10/10 food, 10/10 vibes. Get the chicken wings, they're amazing. Great service, everyone is so friendly!

Got the Fan's Favorite and added edemame, corn, and cucumber for some freshness. Super delicious, a little on the sweet side for me personally. I'm definitely getting it again and would add some spice to it to balance the sweetness. Super quick to get your food out. People were all so nice and accommodating to your wants. The place itself is so cute and has fresh greens and beiges that match that Southeast Asian vibe! read more

Kapow Buddy - Fans' Favorite - Thai Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

My second time at Kapow was a little surprising. When I walked in, the staff at the front did not really acknowledge my presence / interest to order. There weren't any other customers, so I was just standing face-to-face a little uncomfortably until he said anything. The build-your-own-bowl concept suggests that the bowl will be made while you're ordering but I had to wait about 30 minutes for my order to be ready. I was a little confused about their process because they have a lot of the bowl ingredients at the front, and the cashier would sometimes work on the bowls, but then stop and stand by the register/go on his phone. When we ordered, he didn't start making any but when others ordered after us, he made theirs on the spot. The customers who ordered after us were getting served first too, which was a little confusing/unfair. My order was only 2 bowls, so I didn't expect this to happen. When my bowl came, several of the toppings were missing too. Overall, I was pretty disappointed by my second time here. read more

Located inside the Westfield Montgomery Mall. Ordered the ground pork and crispy pork bowls for takeout. The bag was stapled shut so we didn't realize they did not give enough utensils or spoons. The flavor for the meats were delicious and the fried rice that came with the crispy pork bowl was on the hard end, but tasted really good. Wish the portion sizes were larger though. Adding eggs is an additional cost. read more

Kapow Buddy - Ground pork bowl - Thai Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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What a delicious spot to grab Thai food in a fast-casual environment! This is probably one of my favorite spots to grab a bite to eat at the Mall, especially since they also serve some refreshing cocktails. You can build your own bowl or pick from one of their signature bowls - my favorites are the Fans' Favorite and Kapow Fried Rice with Grilled Steak. For a snack, I suggest the Buddy Wings and Larb Meatballs. For drinks, can't go wrong with the Thai Tea, Thai Green Thai, or Boss Ladies (alcoholic). Service is super friendly. Even when busy, food is ready rather quickly and they'll bring it to your table if you dine in. read more

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Hey friends! I've been wanting to try Kapow Buddy for a while. I was so sad I missed the Yelp MD Burbs event here. Kapow Buddy is a vibrant fast-casual restaurant located in the lower level of Montgomery Mall. They serve Thai cuisine with fun twists. They have preset options as well as build-your-own options. I ordered a build-your-own bowl. Fried rice, shrimp, spicy Kapow sauce, and other toppings that I can't remember lol. The Kapow sauce is amazing, it's hard to describe lol. But a great mix of sweet and savory. Kapow Buddy fell short on temperature and portion. My bowl was room temperature as soon as it came out. Also the portion filled up half the bowl. They could've added more rice and toppings. Despite this, the flavor was amazing! -Customer service was great. -It's located near the Cheesecake Factory. -Prices are average. -Plenty of tables for dine-in. There's also a bar inside. I wouldn't go out of my way to return. I hope you enjoy! read more

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Kapow Buddy is still going strong in Montgomery Mall's lower level, and they're still serving up authentic Thai-spiced goodies. A recent visit found us getting the Tom Yum Noodle, Tom Yum soup, garlic fried rice, and a classic bowl with tofu and a fried egg. I'm a big fan of the Tom Yum Noodle - a deep, filling bowl of spicy soup with lots of peanuts, cilantro, and green onions. It comes separately from the noodles and greens and hard-boiled eggs so that you can combine them together at home. This will likely be my go-to for the time being, because I will be going back to Kapow Buddy again and again. And you should, too! read more

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This spot caught my attention on social media. A Thai Chipotle'ish type of spot!! Once I saw their set up, & food...I made my way to them!! I Love Thai food!! Let's GO!! . Where I am: @kapowbuddy . Location Reviewed: 7101 Democracy Blvd., SPC 1158 Bethesda M.D. inside of @westfieldmontgomery . Items Reviewed: STAMP!! Their Spring Rolls ($6.50 veggie spring rolls). Tasty, meaty w/0 meat, with a sweet n spicy dip!! STAMP!! Their Curry Puff Kapow ($8.50 a Thai pastry with chili pepper, chicken, & potatoes). Crisp, fluffy, with well seasoned chicken!! LIKE THAT! Their Buddy Wings ($8 Thai styled fried wings with a Thai dipping sauce). Crunchy, with a sweet heat dip!! LIKE THAT! Their Papaya Salad ($8 carrots, peanuts, spicy papaya, cilantro, tomatoes, & chili peppers). A sweet, & spicy salad, crisp, & actually tasty!! STAMP!! Their Chicken Create Your Own Bowl ($12.50 with fried rice, chicken, fried wonton, crispy basil, crispy onions, peppers, a fried egg, & their spicy Kapow sauce). Spicy, savory, plen, & flavorful!! STAMP!! Their Steak Create Your Own Bowl ($12.50 with purple rice, steak, crispy basil, string beans, edamame, & crispy garlic). Tender steak, savory rice, & tasty toppings!! STAMP!! Their Thai Tea, & Strawberry Lemonade ($5 each). Creamy sweet tea, & refreshing lemonade!! STAMP!! Their Drunken Ta-Lay ($13.99 with Lo Mein noodle, shrimp, fried wonton, bell peppers, edamame, & spicy Kapow sauce). Well cooked noodles, thick shrimp, & well sauced!! STAMP!! Thai, & Green Tea Cookies ($1.75 each). Both were sweet, & surprisingly soft!! . Customer Service: On Point. . Parking: DECENT. . Recommendations: Build your own bowl!! . Accessibility: It's wheelchair friendly, & it's differently abled persons friendly. 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews read more

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It's a Thai Chipotle, they have plenty of seating, they have a full bar, a happy hour, and the main color is green... does it get any better than that? Kapow Buddy has been around for a little over a year -- and had a fire that put them out of commission for a few weeks early on, but I have found them consistent, friendly, and delicious. Their bowls speak for themselves, and I love their soups, wings, and curry puffs. I love their occasional late night parties, such as karaokes, birthday celebrations, and special DJ and themed nights. And it's awesome that they have a designated late night menu for those occasions. If you haven't had Kapow Buddy yet, go for it. They're on a tail end of the mall -- they're close to Cheesecake Factory, so park on that side. But the parking lot fills up quickly! read more

Such an awesome concept. Quick Thai street food with bursting flavors and a bar! Where can you go to get easy customizable bowls and catch a drink while you're picking which delicious bowl to order? I ordered the fans favorite (purple rice, crispy pork, crispy basil, crispy onion, signature Kapow sauce & egg). As a Thai person myself this dish did not let me down. Crispy pork that just melted in your mouth & the basil is perfectly crispy. Bar service was on point and even got to meet the owner, Mr. Kapow, who was very passionate about the food! read more

Kapow Buddy - Fans favorite bowl (crispy pork) - Thai Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Mr. Kapow is a great concept for fast casual Thai food, basically a Thai style chipotle. We ordered two bowls and fried chicken wings, I had the pork jowl bowl and it was delicious! Rice with spicy pork jowl topped with crispy basil, fried onions and basil. All the flavors worked well together. To me it felt very homey. The chicken wings were crispy and paired well with the chili sauce. There's so many other items on the menu I want to try, so I'm definitely coming back! read more

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Excellent thai food at Montgomery mall got the burn your mouth larb and papaya salad. All were very good. The larb was served on a bed of lettuce and tasted fresh. Papaya tasted awesome had a nice hot vinegary taste was perfectly seasoned. The burn your mouth had great crispy pork. The. Mixed with an egg and crispy basil. Tasted fresh with nice balance of savory flavors of the pork and egg. Service was very friendly and nice. It's cool spot has a cool interior and nice sized bar too. read more

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wow. I love everything about this place. The owner, and staff are so incredibly friendly. The concept itself is amazing, it is designed as a way to get a quick thai style bowl (similar to how chipotle functions), however, they also serve speciality cocktails and drinks. It is a multi-purpose establishment, can be great for a quick lunch, work remotely, or happy hour. The food itself is so fresh and delicious, i mean look at this shrimp and the green beans and fried basil? SOO good. Warning though their food is pretty spicy, however, i am someone who hates spice and i still ate every bite. I have been back twice within the last five days, and i plan to come back and try some more of their drinks. The Boss Lady cocktail, and Olieng-tini, which is a coffee martini with thai coffee, were two of my favorites that i tried. They are located so conveniently, which is in entrance 4 of Montgomery Mall (right next to the cheesecake factory), so there is parking right behind their back patio. They had their grand opening in October, but due to a fire over the holidays they had to close and re-open second week of January, so i really suggest coming out and supporting this local gem, for the people and the mouth-watering food. read more

Kapow Buddy - Thai Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

I was excited to try this new fast casual thai spot. It was bigger than expected and I enjoyed the atmosphere as it felt cozy. I ordered using an iPad and therefore had limited interaction with any staff. However, I did notice that no one spoke to me. As far as the food everything just tasted okay. I customized a bowl with lo mein, shrimp, eggplant, etc. I ordered their signature sauce on top, but I was unable to distinguish where it was. The eggplant was disappointing and had almost zero flavor. I enjoyed the shrimp and noodles, but again would have appreciated more sauce. I really enjoyed the Green Thai Iced Tea. I would give them one more shot and try another combination. read more

Kapow Buddy - Customized bowl with shrimp, lo mein, eggplant, basil, etc - Thai Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

This is a cute little place. The place is bright and has fun seatings. It is located by Cheesecake not food court. We did carry-out both times. Service is quick as long as you just get the bowls; however, if you do order it is extra 5-10 minutes wait. We did get complimentary drinks the first time because of the extra wait. I loved my bowls both times. I chose salad for the bases, crispy pork for protein, and various toppings topped with spicy kapow sauce. As far as appetizers, I liked two and did not like two. Edamame and fried tofu were good. I didn't care for the larb gai unfortunately. It is a place I would considered again if I am at the mall. read more

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Super cute thai restaurant that's fast casual and has lots of seating. You can make your own bowl or choose one a signature bowl from the menu. Great staff that is super sweet and helped me make my choice! I got the fan favorite bowl with crispy pork, fried egg, crispy basil, and some yummy sauce on top of a bed of purple rice. Super yummy - sauce really pulls it all together, sweet and savory. Would've liked to add some more veggies on top for more of a fresh crunch aspect, but still delicious! Maybe next time i'll just op for the build your own bowl and add this myself:) They also have a bar with some super yummy sounding drinks with a special happy hour deal or menu! (3-6 pm). Love the seating options, super open concept with cute decor. Very aesthetic and definitely recommend as a meet spot with friends! Will definitely be back! Love the idea of a Thai style chipotle. Haha yay! read more

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YUM! If my friend didn't know about this place beforehand I would never have expected this here. Across from Yogi castle and near old navy, this place is hidden. Set apart from the main food court its honestly a shame. But that being said, it allows for spacious seating and the interior is so cozy and cute! Workers are friendly and I felt very welcomed. I got the fan favorite and it was delicious. Portion size is generous as well. Crispy pork, fried onion, basil, and egg over rice- killer combo. BUT with everything being fried it was a bit heavy and needed something fresh. I think bell peppers would've been perfect, which they do have but it's just not included. Definitely room for improvement and 16$ is a bit steep, but honestly a drool worthy bowl. (I went on black friday and received a 20% discount! ) read more

Growing up, I never would have imagined I'd see a krapow stall in the mall. In America. And here we are! It's a cute, modern, clean build out. The menu is like endlessly customizable and ordering from the screen makes it easy. And best of all the food is legit! I overheard a student saying that she comes here when she misses home. I will be back again and again. read more

Love Kapow Buddy it is one of my favorite restaurant to go to highly recommended l!! Food is delicious and drinks is very creative and so good, thanks Ainum for your hospitality service!! read more

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I accidentally stumbled upon this place while shopping and because I love Thai, it was only right that I buy, lol. The restaurant had a nice green earthy theme, really cute, although the chairs did need a refresh and cleaning. The staffer greeted me with a smile and answered all the questions I had in an informative way. I ended up ordering a bowl with the purple rice (it's technically brown rice), with add ons of shrimp, crispy basil, onions, peppers, green beans, and Thai spicy chili basil sauce. The food was just what I needed and pretty good for the value. If I'm ever in need on a fix while shopping at the Montgomery mall, I'd definitely visit again but I'd do white rice instead. read more

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Just tried Kapow Buddy and was really disappointed. The food was literally old the rice and noodles were hard, and the so-called 'crispy pork' was cold and not crispy at all. Totally inedible and a complete waste of $15. read more

Kapow Buddy - Thai Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Food is delicious, place is cute for a sit-down meal, so why not 5 stars? The night my daughter and I went, we felt like the guy at the counter was friendly, but her bowl order wasn't accurate. Had to ask for a few items that she ordered yet weren't included. In addition, both of us are celiac, so when I searched for gluten-free food at the mall, Kapow Buddy would always come up. But when I asked about ingredients, there were many items we couldn't have. Props to the young man at the register who told us straight up what was and was not GF. But seriously, couldn't that be noted on the menu? Most places do these days. We will return because the food is great and the tastes are more interesting than the many bowl places. If the order is accurately filled and GF items are designated, I will update my review. read more

Quiet corner of the mall, kinda can't decide if it's a sit down or a take out spot. Seating area is attractive though. You can order on the tablet or at the register; they bring it out to you (there weren't many other customers). Food itself was fair; not what I'd expect at a Thai RESTAURANT, but not inedible. read more

Kapow Buddy - Build Your Own (unlimited toppings!) - Thai Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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Food was inedible and cold. Like it was cooked at lunch time at sat for 7 or 8 hours. They never even brought my wife's soup out. It was so disgusting I took two bites and left read more

I don't get the system here. It really takes them forever to get food out. Which is weird because it is set up like they make your bowl in front of you when you order. But no. Only one person actually filling orders and three in the back prepping food in the middle of lunch. Also don't order the burrito with shrimp; they are tail on so you're either opening up your burrito or eating shrimp tails. read more

Kapow Buddy is located inside of Montgomery Mall. There is seating available inside along with a bar. For food there is a self serve touchscreen kiosk for you to place your order which is super convenient if you are in a rush. The menu offers bowls you can customize with different proteins (tofu, chicken, etc.) along with greens (crispy basil, green beans, etc.) and various sauces. There are also classic Thai menu items like Tom Yum Soup and Thai Tea or Thai Green Tea. I have ordered here a handful of times and the quality has been consistently good. I have added this to my rotation of takeout when I don't feel like cooking and will definitely be coming back here again soon :) read more

The food was so delicious we came during happy hour ! Everything was 2 dollars off including drinks they have a fully stocked bar and they have some amazing combinations of drinks. The establishment was super clean and well set up. There are ample seats inside and parking outside. If you can't find it look for the Cheesecake Factory they are right next door. I can't wait to come during the summer time they have a great patio outside and they also have karaoke ! Who doesn't love karaoke. We got spring rolls , sausage and more and everything was sooo delicious ! read more

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The daughter brought home numerous dishes from Kapow Buddy and boy are we impressed. It's authentic Thai street food served Chipotle style. The Fan's Favorite was to die for and the Papaya salad had as screaming in pain, but in a good way. The larb meatballs were also very delectable and cooled down the Thai papaya salad. The green curry was very flavorful and rounded out our meal. For a mall restaurant, Kapow Buddy just elevated the shopping food mall dining experience. read more

Great food and drinks all in the mall. Happy hour specials too. Fun place. Check it out..

Soooo tasty and the staff is SO NICE! I can't believe more people weren't eating there when we went as the food was great, reasonably priced, and served in a cute atmosphere. You order your food at a kiosk and if you would like an alcoholic drink, you can head to the bar! They also have cute bottled drinks like thai iced tea. I made my own bowl with noodles and tofu and it was perfectly seasoned. Will definitely be coming back next time I go to the mall! read more

Kapow Buddy - Thai Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

I was super excited to try Kapow Buddy ever since I saw a post on IG from the MoCo Show and it did not disappoint! The food looked so authentic and flavorful, and when my partner and I finally got around to visiting, it was sooo good. We ordered the Papaya Salad, Burn Ya Mouth, and Fan's Favorite to all share, and everything was amazing. The papaya salad was light and refreshing but full of flavor. The Fan's Favorite had the crispiest pork belly skin, and the sauce in Burn Ya Mouth was absolutely delicious--so spicy and addicting! The restaurant is a bit tucked away in the back corner of the mall (where the old Aroma Cafe used to be), but it's worth finding. The atmosphere is clean, cute, and welcoming, with a nice bar setup. Plus, the staff was incredibly friendly! We will for sure be coming back to try more of the menu & bringing more friends & family to try. Thank you so much for such a great meal! read more

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Expectations: A quick lunch at the mall that didn't involve the holiday stampede in the food court: I needed a complete recharge to finish up my last minute Christmas shopping. This is tucked away in a quiet corner and has only been open for about two months. The interior is fresh , inviting, and vibrant- despite being in the mall! Lots of natural light and windows and some outdoor seating (facing a parking lot though). The food is described as Thai street food and it delivers all this authentic spices and flavors you would expect. I had the classic bowl with ground chicken, fried basil, rice and a fried egg on top. It was more food than I could finish. Ask for some more of that delish sauce on the side to add). They knocked the spicy edamame out of the park! It is the best I ever had (expect Thai spice level!) But the Thai tea helped take the heat down a bit... hit the spot. One of the owners chatted with me - he was genuine and wanted feedback. PSA: They have a bar with some innovative cocktails! This is the type of place where you eat more than you should, but you don't feel bad about it. It doesn't weigh you down at all - like some street food might. Great new mall nook...come check them out! read more

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Since I was there for happy hour, the food was really good. The service was on point very friendly. You don't have to worry about anything on that one.. You have to remember the ambience is still in the mall so but there's a lot of seating . read more

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Ordered pick up from this fast-casual Thai restaurant on my way home today. Service was quick, and I was hungry enough to dig into the spring rolls and curry puffs in the car on the way home - OMG, SO GOOD. The spring rolls I'd say are standard, but the curry puffs are absolutely delightful! Rice bowl was also delicious, and I think the curry, salads, and noodle bowls are an especially reasonable price. While I ordered online, when I went in to get my food I noticed a counter similar to subway/chipotle/cava, where you can go down the line and "build-a-bowl" with pretty healthy Thai-themed options. Overall a good option and I'll probably order again next time I need food and I'm by the Westfield mall. read more

I love the ambiance of this place it is NEW and located in Montgomery mall near the Yogi Castle. The location is SUPER CUTE definitely worth coming back for an insta pic! I started off with the Thai me up, hold tea down it's a rum based drink with Thai tea. I also order a bowl with half white rice and salad along with the Kapow chicken(spicy). If you are sensitive with spice definitely be careful! GET THE CRISPY PORK it's not spicy. I also ordered all the sides that can be added I love a hefty bowl. If you love spicy food COME CHECK out this location! I love the detail they put into the location! Did I also mention happy hour 3-6pm drinks are super yummy and affordable I love the service that came with sitting at the bar. Overall I could continue bragging about this place but just check it out for yourselves! Thank you so much for the great food and service! Congratulations on the new opening and welcome to the area Mr.Kapow! I will be back for more drinks! -Tiny out read more

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The food was amazing. We tried the tom yum with crispy pork, lomein with chicken, spring rolls, and the wings. Every single thing was delicious. Super friendly staff as well. This place lives up to the hype. We can't wait to come back to try more. Would have taken pictures but we ate everything and forgot. Next time. read more

Bowls with protein are great. Drinks are amazing. Nice atmosphere. Up and coming restaurant. The service is very friendly. They also cater. Soon they will have Karaoke read more

Kapow Buddy - Thai Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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Food is amazing! Wonderful ambiance and friendly atmosphere. Great service, too! Great meal to have before or after a movie. Hope they stay awhile and provide awesome Thai option in the neighborhood. read more

Kapow Buddy - Bar area - Thai Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Went for a visit during the soft opening and so glad I did! Pros -If the line is long, you can hit the kiosk to order -Staff are very friendly and informative -The food is TRULY AUTHENTIC no fillers! -Thai street bowls: you can build your own or adventure with some of the signature bowls. You have options of your carbs: white, purple, or fried rice, or even noodles. Protein: Pork, chicken, tofu shrimp etc. I tried the tofu.. It is fried to perfection with the perfect crisp and def. not soggy! The vegetarians dream! Don't forget to add your veggie toppings and top it off with an egg and special hot sauce! -The street snacks are the perfect appetizer size. The Gai Tod (fried chicken wings) and tofu were served very hot with a sauce that is more on the vinegar taste. My personal taste buds didn't care for it but I tried it anyway. I honestly like the chicken and tofu without it! -Seating: tables with chairs, bar area, and a very comfy/cozy space with a couch (see picture) -Alcoholic beverages are delicious. I only had the boss ladies which included lychee and some strawberry chunks. I had three.. enough said. ;-) The Thai beer does come with a warning.. it is orange which may freak people out Cons -I want this place to succeed but worry about the location (inside Montgomery Mall). It can be easily missed. It is located towards the Old Navy end in a corner. Hope everyone gets the word out! It is definitely worth a visit! -Parking can be tricky since the Cheesecake Factory is close to Kapow and they share the same parking lot. Worth the trip and will return! read more

Kapow Buddy - Thai Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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Almost a week later and I am still thinking about the great food and customer service I received from Kapow Buddy. Let's start with the bright, clean, and modern decor. There's the bar space, open sitting, and even a little nook to the side. Lots of natural lighting. Oh, they had games in case you wanting to challenge anyone around. You have the option of preset items or you can create your own. My food was SEASONED to perfection. The best part was it had a little spice kick to top it off. Everything ingredient was fresh and prepared precisely so when you combined it all together you had deliciousness. read more

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