Once upon a time, a story that could only exist in dreams has become a reality in Thailand, where a small restaurant has transformed into a must-visit destination for travelers worldwide. This phenomenon originated from the delightful connection between the restaurant’s name and the characters in the anime series Gundam Gquuuuuux.
Gundam Gquuuuuuu is a collaborative project between Sunrise and Studio Khara (famous for the Evangelion series), first airing in April. The anime features Amate Yuzuriha, a student known as “Machu,” living a peaceful life in a strange universe. Everything changes when she encounters Nyan, a mysterious girl, and Shuji, a pilot involved in covert war operations, where illegal Mobile Suit battles take place.
From a humble eatery to a “hot spot” for anime fans globally
For many, especially foreign tourists, exploring the culinary delights of Thailand has always been an exciting experience. However, few could have imagined that a small, unassuming restaurant like Nyao Khao Man Gai Kao Kha Moo could become a “step into the clouds,” capturing the attention of thousands of anime fans around the world.
The sudden fame came from a scene in episode 10 of the anime series “Gundam: G no Reconguista” (GquuuuuuX), which aired on June 10 in Japan. In this episode, the character Nyan prepared Khao Man Gai, a traditional Thai chicken rice dish, and shared it exclusively with those who adore it.
This detail quickly drew the attention of the anime-loving community. Fans soon discovered the relationship between the character Nyan and the name of an actual restaurant located in Bangkok: Nyao Khao Man Gai Kao Kha Moo. The perfect coincidence is that the name “Nyao” in Thai sounds similar to “Nyan” — the Japanese sound a cat makes — mirroring the name of the character in the show.
Immediately after the episode aired, images of the restaurant spread like wildfire across social media, forums, and online communities of Gundam fans. Hashtags related to the restaurant and the anime went viral, turning Nyao Khao Man Gai Kao Kha Moo into a global phenomenon.
The power of anime in transforming a restaurant’s destiny
Previously, Nyao Khao Man Gai Kao Kha Moo primarily catered to local customers with only a few tourists occasionally stopping by. Now, the restaurant welcomes numerous foreign tourists daily, especially dedicated Gundam fans and anime culture enthusiasts. They not only come to enjoy the delicious dish but also to check in and take photos at a location that has become part of anime lore.
Interestingly, the restaurant’s Facebook page had been inactive since 2023, but after the episode aired, it suddenly experienced a surge of likes, comments, and interactions from the anime community. The increase in attention stunned the restaurant owners, who took to Facebook to question: “What just happened with my restaurant?”
This situation once again highlights the immense power of pop culture, particularly anime and manga, in creating significant impacts across various industries. A small detail in a show can create a strong domino effect, generating revenue and recognition for a small business. It can transform an ordinary dining spot into a “sacred place” for die-hard fans, creating a unique and memorable travel experience.
The Thai restaurant surely could not have anticipated such a drastic change. From a local eatery, it has now become a part of the Gundam legacy, a destination that every fan wishes to visit when setting foot in Thailand.
According to Crazy for anime trivia
