Busaba Eathai
A noodle dish at Busaba Eathai.
Have you ever wondered what Thai food in Thailand tastes like? At Busaba Eathai, you can taste the most authentic Thai food in London at any of its many locations in the city. Inspired by the flavors and atmosphere of Bangkok, Thailand, Busaba is a modern Thai restaurant that focuses on bringing you the most authentic experience possible without having to travel to Thailand. All Busaba restaurants are easily accessible by bus or the underground if traveling within London, and when you walk in, you are sure to feel like you are in a completely different country.
Background
The large menu at Busaba makes it easy for everyone to find something they like.
The central philosophy that Busaba was built around is Sookjai, which is avoiding the chaos that distracts you in life and focusing on creating your own reality. According to their menu, Busaba's goal is "to create unique sensory experiences through the flavors, aromas and buzz" of Bangkok, which is a major city in Thailand. With one glance at the menu, you can tell the restaurant is passionate about bringing flavors straight "from Bangkok to Busaba." They do this by making sure their chefs are well-traveled in order to capture the essence of Thailand in its entirety, and the customer knows the food is as up-to-date and flavorful as possible when compared to Thailand's cuisine.
Atmosphere
The tables and colors at Busaba make for an authentic Thai restaurant experience.
The lamps above each table are one of the most striking aspects of the restaurant.
An important aspect of a restaurant experience is the atmosphere. At Busaba, the atmosphere perfectly simulates what you would imagine a nice restaurant in Bangkok feeling like. When you walk in, there is dim lighting, and the low buzz of quiet conversation fills the room. The colors and textures of the tables, lamps and walls emulate the Thai culture quite nicely. Even the Buddha statues and candles scattered around the restaurant promote peace and tranquility, perfect for the restaurant's vibe and cuisine. On top of that, the tables are very large and square, leaving lots of room for food. Part of Thai culture that Busaba specifically targets is the sharing of food at the table. The tables are large on purpose so many different plates can be in the center of the table while also leaving room for people to serve the food on their own plates in front of them.
Food
The pumpkin curry pictured here with rice is a vegan favorite.
A stir-fry dish with vegetables and chicken.
Now on to the real good stuff: the food itself. First of all, there are a variety of options on the menu for vegetarians and picky-eaters alike. From stir-fry to soups and salads, the menu is huge and encompassing of all different aspects of Thai cuisine. There is even a section showing the Best of Busaba, which is a meal that you can order including the "best" of everything the restaurant has to offer. For vegans and vegetarians, there is an entire section on the menu dedicated to dishes that are suitable for both. They are both clearly marked vegan or vegetarian, taking the stress out of having to look through the entire menu for items that satisfy certain dietary needs. All of the dishes can be customized to the heat level you would like, and the flavors are absolutely incredible. Busaba aims to use contrasting flavors, as done in traditional Thai cuisine, by including different types of spices and textures leaving you both confused and in a state of euphoria. And, of course, it is all as authentic as possible, making you forget you are in London.
As far as pricing goes, Busaba is very reasonable for what you are getting. Most dishes range from about £10-£13, but you will most likely be sharing dishes with the people in your party, so it may even be less than £13 per person. It could cost more as well, but it is worth it to try as many things as possible from the menu.
Overall, Busaba is a great option for reasonably priced, authentic Thai food in the London area. If you are in the mood for a true restaurant experience or just some great Thai food, Busaba is the place to go. Just don't forget to pop a piece of gum after your meal!
