EASY! Buddy has just landed in Makati and it’s already a big deal.
There’s a new contender in Makati’s dining scene, and it came all the way from Bangkok with serious credentials. EASY! Buddy, the Thai comfort food brand that turned a simple basil rice obsession into a 15-branch empire across Thailand, has officially opened its first international outpost at The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens—and if the Bangkok hype is any indication, it won’t stay under the radar for long.
It all started with Chef Buddy, a Le Cordon Bleu Paris graduate who wanted to create his own spin on the beloved pad kra pao, the classic stir-fried basil rice dish. He launched it as a delivery concept, which received overwhelming response; by 2018, the first Buddy To Go branch was open, and a full restaurant at Bangkok’s CentralWorld followed not long after.
The Manila franchise is helmed by AJ Chan of Urban Provisions, who first encountered the brand during repeat trips to Bangkok, which included staying at the Park Hyatt, wandering down to Central Embassy, and stumbling across an EASY! Buddy branch tucked inside the mall. “It’s very Pinoy,” he recalls, “but it’s not too salty, not too sweet. It’s just balanced.”
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Here’s What’s On The Menu At EASY! Buddy
What really broke EASY! Buddy into a different conversation in Bangkok was the fried rice, more specifically the decision to offer sticky rice as a base, paired with a signature caramelized corn that gave the dish a unique texture and sweetness. The combination went viral, becoming the brand’s calling card and helping it carve out a distinct identity in one of the world’s most competitive food cities.
The Manila menu carries all of that DNA and then some. Guests can build their bowl from the grain up, choosing between Thai hom mali rice, sticky rice, or quinoa, then dial in their spice level and pick from proteins like grilled herb-infused chicken (fragrant with coriander, kaffir lime, and pandan), prawns, pork, or beef.
There’s also a garlic peppercorn sauce base for those who want something less fiery, but no less complex. On the appetizer side, there are the crispy one-bone fried chicken wings, as well as the wontons, which are filled with Thai sweet sausage and truffle paste. The pork neck skewers are made from a cut so specific, it has to be butchered in-house. For anyone craving something lighter, salmon options and quinoa fried rice are on the menu, too.
Thoughtfully Local Twists
A few thoughtful local adaptations are also in play. The Wagyu used in the beef dishes is sourced locally, an upgrade from the standard Thai beef used in Bangkok. The classic condiment prik nam, typically made with fish sauce and Thai limes, swaps in calamansi instead. “Thai limes are different,” AJ notes. “We have limes here, but since we don’t have that much Thai lime, we use calamansi, so it’s a little bit brighter.” The tamarind iced tea, served alongside it, rounds out the local flavor profile nicely.
What’s Next For Manila’s Newest Thai Obsession?
The space was designed to match the energy of the food: casual enough for a solo lunch, lively enough for after-work drinks. The team made multiple trips between Bangkok and Manila and ran extensive recipe testing to make sure every dish hit exactly the same as the originals. As for what’s next: a second branch is in the pipeline, likely next year, along with plans to introduce noodle dishes and expand to takeout once operations stabilize.
EASY! Buddy is currently open at the Lower Ground Floor of The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens, right beside Starbucks. Consider this your standing weekday lunch invitation.
Photos courtesy of EASY! Buddy
Frequently Asked Questions
EASY! Buddy is located at The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Lower Ground Floor, beside Starbucks.
EASY! Buddy was created by Chef Buddy, a Le Cordon Bleu Paris graduate who built the brand around his love for Thai basil rice.
The brand launched as a delivery concept before opening its first physical branch, Buddy To Go, in 2018.
EASY! Buddy currently has over 15 branches across Bangkok, with its Manila location being its first international outpost.
EASY! Buddy serves contemporary Thai comfort food, centered around customizable rice bowls, fried rice dishes, and Thai-inspired appetizers.
