otto”. Quint recalls, “I haven’t gone at all for years.”

It was only Sven Michel and husband Kevyn who took over the place four years later and returned it to its former glory. The celebrities also came back to drink a Helles with Jägerschnitzel and Leberkäse. Even members of the royal family have already dined at “Otto”, says the boss proudly. “I want” Bei Otto “to stay the way it always was – and of course I want to honor the work and legacy of Sven, who has put so much into our project,” he emphasizes, pointing to the menu. The dishes are the same as those of the founder – and will continue to be prepared exactly according to his recipes.

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Mango and Sticky Rice, Thailand Mango with sticky rice drizzled with coconut milk. Delicious to put in! You can find it on almost every street corner in Bangkok.

Mango and Sticky Rice, Thailand
Mango with sticky rice drizzled with coconut milk. Delicious to put in! You can find it on almost every street corner in Bangkok.

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Waiting for the corona restrictions to be relaxed

Most of the tables are still empty. But the corona restrictions in Bangkok are to be relaxed and international tourism revived in the next few weeks. Then the affiliated German bakery will open again, with grain bread and pretzels. Many Germans in the city have been waiting longingly for this. And the weekly morning pint, the Bavarian breakfast and the regulars’ table will also experience a comeback.

The Oktoberfest at “Otto” – for decades the highlight for all regular customers – Kevyn Michel wants to catch up as soon as partying is allowed again. “Maybe in December,” he says, straightening his lederhosen. Then he adds: “By the way, I am 50 percent German at heart.”

dho / Carola Frentzen
DPA

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