At a press roundtable on the 53rd floor of Empire Tower today, Robert De Niro, two-time Oscar-winner and one of the minds behind the visionary Nobu Hospitality concept, made an appearance with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa to introduce Bangkok to the upcoming biggest and highest Nobu ever. 

 

“I love the smell of this city, the Chao Phraya River,” De Niro said at the press event, recounting his memories of Bangkok. “We support Nobu because he is the center, the heart, of it. And it’s that simple.”

 

 

The first Nobu restaurant in Thailand is set to open in September of this year at Empire Tower on the 58th floor of Empire Tower in Sathorn. 

 

“Beautiful city, big city, nice people,” Chef Nobu told BK at the event. “I like to come more here, see the different markets, see different restaurants, and then create a global special dish in Thailand.”

 

Nobu restaurant is the first of Nobu Hospitality’s forays into Bangkok, and the city has been waiting a long time, with the first announcement of the Nobu restaurant dropping in 2021. Last year, Nobu Hospitality announced The Plaza Athenee Nobu Hotel and Spa Bangkok would be opening in 2026. 

 

 

“It feels like a major, major city, and I think we’re going to do very well here,” says Meir Teper, co-creator of Nobu and the producer behind “What's Eating Gilbert Grape” (1993) and “From Dusk till Dawn” (1996).

 

Nobu Hospitality has partnered with AWC for the opening of properties in Bangkok, including their upcoming riverside hotel at the historic EAC (East Asiatic Company) Heritage Building.

 

“If anyone is visiting Bangkok, this will be the highlight. If they miss coming to [to Nobu], they have to come back,” said Wallapa Traisorat of AWC at the event.

 

 

De Niro first formed Nobu with Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper in 1994. Today, Nobu boasts more than 56 restaurants and 36 hotels worldwide; this will be Thailand’s first and the brand has plans to open more properties around Thailand in the coming years.

 

“Oh, it’s amazing, so different,” De Niro told BK Magazine when asked about how Bangkok has changed since the actor’s first visit to Thailand for the film “Deer Hunter” (1978). My first time here 47 years ago.”