Fifteen years ago Alan Yau founder of Busaba opened his first branch on Soho’s Wardour Street. Busaba pronounced BOO-SAH-BAH named after a Thai flower is a modern eatery offering its guest a not so formal dining experience, but still catering to them with excellent service and scrumptious food. With eleven locations in the London area, Busaba is taking its talents and planting roots up north. Opening its doors this week with a grand opening on Thursday, Busaba is Manchester’s latest hot spot for hot food prepared to order and refreshing tipples with authentic tastes of Thailand.
On Friday night half a dozen, or so of Manchester’s bloggers and journalist ascended to the first floor of Busaba in the Printworks to have our tastebuds tantalised by Head Chef Jude Sangsida. As guinea pigs for the night we were treated to their famous cocktails; like the mouth watering Lychee Martini and Bangkok Mule, aperitifs of fresh mango slices and sauces of Thailand from sweet, to salty, sour to spicy. Papaya salad lightly coated, calamari grilled to perfection, and chicken wings with just enough seasoning to put any football fan into a food coma. As part of an intermission we were introduced to Busaba mixologist, Ali who asked us kindly to get on our feet and taught us how to make one of their signature cocktails, Coconut Collins, a mature take on the Pina Colada, shaken not blended. As the evening continued on we were treated to our main course where I sampled the Chicken and Butternut Squash Stir Fry while my plus one chowed down on the Ginger Beef Stir Fry which ended up giving me a little dinner envy. The night wrapped up with a sampling of refreshing teas accompanied by coconut and cashew nut cookies. A whirlwind evening with high notes of the far east and I didn’t even have to pack my passport.
With Busaba opening this week, they have plenty of promotions available; on Monday, January 18th they will be giving the first 49 customers a free meal and offering £0.99 mains to everyone after that and if you can’t make Monday, pay with the Busaba app and you will receive 50% off your total food bill valid from 18/01-04/02.
Chanel Anderson
