Catapult show at Katron Flying Chicken — Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
While there are plenty of upscale fusion and gourmet restaurants in Bangkok; places with romantic river views or sky bars; and eateries serving Japanese, Chinese and every type of Thai - there is only one Katron. Katron specializes in chicken, and to be precise, in flying chicken!
At Katron, grilled chickens are put into catapults and then shot across the room to the waiters. They ready themselves on the other side - armed with helmets that have metal skewers attached to them, with which to spear the flying birds!
If this weren't a stunt enough, the waiters additionally are riding unicycles, and they pedal full bore to meet the on-rushing chickens. On rare occasion, you might even see someone riding on the waiter's shoulders, somersaulting into the air to make a poultry catch as well. At other times, the chicken is set aflame before being launched!
Spearing a chicken on a unicycle — Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
It is all in good fun at Katron, which is what this restaurant is all about. The food is pretty mediocre, as well as a tad overpriced. But you aren't coming here for gastronomy. Rather, you're coming to enjoy the spectacle and be entertained.
Katron is the spot you want to take out a bunch of friends, have a few too many to drink and just enjoy a big laugh over it all. Indeed, the restaurant seems to be catering to exactly this, as much of it is set up with private karaoke rooms.
And for those who don’t want a secret sing-along, well, there are plenty of truly tone deaf maidens who serenade the crowd between flying fowls. There is a play area for the kids, and diners are even invited to come up on stage and try their luck at skewering a bird (although you’ll only be allowed to pose for photos on the unicycles, not ride them).
Katron Flying Chicken
99/1 m.12, Bang Na-Trad Road km 1 (opposite BITEC)
Tel: 02 3995202, 02 3993557
Freshly speared grilled chicken — Photo courtesy of Dave Stamboulis
