Do you remember that video of people in a bar watching one of the Euro football games and when England scored, the whole place went wild with beers flung everywhere? I imagine a similar reaction from most of Birmingham when Buddha Belly announced they were opening their first restaurant.

After making their name in the city as top-notch street food vendors, Brum’s foodies have been calling for them to set up a permanent spot where we can feast upon owner Sai’s cooking to our hearts content. And now our dreams have come true! Say hello to Buddha Belly’s newest venture: SOI 1268! Situated on the busy Pershore Rd, next door to trendy Japanese bar Ikigai, of course, it had to be Stirchley, right? Would I have liked it to be Sutton Coldfield? Obviously, but Stirchley is just so cool…and I guess, it just had to be you, f*** Stirchley…anyway, back to the review!

The restaurant captures that rustic Thailand street food vibe throughout, and it’s relaxed dining at its finest. Once we sat down at our table, we wasted no time and ordered some ice-cold drinks, I went for a pint of DEYA. As we flicked through the menu, I was happy to see some Buddha Belly classics such as the deliciously moreish Beef Massaman and their beautifully crisp and tender Thai Fried Chicken. Its order at the bar service and we got into it straight away.

Let’s start with the Thai Fried Chicken, adorned with fragrant Thai herbs, crispy batter, and a divine sweet sauce. That tantalising crisp when biting into it tastes as good as it always has. But let me tell you, their King Prawn Toast, accompanied by a heavenly sweet and sour sauce, claims the title of the best prawn toast I’ve ever had. It’s the best in the Midlands, and I will fight you if you disagree!

The Garlic & Lime Wings were a perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness. Paired with a fiery tamarind sauce, personally, I couldn’t resist smothering them in sweet chili sauce because, well, I’m a bit of a slag for sweet chili sauce.

Another new dish, Pork Pa Lo, brought together braised duck egg, chili and garlic pickle, five-spiced succulent pork, and fragrant jasmine rice to create a symphony of flavours that left us longing for more. It was undoubtedly my favourite dish of the evening and definitely the dish to order. To balance out the rich flavours we ordered the refreshing Som Tam Isaan salad. The combination of shredded vegetables, fermented fish sauce, and a hint of chili was a delightful palate cleanser, with a cheeky little spicy kick! Prices in my eyes are very reasonable, and the portions are big so I do feel its great value for money here.

Before visiting, I must admit I felt a sense of nervousness. Having worked with Buddha Belly before, I knew first-hand how much passion they had poured into this venture. I felt like I was part of their journey in some way, and I’m forever grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such an incredible team. And, as expected, they absolutely smashed it. SOI 1268 has been a huge success, and it was heart-warming to see people with smiles on their faces, enjoying the dining experience with their families. The Buddha Belly team has achieved something special with this new restaurant, and I couldn’t be more thrilled for the team.

This is how you bloody do it! Book your table at SOI 1268