The stomach is the most historically significant component of the human anatomy, having played a pivotal role in numerous nineteenth-century navel battles as well as in Woodrow Wilson's famed 14-point Belly Flop of 1919. Celebrate much-revered midsections with today's Groupon: for $12, you get $25 worth of food and drink at Buddha's Belly, located in Jacksonville Beach.

Buddha's Belly features a menu of more than 50 authentic, made-to-order Thai and pan-Asian dishes. Drawing upon fresh ingredients imported from all 19 corners of the world, the delectable spectrum of palate-pleasers is designed to satisfy carnivores, herbivores, and veganosauruses alike. Commence the gastric festivities with a starter such as the satay ($7.50), which includes skewers of marinated chicken or tofu stood on-end and paired with peanut sauce and cucumber salad, or consider one of five different soups, such as the Adaman Seasoup ($8.95), teeming with 20,000 leagues of nautical nourishment. Kalua Ribs ($15.95) with pineapple-honey glaze and coconut rice are worth their weight in moist towelettes, while the Hot Stuff (Kra Pow) ($10.95 for meat or tofu, $13.95 for fish) provides a daunting challenge to those with air-conditioned appetites. Pabulum treasurers can pad tongues with pad thai, available with chicken, pork, beef, or tofu ($9.95, $12.95 for shrimp or scallops). Buddha's Belly's curry options include Pra Ram, which can be paired with chicken, pork, or beef ($13.95); tofu ($13.95); eggplant ($15.95); or shrimp, scallops, or fish ($16.95); and an Ocean Duck Curry ($17.95) laced with delicious duck and seafood. All sauces and curries are free of MSG and are vegan-friendly.

Open for both lunch and night lunch, Buddha’s Belly features a full bar and an extensive wine list. The restaurant complements its ingestible attractions with an airy interior and precise lighting, fostering an atmosphere that allows customers to feel as though they've yet again stumbled into the dimension-shattering portal leading directly to Thailand.

Reviews

Bhudda's Belly gets a modest three-star average from eight Yelpers, four stars on average from OpenTablers with 80% of Urbanspooners liking it, and a positive review in the Florida Times-Union.

• This is one of the best curries I've had in Jacksonville. – Erica Burks, Florida Times-Union
• Service was great and the prices were reasonable. Portions were ample. – BaryD99, Urbanspoon
• Buddha's Belly not only has a terrific atmosphere, but the food is amazing as well. Try the Bangkok shrimp! – jwade, Urbanspoon