A Gundam Scene Turned This Bangkok Restaurant Into an Anime Hotspot
A small, family-run Thai restaurant in Bangkok has found itself at the center of anime fan attention after being unexpectedly featured in Gundam GquuuuuuX. The surprise came after Episode 10 of the anime aired in Japan during the early hours of June 10, sparking a wave of online discussions.
The restaurant, called Nyao Khao Man Gai, had been relatively unknown until now. The sudden spike in attention even surprised the owner, who took to Facebook saying: “What just happened to my restaurant?“
Gundam Gquuuuuu, a collaborative production between Sunrise and Studio Khara (famous for the Evangelion series), has been airing since April. The anime follows Amate Yuzuriha, a student nicknamed “Machu,” living a quiet life in a space colony. Things change when she meets Nyan, a mysterious girl, and Shuji, a pilot involved in secretive Clan Battles, where illegal Mobile Suit fights take place.
A Gundam Scene Turned This Bangkok Restaurant Into an Anime Hotspot
The episode that sparked the viral phenomenon featured a touching moment where Nyan prepares the traditional Thai dish “Khao Man Gai” (Chicken with Rice). She even comments that she only cooks for people she likes.
Another character casually refers to the meal as “chicken rice,” triggering debates among fans about the proper name for the dish. Soon after the episode aired, social media platforms were filled with fans posting photos of their own Khao Man Gai meals and discussing the anime scene.
What made the situation even more special is the restaurant’s actual name: Nyao Khao Man Gai Kao Kha Moo. Besides serving Khao Man Gai, the place also offers Kao Kha Moo, a pork leg rice dish popular in Thailand.
Fans were quick to point out the uncanny similarity between “Nyao” and the cat-like “Nyan” sound made by the character in the anime. In both Japanese and Thai cultures, “nyan” and “meaw” are common onomatopoeias for a cat’s meow, further fueling the connection.
Interestingly, the restaurant’s Facebook page had been inactive since 2023, but after the episode aired, it was suddenly flooded with likes, comments, and engagement from anime fans.
Embracing the newfound attention, the owner posted a heartfelt message thanking Gundam fans and has since become more active in promoting the restaurant. Some fans are even visiting the location in person, turning it into a must-visit spot for Gundam enthusiasts traveling to Bangkok.
The story even caught the attention of Thai media outlets, showing how a single anime episode turned a quiet local eatery into a new tourist landmark for anime lovers.
