RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK Buddha's Belly continues growing

The food at Buddha's Belly / Courtesy of Shuttle Delivery

Restaurateurs Kim Tae Eung and Darrell Mahoney are on a mission to make Thai food for everyone.

In 2005, the duo opened Buddha’s Belly, a boutique Thai takeout restaurant located just outside an underpass in Itaewon’s Gyeongnidan neighborhood. They offered a limited but enticing lineup of Thai classics at their cozy little restaurant. The food was fast, affordable and always tasty. It was an instant success with expats and Koreans alike, and the first in Itaewon to offer Thai takeout.

A few years later, and in need of more space, Buddha’s Belly relocated to the Itaewon Station area, just behind the Hamilton Hotel where they operated for several years en route to their forever home on the hill overlooking Noksapyeong Station. Following a series of renovations, they now boast a stunning two-story restaurant complete with an adjoining patio area offering picturesque views of Itaewon's western end. The restaurant has appeared in several Korean dramas, including 2021's "Melancholia" and 2020's "Itaewon Class."

Buddha’s Belly serves what’s known as "Bangkok-style" Thai food ― that is, the dishes and flavors most commonly associated with the cuisine of Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. Bangkok-style Thai cuisine is meant to appeal to most palettes and is known for its vibrant and diverse flavors, which reflect the mingling of influences and ingredients from around the country. Their take on Bangkok-style food emphasizes the balance of the sweet, salty, spicy and sour flavors that are the hallmarks of Thai cuisine.

The menu is replete with appetizers, soups, salads, Thai curries and mains with your choice of meat or seafood, along with an assortment of rice and noodle dishes, and a lineup of tasty vegetable and tofu dishes for vegetarians. There are so many tasty options, but here are a few recommendations to get you started.

From the salad menu, Som Tam is a spicy green papaya salad, and the quintessential representation of Isan-style cuisine, hailing from the northeastern region of Thailand. It’s one of numerous Isan-style dishes on the menu. It is a perfect harmony of flavors ― the crisp and crunchy papaya offers a refreshing foundation, while the robust seasoning blend imparts a burst of zesty and savory flavors.

Som Tam at Buddha's Belly / Courtesy of Shuttle Delivery

One of their signature dishes, a best seller and the overwhelming favorite of their Korean customers, is the Poo Nim Pad Pong Garee, a crispy stir-fried soft shell crab with yellow curry and egg served with steamed rice. It has an irresistible blend of crispy and creamy textures, which is simply irresistible when coupled with the bold flavors of Thai curry. It’s a favorite for seafood lovers.

Poo Nim Pad Pong Garee at Buddha's Belly / Courtesy of Shuttle Delivery

True to their takeout roots, the Pad Thai, a beloved Thai street food classic, is still a house specialty and best seller. The secret is in their homemade sauce with a unique combination of irresistible flavors and textures. Their take on Pad Thai is a delectable fusion of tastes with a delightful mix of tender noodles, crunchy peanuts, fresh sprouts and your choice of protein. It never fails to please.

Pad Thai at Buddha's Belly / Courtesy of Shuttle Delivery

Buddha’s Belly is growing! They opened a location south of the river at Sinsegae Department Store Gangnam in Banpo-dong. They also operate Bangkok Trading Company, a takeout and delivery-focused Thai food concept near Samgakji Station. It sounds like plans are also in the works for a new restaurant in a central Seoul business district coming soon.

Buddha’s Belly is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. with a break time from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you're in the Yongsan area, you can skip the queue, pay online and place a delivery or pickup orders using the Shuttle app or at shuttledelivery.co.kr.

Mark Boesch is co-founder and chief marketing officer of Shuttle Delivery.