One of the many things we love about our fair city is the plethora of incredible street food traders.

Another, is when said street food traders find such success that they open their very own restaurants in Brum. As one of the pioneers of Brum’s booming street food scene and one of the city’s favourite traders, when this particular restaurant opened, the city as a whole did a little happy dance. And then booked themselves a table…

Introducing Soi 1268.

Located on Pershore Road, Stirchley, Soi 1268 is the bricks and mortar restaurant giving one of Brum’s most beloved street food traders a permanent home in the city (and your new favourite place to eat).

This independent will likely need no introduction for many of you, but in case you’ve been living under a rock (or, you know, just moved to the city) one of Brum’s best loved street food traders, Buddha Belly, opened Soi 1268 in 2023 as a permanent home for their delicious Thai street eats. And we, like the rest of the good folk of Brum, were absolutely thrilled.

Owners Sai and James met in 2004 and bonded over their love of food. In 2012, James encouraged Sai to enter Masterchef where out of 20,000 applicants Sai made it to the final 24. The competition gave her the confidence to pursue her love of cooking and begin a career in the food industry. Using everything she’d learned about Thai food from her mother, she began to develop her family’s secret recipes.

At Soi 1268 you can find all of the incredible Thai eats that you’ve come to love from Buddha Belly, as well as some extra special dishes too. All made from authentic ingredients and recipes passed down through Sai’s family, these mouth-watering dishes are truly some of the best you will eat in Birmingham.

The menu features a combination of tasty Thai small plates along with their famous street food bowls. From their incredible Thai Fried Chicken to their ultimate King Prawn Toast (the best prawn toast we’ve ever had the pleasure of devouring), the small plates are packed full of flavour. In fact, you might as well just order one of everything.

For the main event, there are a number of options to choose from, each as deep in flavour and dangerously moreish as the last. From rich and indulgent, heart-warming Beef Massaman to spicy Chicken Panang and, of course, their Thai Fried Chicken bowl (a Buddha Belly classic) there are loads of delicious dishes for you to sink your teeth into. Vegan options are available too, as well as gluten-free options and kids meals for the little ones.

The drinks list is composed of a carefully curated selection of beers, wines, spirits, and soft drinks, as well as a house cocktail option too – so there really is something for everyone to enjoy.

The restaurant itself is cosy and laid-back with industrial inspired décor (think wooden tables, exposed lightbulbs, corrugated metal and a moody colour palette). The perfect crossover between their street food roots and a relaxed restaurant space, this is the ideal place to enjoy some delicious Thai food.

If by some miracle you’ve yet to set foot in this foodie paradise, may we suggest (or politely demand) that you book yourself a table immediately. And if you have already been, this is your sign to go again! This truly is some of the best food you’ll eat in Brum. We’ll see you there…

Now offering Independent Birmingham App members: 50% off the bill (Wednesday – Thursday, before 6pm) or 10% off the bill (Wednesday – Thursday, dinner) + 10% off the bill (Friday – Saturday, lunch)

Photo Credit: Tom Preece