Collin McKoy opens Jamaican restaurant in Thailand

Name any country in the world and it’s guaranteed to have a Jamaican roaming its streets. Collin McKoy did more than just roam Thailand. The military veteran set down some roots and opened a Jamaican restaurant in the Southeast Asian country.

Located in the capital Bangkok, Frying Pan offers a delicious variety of all things Jamaican, from its signature jerk chicken, mouth-watering curried goat, tender and juicy oxtail to jerk pork, ackee and salt fish, frying pan chicken, curried chicken, brown, steamed and escovitch fish. Now, what’s a dish without sides? McCoy pulled out all the stops with Johnny cakes, also known as fried dumplings, fried green plantain, fried ripe plantain, steamed vegetables and, of course, rice and peas.

“Jamaican food is known all over the world to be really good food. So the more people find out about this, the better it will be. And I’m happy to facilitate this knowledge and experience with Frying Pan,” McKoy told Food.

JAMAICAN FOOD

After visiting the country and soaking in its culture, the budding entrepreneur was missing home so he began searching high and low for Jamaican food, but with no luck. He jumped at the opportunity to bring something new, different and exciting to the food market. Boasting a unique culinary background, he learned to cook from his mother while living in Jamaica. As time grew on, so did his interest in culinary arts.

Once he began attending college in the United States of America, he was well equipped in the kitchen department, self-sufficient in freshly preparing authentic yardie meals for himself. He even worked part-time at a restaurant to sustain himself financially while balancing his studies. McKoy is proud to honour his family’s timeless tasty tradition by following the flames.

Right before his retirement from the army, he set sights on his culinary dreams and made it a revolutionary reality. His background, both scholastic and military, has assisted him with successfully running the business. And he is ecstatic to be giving those living and visiting Thailand a taste of the island’s flavour, history and vibes. Yes, you are able to sit back, grab a beer or two, and just relax to the sounds of reggae music, while you wait to excite your taste buds with marinated spices.

AUTHENTIC THAI DISHES

Joining forces with his lovely wife, Kim, who has a host of restaurant experience at the managerial level in Bangkok, the Jamaican restaurant also pays homage to Thais by serving authentic Thai dishes on the menu. These dishes include, but are not limited to, prawn fried rice, chicken stir fried with ginger, Tom Yam prawns, spicy minced pork salad, fried chicken with basil and fried egg, panang curry with pork, and many others.

Since opening almost four months ago, the COVID climate has hindered the restaurant’s productivity and potential progress. Despite the difficulties, however, McKoy remains hopeful that as the world begins to reopen, he will see a faster pace in dining and deliveries. He is also happy to be providing job opportunities for Thailand locals. “The sooner COVID eases up, the sooner this restaurant will take off, because it has a bright future,” he added.

So if you’re ever in Bangkok and seeking the Jamaican experience, be sure to visit Frying Pan Jam Thai Restaurant.

Follow Frying Pan Jam Thai Restaurant on Instagram: @fryingpanbangkok or visit the website: fryingpanbangkok.com for more information.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com