Happy Tummie Food Truck: Panko-Crusted Perfection

When it comes to comfort food, Asian cuisines offer some indulgent classics like fried chicken, shrimp tempura and potstickers. If you’re craving these kinds of cozy eats on-the-go with a heaping side of the friendliest customer service, look no further than the Happy Tummie food truck.

Chef Nick always dreamed of owning and operating a food business infused with honesty and happiness. After attending the University of Utah to study programming and working as a salesman, then general manager of a shopping mall, he finally turned his dreams into reality in 2022.

Happy Tummie has two trucks—one red and one black—that operate up and down the Wasatch Front, from Ogden to Lehi. They can also be hired for private parties and catering. I caught up with the black truck at the Soho Food Park. Right off Holladay Boulevard, Soho has space for six rotating food trucks along with picnic tables to enjoy your new favorite bites.

It seemed only right to start with their most popular menu item, the Japanese Fried Chicken ($13.00). The chicken is marinated before it’s coated in panko bread crumbs and fried to order. You have the option of three sauces to put on top: Teriyaki, Thai Sweet & Spicy and their signature sauce, Roasted Garlic and Ginger Aioli. 

This choice was a no-brainer! The aioli is a luxurious umami bomb with just enough tang from the ginger to keep your taste buds from getting tired. Happy Tummie could make millions if they bottled this sauce—you won’t want to miss it. The chicken itself was perfectly cooked and crispy. Even when I took my leftovers home, the texture remained pleasant after a reheat, which is a quite a feat for a panko-crusted protein. This dish managed to pack a punch of flavor and be filling without feeling heavy. 

All of their main menu items include white rice and a small salad with Thai ginger dressing. The sweet and spicy sauce is vegan and gluten-free. So, if you opt for the grilled chicken instead of fried, you’ve got a fully gluten-free meal, or you can pick the fried tofu for a vegetarian/vegan option.

To round out the feast, I tried one of their combo specials with soft shell crab, the choice of a two piece potsticker or spring rolls, rice and salad ($18.25). As with all Happy Tummie meals, you get to choose from their lineup of sauces. This time I went with the Thai Sweet & Spicy, which has a well balanced and approachable level of heat. If soft shell crab isn’t fried correctly, it can take on a lot of oil, and I’m happy to report that these remained light and crunchy. All of their dishes come with an ample shake of sesame seeds on top which I enjoy, but if you’re not a fan, ask to hold them. 

For my side, I went with the potstickers, which come with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce. They were a mild and approachable menu item that would please any palate. Out of curiosity, I also got a five-piece order of their spring rolls to go ($5.00). These come with the Thai Sweet & Spicy sauce and are vegetarian. They made for the perfect late night snack.

When I say that Happy Tummie food truck has five-star hospitality, I mean it. They would put some high end restaurants to shame. Chef Nick and his staff clearly care about infusing the food with joy—and always offer free fried chicken samples—but also pay careful and sincere attention to your general wellbeing. If you need someone to make you smile, they’ll do it. If you bike to the truck and get a flat tire, they’ll pump it back up while you eat and refill your water bottle, too. While the food is an absolute crowd pleaser, it’s Chef Nick’s kindness that puts this place over the top. You will not only leave with a happy tummy, but also a happy heart.

To keep up with Happy Tummie’s truck schedule check out their Instagram @happytummieslc. View the menu and order for pick-up on their website at happytummie.com.

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