Food Chain - Issue 195 - August 2023 | Page 82

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Spiritual

How Busaba is blending Buddhist and spiritual teachings with authentic Thai cuisine

With a focus on spirituality , Busaba offers modern Bangkok eating in the heart of London . As with Thailand ’ s authentic cuisine , its dishes are designed for sharing and based on the Buddhist concepts , gan gin gan yuu and sookjai .

Gan gin gan yuu means ‘ as you eat , so you are ;’ it ’ s an axiom of Brillat-Savarin ’ s famous ‘ you are what you eat ’ phrase . But gan gin gan yuu goes beyond this , suggesting that an individual also defines oneself by their approach to food . In other words , the choice of ingredients , preparation , and presentation are all indicative of who you are as a person .
Sookjai , on the other hand , is the ethos by which Busaba lives . Based
on traditional Buddhist values , the concept stems from avoiding the distractions of everyday chaos . Its literal meaning , ‘ to enjoy ’ and ‘ happy heart ,’ emphasizes the idea of taking life as it comes and creating your own reality .
The menu includes a flavorsome selection of freshly prepared salads , Pad Thais , and curries , not forgetting its signature dish , woktossed calamari in ginger and green peppercorn sauce . However , with a focus on feeding the soul , body , and mind , a generous portion of its menu is plant based , featuring unique options like asparagus fried rice .
“ Here you ’ ll find fresh , authentic flavors with an innovative twist ,” Busaba ’ s Managing Director , Terry Harrison , opens confidently .
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