Our Story

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The name and concept “The Smokin’ Buddha” was conceived with friends while sipping sake under a kotatsu (heated coffee table) near Hiroshima, Japan in 1998

When we (Kevin and Kyla) moved to Niagara in 2000, we missed the fresh flavours from our travels to Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and Korea, so we started cooking up plates for friends and family – always happy to entertain over a meal.

In 2005 these meals took the leap out of our Sugarloaf kitchen and on to the Port Colborne Farmer’s Market. The first products were California rolls and curry pastes sold out of a red Coleman cooler. Over time, the menu expanded (and so did the cooler!) and in 2006, the Buddha expanded to the Fonthill and Welland markets. In 2007, “The Smokin’ Buddha” Restaurant opened its doors in the old train station in the Canal District of Port Colborne.

The original plan was to serve globally inspired appetizers accompanied by craft beers and wine, modelled after the Izakaya concept in Japan (fun, lively, little pubs). This concept has evolved over time and the menu has grown to include our favourite feel-good foods from all over the world.

Fast-forward to 2019 -and while we continued to support the Niagara supper market circuit- we found we again needed a bigger kitchen! So we took a leap of faith and bought the Old Country Kettle building in uptown Port Colborne.  This building will be home to Go Buddha and The Humberstone, two new ventures we are so excited to share with our community!

See you soon!