From Sidewalk Sensation To Brick-and-Mortar: Chef Budda Blasian Soul Food To Open San Diego Restaurant

What started as a humble front-yard pop-up in City Heights and evolved into a beloved food truck is now becoming a full-fledged restaurant. Chef Budda Blasian Soul Food, the family-run operation known for its mouthwatering fried chicken and Asian-influenced comfort dishes, is preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar location in San Diego’s Rolando neighborhood.

Helmed by Michael "Budda" Price and Lily Nachampasak, Chef Budda Blasian Soul Food has cultivated a loyal following since launching at the height of the pandemic. In 2020, after both founders lost their jobs, they turned to their home kitchen to make ends meet, offering fried chicken plates through Instagram. Word spread quickly. Within days, they were selling out of 40 pounds of chicken in a single evening. That momentum never let up.

Their food - crispy fried wings, cheesy mac and cheese, rice and gravy, and Southern-style catfish and fried shrimp - won over fans at pop-ups, music festivals, breweries, and block parties across San Diego. When they introduced a food truck in 2021, the business expanded further, bringing their soulful fusion of Black American and Asian culinary traditions to neighborhoods citywide.

The upcoming counter-service restaurant in Rolando marks a major milestone for the couple and their small but mighty crew. The menu will offer fan favorites from the truck and pop-up days, available for dine-in or take-out, including popular combos like the "Big Greedy," which comes piled with wings, tenders, shrimp, and catfish alongside two hearty sides. Prices remain affordable, with combos ranging from $14 to $36 and kid-friendly options available.

The "Blasian" influence will shine more brightly in the new space, with items like papaya salad, sticky rice, and Lao curry expected to make a full-time return to the menu. Fried egg rolls - shrimp or chicken - remain a signature offering, blending comfort food with Southeast Asian flavor.

Chef Budda Blasian Soul Food is expected to open on June 16 at 1960 54th Street in San Diego's Rolando community. For more information, visit chefbuddablasiansoulfood.com. 

Originally published on June 10, 2025.