Buddha's Belly
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: (323) 931-8588
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Between N Gardner Street and N Vista Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- Pan Asian Food 2004
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 12pm-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 3pm-10pm
Message from Buddha's Belly
Voted "Best Pan Asian Cuisine 2004" by Citysearch users
- Lunch time delivery
- Private dining room
- Patio dining
Paid advertisement by Buddha's Belly.
Editorial Review for Buddha's Belly – by Citysearch Editors
The Scene
This sun-drenched, airy dining room is welcoming and bright. Funky, oversized paper lanterns and a giant Buddha statue add liveliness to the simple space. Outside, lush bamboo shields the patio from busy Beverly Boulevard. Servers cater to neighborhood locals with friendly efficiency.
The Food
Popular Asian dishes are gussied up with fresh ingredients. Seaweed salad, a mixture of wakame and hijiki in a tangy sesame-ginger dressing, is cool and refreshing. Chilled Vietnamese shrimp rolls, packed with shrimp, cilantro and crispy rice vermicilli, gets a flavor boost from a spicy-sweet sake reduction dipping sauce. Thai beef salad is a carb-light feast with strips of tender sirloin steak, juicy tomatoes and sweet onion tossed with mixed greens in a lemongrass dressing. Japanese-style Alaskan cod glazed with a sweet miso sauce is baked until flaky and light. A cup of coconut-infused homemade tapioca pudding serves as the finale.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkAlong with a small, but well-priced wine list, there's a variety of hot and cold sake offerings. For a healthy alternative, try a non-alcoholic Virtual Buddha herbal tonic.
ParkingAt night, street parking on side streets is restricted. Valet service is offered after 5:30pm for $4.00.
The ExtrasPlanning a party? The adjoining Bamboo Room seats more than 40 guests and can be reserved for $100.
Know Before You GoThere is a sister location in Santa Monica on Broadway and 2nd Street.
User Reviews for Buddha's Belly
04/06/2008 Posted by afrange
Buddha's Belly offers consistent service and wonderful cuisine. It's a great spot for a girls' night out or a weekday dinner date. The miso-infused eggplant is a yummy starter and the albacore-avocado spring rolls are delicious. For the main course try the spicy peanut noodles -- they are rich, but divine. On the lighter side, the cod entree is a favorite of mine and is served bento box style with sides of pickled cucumbers, ginger-edamame rice and steamed broccoli.
Pros: variety of menu, consistency of food and service, ambiance
04/02/2008 Posted by vlmSantaMonica
This is the second time I've been to this place (I visited the restaurant in Santa Monica, that just opened). I find the food very creative in taste and presentation. The Rock Shrimp Tempura was insane--so good and very beautifully presented. I had the Tom Yum Koon which had a lot of flavor. My boyfriend had the Green Curry, which was good over all, though I found the chicken to be a little bland. The food was served hot, almost too hot, actually. The service was excellent. Everyone was friendly. Definitely not a bad place to go! I'll be back!
Pros: Creative dishes
Cons: The Santa Monica site needs more ambiance
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