Chatting with Robert De Niro and Nobu Matsuhisa at the opening of Nobu Bangkok

Join us as we sit down and catch up with prodigious American actor and restauranteur, Robert De Niro, and chef-proprietor Nobu Matsushisa, ahead of the opening of Nobu Bangkok.

When Robert De Niro greeted us in Bangkok with a kind “hello,” and we jokingly corrected him and said it’s “sawasdee krap,” the world-famous actor didn’t bat an eyelid. He politely responded, “oh, sawasdee krap.”

One of the three founders of Nobu Hospitality, De Niro was in Bangkok together with culinary icon and business partners Nobu Matsuhisa, Meir Teper, and Trevor Howell, for an intimate roundtable chat prior to the opening of Nobu Bangkok this September. A collaboration between Nobu Hospitality and Thailand’s Asset World Corporation (AWC), the conversation was led by Chief Executive Officer and President of AWC, Wallapa Traisorat.

From past visits to present days, here’s everything we know about the project so far, why the team picked BangkokBangkok for this venture, and the personal connection especially Robert De Niro has formed with the city. The two-time Academy Award winner even says he likes the smell of the Chao Phraya river, no matter how many eyebrows in the room that raised.

[Hero and Featured Image Credit: AWC]

A chat with Robert De Niro and Nobu Matsuhisa in Bangkok, prior to the opening of Nobu Bangkok

Inside Nobu Bangkok, set to open this September 2024

Thailand will welcome its first-ever Nobu outlet this September, as Nobu Bangkok is set to open within The Empire in Sathorn. Part of the snazzy new EA Rooftop complex, the outpost will be the highest Nobu in the world, taking over the 58-60th floors.

Designed by the renowned Rockwell Group, the Nobu experience in Bangkok will encompass both a restaurant and a rooftop bar, and feature indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as private dining facilities. Wallapa Traisorat explains that the design elements will be reminiscent of Bangkok’s natural and urban landscapes, taking inspiration from the vintage maps of Thailand. The design will blend Thai artisanal techniques, like hand-woven textiles and wood carving, with traditional Japanese arts, like Kintsugi and calligraphy. The highlight — sure to be a must-‘gram —  will be the 360-degree view of the city, framed by a monumental arch on the rooftop, and a series of infinity pools. At the time of writing, Traisorat states that the construction is “90% complete.”

As cinematic clips and renderings wash over the screen behind the Nobu Hospitality team, Nobu Matsuhisa turns and takes out his smartphone to record the video. It is a warm, deeply humane moment, watching the acclaimed chef proudly capture his latest project. Meir Teper teases, “looking at the renderings, I think it will be the most beautiful restaurant of Nobu in the world.”

Why Bangkok, and why now?

Nobu Bangkok will be the first Nobu in Thailand, yet it is not the first in Asia, nor even in Southeast Asia. Currently, there are Nobu restaurants in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, and Manila. The latter also boasts a Nobu Hotel. There are even plans to open in Vietnam.

The (Thai) elephant in the room, then, many wondered what took the group so long to venture into Thailand. According to Trevor Howell, it was a matter of both timing and partnership. Plans to open in Thailand had existed years prior, yet Covid-19 had delayed these. As the country gets back on its track for tourism, Nobu Hospitality’s CEO explains that it was Thailand’s position with “probably the highest visitation in Asia” that made the country the “first choice” coming out of the pandemic. He continues, “Bob and Nobu and Meir, they always say, they like to do things that are special. And if you’d like to do something special, you have to have the right partner to do it…We don’t know everything about Thailand, but at least we have a partner that does…There’s nothing more special than the restaurant that’s going to be at the top of this building.”

Indeed, these kind words must be music to AWC’s ears, and Robert De Niro himself jokingly (or not jokingly) points to Wallapa Traisorat as the final “trigger” that made him go ahead with Nobu Bangkok. Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, AWC is behind several of the country’s most exciting projects, including some of the most highly-anticipated luxury openings in Bangkok this year alone.

There may also be a personal reason why Nobu Hospitality is coming to Thailand.

Robert De Niro’s memories of Bangkok, Chef Nobu’s local influences

There was no way we weren’t going to ask a Hollywood megastar about their view on Bangkok, and Robert De Niro’s answer did not disappoint. The Taxi Driver actor explained that his first visit to Bangkok was “around 47 years ago” and that the city was “not like this at all.” Probed on its appeal, he continued, “I love the smell of the city, the smell, believe it or not, of the Chao Phraya.” De Niro described that he had stayed at the Mandarin Oriental at the time, and that the smell of the “wreath of flowers” — we assume jasmine — left a lasting impression. “It is an amazing place, and it has changed.”

For Nobu Matsuhisa, the change in Bangkok’s physical and culinary landscape is also a driving force. He visited Bangkok for the first time some 25 years ago, and has seen a “huge change,” noting that the “quality” of Bangkok has impressed him. While he compliments the local food culture, he is also up for a challenge in opening this new restaurant. Citing Madonna, no less, he explains that the popstar once said to him that when Nobu opens in a city, the city is going to change. Should we be afraid?

Meir Teper eases our nerves a little, outlining how Bangkok is an important location for Nobu. “In some places, it’s difficult to get the fish or the other products that Nobu uses. Here it’s natural…and I know Nobu is probably going to use some local ingredients to create local dishes.”

Nobu Matsuhisa smiles, yet does not reveal much of Nobu Bangkok’s menu just yet.

Early details on the Nobu Bangkok hotel

The rapport in the group is warm, and the partnership between AWC and Nobu Hospitality does not end at dining. Currently, the two powerhouses have partnered to bring guests the Plaza Athenee Nobu Hotel and Spa New York (yes, New York), and The Plaza Athenee Nobu Hotel and Spa Bangkok.

Wallapa Traisorat outlines the growing demand for quality hospitality in Thailand, and the increase in bleisure (business and leisure) expenditure. She also warmly reveals the location for the Nobu Hotel Bangkok, which will be on the banks of the Chao Phraya river, right next to the Mandarin Oriental. She hints at this as a nod to Robert De Niro’s “first memory” in Thailand.

Other details are still under wraps as Trevor Howell explains that the hotel is still in design stages. Nonetheless, we have a feeling there will a scent of jasmine garlands on the property somewhere. We now know that De Niro likes them.

Like Nobu Matsuhisa, who is brimming with jokes at the end of our chat, we are “so much excited,” too.

Nobu Bangkok is set to open this September 2024. It will be located at 57F, The Empire, 1 South Sathorn Road, Sathorn, Bangkok.