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Name: Buku
Address: 110 E Davie St, Raleigh, NC, 27601
Telephone: (919) 834-6963
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.89

Buku

110 E Davie St, Raleigh, NC, 27601

(919) 834-6963
Store is closed

Buku Menu

Chilled Refreshments Salads

Viet Cucumber Salad

Thai Papaya Salad

Asian Pear Salad

Viet Cucumber Salad

Thai Papaya Salad

Asian Pear Salad
Hot Pots, Soups, Fragrant Broths

Massaman Hot Pot

Bu Ku Hot Pot

Mexican Pozole

Pumpkin-Ancho Chile Soup

Massaman Hot Pot

Bu Ku Hot Pot

Mexican Pozole

Pumpkin-Ancho Chile Soup
Raw Almost Raw

Cambodia Roll

Bu Ku Roll

Vegetable Roll

Cambodia Roll

Bu Ku Roll

Vegetable Roll
Small Plates

Burmese Deviled Eggs

Crab-Stuffed Avocado

Bu Ku Fries

Pork Dumplings

Vegetable Dumplings

Mexican Grilled Corn

Empanadas

Empanadas Picantes

Pierogi

Filipino Lumpia

Cochinita Arepa

Shrimp Spring Roll

Burmese Deviled Eggs

Crab-Stuffed Avocado

Bu Ku Fries

Pork Dumplings

Vegetable Dumplings

Mexican Grilled Corn

Empanadas

Empanadas Picantes

Pierogi

Filipino Lumpia

Cochinita Arepa

Shrimp Spring Roll
Large Plates

Bu Ku Breakfast Burger

Sake-braised Short Rib

Thai BBQ Prawns

Cochinita Arepa

Bu Ku Breakfast Burger

Sake-braised Short Rib

Thai BBQ Prawns

Cochinita Arepa
World Breads

Indian Naan

Mediterranean Pita

German Soft Pretzel Knots

Malaysian Roti

Indian Naan

Mediterranean Pita

German Soft Pretzel Knots

Malaysian Roti
Desserts - Individual Desserts

Trilogy of Creme Brulees

Kahlua and Honey-enhanced Tiramisu

Chocolate Souffle

Warm Apple Tart

Filipino Halo-Halo

Chef 's Selection Sorbets

Trilogy of Creme Brulees

Kahlua and Honey-enhanced Tiramisu

Chocolate Souffle

Warm Apple Tart

Filipino Halo-Halo

Chef 's Selection Sorbets
Desserts - Larry's Beans

Bu Ku Featured Single Origin Coffee

Decaf Single Origin Peru

Larry's Secret Espresso

Macchiato

Cappuccino

Latte

Caffe Americano

Bu Ku Featured Single Origin Coffee

Decaf Single Origin Peru

Larry's Secret Espresso

Macchiato

Cappuccino

Latte

Caffe Americano
Desserts - Tazo Tea

Earl Grey

Awake

Organic Chai

Zen Green Tea

Passion

Refresh

Green Ginger

Earl Grey

Awake

Organic Chai

Zen Green Tea

Passion

Refresh

Green Ginger

Healthy Meal suggestions for Buku

Chilled Refreshments Salads

Viet Cucumber Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai Papaya Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asian Pear Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Viet Cucumber Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai Papaya Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asian Pear Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hot Pots, Soups, Fragrant Broths

Massaman Hot Pot [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bu Ku Hot Pot [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mexican Pozole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pumpkin-Ancho Chile Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Massaman Hot Pot [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bu Ku Hot Pot [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mexican Pozole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pumpkin-Ancho Chile Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Raw Almost Raw

Cambodia Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bu Ku Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cambodia Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bu Ku Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Small Plates

Burmese Deviled Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab-Stuffed Avocado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bu Ku Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mexican Grilled Corn [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas Picantes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pierogi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filipino Lumpia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cochinita Arepa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Spring Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Burmese Deviled Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab-Stuffed Avocado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bu Ku Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mexican Grilled Corn [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas Picantes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pierogi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filipino Lumpia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cochinita Arepa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Spring Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Large Plates

Bu Ku Breakfast Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sake-braised Short Rib [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai BBQ Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cochinita Arepa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bu Ku Breakfast Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sake-braised Short Rib [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Thai BBQ Prawns [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cochinita Arepa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
World Breads

Indian Naan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mediterranean Pita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

German Soft Pretzel Knots [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Malaysian Roti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Indian Naan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mediterranean Pita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

German Soft Pretzel Knots [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Malaysian Roti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts - Individual Desserts

Trilogy of Creme Brulees [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kahlua and Honey-enhanced Tiramisu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Souffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Warm Apple Tart [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filipino Halo-Halo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef 's Selection Sorbets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Trilogy of Creme Brulees [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kahlua and Honey-enhanced Tiramisu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Souffle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Warm Apple Tart [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filipino Halo-Halo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chef 's Selection Sorbets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts - Larry's Beans

Bu Ku Featured Single Origin Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Decaf Single Origin Peru [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Larry's Secret Espresso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macchiato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cappuccino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Latte [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caffe Americano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bu Ku Featured Single Origin Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Decaf Single Origin Peru [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Larry's Secret Espresso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macchiato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cappuccino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Latte [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caffe Americano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts - Tazo Tea

Earl Grey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Awake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Organic Chai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zen Green Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Passion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Refresh [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Ginger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Earl Grey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Awake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Organic Chai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zen Green Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Passion [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Refresh [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Ginger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Raleigh for healthy meals suggestion.

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Visit below restaurant in Raleigh for healthy meals suggestion.

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Write An Anonymous Review

Kathleen M.

Love this place! This was a must do when I recently had a friend visiting from out of town. Perfect spot to order small plates and eat family style...the more of the menu you can try the better. Great wine list also. Love their brunch, the best one I have been to in Raleigh!
(4)
Ames E.

Tried Buku one more time before a concert in downtown Raleigh on a Thursday night. Sadly, after ordering 5 different small plates from the bar, my previous rating stands. The food was mediocre - at times bland and boring, others overly salted and greasy. Will absoultely not return for food but request "first right of refusal" to go for drinks - the bartenders are heavy handed with the pours! Drinks it is.
(2)
Paula A.

I guess I'll go ahead and add my two cents to the almost 200 reviews on here. Decided to meet a friend here for dinner Saturday night before an event at Marbles because we wanted to eat somewhere that was walking distance. The space is beautiful and huge, and I loved the bar area although we sat in the dining room. Arrived at 6:00 and there was no wait. Server was informative and efficient. Started out with the naan, which was delicious. The wine by the glass was pricey, in my opinion, but I guess I should've expected that. Since I'm typically not a "global cuisine" kind of girl, I had no clue what to order. After a couple of menu descriptions from our server I decided on a small plate- the sake braised short rib, with a side of Japanese rice. The short rib was AMAZING- perfectly tender with the best flavor. And a little bit of the soy-demi glace that accompanied the rib was perfect when poured over the rice. Otherwise, the rice would've been pretty bland. We split the warm apple tart for dessert which was huge and delicious- especially loved the almond crust and cinnamon ice cream. My only complaint was that the hostesses were less than friendly when I arrived and upon leaving. My friend got there a few minutes before me and even though there weren't that many tables seated at the time and I was the only person in the lobby, it took a couple minutes for them to connect me to her (with a less than welcoming demeanor). Then, upon leaving, I was waiting in the lobby for my friend to come out of the restroom and stood there for a good 3-4 minutes without any acknowledgement from the 2-3 hostesses that were standing there at any given time. A simple "thank you" or "how was everything" goes a long way with me when I've spent a chunk of hard earned money on a meal. But, since I did enjoy the food so much, I would be willing to go back. And I will probably order the exact same thing.
(4)
Psalm S.

Wow, I am a huge fan of Buku. I've always wanted to come here, and after missing the Yelp Elite event in March, it was a must. I made reservations for Mother's Day and they were having a special brunch buffet. First of all, the place is stunning. Really awesome decor and beautiful bar with water wall. I was a little worried about what the buffet might be like, but the food was top-notch, high quality. There were made-to-order waffles, omelet station, carving station, pastries, salads, deviled eggs (delicious!), fruit, and so much else. The sticky buns were AMAZING. Guys, I had two waffles! We spent a lovely two hours just eating, talking, drinking and having a wonderful time. My Mom and Mother-In-Law both loved it and I was really happy with my choice. Apparently, they are looking to make the brunch buffet a regular Sunday thing. I did sort of think, however, that at $19.95 a person, coffee, or at least one non-alcoholic beverage should have been included. Our server was super-friendly, patient and attentive. I'm excited to go back for a regular served meal, and I'm sure subsequent visits will follow!
(5)
Dawn C.

This is my hater review. BEWARE! I don't get it! Their cocktails are terrible. I ordered a "Dark and Stormy" to get some abomination with vanilla rum and standard Ginger ale. Then I ordered a Michelada and it cam out in some gaudy Crown Royal chalice with a little beer, a slash of tomato, pepper and ICE!!! Ughh it was so horrible I sent it back. Then, I asked the waitress what I can get on the menu for my lactose-intolerance allergy and she gave me some lame answer of "ummm the sides might not have some dairy". USELESS. Too many items. Poorly educated wait staff. Avoid it at all costs!!!
(1)
Harleysydney C.

OK so first of all, I was a bit worried because it is the old Fin's (building and owners) which we absolutely hated. However, I went on the recommendation of a culinary student, so I listened. SO glad I did. I would have given five stars but there were a couple dishes that were less than extraordinary. FIrst, the ones that were absolutely sublime - the pirogies, mmmm, and I've had them homemade from an old Polish grandmother! (my husband's) - the Hot Pot Vietnamese soup was excellent. I would go back to Buku just for that and some bread. - the Korean BBQ beef was probably the best beef I've ever tasted, with the Short Ribs being a close second. By the way, this was a big dinner with 10 people which is why I got to try so many things! OK, back to the good. The litle corn tortillas with the pork were tasty, the empanadas also were but were a bit too doughy. The special, a Blue Marlin with a Taro root pancake, was fabulous. I didn't taste the Jamaican Jerk Chicken from way down the table but my friend was raving about it. OK, now to the not-so-good. The Vietnamese crepe was positively tasteless, which was shocking after the burst of flavor that everything else had. I asked the server for some sauce or something to flavor it (like the sauce that usually comes with a spring roll, which this reminded me of but it was a lot bigger, and what she brought me just did not do the trick. Also the mussels dish was just mediocre, nothing special. Fries were good although Five Guys can give the same experience. Dessert was great all around, the creme brulee was outstanding, and although it looks teeny tiny when you get it, you'll soon realize it is so full of flavor all you will want is a couple spoonfuls of each. The tiramisu was to die for, Kahlua instead of amaretto, whooo hoooo! I could go on and on, let's leave it at , you MUST try this place, it is so unique, service and atmosphere are top notch, and the food is delish!
(4)
N K.

Great food. Great service. Small portions on everything EXCEPT dessert. Slightly pricey in general.
(4)
Bob P.

Looks nice but the food is simply ok. The pho is fine, will get you through, but nothing to write home about. Their other dishes are the same. The Banh Mi sandwich is lackluster but again, it'll get you through. Every dish seems to be missing that something they don't put in the grocery store cookbooks. Overall, this place seems more focused on the after party than the food. Go for drinks then go eat somewhere else.
(2)
Tracy G.

I really love this place! We went after a matinee show today and I was so happy that they were open at 4:30 for an early dinner! I love that they have lots of gluten free options- the waiter told us that one of the head (or maybe THE head)chef is gluten-free for health reasons and that gives me faith that he's serious about the gluten free! We had a sushi roll that had tempura in it that was gluten free! We are also vegetarian/vegan, so it was easy to find items that could either be prepared that way, or were already that way. Love the selection, everything was so good. Papaya salad was delicious!!! And the waiter was very knowledgeable about the food, so that was another plus!
(5)
Tim D.

First let me say that my wife and I are Downtown Raleigh regulars. We love the vibe, the people, the places, everything that it has to offer. Secondly, let me say that I have worked in the food industry business and I have family in the biz so I have a lot of respect for how difficult this work is. Lastly, I am very reticent to ever openly criticize a business as I own my own and know how hard that is too. Having said that, I feel I have to speak out about our experience today at BUKU. We had just finished meeting with a client when we decided to lunch downtown. We wanted to try something new and had heard great things about BUKU so we thought we would give it a try even though we had experience a less than stellar brunch there in the past. We were warmly greeted by the hostess and seated outside at our request. After a few minutes we were greeted by our server who took our drink order. In the mood to celebrate, we ordered a carafe of Sangria and two glasses of water. We received our drinks in a timely manner and then told the server we were ready to order. We asked if an appetizer and sharing a large plate dish of Korean Pork would be enough for two people for lunch. The server informed us that the appetizers were really quick so if we needed more to eat we could ordered it when we were served our main course and it would arrive post haste. After more than 20 minutes our appetizer finally arrived and it was delicious. During this time our waters were not refilled or any visit made by our server. As we were working at our table on our iPads we did not take much notice. After another 45 minutes when our main dish had not arrived, the ice in our Sangria glasses had completely melted and our water glasses were empty, I stopped another server to ask if he might send our server to our table. We had not seen her since the appetizer was delivered. No one had refilled our water glasses. No one had cleared our appetizer plates, though they had been empty for over 20 minutes. No one had visited our table at all......in 45 minutes. The gentleman immediately went back to find our server. Our server did not appear but the adjacent server did and apologized for the delay stating that "they got caught off guard by the crowd". The establishment was half empty. He told us our entree would be right out. We instructed him that we no longer wanted it as we needed to leave to avoid turning the lunch hour into the lunch afternoon. Finally our server showed up with the food and brought us a take out box and informed us that the entree was on the house. At no time did anyone in management approach us to explain the situation. Yes, we did still tip the server because, like I said, we have family in the biz and recognize that management is ultimately responsible for your dining experience. I honestly do not believe we will revisit this establishment or recommend it to any of our clients or friends.
(2)
Melinda M.

went to brunch and loved the ambiance. there was a wonderful selection to meet my husbands hearty appetite and my lighter fare and veggies and carbs me. not overwhelmed with heavy dessert portions, the variety of everything was great. kenny, our server, over the top helpful and courteous as were the people at the stations. only complaint is the lumpia was presented as a sausage pattie and not the traditional roll. great place and we will be back for regular menu and brunch again! plus, for $20 very reasonable, coming from san fran very reasonable.
(4)
EatLikeKings K.

This place has a very nice ambiance, good service and great food! We had an array of small plates. A definite must have are the braised short ribs. They were so tender and the sauce was so flavorful, we asked for a spoon to drizzle over every bite. The vegetarian dumplings are good and the Buku sushi role is excellent! There was a small plate that was like an Indian vegetarian dish with a spicy potato pancake, chickpeas, cucumber etc. it was well spiced and a hearty treat.. I have a picture but can't remember the name as it was very unique..Buku is a great place to expand your horizons and try various dishes from different cultures that are perfect portions with the right amount of variety for sampling. The staff was nice, waitress and hostess were helpful with suggestions NS courteous. Everything was timed well.. The Manager walked in our direction as we left inviting us back again soon. Too bad we are not locals.. This place is so good and I'd like to try more of their menu. I heard the empanadas and Korean BBQ are favorites. Finally, we caved and ordered the chocolate soufflÃ© with ice cream, which exceeded our expectations. My only complaint is that the almond ice cream portion could have been a more generous scoop... But I guess I'm getting a little piggy about that. Enjoy!
(4)
stacy W.

Definitely a fan of this place and I really want to get back on a nice early summer day to enjoy the outside space. The food that they served for the Yelping Around the World Event ROCKED my tummy. They had a buffet of all kinds of international foods and I didn't have a complaint about a single one. My favorite was a little mexican cocktail - I really wish i knew what was in it, and what it was called - and i really wished they had more of it :( OK, so you know the food is good. I can't give them the best around - to be honest, they have their hands in so many type of cuisines, that it's really hard to be the best in this category. Usually, you try to master ONE thing - Buku is trying their hand at MANY things. And they're doing a pretty good job at it!
(4)
Kelly H.

I've only had brunch and appetizers here, and enjoyed both very much. Good service, nice atmosphere.
(4)
Allen K.

We had received notice of this restaurant when it first opened but where put off by the sub title. Big mistake. This place is OUTSTANDING. Definitely not afraid of flavor but in a fabulous way. Started with the Mushroom Miso soup which was delicious and in contrast to most miso, had just the right amount of salt. moved on to the Lebanese fattoush which was the best rendition of fattoush we have ever had, and the empanadas, which although small, were delightful subtle. We finished with the Chinese 5 spice grilled New York Strip steak which again did not disappoint. Despite the name, the flavor was definitely subtle and delightful, tantalizing all key areas of the palate. In the end, the 2 of us were both too full for desert. Room is very sophisticated, noise level is just right and the servers very knowledgeable. The bar area is very chic. Will definitely return.
(5)
Robert B.

Absolutely great place. Good service and very good food. The duck is great, so is the Argentinian beef rib. The food is on the level if not better than some of the high end New York City restaurants.
(5)
Elizabeth D.

We were able to make reservations on a Saturday night about an hour before we needed to sit. Since we had tickets to a show at 8, I was concerned about other yelpers comments about service, but our server was very attentive and fast. It looked like there were lots of servers who weren't very busy. Our server advised us not to order a few things (paneer skewers and Arancino) and to order a hot pot (buku - chicken, coconut, red curry). We ordered the paneer skewers anyway and he was right - they were flavorless. Best to save those for a real Indian restaurant. The Buku hot pot was very flavorful, but would have been best served over rice - there was way too much rich broth to drink as a soup and the chicken breast tasted a bit old/tough. The Viet Cucumber Salad was refreshing, be careful not to accidently eat one of the small chopped Thai chiles. My spouse's favorite was the Lumpia - which is like a sausage egg roll - I didn't care for it, too greasy for my tastes and I'm not a huge fan of sausage. I liked the Arepes - pulled pork and guacamole on a corn pastry. The Empanadas were also good. We ordered 6 plates (including the large hot pot) and had too much food. The drinks were fairly priced - $6 for a vodka tonic. Whole meal was $100 for 2 but that included 5 drinks. Again, we could have deleted the paneer skewers. Ambience was nice - fantastic waterfall behind the bar.
(3)
Matt L.

This is the best breakfest buffet that had ever had!
(4)
Matt C.

This was an interesting experience, and let me say from the top that maybe we just didn't choose the right items. After seeing 100+ reviews on yelp, with 4 stars, we assumed it would be a pretty safe bet. It wasn't overcrowded, and we were able to get seats quickly. The first server we received was in the ending stages of his training. I'm pretty sure he read us a book whilst explaining the menu. I easily tuned out after about a minute. Through some confusion of the restaurant we ended up with another server, which was fine with us. We ended up ordering the hot bowl (kind of a curry chicken soup), the short ribs, and the korean bbq snapper. The hot bowl was quite good. The snapper and the short ribs were another story. The bbq snapper tasted almost EXACTLY like a chicken finger from Long John Silvers, except it had a bit of a fishy taste. The short ribs tasted EXACTLY like crock pot roast beef. I know this sounds kind of ridiculous, but i'd put up a lot of money and bet you'd think the same. Mind you the snapper was $16 for 2 chicken finger sized pieces, and the short ribs had 3 small pieces of meat for $14. The taste was quite upsetting for the price. Our server asked us if we enjoyed the meal and we were very honest with her. She was quite a good server and comped us some Sorbet. She was easily the best part of our Buku experience. The bottom line is that the food we had from this restaurant is not deserving of 4 stars. It will easily be a $25+ meal for not a lot of food. Though i do enjoy the taste of crock pot roast beef, and chicken fingers, you won't catch me going back to Buku for it. It was enough to deter me from wanting to go back and give it a second chance as well.
(1)
Jennifer D.

My friend and I went to Buku without a reservation about 6:30pm on a Saturday night. The place was packed and we couldn't sit down in the dining room as they were booked with reservations until 9:15pm. So we sat at the crowded bar. I agree with Ames E. For Street Food I expected the place to be way more casual. It's definitely got an upscale city atmosphere bordering snooty, although the staff was very friendly. The food was pretty good but not amazing nor authentic tasting like street food. We ordered miso soup which was full of mushrooms - the soup was fairly large and got room temp quickly. We also ordered the chinese pork bun - yuck - tasted like breakfast sausage. Next up was the Tuna roll - which we thought would be raw tuna but turned out to be a way-too-chewy fried tuna sushi roll with tempura on the outside. Nothing special and too chewy. We had a summer roll which was pretty good, and the best thing was the Vietnamese crepes. That was full of lots of shrimp and mushrooms and came with a nice light sauce. All in all, the portions were fairly large - way larger than we expected so we over ordered for two people and had enough to take home for leftovers. I'd probably skip going back there for dinner but if you're in the neighborhood, the bar is nice and it's worth stopping for a drink.
(3)
Andrea P.

I had a drink here with friends on the way back to the car after a concert. The DJ is really great and the place has an excellent vibe. If I return I'd be interested to try the food, since the menu seemed pretty diverse yet involved; as for the drink, well, it was ok--I had a dark and stormy, but I've had better.
(3)
Erica S.

I want to give this place more stars , but overall i'm not crazy about this place. The atmosphere is awesome and really cool, but otherwise this place is just ehh. I've tried their sushi and it's good, but nothing to rave about. I've also been for their brunch. I had a living social or groupon deal which helped with the price. I really enjoyed their brunch and the many options and stations they had to make omelets and Belgium waffles. This last time I wanted to try the pad Thai, but ended up getting the Massaman hot pot. It was a huge portion and lots of flavor. It was a little spicy, but mostly sweet. The veggies in it were good, but I really liked and enjoyed the broth. I also tried the soft pretzel knots and they were good, but probably will not get again. Overall I go here when invited and the food is good and the atmosphere is cool, but nothing amazing. I will say that i'm a vegetarian so can't speak for any of the meat dishes, but they are vegetarian friendly.
(3)
Annette H.

First timer but will definitely become a regular customer. Top notch service, great food, and an easy walk from the NC Symphony, a show in Memorial, or a Carolina Ballet in Fletcher.
(5)
Jessica K.

So great! It's got a really nice mix of food styles and tastes, so there's something for everyone. We've gone twice, got completely different things each time, and always loved it. The mixed drinks are also yummy.
(5)
Courtney S.

I want to start off this post by saying that even though I gave this restaurant 3 stars, I love their food. I have been twice, both for special occasions, and it has not let me down in regards to taste! Everything we ordered has been fantastic. Both times my husband and I have left we have continued to talk about the meal for days, and are always in shock at how great every dish comes out. Their flavor is on point along with their presentation, and the food comes quick which is great when ordering numerous small plates! My 3 stars if for the fact that I left with a bad taste in my mouth last night, and not because of the food. It was my husband's birthday and when the waiter found out, he brought him a birthday cake liquor shot when he brought the other drinks we ordered. The way it was presented obviously came across as complimentary because it was not something we ordered and he said "this is for your birthday". I assumed that just like some places provide a free dessert, they provide a bday shot. When we got the bill i reviewed it quickly and paid. After I got the final copy to sign I noticed the bday shot was on there for $6.00. Not wanting to make a fuss about this on his birthday, and not being a cheapskate, i let it go...but it reminded me that this exact same thing happened the last time we went for MY birthday. They brought me the same shot, and charged us. Now I guess my mistake for letting this happen a second time, but I had forgotten the first since it had been back in May. This gives me the impression that they are told to bring out a shot and charge the customer for it as a standard practice. Having worked in this industry myself for a couple years in my early 20's I am really disappointed in this practice.
(3)
Noa N.

I've made it to Buku a few times since my first review and I am less wowed by the food. I went with a friend recently to Buku who has an onion allergy. We go out all the time and she always has choices on the menu even with an onion allergy. At Buku her options were limited to a few of the breads, sashimi, and Mexican corn. The menu details some of the ingredients in a dish but does not mention onions so we had no idea how limiting the selections would be. The server said the chef could make my friend anything she wants - that's nice but when this is your first time at a restaurant as eclectic as Buku, it would be helpful if the staff could offer some suggestions. My friend ended up getting the beet salad and they had to make her a special dressing because their are onions in the traditional dressing. The Thai BBQ prawns have been a favorite of mine in the past but they seem to taste different every time I have gotten them the past 3 times. The pierogies dough was dry at my last visit. The stuffing of butternut squash and chicken is still extremely flavorful though and I would still recommend the dish. The Chinese dumplings could be a lot better - it's the safe choice for people who may not want to be adventurous with the other small plates - they taste like the frozen ones you can get at the grocery store though. Because we couldn't share a lot of the small plates, we ended up getting several desserts which we loved. The Filipino ha-ha is a treat. It has to be one of the most colorful desserts I have seen with kiwi, ume ice cream, coconut yogurt, strawberry gelatins, and plantains. I liked that they had a large selection of sorbets to choose from for the trio of sorbets - the coconut was creamy and paired well with the mango. The prickly pear was also refreshing. I still love Buku's ambience - the glass water wall, the art, the amber glow light fixtures that look like logs. I hope the food improves.
(3)
Romin B.

Let's just get this out upfront: Buku has a FANTASTIC brunch. I may change my mind later, but for now, I'm rounding down from 4.5 stars because the price is a little prohibitive for my non-existent salary. But otherwise, I really don't have anything to complain about. Food: Brunch standards + around the world comfort food. We're talking egg rolls, spanakopita, dumplings, hummus, fried chicken, massaman curry, and stuffed grape leaves. Brunch offerings include prime rib/ham/turkey carving station, made-to-order omelets that includes crab and salmon as filling options, belgian waffles with white and milk chocolate chips, pecans, and maple syrups infused with strawberry and apple (tried the strawberry - delicious!). Other things I enjoyed were an asiago cheese bagel with flavored (chives, brown sugar) cream cheeses, breakfast burritos and jalapeno muffins. The fried chicken wasn't great and I was looking for some horseradish for my prime rib, but everything else was quite good. Dessert: Wow! Cheesecake, nutella peanut butter bars, cookies, baklava, and even caramel apples! The highlight though was a blueberry cobbler with ice cream that the waitress brought out after I finished my meal. They make it to order, no extra charge, so the ice cream doesn't melt sitting out at the buffet, and it was so good. What a great touch. Non-food: Service was great despite a busy crowd. The dining area is very sleek with plenty of seating, so the groupon crowds (me included) were well-accomodated. Now for price, it's $19.95, which does not include a drink (+$2.50 for a soda, $3.50 for coffee), so definitely the high end for brunch in the triangle. For the offerings, I wouldn't say it's unreasonable, but since I'm about 5 years away from making a decent salary, I don't think I can make it a regular stop. They seem to be doing everything right though, and are well-deserving of repeat business for those that can better afford it.
(4)
Asha R.

Came here on a Saturday night. Ambiance of restaurant is nice, although somewhat dated in my opinion. Started w the mojitos which were fantastic and then ordered the German soft knots, masaman hot pot, crab stuffed avocado, and duck entree. Soft knots- incredible. Soft with right touch of salt and the honey mustard sauce was so good I could have licked my plate (and maybe did when no one was looking). Hot pot was also delicious - chicken and mushrooms in a flavorful coconut broth. Crab stuffed avocado was solid, though I felt there could be more crab. The only slight miss of the night was the seared duck entree - the slices of duck were cold, though the confit they sat on was warm. The coconut rice was tasty but on the soggy side - too much coconut milk. The flavors overall were still good though and if this dish had arrived pulled together I would have given buku five stars. Service was efficient and friendly.
(4)
Zoe Z.

They have quite a selection on the menu, a lot of which are fusion. My choice for brunch (first visit) is Viet cucumber salad and duck Adobo. There isn't anything novel in the tastes as I expected, but very true to the description, well prepared and served in time. I agree this place is somewhat overpriced ---worth a try but not the regular dining type.
(4)
Eda T.

I've been twice for brunch, and Buku is average. We made reservations and still waited almost 30 minutes to be seated. The brunch buffet is the only option? A few things of note: waffle line is beyond long on both visits, the fruit trays were not refreshed in the 2 hours or so we were there waiting/eating, buffet area is difficult to navigate when full. Breakfast drinks are fairly average. I just wasn't impressed. Positives: omelets are good, goat cheese grits are a nice change, and our server was attentive and friendly.
(3)
Cindy T.

Ok. So we went on a Sunday with the expectation we had an option to do the buffet brunch or order a la cart. I've never been to a place where you can NOT order a la cart ( I didn't see this on the website either) during brunch hours. Mind you it was 2pm. The girl said we could check it out that there were international dishes (chicken and waffles) at first we said no we will look somewhere else (hence why the 3 and not a 2 star review) there wasn't much near by that didn't offer the same American brunch fair and we had already traveled 1.5 hrs on an empty stomach. My husband said let's just eat here. The food was barely international vegetable curry and rice biriyani and some dolmas and a couple vegetable salads they said were morrocan. Besides that all traditional buffet breakfast foods u get at any resort hotel. $20 a head worth maybe depending how u eat. They gave us a military discount after I told my his ad to slap his ID in with the bill to see what happens, waitress was nice and on too of if. my sangria was one of the best I had outside of Spain. I really went in because I wanted to try these different international street foods, I'm a spoiled San Franciscan and sick of the lack of food in our town so when we have to travel almost 2 hours and spend a pretty Penny I want to have something memorable. Decor was great very clean my kind of place. I would go back at a time we can actually try the real menu. It's the next day and I'm still kinda left disappointed...
(3)
Colby S.

Their small plates are amazing! My wife and I tried the sashimi, crab-stuffed avocado, pierogi, flautas, lumpia, and Vietnamese crepe. Each and every plate was delicious! The service was very quick and helpful in suggestions. I would definitely come here for a second and third go-around!
(5)
Laurie C.

Buku Raleigh is the best restaurant I have ever been to. Lunch, dinner - no matter - the food and service is always top notch. I enjoy the hot pot, Filipino lumpia ( the BEST menu item) at lunch, and for dinner I like to try the seafood specials. I have never been disappointed here!
(5)
Bharadwaj R.

Delicious food. Small plates. Fancy decor and ambience! This is definitely a date night kind of restaurant. I went there for lunch again and the falafel wrap was good but I've had better. The street food concept is nice and the sushi was probably the best sushi I've had in the triangle area. Be willing to shell out $50 for a couple's dinner and drinks. Would definitely go again.
(4)
Brittany G.

Fool me once, shame on me apparently. Okay first off let me preface this complaint with the acknowledgement that obviously I don't read groupon fine print very well. It said, right in plain English "One groupon per table" which I must just have not read. But still the point stands, WHO EATS BRUNCH ALONE. Well played bu-ku....Well played.... Okay back to my review. A friend and I headed to bu-ku with intent on cashing in on our $10 for weekend brunch groupons. Now, I have had VERY bad experiences with brunch groupons in the past, as restaurants tend to oversell them without making enough food for the mass of people who come to redeem the deal. Luckily Bu-ku was very prepared. There was a ton of great foods to choose from including the breakfast staples like eggs and bacon to international dishes. I tried a little bit of everything, and was pleasantly surprised. Everything was warm and flavorful. I was especially impressed with the cobbler that you are able to request for at the end. Now originally this entire meal costs $20 not including drink. The groupon was for half off, which looked like a great deal....Until you realize that since you can only use one per table and then the deal is actually non- exsistant. Since neither of us was expecting to pay anything more than our drinks we decided to split the other brunch between us and play $10 a piece. The waitress then told us we could always come back and use the other groupon the same way....Which means we will pay them another $20 (10 of which we already paid to groupon when we bought the deal and $10 more when we get there) to come to brunch again. So basically this deal is only good if you come with a bunch of non-groupon savy friends....Or if you're the lucky jerk who wins rock paper sicsors to get their meal half off. Just for their sneaky groupon tactics I almost don't want to come back, but I suppose I will to get my money's worth. The food was good, but that coupon just left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Oh well, the brunch search continues!
(2)
David P.

One of the best dining experiences I have ever had. Like a culinary trip around the world. Service was professional and polite, food was beautifully presented and deliciously spiced. To be able to jump from Argentina to Poland to The Phillipines to India all in one meal was a real delight.
(5)
Meredith D.

bu*ku was wonderful, again. Jessie was our server, and she took care of the 8 of us so well. We were in a private dining area, past the wine storage. There, only three parties can be sat, and we were able to enjoy the space for most of the meal before the rest of the room filled up. Because all but one of us had been to bu*ku, a lot of the same food I've mentioned before was ordered because it's time-testedly delicious. I will say that Jessie "sold" many of us on the organic salmon instead of the scallops, mainly because four of us were going to get the scallops, so this was a great way to mix it up and share. Also, I had never seen bu*ku's take on tiramisu before, and it is one of my favorite interpretations. It comes out looking like a parfait, and it was really good with the espresso sauce on top.
(5)
Elliott W.

had some really good stuff (korean BBQ) and some ok things
(3)
Stephen B.

We always walk by buku and say we are going to try it so we decided to try this place during restaurant week. My first course was the Mexican Pozole Rojo. Its pulled pork with hominy, chile and, lime and tortilla It was delicious. It had the right amount of heat to it. My wife had ordered the lettuce wraps but she did not like it. Our server was more than happy to bring her the Pozole Rojo. My second course was the Vietnamese Surf and Turf. My steak and shrimp were cooked perfectly and the grilled rice cake that came with it was awesome. My wife loves Indian food so she ordered the Samosa Pot pie which had a masala sauce, peas, potatoes, cilantro with a turmeric spiced pastry crust and a mango-pistachio chutney. She loved it. We both ordered the Roasted Apple cake. It was very big and dense but so good. We are defiantly going back to try their regular menu. Bonus is that they have free valet parking!!!!
(4)
Markus S.

I like the idea of Street Food, tapas and small plates. They have an array of street food choices for the modern palate. Nice location and above average interior design. They offer brunch on sundays which is great (esp for people with big appetites like me) and reasonably priced. The set up is off since you have to go to the bar area (transformed into a buffet area on sundays) to get your food which is disconnected to the seating area and only creates foot traffic to waiting guests and diners, chaotic in short. Food choices were very good except for a few mishaps like wilted spring rolls, apparently some guests like it warm so they serve it in a semi enclosed heating serving pan which creates moist thus making the rolls un crispy. Bottom line this street food style resto caters to the not so adventurous eaters who like to try a different cuisine but in a non rustic way.
(4)
Scott S.

I went for Brunch, and had a living social coupon. ($10 for $20). The brunch is only via the buffet, which is huge and has a lot of options. The highlights are the waffle bar and the made-to-order omelet, in my opinion. However, this place is pretty huge, and it was packed all morning. It made for a clogged buffet line all of the time. Additionally, it's $20 per person, and you still need to buy drinks... It just seems too expensive for what is offered to me. Last thing - i think they were so busy that the wait staff forgot about things a lot (reminder for drinks we ordered, I never got any hot sauce after asking..etc...). Overall the buffet quality was really good though.
(3)
Niko B.

Woow!! Awesome place, spectacular ambiance chill-lounge, Dj playing awesome music on saturday, great service by Merci. The food, De-li-cious! I had an awesome B'day dinner w/ my wife. If your on the area make sure you visit this rest.
(5)
Jordan J.

Buku is a fabulous restaurant starting from a great idea, what they call "global street food": A fusion restaurant serving casual food, sold by street vendors, from around the world. This time, my wife had the Mussaman Curry, a vegan curry soup, and I had the pad thai with tofu. We started off with German pretzel knots. The service was prompt and courteous. The food was excellent as usual. There are choices for vegetarians and vegans, as well as plenty of fish and meat options.
(4)
Santana D.

There are two sides of Buku that I have has the pleasure of getting to know. First the Dinner/Late evening Buku, smoldering, romantic, intimate. Then there is Brunch, fresh energetic and adorable. First things first, YOU CAN ONLY USE THE GROUPON ! PER TABLE, read the fine print otherwise its not a deal once you figure it out unless your the lonely sad person eating brunch alone D:. Brunch Continued.....if you ask the waiter he will bring you possibly the cutest little fruit crumble on the planet omg and its tasty too. Okay, theres my little easter egg, the pastries breads, spreads, all tasty for the light diners.....Im a meat girl though....I spend my time at the waffle and carving stations. Dreamy waffle making guy why you no look me in the eyes.....maybe its becasue he just watched me eat two waffles like a savage...the hot statons are also very tasty the I think change even in the duration of the brunch not just week to week. They totally had a red coconut curry chicken dish the last time I went and yes it was like indian heaven :P. Dinner- They have tapas plates as well as main courses, the short ribs are the bane of my exsistence.....I could literally eat 5 servings and conider a 6th mmm. Their Spring rolls are also very fresh crispy and savory. The empanadas though not AS note worthy as the ribs could also become a meal I could gladly eat. I ador their aqua freca beverage its so tasty and is diffrent everytime I want there to be a blackberyr mango flavor one day mmm. DESERT- GET THE APPLE TART WITH THE CINNAMON ICE CREAM and your visits to buku will be a weekly thing, they put their foot in that tiny pie REEZUS!! xoxo
(4)
Sheena M.

Brunch was wonderful! Our server was very friendly and knowledgable. Guided us through the buffet and was top notch. We will be back with more people!!!
(5)
M S.

Very snazzy and veggie friendly, I'm just a poor grad student--but when a wealthier individual than I implied that they could pay for my meal...hooray! I am a huge fan of the gorgeous atmosphere. I enjoyed sampling the tapas although they took a long time to arrive. I am a rather impatient person though, so it's probably not their fault. I long to visit this gorgeous restaurant again, and when I have the money I will. It's not the best that I've ever had and it's hardly authentic, but it's still pretty decent in my humble opinion. I liked the Aloo chana chat, in particular.
(4)
Matthew N.

Not a fan, the food's overpriced and nothing to write home about. Many other great options downtown...
(2)
Eric G.

their Sunday brunch is wonderful - lots to choose from!!! Also have a huge patio to dine on as well. I love this place!
(4)
Nathan P.

Mixed feelings.
(3)
Sharon J.

Like the location. That's it!!! We rush to get there for our reservation at 10:45 pm. We were told 4 times the kitchen closed at 11. We went prepared to order not to delay or inconvenience, but we were seated about 11:50 and NO ONE ACKNOWLEDGE US OR TOOK OUR ORDER. We politely got out coats and left. We will never go back. At least we could have been acknowledged. Customer service is not hard work.
(1)
Becka W.

Really enjoy this place. I've been twice now. I live about an hour and a half away depending on which city I'm in, and my family and I plan our Raleigh/buku trips in advance! We always end up taking food home because the vast variety of tapas all sound so delicious! You're going to want to try everything. My favorite thus far has been the buku hot pot, laval roll (I may have it mixed up with the buku roll which is also good, but the cream cheese roll is our favorite), Mexican grilled corn, jumbo shrimp and probably a dozen other things I can't think of at the moment. Just yum all around! Can't wait to try Sunday brunch.
(5)
Vanessa M.

I love this place! They are a global food place and they offer small plates so you can try a few different things. They also have regular sized meals so you can have one meal if you'd like. I tried a few different things and loved them all. The service was pretty good. Our waitress was very attentive and helpful. I live in Fayetteville but go here when I go to Raleigh. The restaurant is beautiful too, real nice atmosphere.
(5)
Kuanyu C.

Coming back here as my first stop for the Triangle Restaurant Week, shows how much I like this place. For TRW Bu-Ku offers the following: [Appetizer] Sing-ha rolls (tuna tataki, asparagus, cucumber, avocado, masago); Samosas with mango chutney, cucumber tzatziki, and sweet chili [Entree] Jamaican jerk chicken, with coconut rice, beans, caramelized plantains, mango salad; Thai yellow curry prawns, with purple rice, pumpkin dices, and snow peas; Ethiopian Berbere Stew, which I did not get to taste. [Dessert] Banana spring roll, with spiced dark chocolate, and coffee ice cream; Filipino Halo-Halo: ube (purple yam) ice cream parfait with kiwi, jackfruit, palm fruit, colored tapioca balls (bubba), coconut custard, with guava sauce. [Taste] Out of tonight's dishes, the Thai yellow curry is not spicy but a bit on the sweet side, which I suppose sorta compliment the prawns. The jerk chicken has good flavor but a little dry to my taste. Banana spring roll with the chocolate sauce was really rich, that I feel like I can taste every single calories that was being ingested. Filipino Halo-Halo was an experience. Halo-Halo is a very traditional Filipino dessert dish, and Bu-Ku did a really good job recreate the flavors.
(4)
Caroline Q.

I like the ambiance and service is not bad. Now I'm only rating the food based on small plates and it's ehhh. I'm not a huge fan of their small plates, and their lumpia is NOT Filipino lumpia.
(3)
Nick W.

The menu selection is impressive, the quality is even better. Filipino Duck Adobo, Korean Barbeque, Chilean Sea Bass, South African Lamb Kebabs, Hanoi-Style Red Snapper, and the Belgian Steak Frites are my favorite dishes. They are beautifully presented and capture the true artistry and diverse flavor palate offered around the globe. For an even greater visual experience, request a booth or table beside the waterfall bar.
(5)
Terra W.

Pom frittes. What more can I say?
(5)
Chaicharn S.

As a global traveler, I would have to say that Buku is not true to its billing as "Global Street Food". While the ambiance and the tastefully decorated interior gives an inviting and pleasant vibe, IMHO, this restaurant is best described as a "place to be seen" atmosphere. The choices from the menu were: Sake-braised short ribs South African lamb kabobs Thai BBQ prawns Overall, the food was presented in an artistic and playful manner, but it fell short on delivering taste. The notable disappointments were: 1. The sake-braised short ribs were overly sweet that the short rib seemed to be nearly caramelized with molasses and 2. The Thai BBQ prawns were a bit overcooked and the bed of papaya salad was mouth-twistingly sour. In SE Asia, a bit of sugar and fish sauce goes a long way in removing that vinegar sourness. It was a nice try, but not worth a return as this is far from true street food fare.
(2)
Inez G.

We went last year for brunch because of a Groupon deal. The food was great and the vibe/decor of the restaurant reminded me of Vegas for some reason. But that's where it stopped. It was so crowded because of the Groupon deal that people were crammed in the dining area and the line was ridiculously long for brunch. I'd like to go back another time when it's not so "busy" to try it out and get a better sense of how it is to dine there.
(3)
cristin f.

Delicious food and extensive gluten free menu. Our server, Erin, was very knowledgable as helpful with dietary restrictions. Great experience!
(4)
Amanda S.

Went here with a friend awhile back and I've heard so many different things from this place. My personal experience was eh-okay. Nothing necessarily stood out to be negative other than the prices were a lot pricey'er than expected and even though the service was good -- the server asked if it was a special occasion (we were on a date) and we said sort of, and even though we didn't ask for it, brought to the table a dessert for us to share. You would think it wasn't going to be charged assuming we didn't ASK for it. Low and behold...yup -- it was most definitely on our tab and I mean we ate it under the assumption that it was a gift from the server, not that we had to pay for it. So we felt bad giving him crap about it after the fact. So we swallowed our pride and paid for it. I got chicken and it had spinach to go with it and it was okay -- chicken was good and crunchy in spots but nothing to rave home about. We each had an entree and a glass of wine (and don't forget that sweet dessert) and the meal was about $100. Not cheap for a random weeknight date if you ask me.
(3)
Lynn C.

Great service and nice brunch buffet spread. Haven't had lunch or dinner but brunch is a must. Enjoy
(4)
Katie H.

I think this is my favorite restaurant in Raleigh! Great taste pairings, interesting, delicious plates. I've always received great service from knowledgable waiters/waitresses.
(5)
Monicca S.

The two stars are for its ambiance, decor, and the downtown cool location. For the food the restaurant gets nothing. There were 4 people in our party. We each tried completely different cuisines so we can sample everything. We got the asian hot pot, the Indian street chaat, the Thai pad thai and papaya salad and the Latin American empanadas. Guess what? Not one of those dishes tasted anything like the real thing. They were either too sweet (hot pot), too salty (thai), or with wrong spices (Indian and Latin American) The concept is cool, that you get global street food from across the globe all in one spot. I really did want to like Buku. But the lack of authenticity and the disregard to the basic tastes of the cuisines it pretends to emulate, is unforgivable. It will only work for you if you have never had the original so have nothing to compare Buku to. And it is not cheap. Take your money to more worthy locations
(2)
Marc C.

It has been a year or two since I last visited Buku. I'm sorry I waited so long to return. We dined with a party of seven and we all enjoyed it. Service was attentive and efficient. Our server did a great job at keeping beverage glasses full and keeping up with our various orders. At the end of the evening, he admitted to it being his first night. That being the case, he did a great job! We opted for small plates and a few entrees to share and worked our way through a big chunk of the menu. We ordered just a few items at a time and that allowed for a nice pace to the meal. (we learned our lesson during a previous visit when we ordered about a dozen small plates and they all came out at once...) My favorite was the Sake-braised Short Rib with a Japanese soy-demi glace. Excellent flavor and it melted in your mouth. The Lumpia had great flavor as well. The kimchi that was served with the Korean BBQ was authentic. It was crispy and very spicy...ummm. One of the featured cocktails was the StrawbeÃ±ero Sling--Skyy Citrus, fresh strawberry, habeÃ±ero, lemon, lime. The habenero gave it just the right hint of spice. Several members of our party enjoyed more than one! Buku is a great place for a large group. I won't wait too long to return.
(4)
Alejandra S.

AMAZING! our favorite spot! great Sunday brunch and great dinner. awesome service and affordable.
(5)
Jonathan W.

Buku Sunday brunch - great selection of breakfast favorites with the addition of many international lunch selections. Every dish tasted amazing, so opposed to simply stuffing myself as quickly as possible, as with most brunch buffets, I found myself taking my time on small portions of each. Was surprised to not find a thing I did not like. No bottomless mimosas, but the drinks are great. Do yourself a favor and spend your mid-morning/afternoon Sunday here.
(5)
Ann F.

Went for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the small plates. Such a great selection of foods from around the world, we started with the german pretzel knots, and then enjoyed the chicken empanadas, the vegetable dumplings, and aloo chana chat. Let's see - Europe, South America, China & India all represented in one meal - yum! We had made a reservation for a Saturday night and were seated right away. Service was great, atmosphere was great, and food was wonderful. Will definitely return!
(4)
Doc B.

Pregnant with child And his name is BRUNCH FOOD: served in a buffet style the options do not stop from frittatas, waffles, to spanakopita. They have options for you veggie friends to your carnivorous with tender cuts at the carving station. The options are constantly changing with food from all over the world. ENVIRONMENT: The dÃ©cor is amazing. Of course I do love my hole in the wall but when I can get great food in an amazing environment I have reached Valhalla SERVICE: Many times you have two waiters serving you at a time. I have never had such amazing service with my glass never going empty (Libations or that thing they call water). Plates are always cleared and your server will give you a tour around they bars giving you information about all the various types of food and even helped pick out items my vegetarian friends could eat. A++++ TIPS: Make reservations especially for large parties. If you have to wait and it is a cold day try my favorite: Hot chocolate with Amaretto. CONS: I did not wear my sweat pants CONCLUSION: With a reasonable price, great food, amazing service, and a fabulous modern global atmosphere this place should be on the top of your list for brunch spots.
(4)
Liz D.

A friend and I took a trip up to BuKu for an early dinner on Veterans Day and booked a reservation via OpenTable. I had originally made the reservation for 6:45pm and called the resturant to possibly move the reservation to 4pm instead. The host was very friendly and gladly moved the reservation for me. When we arrived at the restaurant I was amazed at how beautiful the interior decorating was. There was a bar to the left of the main entryway and the way separating the ball from the main dining room was a cascading waterfall. The ambiance of the entire place was very elegant and amazing. The restaurant was fairly quiet since there were not many people at the time we arrived. Our waiter, Terry, explained which items on the menu were tapas (small plates) and which ones were big enough for the two of us to share. After careful review my friend and we decided to get: Baba Ghanouj- which was eggplant and sesame tahini that was served with petite slices of bread and crisp pita. Perogies- beer braised chicken with brown sugar and butternut squash. Empanadas- chicken with avocado, farmer's cheese and tomato. Truffle Roasted Ashley Farms Chicken- Roasted chicken with garlic mashed potato puree and broccolini Everything except the truffle roasted chicken were tapas. The baba ghanouj had a very smooth texture and amplified the taste of any pita you could have. It had a hint of garlic which gave it the tad of a kick that I love. The perogies were the best that I ever had. The butternut squash definitely helped contribute to such an amazing dish. My friend was the one that ate the empanadas and she had absolutely no complaint at all. We both shared the truffle roasted chicken and the meat was extremely moist and juicy. The potato puree was simply divine! The roasted garlic flavor and the chicken were paired quite nicely together. The broccolini was also a nice touch and helped to bring some color to the plate. Our waiter, Terry, was a very considerate man. He asked us if we had a preference on which plates came out first, and when I asked him to surprise us he was more than happy to. Terry asked us if we were going to a show or had to be somewhere at a certain time because the chicken would take a little longer to cook, but we had no rush. He was very professional and had a great sense of humor. This is the best restaurant in Raleigh, thus far!
(5)
Kathryn E.

Super cool atmosphere. Downtown Raleigh, holla!!!! When you step in, you feel like you've just stepped out of the Triangle which is a huge and fabulous feat. The inside has an Asian-Fusion feel (think waterfalls, dim lighting, dark wood). Great bar area, all around a cozy and swank place to be. The food adds to the pizazz through tons of innovative flavors and delectable dishes which will make your eyebrows raise in delight. Many of the dishes are quite authentic (i.e. not for the faint-of-stomach) so beware when ordering. This only adds to the experience and should make for an enjoyable evening of culinary exploration. Buku, I heart you.
(4)
Ron W.

Oddly enough, I had been to buku twice before this past weekend's visit and had never eaten there! But the Yelp Sunday Brunch Bunch came-a-callin' and it was time to get 'er done. I got there early and happily planted myself at the bar, watching the shimmering water wall trickle down... "Excuse me but, where's the bathroom?!" Yeah, it might have been subliminal water wall influences or maybe just the pint of beer I put down... I ran into fellow Yelper Michael E at the hostess desk so it was time to eat! The dining room at buku (actually, the whole place) is quite fancy and well put-together. In its previous incarnation as Fins, we're talking high-end but buku has put together an interesting menu at easier price-points. For this UYE we finally got to meet Yelper Nancy Y and I got to sit across from Jon H which is always entertaining. I ordered up a curry noodle dish, laksa for the table and a lovely cuban eggs benedict (pork over an egg and plantain cakes). The laksa was a HUGE bowl that we shared across four people, a light fragrant curry broth with rice noodles and chicken. And I really enjoyed the cuban benedict: braised pork over the sweet plantain base was really interesting. Brunch service had just started two weeks earlier at buku so word is not out about this place, yet... Service was spot on (as you could imagine, since it was empty) so the Yelp group could be as loud as it wanted to be. Brit regaled us with tales of nuking fruit flies and we psycho-analyzed hoarding tendencies over the brunch table, fun stuff! All I can say is I'm glad I finally ATE at buku, man can not live by cocktails and beer alone. Check it out if you're into interesting ethnic flavors and fusion noms. At these prices and for this level of service and ambiance I think you'll be pleased. Merci buku!
(4)
April T.

Rolling out of bed delicious brunch. My birthday dinner date was fabulous. I truly didn't think Buku could get any better. Someone told me about their Brunch and I've gotta say The Brunch knocked my socks off. The perfect ending to a Sunday. So many choices. I was like a kid in a candy store. The waffle and omelet station are top notch. Don't miss out on the mimosas. Some may consider it a bit pricey but the food and atmosphere are truly worth it.
(5)
Tee O.

I went to this restaurant for an event for Sunday Brunch. Ambiance was the best thing in this restaurant. The food (at least on the brunch menu) was mediocre, but for $20, I guess you get what you paid for. I thought the selections were pretentious, mostly rabbit food like 3 kinds of couscous-really? different types of hummus, sorry looking frittata, and some other Mediterranean inspired stuff. Typically, I like to try new things, but I wasn't impressed by the buffet at all. Deviled eggs were good, tried a salmon omelet, it was OK. Would I go back, if I am in the area and there was nothing else. I was not impressed, but it was only $20 and I was in great company of my friends so it was tolerable.
(2)
Rebecca C.

I came in here with a stomach upset after a wedding banquet the previous night. The service was amazing - even though the pho is off the menu at that particular moment, the chef made the much needed dish for me - perfectly balanced with a bit of spice, great quality beef rolled up where you can eat at the right point of rareness depending on your individual taste (by choosing how long you want to steep your beef in the soup). The corn biscuit looked so good that i had to have a bite - it did not disappoint. General food overall is probably 4 star (pho was 5 star). But the service and southern hospitality pushed it to 5 star.
(5)
Paula E.

On a beautiful Sunday morning, we decided to try Buku due to having a living social coupon to use. The breakfast buffet (only thing available- no menu items available) was delicious. The usual offerings of carved meats, sausage, bacon, omelets to order, waffles, cold items and some desserts. Everything we tasted was fresh and it was a nice breakfast for both of us. Cost 19.95 per person doesn't include coffee though, and some cocktails are available.
(4)
Traci M.

Fantastic place. We ordered a Thai dish and sushi. Fresh and delicious food. The place has awesome decor, great bar spot or dinner.
(5)
Dana M.

I've been here a few times and it's become one of my favourite restaurants in downtown Raleigh. The server was very friendly and made great recommendations on my first visit, and when I returned a few weeks later, she not only recognized me but even remembered the wine I had tried on my previous visit. I also loved the big covered patio; great if you want to sit outside on a rainy day without getting soaked! The crab-stuffed avocado is to die for, and they have a solid wine selection. Other great dishes I've loved were the slow-cooked short ribs (loved the truffle oil puree), the perogies (I'm from a Ukranian family and usually picky about perogies, but this was a very unique and tasty spin), and the Burmese devilled eggs were a great element to whet my appetite. If you like creme brulee, the ginger creme brulee will change your life.
(5)
Kim C.

Have been here several times and every time the food and service is wonderful. This is probably the largest restaurant in downtown Raleigh and seems to always have steady traffic. Awesome food! I try to not repeat anything from the previous visit but short ribs always end up on the table somehow. There are great gluten free and vegetarian options. You can go tapas style or entree plates. Everything is fresh and seasonal. Great place to take a group who can't agree on what cuisine to eat. Lots of countries to choose from. Staff has always been friendly and accommodating. No problem with special diets. Try brunch on Sundays! Best fried chicken (crazy right?!), great pastries and out of the ordinary choices like curry, lumpia, a hummus bar, potstickers etc. Largest covered porch for al fresco dining.
(5)
Candace T.

Really like this place. The drinks are great I can't get enough of the Ricky Ginny's with cilantro jalapeÃ±os and cucumber this drink is unbelievable! Their sushi is awesome always fresh. The menu gives you so many different options great place if you're not sure what you're in the mood for. Large restaurant plenty of tables inside rarely have had to wait. Nice venue for a large party. Great tapas, the Vietnamese crepe is on point everything I've had has been Delish. Try the tiramisu for dessert.
(4)
Shelley B.

My husband and I chose this place for our anniversary dinner a week ago. The atmosphere was nice, and I really like the concept of the place, but our dishes were really hit or miss and the service could have been better. The pretzels were great, and I really liked my hot pot, but my husband's shrimp were raw in the middle. He discovered this about halfway through his second shrimp, and he got sick later. They brought out new, fully cooked shrimp after we brought the raw seafood to their attention, but I feel that we should not have been charged for this dish. Lastly, the waiter completely forgot to bring out one of our dishes, and that was another strike against them. Perhaps I'd try them again, but there are many other great places out there, so I don't know...
(3)
Amy L.

Can we talk about Buku's brunch? While expensive, it's worth every penny. We love to come here on special occasions and enjoy the global buffet spread. From an omelet station to made-to-order waffles to my favorite, spanikopita, there's something for everyone.
(5)
Thomas S.

Went for a birthday. It was great and the service was good.
(4)
Shreyas J.

They claim to have street foods from all over the world. Most of the names you havent heard before and you will not hear it again. So its difficult to comment on the authenticity of the food. I tried some indian, polish and jamaican street food. Being an indian I would say, it wasnt that good (atleast indian food) portions are meant just to give you an idea. So they are REALLY SMALL. Even the regular portions are small. But its not a bad place. Very nice ambiance and good service. But I visited it in a big group and got chance to taste almost their entire menu in one visit. Unfortunately, I couldnt find anything tasty enough to visit this place again.
(3)
Martha C.

This restaurant is perfect when you feel like going to a swanky place for a delicious cocktail and you aren't too hungry. The food is DELICIOUS but pricey for the small portions. Try the mussels or the brown butter pierogies, they're outta this world.
(5)
Amber S.

I have eaten there several times. The best meals are during restaurant week other wise its just ok.
(3)
Alanna L.

You can order anything on the menu and it will be fresh and amazing. Definitely order the Hot Pot!!
(5)
Amy H.

This place is amazing. Their menu features dishes from a variety of different countries. You can get thai curry dishes, arepas, polish pierogies, and a huge variety of sushi dishes along with much more. Normally, Im wary if places which have a menu this varied; I feel like the quality of the food often suffers if the chef doesnt specialize. Bu Ku is the exception to this rule, however. Everything I have tried here has been amazing. Most of the dishes here are small plates so you can try a large variety of foods in one outing The raw fish dishes are absolutely stand out. The Hawaiian tuna poke is my favorite. It features high quality, fresh diced tuna topped with macadamia nuts on top of a won ton. The flavors in this dish all work together amazingly well. Ive ordered this dish everytime Ive gone to Bu Ku. The red snapper tiradito is also a winner. Its served in a thick, peppery and vinegary sauce; If youve ever had peruvian food, the sauce tastes similar to the yellow Peruvian hot sauce which is often served with fish dishes. Interestingly, this dish also comes with sweet potato chips. I avoided the chips at first because I didnt think they would go with the meal but eventually, I tried the chips, fish, and sauce all together and the unique combination of flavors was actually really delicious. Lesson learned: from now on, I will trust the experts at Bu Ku and try every item on my plate. Its hard for me to venture away from the sushi menu at Bu Ku but I have also tried the pierogies and was very impressed. Theyre filled with chicken and squash which is a nice spin on the more common potato and cheese filling. The chicken is amazingly tender and goes very well with the squash. Their strawberry lime agua fresca is delicious and paired well with all of the foods I ordered. Bu ku is definitely a place I would recommend to anyone who enjoys trying diverse foods. One word of advice I would give, however, is that its a much fancier place than the name lets on. Since the restaurant has 'global street food' in the name, I originally thought it would be a more casual and cheap place. Its actually a pretty fancy place-I wore jeans when I went and a;though they didnt turn me away, I felt out of place. It can also get pretty expensive since the small plates arent that filling. Because of the price, its not a place most people can go to regularly but its worth the splurge every once and awhile!
(5)
Vanessa P.

Love the food!! Anytime I have friends or family visit I bring them here. Haven't been disappointed with one dish yet! Love the staff and the bartenders know how to mix a drink!! Patio is so great and the inside is modern and clean. Will keep coming back.
(4)
Rick C.

Any restaurant that tries to provide a sampling of dishes from across the globe is going to likely have difficulty doing anything superbly. Still, buku does many things reasonably well. The Tom Yum Hotpot was excellent. The Baja Crab flautas were tasty. I wasn't too impressed with the Pacifica roll. For the price ($12), I would have expected some sashimi on top. Instead it was basically a tuna roll with a very minimal amount of shrimp in the roll. A little bland as well. My server was very friendly and attentive and the ambiance was good. Overall, worth a try but doesn't quite deliver anything special enough relative to price. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could.
(3)
Mariko M.

The bestie and I decided to explore Raleigh the other day. After a few hours of sightseeing, we decided to go for dinner. There were a few places that we were debating on, but ultimately decided to have dinner at Bu-Ku. The menu is considered Asian Fusion cuisine - there is an element of Korean, Japanese, Thai amongst others. Aesthetically pleasing, we were greeted by the manager and hostess at the entrance of Bu-Ku. There are two areas: the dining room and the bar. I would recommend sitting in the bar area as there are quite a few tables where you can enjoy your meal. It's very chic and cool. While enjoying our meal, we had live music in the background, which is always a nice touch to any occasion! The bestie and I ordered a variety of smaller dishes and shared. Most of the items we chose were a hit! We ordered: beef tataki; scallops; lamb meatballs; grilled octopus; smoked salmon; and naan like bread. Of the following, you can most definitely skip the last two items as they were quite bland. The smoked salmon had a lemon and dill flavoring, but I was not too impressed. In addition, the naan like bread was like a bland piece of pita bread. If I wanted that, I could have just gone to the nearest grocers and bought 6 for $2. Besides those two 'oops' dishes, I was impressed! No dinner is complete without a drink! The bestie and I ordered the Rue Eden Drink Cart. This is a MUST! It's like a mojito with a twist. I had a lovely time at Bu-Ku. Good food, good company - la dolce vita. :)
(5)
Julie M.

Loved this place!! They have a huge menu that can be a little overwhelming to navigate because there are so many interesting items you will want to try. I recommend coming with friends and ordering a bunch of plates and sharing!! We had the Burmese deviled eggs (yum! Careful though, they are spicy!), the pita and hummus (which was okay), the Vietnamese crepe (reminiscent of a crunchy taco but spicy and delicious!), the Filipino Lumpia (loved the cilantro sauce!!) and the Korean BBQ (my favorite!!!!). For dessert we have the creme brÃ»lÃ©e trio (vanilla and ginger were the best!) and the halo halo (I preferred the ube ice cream by itself but it was an interesting dish). I would love to eat here again next time I am in town!
(5)
Jeevan P.

This place has awesome fusion of food. Tried PIE mussels and banana leaf steamed red snapper. They were delicious. Service and ambience was amazing. Would love to go here again to try other items from their mouth watering menu.
(5)
Nicole L.

I went here with a few friends, a small group! It was so fun! Great atmosphere and scene!!! Exactly what we were looking for on a Friday night! The menu is meant for sharing...Recommend a few small dishes and entrees and share around the table...super fun that way and you get to try many different items. We ordered a lot, I think about 10 items for 4 people. Yes, we were stuffed, the server did a great job of pacing the dishes though. It wasn't too expensive with 2 bottles of wine...but we did have to skip out on dessert! Its a great place for a fun filled evening, if you have a small to large group and want to try many different types of dishes!!
(4)
Sara S.

Bu ku was such a great treat for Friday night. Everything in the restaurant is beautifully designed, and I loved the waterfall bar. The staff was also very friendly. On the flip side, I felt that it was a bit of a misnomer to have a restaurant based on street foods and to be so very upscale. My boyfriend and I felt pretty under dressed, and we actually were dressed quite nicely. As for the food, everything we had was delicious. We decided to get three small plates and to split a large plate, as many of the small plates looked like they would be the highlight of this trip. First off, let me tell you about my Sangria. I have been searching the Triangle for a decent Sangria and had yet to find it. Buku's Sangria made my trip. We ordered deviled eggs, which had been soaking in some sort of soy sauce brine and they were amazing. Next we had Filipino Lumpia, which was also quite tasty with a cilantro sauce (it was also served with mango, but the mango was not ripe and was a little underwhelming). Next we had mussels, which were by far the most plump and delicious mussels I've ever had (normally not a huge fan). They were served in this thick, creamy sauce that was perfect for dipping the toast. For a large plate, we had Korean barbeque. This is why the restaurant did not get 5 stars in my book. All of the small plates had been so tasty that I had pretty high hopes for this dish. It was... meh. The meat was overcooked. Overall, the flavors were great. I desperately wanted more rice, as they only provided this tiny mound to go with the larger amounts of meat, spinach, and kimchi. Who does that? Dessert was chocolate souffle with almond ice cream. YUM. That is all. Overall, I think this place is great, and I will definitely come back. I will likely be sticking with the small plates, as the only reasonable large plate is Korean BBQ at $18 and everything else was $25-30. Also, the small plates are just really exciting and flavorful, like an adventure of sorts, and I would rather have 4-5 small plates than to end on a large one and be dissapointed.
(4)
Chris D.

I just couldn't get over the menu. What is this place? Pierogi, empanadas, pad thai? Seriously? Come on.......wait......let me take another bite......... well......ok that's really, really good...... let me just finish this off. So I got the pork dumplings and empandas small plates for lunch. Hummus for a starter. Outside of the physical temperature being a bit low the meal was simply outstanding.
(5)
Susan Z.

Great atmosphere/environment, aesthetically pleasing customers/servers, and overall nice place! I did not try the food as I was saving room for more sweet ethanol fuel later on. But they seemed light on the vegetarian options. Although there is a stage for music, this is definitely not a place you feel comfortable shakin' what your mama gave you. This is a place where I relish the fact I now have an *income* and no longer need to do cheap Smirnoff vodka shots in my friends' apartments before heading out for clubbing. After buku, you can call it an early night or head out for some more lively nightlife. With our awesome Yelp entourage, we did the latter. Buku definitely set the right mood!
(4)
Michelle H.

Delish!
(5)
Dee B.

Had the Miso-Citrus Salmon and the Merci Bouquet --best!! The service was great and we enjoyed every bite and the ambiance. Definitely going back for restaurant week & brunch! Great food, music and drinks! Waitstaff and manager Jordan was awesome!! Keep up the great work!
(4)
Jessica B.

Pretty much, dine at your own risk at this restaurant offering "Global Street Food" at a markup. When we sat down, as I checked in on Yelp, the waiter snottily asked if I was texting him. Yeah, I think people who stay on their smart phones through a meal are rude, but I was only on for a second. I was pretty hungry so we asked for bread. We were told, "They do not do that there." OK! The food was very hit or miss. My husband had a Greek salad that looked good. I had the Vermicelli Noodle Salad chicken, peanuts, grapefruit, cilantro, avocado, chili vinaigrette. What a joke. It was a bowl of vermicelli noodles with like a 1/4 of an avocado on it and that much chicken. No flavor at all. After I ate it, I was still hungry, since it was all noodles. When I asked the waiter to see the menu again he said they had switched over to the dinner menu and was confused as to what to do. My husband managed to snag me a dinner menu and I got a sushi roll, which was fair but did fill me up. At that point, the waiter bought me a refill on my beer or this review would be more like 2 stars. To give credit where credit is due... Pros: Nice interior, a very pretty bar and good beer selection.
(3)
Zoe M.

Great service and after having been several times and trying 10+ menu items I haven't been disappointed once. The lumpia and street corn are favorites. One of the only places I've been to that does so many types of food so well
(5)
Bob H.

Buku offers a wide range of food from different countries. They advertise by saying they serve food from street vendors, but that doesn't do the restaurant justice. The food is very good and offers different sizes of plates. They also have a full bar. The location is good because it is within walking distance of many places in downtown Raleigh. Also, there is a parking deck nearby. My wife is vegan and she never has trouble finding food she likes. The service has been very good every time I've eaten at Buku.
(4)
Josh W.

Really love the brunch here. Arrived a bit later than previous times and enjoyed having more lunch than breakfast items this time. The selection is always great with the usuals like omlettes, waffles, muffins and some of the best bacon I've ever had, but also some different, but equally yummy items like spanikopita, hummus, deviled eggs, cucumber salad, carved meats and delicious cheesecake! I always leave here a bit more stuffed than I'd like, but it's because it's all so good! Service was really good too. Be sure to indulge in a mimosa or bellini as well.
(5)
Linda M.

I heard a lot of really great things about this restaurant but for the price versus the flavor and portion, there are better options in Raleigh. The sushi was just okay. A fun atmosphere though.
(3)
Cameron S.

One of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh. Andy has recommended great dishes to me several times. The staff seems knowledgeable and friendly. It is a very unique menu from sushi to steak to large bowls of soup everything is meant to be shared so you will probably order 3 or 4 small plates for a party of two. Cochinita Arepa is my favorite dish.
(5)
Liz W.

Buku is an interesting place. The concept, as has been mentioned, is "global street food", which basically means there are a ton of random dishes from various different locales all thrown together haphazardly on one menu. Asian, Latin, Ethiopian...you name it, it's there, pretty much. For our appetizers, we sampled the pierogis, the lumpia and the empanadas, as well as several kinds of flatbreads with different dipping sauces. They were all tasty, with the exception of the flatbread, which was stale-ish. The lumpia were definitely my favorite! For my entree I ordered the plantain-crusted Chilean sea bass, which was served with caramelized squash and a sweet citrus sauce. It was good, but I would have preferred the sauce to be less sweet, because it ended up overpowering all of the other flavors. For dessert, I had the creme brulee trilogy which was SO good. They bring out mini portions of vanilla, chocolate and...my favorite...ginger flavored! I will say, however, that one of our waiters had a really bad attitude. I asked if they had moscato, and he positively SNEERED: "Oh I don't think we have THAT." As if I was a complete moron who had asked him to bring me a steaming mug full of dog poo. As if I had just confessed to him that I like to kill puppies and eat slugs and enjoy tripping my grandmother deliberately. Now I'm sorry I'm not a wine snob. I'm not up on what goes with what and notes of blackberry and whiffs of oak leaves. Please, haul me out into the street and beat me with sticks. Clearly, I deserve it. But I don't get what the big deal was about attempting to order a glass of moscato, that it should have evoked such a violently disgusted reaction from this waiter. It bugged me. A lot. But anyway, the food here is good and the atmosphere is definitely right, if you're interested in a night on the town in downtown Raleigh. But dear god, whatever you do, DON'T attempt to order the moscato!
(3)
Crystal W.

Whether going for the full Sunday brunch (you'd better arrive STARVING because it has about 200 delicious food items) or stopping by just for dessert (the creme brulee trio cannot be beat) we always enjoy a trip to Buku. I'd say 4 stars rather than 5 because it's a little crowded for my taste- and I don't mean "popular and full". I mean, they put too many tables in there, and you have to bump into other patrons to get in and out of your seat, especially in the 2 seat section. Their "hot pot" appetizer is not something to miss and literally every food item I've had there is amazing. I definitely recommend trying it out, but maybe call for a reservation and specifically request a real table and not a 2-person table where you may feel a little cramped.
(4)
Michael H.

I like Buku, and I want to like it more. The concept is a fantastic one; the reason I only give it three stars is because it's a bit too "buffet" to really feel like a coherent meal. The concept of different world "street foods" sounds neat, but if you're like me you'll be left scratching your head and wondering what to order. What Latin dishes go with which Asian dishes? Will the bold sauces in one overpower the delicate flavors of another? We ordered a menagerie of things tapas-style, and each individual item was tasty. But as an entire meal, it was a bit too much of a smorgasbord for my taste. I enjoy well crafted meals that take me on a "taste trip" with clear departure and arrival points; buku was a bit like getting off and back on the subway at every stop just to say that you did. But if you enjoy the "eclectic" style, this may be just the ticket for you!
(3)
Heather B.

A LOT/Beaucoup/BuKu Global Street Food Visits: about once a month R-Line Stop: R15 BuKu offers an international smorgasbord that is sure to delight everyone in your party. I love the diversity of the menu and I have enjoyed everything I have tried which is the majority of the menu (except for the breads, rice, and grains). BuKu is a tapas/small plate type of restaurant, which naturally encourages sharing. So be adventurous and try something new. I'll highlight a couple of my favorites. The Citrus-braised Beets is a delicious salad. The red and orange beets are sliced thin and layered with thin slices of soft, tangy goat cheese lying on a bed of baby arugula. The salad is accompanied by a puree of the red and orange beets-very appealing to the eye as well as the palette. All the rolls are amazing but my favorite is the Cambodia Roll because it is very healthy but mostly because of the peanut sauce. The peanut sauce is thick, creamy, and slightly spicy-it makes the dish! The Filipino Lumpia are little cigar shaped fried taquitos filled with a tasty ground pork. To me, it is the mango salad and chili that make this dish special. The mango is cool and sweet and the chili is spicy hot. It's a great combination. As you can tell, I love spicy food so the Thai BBQ Snapper is another spicy dish I really like. This is a larger small plate. The menu items in the section labeled "in off the street" are large plates and originated partly from the owner's previous restaurant called Fins which was the restaurant located in the same spot before BuKu and in north Raleigh before that. These dishes really showcase the chef's talent to combine multiple flavors for a gourmet experience. The desserts are phenomenal too so save room. The sorbets are some of the best I've tasted. They are creamy and have very strong flavor...you don't have any doubt what the flavor is. I also recommend the apple pie a la mode. They have a great specialty cocktail list. Over the summer, I've enjoyed the fresh fruit muddled margaritas particularly strawberry. BuKu has 30 wines by the bottle for under $30. These wines are also available by the glass. I don't care for the dining room. I prefer the bar lounge or the patio. The waterfall wall behind the bar is gorgeous. My husband and I tend to eat by 7 pm and several times while enjoying dinner outside, a trash truck picks up across the street and they seem to be there for a long time and they are very noisy but that's downtown dining. BuKu is within walking distance to the Performing Arts Center, the Raleigh Amphitheater, and other downtown venues so make plans to try some Asian Fusion and Latin American cuisine at BuKu before or after catching a show.
(4)
Sandy D.

Who knew that a review for "best apple tart" would take us to a delish overall meal. The best dinner! Great waiter(Turner). All food suggestions were spot-on, delicious, and pretty. Just look at the great photos we all want to share. Downtown Raleigh in a contemporary site, gentle decor. Good prices. We may cancel tomorrow's plans and go back there. So many nice flavors to choose. How I wish this savvy fusion streetfood was in Gso. And,yes, the hot apples with cinnamin ice cream was good... Thanks for the food tour,T.
(4)
Derric F.

Nice ambiance and beautiful food presentation, however, the same can't be said about the food. I've tried 3 different entrees and each was very bland and one was very tasteless. $3.50 for three baguette slices is very pricey and equally pretentious. Tiny flies were present throughout our meal and kept trying to get in our food. I would recommend for business get-togethers and drinks, that is, only if you have the money to blow. Other than that, there are many better restaurants downtown than this place.
(2)
Brenna B.

Are you looking for a really cool "global cuisine" restaurant in the Triangle? This restaurant is absolutely Fabulous! The beautiful decor and the Trendy vibe sets in apart from many restaurants in the area. The waterfall behind the bar is awesome! The food is great! We're going back!
(4)
Sana Z.

Pad Thai with shrimp was the best I've had in years. Service was slow on a Tuesday night, but I was also seated in the lounge. Had the aloo chaat as an appetizer. Not great but it was a pretty dish.
(4)
Summer F.

We went here prior to a symphony concert, and we'll be back next time we go to Raleigh. Service was thoughtful and friendly and we never felt rushed. The menu is varied (Thai, Japanese, Indian, Mediterranean) so there is something for almost everyone. We overheard an elderly woman at the next table ask about french fries (I'm pretty sure they weren't listed on the dinner menu) and they got them for her. The food was delightful. We had the mushroom miso soup, lava roll, a scallops entree, and the vegetarian vindaloo. All were really interesting and tasty. I'm really looking forward to trying other things on the menu. The atmosphere was stylish but comfortable. We'll be back!
(4)
Jessica B.

Loved the variety of dishes. The food was eclectic but approachable for the western palette. We tried five different small plates and had trouble picking a favorite! Found out later that is was an extremely busy night for them, but we wouldn't have guessed that from the quality of the service and the amount of time between ordering and receiving our food.
(4)
Jay M.

Awesome way to kick off a short stay in Raleigh. If I am ever back this way, will definitely stop in.
(5)
Keith D.

I have only visited this restaurant twice, but I have been more than pleased on both occasions. On my first visit I had the Pho on a whim and found it to be quite flavorful and fresh. It was actually much better than the ham-handed attempts of a lot of "everything Asian" establishments. On my most recent visit I had the Thai BBQ Prawns. One word: Wow! I'm a seafood lover but this was my first encounter with green papaya salad. The slightly spicy super crunchy nature of the salad was the perfect contrast to the grilled shrimp. Oh, yeah, I find the decor and ambiance of this spot to be very relaxing. The perfect place to duck in and escape the hot city streets.
(4)
Leela S.

A few of my favorite things about Buku: 1) that mesmerizing waterfall thing going on behind the bar 2) the wide selection of wines by the glass 3) the cochinita arepa. The pork is great, but it's the innocuously named 'soft corn pastry' that brings this dish home 4) the humble veggie dumplings in all their gingery deliciousness 5) the desserts. Call me weird, but I've never met a tiramisu I really liked until now 6) free valet parking Things that would kick it up one notch: 1) turn down the music in the bar, just a hair, so I can hear my friends when they talk loudly 2) offer me a whole dish of that yummy spicy tuna tartar that tops your buku roll 3) a magic shuttle that swiftly transports me here and back from Chapel Hill without any charge (okay, now I'm dreaming) Will go back to try the big plates - and will doubtless get sucked into small plate goodness once again. Good stuff.
(4)
Jeffrey Y.

I got the Korean BBQ it was fantastic! I would seriously recommend this place if your downtown
(4)
Annie G.

Very cool decor and even cooler location. I love going to downtown restaurants, and this place didn't disappoint! Perfect for a ladies night out. We sat at the bar and ordered a bottle of wine which was about $32. It was very delish and tasted like bell peppers. The waterfall behind the bar was a very unique effect. We got seated at a table right in the middle of the restaurant and it was packed!! We decided to each order 2 items and would share. This turned out well since most of the menu items came in 3, 4 or 5 pieces, perfect for 3 people. What we got: Empanadas- very good! Pierogis- Our favorite Vietnamese crepes- not very good. They were hard to eat and fell apart and the crepe was almost like a maza consistency. Braised short ribs- very tender and flavorful Mussels with fries- very well cooked and the sauce was so good we dipped our fries in it. Pulled pork tacos-good but a bit sweet All this plus a bottle of wine was less than $40 a person including tip. GREAT price!!!!
(4)
Caitlin A.

I went to Buku last night for their Triangle Restaurant week menu. For $30, I ordered the Shrimp Tom Yum Soup, Grilled Salmon ProvenÃ§al, "State Fair" Berry Shortcake, and as a bonus I snagged about half of my boyfriend's Belgian Chocolate Trio. Buku is around the corner from Fayetteville Street, and while downtown Raleigh is not extremely busy on weekdays anyway, the outdoor seating was abundant and very relaxed. The waitress was attentive and brought us each course promptly after we finished the previous since we ordered all three courses at once. Shrimp Tom Yum Soup - Very flavorful and pretty spicy. I had one of those mishaps where the spice clings to your uvula and you almost choke to death, but other than that it was a great! Grilled Salmon ProvenÃ§al - Cooked perfectly. Very tender and came with a chickpea mash. "State Fair" Berry Shortcake -The lemon-vanilla biscuit was actually savory along with the basil-infused whipped cream, and only sweetened by the berries and honey soaking into the biscuit. It was light and had the perfect amount of sweetness and finish to a meal. Belgian Chocolate Trio - This came with a Dark Chocolate-Lambic Flourless Torte, White Chocolate-Almond Ice Cream, Milk Chocolate-Covered Fleur de Sel Pretzel. Flourless cakes are always too rich for me, but it didn't stop me from eating a scoop with the ice cream (which was a-maze-ing). Buku serves a really interesting eclectic menu with great atmosphere. I would definitely return!
(5)
Amy B.

I had a dinner at buku recently while traveling for work. We were a large group of about nine people, and buku did an excellent job accommodating us. We made reservations but several members of our party were delayed joining us, so the buku crew let us make ourselves comfortable in the bar area while we waited. An excellent draught beer selection made the time pass quickly. Although I am from New England and typically like to order local beers when traveling, I couldn't pass up the Smuttynose Porter. A note here: buku is a beautiful restaurant. They've done a lovely job creating a serene space with exposed rock walls, a modern fountain behind the bar, and a general Zen-like atmosphere. Once we were seated, one member of our party ordered a number of appetizers for the table. While I didn't get to taste everything, the pierogies and the tuna sashimi (I think from the buku roll) dishes were both excellent. Our server recommended we order two dishes per person for dinner, so we each selected two items. Once they arrived, we passed dishes to share, enabling everyone to try almost everything. I will say I think our server was overestimating our appetites. This was a group of people who love to eat, and yet we were stuffed by the time we finished dinner! One of the local folks in our group ended up taking home several cartons of leftovers for her (surely appreciative) family. Since the service was attentive and food was served soon after we ordered it, I think we could have taken a more staged approach and ordered more courses as they were needed, instead of making a huge order all at once. My most recommended dishes: 1. Hot Pot: This delicious, coconut-based soup featured yummy veggies and chicken. Add some of the accompanying hot sauce for a kick of heat. 2. Cochinita pibil: Spicy, savory little pork tacos. Three to a serving. 3. Sake braised short ribs. They sound weird. They're awesome. Just fall-off-the-bone tender with a really delicious flavor. Not all of the dishes were smash hits. I wasn't a huge fan of the vegetable biryani, although some people in our group enjoyed it. While the food here was generally really good, I will say I didn't like the lack of cohesiveness among the dishes. It was odd to mix foods from different world cuisines. The cochinita pibil and the hot pot were both awesome, but they didn't gel together as a meal for me. I think I prefer a more focused approach in a restaurant. My advice if you go: Bring a group. Try a variety of dishes. And don't be afraid to order fewer than two dishes per person!
(4)
Amy H.

I was very excited to finally try Buku last night! We had a 9:00 reservation. Service was a bit slow throughout the evening, but we weren't in a rush. Do keep this in mind if you are planning to hit Buku before a show or move though. They have an expansive menu and everything looked delicious. My husband and I started out with soft pretzels and mustard. Very tasty! I also got a Philly Roll, which was standard, but very good. My husband got empanadas and liked those as well. We ended the meal with a chocolate souffle which was so soft, moist and warm. It was divine, to say the least! All of my dinner companions were happy with their food and beverages. If I was just reviewing the food, they would easily get 4 or 5 stars. However, I fee like I have to knock off a couple stars because the server forgot to bring my husband's cappuccino ( despite repeating the order several times) and I think the prices are a little high for the food portions. I plan on returning, but probably during the week. They have incredibly drink specials M-F!
(3)
Katie H.

Fusion at its best. I am grateful to Buku for being an actual, serious fusion restaurant. So many seem to adopt the name without following through on the menu. The inside is beautiful and the outside patio is lovely as well. One of my favorite atmospheres of any restaurant in Raleigh. On my last visit, I tried: - The naan: it's a very demure take on the huge and puffy traditional naan--almost more pitalike--but still very good. - The Moroccan kefta: do be warned that this has a kick to it, if you, like me, have a low spice tolerance. I ended up dipping it in the cucumber raita that came with the naan to temper some of the spice. As well, I thought it was a little bit of a small portion for $11 at 4 meatballs, but maybe that's just how much lamb costs. - The chocolate souffle: Highly recommended. It was amazing. They do have to make it on demand, so expect to wait a little while. It made for a great evening out! Take your dates here if they're into culinary innovation. It will make you seem more charming and prone to good choices.
(4)
Jason R.

We wandered in here towards the end of the night and were greeted and were sat with no problems. I really liked the decor of this place, it felt very eclectic but not overly pretentious. We got the Empanadas, Arancino, lumpia, and Pierogis. All four were excellent and very tasty. I especially liked the lumpia, because it reminded of my Filipino friends who made these all the time back in the day. The Arancino was a very close second. It was crispy on the outside with a very soft hot melted cheese on the inside. For dessert, we got the chocolate souffle. It takes a few extra minutes so don't get to antsy waiting. I was totally worth it when it came out. It was served hot with ice cream on the side. Overall, the taste and quality of everything was awesome. I will say, like many of the other reviews, that this place is a bit pricey for the small portions that you get with the small plates. I have no idea how the large plates stack up. That being said, I would definitely come back here, but not if I was starving. Fortunately, the quality of the food compensates for the price.
(5)
Leslie C.

I freakin adore Buku. They have the most awesome Sunday Brunch, ever. It's is a bit pricey at $20 a head...but I think its a well-worth-it splurge. It's brunch as it should be, with options from homemade pastries and mixed butters (Bacon chive butter on my savory scone, yes please!) The co-owner prepares omellettes to your specifications with a wide variety of ingredients. There is also a waffle dessert, and internal foods stations to choose from. We also came her for Foodie Week and had some amazing concoctions...I definitely remember their lumpia being amazing. I think their lunch menu is pretty good too, and I am looking forward to finding out.
(4)
Sue A.

A perfect culinary delight, a very mindful restaurant and gorgeous decor. Love the menu!!! I had the Maine shrimp roll with a side of fresh fruit, and John had the special....tilapia, blackened with jasmine rice, brocolini with peach salsa. The prices are very reasonable also. We will be back!!
(5)
Sean H.

Wow. What a great idea this place is and somehow, despite the huge menu that spans multiple continents, they pull it off. I was excited to check the place out after a recommendation from a friend, and being a world traveling street food fiend, I had high expectations, but I have to say they were met. This is a place that calls for repeat visits without question, due to the size and variety of the menu. Super cozy vibe, great service, lots of space, and really, really good food. Being a West Coast transplant I could not be more excited to find places like Buku here in my new home. Simply an awesome place.
(5)
Lauren C.

Sometimes BuKu falls off of my radar. But then, just as suddenly, I remember that it's there, just hanging out on the corner of Davie and Wilmington, and I call some friends, hop on my bike and head over. I worried that BuKu wouldn't be the same after Chef William left, but it's done a great job of consistently putting out great food. The Plantain Crusted Sea Bass can't be beat. It's phenomenal. The small plates are also fantastic and I've never ordered one that I didn't enjoy. The cocktails are hit or miss, depending on your bartender. On a good night they are delicious pieces of craftsmanship, a delicate balance of flavors. On an off night, you'll wish you had ordered one of the bottles of wine from the under $30 list. If you happen to be there for lunch, I would totally recommend ordering the daily special. So despite feeling a bit like a hotel restaurant, I'm always happy to find myself at BuKu.
(4)
R S.

this place is enormous and filled with people everywhere. everyone was super friendly. I liked the food a lot. read some other reviews and you'll see why I give this place four stars.
(4)
Neechi M.

Great food, great ambience, great waitress, great drinks and great DJ. I couldn't have had a better dining experience at this place. The food is a little pricey but that's ok because the sushi was great. I would say don't go overboard with the plates because you may find at the end that you needed less than you ordered and I didn't love all of them but the ones I loved were GREAT (I think the Sake-braised Short Rib was one of my favorites but I can't really remember). Thanks guys.
(4)
Sarah S.

Expensive but definitely a neat dining experience with excellent service and delicious food! The server, Andrew, seems to be an expert on all things ingestible. He was half the reason my husband and I had such a good experience. The portions are small, which allows you to try many different menu items. We were surprised by the flavors and presentations as compared to the menu descriptions, but in a good way. The food and drink selections were vast. I was super impressed with the dessert menu! This is not a place I could afford to go to all the time, but for special occasions or as a treat.
(4)
Julie D.

Nice ambiance and interesting menu. Thought the food was below average, and would recommend avoiding the sushi. The real kicker was having 21.6% gratuity added to the bill for our party of 10, with a line for "additional tip"! Would have not balked at 18 or 20%, but 21.6%?!? The service was on par with the food....below average.
(2)
Nancy Y.

Broke my Yelp event you-know-what here for brunch with a really fun bunch of Yelpers on Sunday. Thanks Mari H. for organizing and everyone else for the good time and laughs. Now onto the food stuff. I'd walked by Buku a few months ago on a nice evening when the outdoor seating area was packed. People were really dressed up and I was very curious as to what "street food" meant. Having been to Bangkok and other outdoor markets around China, I was not clear to what extent their "street" reference meant. Considering their prices, I figured it would not be very authentic or it was SO authentic that they needed to inflate their charge. Basically, I was duly confused and didn't know what to expect. I got the Yellow Fin Tuna sashimi pizza (same as Brit). Based on this dish alone, I thought the preparation was excellent. Large slabs of tuna placed over pita with just the right amount of bite and not too bread-y. There was a wasabi creme fraiche sauce that added a tiny kick with a moderate amount of ponzu for pucker. I would have preferred more pucker, but I am also a vinegar/ponzu fanatic. I thought the dish was very unique and it exceeded my expectations. I was full about half way in. Good value to say the least. Cilantro haters beware. They put cilantro on almost every dish. It's not disclosed on their menu so you'll need to pick it off if you forget to tell them to omit this herb. Service was excellent. Our waiter came around to top off coffee and water before I noticed either was low. Ambiance was excellent - great natural light as well as funny tentacle light fixtures. I had a lot of fun but the experience may have been biased by the great group of people I was with.
(3)
Jeff K.

Simply put, the food here is *not* good. Everything we got was laden in sugar and oil, the meat was obviously frozen & poor quality, and worst of all none of our dishes were authentic to its street-food style. Imagine TGI Friday's trying to replicate a curry dish, and that's about what we got. Call me a food snob, but the food was no where close to its ethnic style and I'm shocked that so many people have rated this place so highly. I guess the Olive Garden does have quite the devoted crowd. The decor and atmosphere of buku is fun, I won't deny that. But in the end this place was not at all worth the $100 I spent.
(1)
Amanda M.

So we came back to town, and were really excited to try the food. We started dinner with the German pretzel bread with honey mustard dip. The bread was not very flavorful, but the dip was delicious. I had the Asian Pear salad, which I found a tad heavy on the ginger, then had the Arepa and the pierogi. The pierogi were not my favorite, but the arepas was one of the greatest things I've ever eaten. Boyfriend had the deviled eggs, the Sake-braised Short Rib and the Sicilian Arancino.. he didn't care much for the short-rib (I liked it -- it was sweet) but he loved the arancino. We got dessert again, and it was just as fantastic as we remembered. Service was very very good -- I am usually not a huge fan of fusion places, but BuKu does it well.
(4)
Jamie Y.

The brunch buffet had a great spread with lots of variety, ranging from curry to burritos to the omelet station. However, there were quite a few items that were cold or stiff, which I suppose is a common problem with buffets, but it was disappointing to discover at the table.
(3)
Ian W.

The two times I've been here the food has been excellent. For what they advertise as world street food, I couldn't ask for more. Yes, there are dishes around the world that you can get in markets and street vendors that they don't offer here. No, it doesn't matter. What is offered is amazing, and should be given credit. Today, I watched as the chef worked with one of my friends to develop a dish that wasn't on the menu for someone who eats a vegetarian and gluten-free diet. In the end they came up with a pad Thai that fit the bill. I didn't get to taste it, but my buddy said it was amazing. He's used to eating whatever boring salad a restaurant offers, and today Buku stepped up and gave him a meal to remember. One thing that could be done better is offering the lunch menu both days of the weekend. The small plates can get expensive when trying to order enough to fill up, and the dinner items are pricey as well. On top of that, I was looking forward to their take on a Philly Cheesesteak.
(4)
Elaine L.

The buffet wasn't spectacular, but I got small plates that were quite good! I would recommend the lumpia and pierogi!
(4)
Kristy T.

I met a some girlfriends here for apps and cocktails last night. I've been to Buku a few times before. The first time was shortly after they opened and I was completely blown away. However, subsequent visits have proven to be dissappointing; mainly because the food was never close to as good as the first time I went. I will have to say I was pretty impressed this time. I ordered a dirty martini and it was perfect. I had the Poke and the butternut squash chicken pierogis and both were excellent. In fact, I can't stop thinking about the Poke. Our server was friendly and efficient and had a great sense of humor. Overall, I enjoyed the entire experience and I have to say Buku has won me over again. I'll be back soon.
(4)
Rachel B.

Spectacular restaurant. This is fusion done correctly, with a real variety in style and combination of flavors. All the small plates are heaven on earth - the arepas and empanadas are stand outs for me. The only thing I haven't enjoyed is the rice ball. We got a hot pot last time and it was the perfect way to start the meal. It's a big place so can easily accommodate groups or smaller parties. The ambiance is trendy and classy - i.e. don't wear jeans and flip flops - but not over the top. They do $4 martinis on Thursdays, but the selection of martinis that they did that for last time wasn't particularly extensive. The service is good but could probably be a little more formal for the vibe of the restaurant.
(4)
Frederic S.

My review pertains to the brunch: good but not great. For a place that touts its global street food, the brunch is pretty conventional. A couple of curry dishes and a few other ethnic selections (the quiches from a box were utterly forgettable as were the spring rolls), but it's pretty much standard brunch fare with the waffles and omelets made to order. As many others have complimented, service was attentive even though the place was packed at 11:00. Pretty average value, given the $20 per person price tag. Buku is much better as a dinner option.
(3)
Dave L.

Finally checked out Buku last evening. This is a tough one to review as there is so much history. Have been a fan of the crew of Fins since they were up North of Crabtree and in any location the service and food have always been a 5 star experience. Last night not so much. So here goes: The food was every bit as good as any other time that I have been to Fins/Buku, it was excellent. It tasted wonderful, was creative, aesthetically pleasing, there is nothing I could suggest to make it better. I was not so happy with the pace of the plates. For a party of four we ordered 12 plates + desserts. We got a couple, then a little while later three more, then 6 more arrived at once. (Yeah that is only 11 - they missed one but it did not get put on the bill). There just was not enough real estate on the table to accommodate all that food. Some plates were taken before we had finished to make room and the table was completely stacked with food. I thought that we would get some bread, then some salads, then some fish, then some meat. This is not how it arrived - there was not much rhyme or reason to the order of dishes. On more than one occasion we ran out of either wine or drinks. It was difficult to get a drink order in and once requested it took longer than I expected. Some notes: 1. This was a Saturday night and the place was packed. 2. For as crazy as it was the wait staff remained friendly, just not available. 3. On future visits I plan to order my food as I want it to arrive: order a few dishes ~ pause ~ eat ~ order some more. So excellent food but not as happy in the service department. The food will bring me back, but I will avoid Saturday evening.
(3)
Maria C.

I came here for dinner once so my experience may be limited. I did love the variety of the menu, as our small group had some unique food restrictions. I had the mausaman (sp?) curry hotpot, which was excellent - great flavor and portion size. However, the Korean bbq could've been better, but our appetizers were delicious. Hard to tell from the outside but looks nice on the inside and good service as well.
(4)
Christina G.

So I finally made it back out to Buku for a full dinner. Confession: I like the bar vibe better -- it's hip and funky. And when they've got music playing, it even feels dangerously urban. But the formal dining side is a little stiffer (despite some cool 3d wall sconces). I'd been craving the Korean BBQ buns from last time, and couldn't pass up trying them again. I also ordered the coconut hot pot based on reviews here. Husband got the beef tataki and the beef short ribs. Our server, Turner, was super-well trained. He walked us through the menu and had some spot-on beer recommendations. He was also prompt and friendly. Nine times out of ten, you don't remember anything about your server because they just flit from table to table. But he really made a great impression, and simply made the evening that much better! The beef tataki was cooked just right, sliced thin, tender and juicy. And my hot pot (ten bucks) was large enough to split and still get two servings apiece; it's a version of Tom Kah that's not exactly authentic, but still delicious. I finally got to try the kumquat cocktail I wanted last time; but turns out it was just kind of meh. No problem -- they've got a pretty solid wine list that I'll pick from next time! Tony, one of the co-owners, swung by to ask how everything was after. He's a really genuine guy who loves what he does and is open to feedback. Really refreshing to see him and all the partners out and about on the dining room floor meeting & greeting their customers. Buku is now serving lunch -- and we're told cartfood is coming within a month. Yippee!
(4)
Andy J.

Nice ambiance, beautiful food presentation and very good service. But, cannot say the same about the food. After seeing a lot of 4 and 5 stars, we decided to try Buku for brunch on Saturday. Massaman Hot Pot is extremely sweet, the worst Massaman Curry that I've ever had. Hawaiian Tuna Poke is very salty, make me miss Blackened Ahi Tuna Nachos from CowFish Burger. Empanadas and Filipino Lumpia are the plates that are still okay to eat beside a bit too oily. Not the best, but not bad. I will not recommend this restaurant as the food taste are not worth the price they are charging for.
(2)
Lloyd M.

Truly underwhelmed. Was really looking forward to the place. Maybe I ordered wrong (burger) but very bleh.
(3)
Melissa E.

For my "30ish" birthday (translation: 31st), my husband planned a party at Buku in one of their private dining rooms. He describes the planning process as enjoyable and professional, and that sentiment continued as we arrived for the party. We were led straight back to our private room, which was decorated beautifully with Holiday decor, chairs along the wall (convenient for when we ladies needed a break from our heels) and a circular window, which looked into their wine closet. Our drink orders were taken promptly and never seemed to be quite empty when the next one arrived. My husband arranged for an array of Hor d' oeuvres, which was incredible! We noshed on Hummus, Chicken Enchiladas, Chicken Pierogies, Lamb Kabobs and Shrimp Skewers. I was impressed with the amount of food they provided, as it kept coming instead of running out. I saw several very large groups in the dining room, which leads me to believe that other smaller, non-private parties were being hosted here as well. I highly recommend Buku for your next event or group outing!
(5)
Andrea B.

Hit or Miss depending on the visit. I have had a few 5 & 4-star visits, and a few 3 & 2-start visits. Very inconsistent. Some really good flavorful dishes on one visit, not so great next visit. Service quality/experience certainly also impacted by inconsistency. Some staff are quite pleasant & knowledgeable while others are ignorant, rude, and certainly should not be in the service industry. All of this leads me to believe this place suffers from very poor management. Mgt should reevaluate how they select and train staff (from the front of the house to the back/kitchen). Nice patio for hanging out in the summer, but sometimes too noisy being right down the street from a fire/ambulance station. Bar is very nicely laid out with great water feature.
(3)
Liv J.

amazing. everything is simply delicious.
(5)
Jeff G.

I've been here many times, and am never disappointed. Still amazing food, drinks, ambience, and patio.
(5)
Pooky G.

The atmosphere is very nice; the wait staff is helpful & courteous. The menu appears diverse if not a bit pricey. OK...those are the basics, now lets get down to the actual meal. My husband ordered the pan-roasted frenched chicken breast (that's the chicken breast with the wing bone still attached but the wing meat and cartilage scraped off. Sounds pretty gross to me but that's just an editorial comment) what he got was a horribly overcooked drumstick. Of course, the waiter was uber apologetic and promptly removed the chicken flavored sawdust and replaced it with yet another drumstick that was now undercooked! Oy! Why bother. He ate what he could and stayed away from the reddish bone. His red wine & goat cheese risotto was fine; the goat cheese added even more creaminess to a dish that is known for its wonderful consistency. This entrÃ©e was priced at $19.00, an awful lot for the badly prepared wrong pieces of chicken don't you agree? Moving on to my dish. I went with the vegetable pad Thai rice noodles w/ tofu, chili-tamarind, cashews, egg, bean sprouts, carrots, and cabbage. Just for fun I threw in an extra of shrimp. I will give the chef his due on this one, everything was cooked properly, and the flavors mixed well. Too bad here comes the part where I complain: because my husband's dish required brief conversations with the waiter I of course did not dig in to my meal until all was resolved. That time frame, however brief, was just long enough for my dish to irreparably congeal. Now I make this dish at home so I know how important timing is and how quickly the noodles can molecularly change into something else entirely. The only way to fix this is with the sauce. If the sauce is done properly, the noodles stay pliant and delicious. Oh well, it still tasted good the next day since I took half of it home, doctored it just a little and had a very nice lunch. Where I think Bu*Ku shines (at least during this visit) was the desserts...absolutely no complaints here. The chocolate soufflÃ© was a chocolate lovers delight, light in texture yet dense in chocolaty flavor. The apple tart was prepared perfectly and I must say, the cinnamon ice cream was a touch of genius. I left feeling as if the chef responsible for the entrÃ©es was not having a good day while the dessert chef was right on target. So what..is going to Bo*Ku now a crap game? Maybe it'll be great maybe not so much? At those prices I can't afford to find out.
(3)
Jane D.

Seafood hotpot is amazing! Pad Thai and Sangria was also great! Sexy, classy atmosphere. Best restaurant we tried while in Raleigh!
(5)
Prashant P.

I used to love buku but the last couple of experiences haven't been so great. My wife and I went for a lunch date. She had the vegetable red curry and I had the chicken tacos. Both of the entrees were okay but not as great as having them in a Thai or Mexican restaurant.
(3)
Steve H.

Buku is in Raleigh at the Red Hat building. It has an upscale dÃ©cor both on the inside and outside. The Sunday Brunch was decent, but most buffets are better. The choices of food are ok. Fried Chicken was just ok, carving station was similar to most buffets. I thought that there would be more food items and a better dessert selection. I would say it's worth trying if you have never been there, but not a dining experience I would say is Top 50 for Raleigh. There are many better restaurants in Raleigh- Durham area.Try it and see for yourself, as it does get busy on Sunday.
(3)
David S.

I have found my new favorite restaurant in Raleigh. We went here for our Valentine's dinner and I was really impressed. We started off with the green papaya salad and the Vietnamese cucumber salad. The papaya salad was a huge portion, which I wasn't expecting, and was light, refreshing and spicy. Fantastic way to wake the palate. The Viet cucumber salad was not quite as good, but still excellent. To accompany these we had a couple of cocktails. April had the kumquat capriahna and I had the Bu-Ku horchata. The capriahna was delcious. The horchata was ok. It tasted like a White Russian and lacked the almond and cinnamon flavors that I associate with horchata. After the salads, we had the ahi poke and the seared scallops. The poke was sublime. It married silky smooth, sweet ahi with notes of wasabi and citrus. I could have had this the remainder of the evening and been perfectly happy. The seared scallops were deliciously sweet. Seared scallops are the candy of the sea in my opinion. For entrees, we had the chilean sea bass and the grouper. These are dishes that used to be on the Fins menu, and it's easy to see why they kept these. These were the best seafood dishes I have ever put in my mouth. The sea bass just melted in our mouths. It was sweet and airy with an aftertaste of pumpkin. The grouper was amazingly savory and rich. It was served with some sauteed greens that imparted a subtle smokey quality to the dish. Again...these two dishes were subime. I have to mention the wine list at Bu-Ku. They have some exceptionally good choices here and none were over $30 a bottle. Thank you, Bu-Ku for not trying to play up the idea that a great wine pairing has to break the bank. We had a wonderful Riesling that was perfect for the dishes we had. My fiance had a glass of semillon to go with dessert that was absolutely exceptional. The only negative I would give Bu-Ku was in decor and service. Something didn't click with our server. He seemed more interested in taking our order rather than creating a dining experience. He asked if we had been there before. When we said no, he dropped that line of conversation altogether. My thought was, "If you're going to pose that question then follow it up with some recommendations or queries into what we might enjoy. Engage the diner! If all you do is take the order and bring the food then you're level of service is on par with a chain restaurant." And while the main bar and dining room are sleek and inviting, the side room where we were sat was dark and spare with bare walls. It needs some artwork in there to make it feels less "cold" So that's it...despite some negatives Bu-Ku was a fantastic experience. The service and decor can be dealt with in good time, but the food, oh man, was transcendent. I'm positive we will be back very soon.
(5)
Tamara H.

Great meal with my favorite of small plates. Great suggestions from the staff. A definite repeat!
(5)
Michael H.

Came here on a brunch groupon and loved the food. The Moroccan couscous salad was refreshing, as was the vegetarian curry dish they had. Fruit was fresh and the option to have a fresh made omelet was good. The servers and the individual make your own stations were very polite as well.
(5)
Luci H.

Had friends visiting from Pittsburgh and we chose Buku because of the diverse menu, and we were NOT disappointed. EVeryone raved that this was one of the best meals they've had in a long time. We shared multiple plates of the pierogis, and they were realllyy good. We ordered a lot of food, and not one bad dish among them. The Korean BBQ was divine, the short ribs were like butter they were so soft, the trout was crispy and flavorful. The Thai tom kha soup was amazing, if only they would allow it in the hot pot! We went wild and ordered five different desserts, and our awesome waiter gave us a sixth. The Kahlua tiramisu was the favorite, so creamy and flavorful. The wait staff was amazing, and we had two charming brothers, one of which played the harmonica for us and a bachelorette party next to us. Our dinner out was absolutely perfect. Highly recommend, and plan to go back ASAP.
(5)
Andrea T.

Went here for dinner after getting caught in the rain in Raleigh downtown and discovered a relatively new place with delicious food, lots of flavors to try, and an impressive beer/cocktail menu. It seems like there's attention to detail in every aspect at this restaurant. We started with a standard bread basket, then took a look at the drinks menu. Like other places in the area, they keep a good selection of craft beers on tap, but they also have a great cocktail menu that includes a few homebrew/home-infused mixers. For the food, they specialize in large asian-fusion, tapa-like dishes. I ordered the beet/goat cheese/arugula salad and the pork tacos, both were absolutely delicious and not at all tiny tapa portions. The two people that I was with ordered the snapper and chicken entrees. We were so happy with the food that we went for a dessert and got the sorbet sampler, I couldn't help eyeing desserts at other tables, the layered tiramisu and what looked like a chocolate souffle were also pretty tempting. We also had the best server who offered detailed suggestions whenever we asked for them (thanks Tom). Will definitely be going back to try the lunch or brunch.
(5)
Dave W.

Great place to eat. Had a wonderful experience dining and service. The chicken soup was great and one order was good for four of us to share($9.00) Everyone's main course was superb. Tried the apple pie and the sherbet-excellent . Will return too next time in Raleigh.
(5)
Nirav D.

For Raleigh the ambiance and the place looked awesome. Really high ceilings and cool lighting. The food was overall very good, with small selections from all over the Eastern world. The only problem was that they did not entertain serving liquor bottles, as we were a large group we wanted to share bottles rather then get individual drinks.
(4)
Jules M.

Nice for dinner, but oh what a brunch! I like the eclectic dinner offered, everyone should find something they like or want to try. I do wish they had laksa, in my opinion, the ultimate street food. I've come in for brunch a few times, it's very good with many vegetarian options and high-quality food. The only knock on it, is it's kinda pricey at $20/pp but I still feel it's worth it considering what you get. I'd much rather pay more to get higher-quality food . Another case of quality over quantity but for Buku's brunch it's both quality AND quantity! I wish there were more places like this in the Raleigh-Cary area.
(4)
Tonya P.

Bu-Ku thank you for making me all loosey goosey and making a great spot for noshing and visiting with friends. You patio is tops. I enjoyed ordering a hodge podge off the menu, but I have to say I think my favorite are your drink specials. Call me crazy.
(4)
Beatriz L.

Great atmosphere, food for all tastes, beautiful presentation.
(4)
Jaimie C.

I had gone previously with a friend and loved it, so I wanted to take my father here for his 67th birthday. Both he and my mom were a bit skeptical because of the "street food" description but were up to trying something a little different. Buku did not disappoint. We started off with the chicken pierogis (puffed in brown butter, pastry, winter squash, beer-braised chicken), beet salad (absolutely love this salad as it features both red and golden beets, YUM) and Lebanese fattoush (grilled pita, pickle, tomato, olives, lettuce, fragrant herbs). For our meal(s) we had Biryani (basmati rice, saffron, pinenuts, root veggies, raita), Empanadas (bay-braised chicken, avocado leaf, farmers cheese, salsa), Korean bbq (shaved prime sirloin, flash grilled, garlic, dark soy, kim chi, sesame spinach, hot mustard), Cochinita pibil (tender, pulled, soft corn tortilla, pickled red onion,habanera salsa), True American red snapper (hook and line caught "Indonesian style," cashew, tamarind, Thai chiles, house mushrooms, palm sugar, jasmine rice and stir-fried Asian greens) and the Bichotan grilled dayboat scallop (tsune, sesame-sushi rice, scallion butter). Everything was amazing. We were all part of the clean plate club after this meal. The atmosphere is fun, hip and trendy. They have live music most evenings and the bar is great for a fun date. They also have outside seating which will be great now that the temperatures are getting cooler. I will highly recommend Buku to both locals and friends visiting from out of town. They have a lot of options for those that aren't big meat eaters, veggies and for the meat lover. Everyone can find something they'd be happy eating. Great wine list and drink specials as well. Truly one of Raleigh's best restaurants!
(5)
John A.

May I lick the plate? My second visit here, this time tried the Bulgogi. Not as good as what I got in Korea but a huge portion and was nice to have something different. Lunch prices are rediculously low
(4)
Melissa P.

Everything we ordered definitely tasted good, but I was disappointed to leave still a bit hungry, despite how much our bill was. The decor is classy, so you won't be disappointed there. Our waiter was super helpful in explaining the concept, as well as walking us through the menu and suggesting some of his favorites.
(4)
Scott M.

Overall I really like this place. Have been there with a large group and just a couple and both experiences were great. There are a lot of good things on the menu so I would suggest splitting a lot of dishes. I want to give them five stars but for some reason I just can't, not sure why, sorry.
(4)
Jessica G.

We ordered way too many small plates, the vast majority of them were delicious (the ones I did not like were a matter of personal taste, surely not food quality.) My favorites were the Asian Pear Salad, the Burmese Deviled Eggs, the Naan, Pumpkin-Ancho Chile Soup (seasonal), and the Filipino Halo-Halo (dessert). Great selection of local beers. Our server was very helpful, and they do not try to rush you out the door. It's easy to order too many things, but that just means that I can enjoy the leftovers today too. Very vegetarian friendly place too. Lots of veggie options that are labeled clearly on the menu.
(4)
Cat P.

Came here for a friend's birthday party. They were able to accommodate a large party and I liked the look of the place...but who cares about that really. Onto the food! I basically took a bite of what anyone ordered if they were directly next to me or across from me. There were a lot of things to try on the menu and I wasn't sure if I was going to come back so I had to make the most of it. My favorites had to be the poke, grilled octopus, chilean sea bass, and chicken. Oh yeah and my sangria was also delicious. Since it's mostly tapas style, I ended up spending way more than I expected to because I just wasnt getting full (and because I wanted that chilean sea bass). I thought all the deserts I tried were pretty yummy. Some of those items I just could not justify shelling out the money for. Blame it on being from southern CA and getting amazing asian food for cheap. $6 for chinese pork bun? I don't think so. Heard it was pretty tasty though. I should also note that my friends has the tuna tataki and were feeling pretty darn sick afterwards. Proceed with caution. I'm gonna be optimistic and say that was a one time deal.
(3)
Chris T.

I'm a fan of the Sunday brunch buffet but have had dinner here too. Great atmosphere and food.
(4)
Patty L.

Came here for lunch and it was great. They had quality buffet bacon - it wasn't soggy and thick enough where you could actually taste the flavor. Also the waffles were DELICIOUS! They even let me get half cause after the rest of the brunch bufftet, I was stuffed. Definitely recommend this place. Service was good - food was excellent.
(4)
Alex N.

Street food isn't exactly what we had in mind for dinner on Friday night, but it turned out well. Complimentary valet is nice, though I would have appreciated it a bit more if there really wasn't any street parking available. This place is still super busy, which makes it all that much more appealing to me (I like crowded restaurants.. but only if I can get in). Menu is a little messy, but I understand it to be intentional, with dishes inspired by lots of different Asian localities. We ordered more than the 2 of us could handle, but I really just wanted to try as much as possible without destroying the budget too badly. Hot Pot - We tried the hot pot, which was marginally authentic, but lacked any real surprise and tasted mostly of chili peppers. It's big, so plan around that. Chinese Pork Buns - Nothing special and almost exactly like street food. Viet cucumber salad - Good, but again nothing special and not enough shallots to really notice. Yellowtail poke - Best dish of the night.. it had flavor and was perfectly fresh. American snapper, Indonesian style - More authentically flavored than the hotpot. Drinks - A point of contention for me. I don't mind getting my money's worth of alcohol, but if the drink is mixed, I expect it to taste good. Next time I'll try the wine menu, it looked promising. 3 and 1/2 stars for the global-ness of the cuisine and some really authentically familiar flavors. I'll be back again to try the rest of the menu and lunch (apparently they serve Pho! yay!)
(4)
Amy S.

Excellent service, ambiance & food! Only negative- a bit pricey for the amount of food you get and not many options on the menu.
(4)
Harley C.

OK so first of all, I was a bit worried because it is the old Fin's (building and owners) which we absolutely hated. However, I went on the recommendation of a culinary student, so I listened. SO glad I did. I would have given five stars but there were a couple dishes that were less than extraordinary. FIrst, the ones that were absolutely sublime - the pirogies, mmmm, and I've had them homemade from an old Polish grandmother! (my husband's) - the Hot Pot Vietnamese soup was excellent. I would go back to Buku just for that and some bread. - the Korean BBQ beef was probably the best beef I've ever tasted, with the Short Ribs being a close second. By the way, this was a big dinner with 10 people which is why I got to try so many things! OK, back to the good. The litle corn tortillas with the pork were tasty, the empanadas also were but were a bit too doughy. The special, a Blue Marlin with a Taro root pancake, was fabulous. I didn't taste the Jamaican Jerk Chicken from way down the table but my friend was raving about it. OK, now to the not-so-good. The Vietnamese crepe was positively tasteless, which was shocking after the burst of flavor that everything else had. I asked the server for some sauce or something to flavor it (like the sauce that usually comes with a spring roll, which this reminded me of but it was a lot bigger, and what she brought me just did not do the trick. Also the mussels dish was just mediocre, nothing special. Fries were good although Five Guys can give the same experience. Dessert was great all around, the creme brulee was outstanding, and although it looks teeny tiny when you get it, you'll soon realize it is so full of flavor all you will want is a couple spoonfuls of each. The tiramisu was to die for, Kahlua instead of amaretto, whooo hoooo! I could go on and on, let's leave it at , you MUST try this place, it is so unique, service and atmosphere are top notch, and the food is delish!
(4)
Kerstin L.

Went in for a couple drinks and a couple appies before the Symphony. The food here never disappoints. We had the Lava Roll which was delicious! There was no shortage of crab piled on top, and it was fresh. I am really picky about any seafood that is in the last bit "smelly". This was good crab. We then had the Empanadas Picantes . They were very flavorful, although I would have liked some kind of sauce (cheese, spicy) with them as they were a bit dry. The cocktails were okay! We started with a traditional cosmo and I must say, I did not enjoy it. Not made with Cointreau, it tasted like pure vodka. We then moved on to some kind of passion fruit cosmo, which was absolutely delicious. Mind you, the bartender changed between our drinks...so...that might have had something to do with it. I love the atmosphere in this place and consider it one of my favorites.
(4)
Michelle S.

We enjoyed our Sunday Brunch. We were immediately seated and given a introduction to the layout of the buffet. The food was excellent! The service was just enough (I don't like when they are there too much) and ambiance was enjoyable. I'll be back.
(5)
Paige W.

I like this place more with every visit. I've figured out the best thing about Bu-Ku is the shared plates, so I'll stick with them from now on. When else can you have a few bites of Korean, Indian, Mexican, and Lebanese cuisine all at the same meal? The tableside-served hotpot is a great thing to share as a starter. The Tom Ka-ish coconut soup is better than I've had at most Thai restaurants. I'm not wild about the breads and sauces, but others in my group have raved about them. The arepas aren't quite like they serve in Columbia, and I'd rather get my chutney and kulcha fix from an Indian restaurant. Still, there are so many other choices at Bu-Ku that it seems nitpicky to gripe about the bread. ---------------- My favorites: The Viet crispy crepes are light and fluffy and filled with crunchy bean sprouts, sauteed exotic mushrooms, and grilled shrimp (I added hot sauce to mine). The kim chi that comes with the Korean BBQ is really, really, REALLY, great--very spicy but don't be scared. The heat disappears quickly. Bu-Ku's Cochinita pibil is good with baby corn tortillas, pulled pork, pickled red onion and habanero salsa (not as spicy as it sounds--I would like it kicked up a little). The seared tuna topped with arugula, green papaya, and ginger dressing is just delightful. The tuna is mild and seared perfectly. The dressing gives a hint of flavor--doesn't overpower the dish. Great textures, and it's presented beautifully. ----------- You can spend as little or as much as you like at Bu Ku--the small plates start at $8 and are plenty for most appetites. All the servers are great--helpful, nice, and efficient. Good wine list and interesting cocktails. And Bu-Ku is a beautiful restaurant. It's a nice place to gather with your best friends.
(4)
Nick P.

I absolutely love Buku. Their steak is some of the best I've had in the Triangle, and their brunch is amazing. So much delicious breakfast food from around the world. And it's hard to beat a waffle station! It's a little pricey, but it's worth it!
(5)
Dawn F.

I have been wanting to try buku for AGES. I decided restaurant week was the perfect chance as I wouldn't be overwhelmed with the menu choices. EVERY SINGLE COURSE was drool-worthy. I had the Char Sui Seitan Lettuce Wraps, Macadamia-encrusted Wahoo, and Normandy-style Roasted Apple Cake. Our waiter was very informative and made sure we were well-serviced. I left completely satisfied. I will definitely be back to try the regular menu! Also, the coat check was a nice, unexpected service.
(5)
John G.

This was my first time at Buku, though my date had been several times. We loved everything. I started with a Rojo Sangria which was delicious. I also had the Naan bread with yogurt sauce and she had the beet salad, all very good. We then tried the pierogis and they were scruptious. She got the Belgian steak and Pommes Fritas and I have the Korean Beef with kimshee and spinach and a side of Mexican Corn with avocado butter. MMMMMmmmm! It was all very delicious! We split the tiramisu dessert and loved it as well as the coffee (Larry's Beans). It was a delicous experience!
(5)
John C.

Went to Bu-Ku for lunch today. There were many things on the menu that looked enticing. I settled on the following item: Chicken salad, vermicelli noodles, fried peanuts, grapefruit, cilantro, avocado, chile vinaigrette And a side item of Chile Sambal. The "salad" was lacking visually. It was a big stack of white noodles with white chicken. There weren't any pieces of grapefruit and the small splashes of green from the avocado and cilantro drowned in the sea of white. For my first bite I might as well have bit into paper. There was no flavor. The noodles were flavorless, the chicken was unseasoned, and the chile vinaigrette was nonexistent. How could a dish SO flavorful in its description be so flavorless in actuality? Unfortunately both of the other people in my party weren't please with the bland nature of their items either. Thank god for the Sambal which completely saved the dish. I spooned the spicy, flavorful red sauce over the salad and completely saved it from its flavorless coma. I managed to enjoy the rest of my lunch. The Bu-Ku space is beautiful. Very warm and welcoming. I was drawn in as soon as I entered the restaurant the calm hues with splashes of color throughout would (ideally) match the food that was served. Our server was aloof. He was adequete but didn't seem completely awake from the night before. The Sambal alone got 3 stars for Bu-Ku but I'm not sure I'll return.
(3)
Patrick L.

My wife and I went here for New Year's Eve last night and had a great time. The restaurant is not too loud which was nice. The food was great! She had the Chilean Sea Bass which was amazing! The staff was friendly and very good with service. We will be back to eat here again!
(5)
denise t.

The irony of eating "street food" in such a plush setting is inescapable. So my expectations were pretty high. Unfortunately, my meal failed to deliver. The Asian pear salad, while very fresh was light on the pear and very heavy on the dressing. The Vietnamese Bahn Mi was very disappointing. Instead of a fresh, crusty French baguette, it was prepared on a soft sandwich roll. Instead of a Vietnamese-style sweet grilled pork, it contained what appeared to be a thin slice of roasted pork loin. While there was a stick of cucumber, some carrot strips, and a few cilantro leaves, it lacked that delightful blend of flavors and textures is the trade mark of a true bahn mi.
(2)
Jordan P.

The most horrible food I have ever had. This place is a joke. I went here because Zinda was closed and I wanted to try something different besides the usual Sullivan's. Boy I was wrong! Absolutely horrible!
(2)
David T.

Global street food - If thats the case I want to live on this street. I think this is now my favorite restaurant in Raleigh. Cool decor, wonderful service, awesome food. Vegetable dumplings - delicious Filipino lumpia - ground pork spring roll with mango salad and cilantro chutney - very good Cochininta arepa - delicious Chilean sea bass with plantain crust, mango relish and wostershire based sauce - unbelievably good Salmon - very good Hanoi style fried snapper with forbidden rice - good Sweet potato ice cream with Sugar Palm, coconut, and other interesting fruits. Unusual but very good. Tall glass tiramisu with a poured in sauce - delicious Apple tart with ice cream - good
(5)
Douglas L.

Generally a very good experience here. Very nice ambience/decor, nice and inviting. Our server was great, very attentive and patient with us as we had a bit of a struggle deciding what to order. The menu is an eclectic mash up of main courses and other other smaller dishes from all over the world. I don't what it was or what to suggest but something about the menu bothered me a bit. Might have been the layout or just not knowing how large a particular dish was. Was it an appetizer or could it be shared by two people? At first I thought we were doing something like Tapas but no it's not Tapas. I was a bit confused at first. Anyway, given the varied cultural nature of the selections I simply didn't know what to expect and perhaps some more guidance in the menus would have been useful. Although our server was glad to explain everything to us. Prices are a bit on the high side but not unreasonable and overall definitely worth it. Everything was delicious. Recommend buku.
(4)
Aidan Z.

This place was very good, though the service wasn't the best I've had. However, that's not something to deter me from returning. A restaurant is, by and large, about the food and this place does it up. All of the things I sampled were prepared splendidly, though if you're susceptible to spice I might inquire as to the temperature of your dish before cementing your order. Hear the brunch is divine, hope to return someday for it.
(4)
Yuna C.

It's located in downtown Raleigh and the ambiance is good. Dark walls with dim lighting sets the tone for the place. I found it really cute!! It's an Asian Latin fusion tapas. Confusing right??! They have an unique array of food. We got the world breads (chef choice) with 3 different sauces. The breads came out and I was a little disappointed. We had tortilla (really not a bread) and some nan. It was flavorless but the sauces made up for it. Luckily the food was better. I ordered off their specials and had the lamb chops. They were delicious!! However it sat on a mashed vegetable thing and that was not good so I basically ate 2 lamb chops. Friends ordered the jerk chicken and that wasn't too bad. Overall the experience was okay but the food could have been better.
(3)
Amy D.

Cool place. I like when I walk in and the deco is art in itself. Very trendy place with a cool waterfall wall behind the bar. The place is pricey so know that going in but this is an example of you get what you pay for in a good way. I had the Argentinean Short Rib- wowza! It was delicious! It's considered a "large plate" but I'd say it was appropriate for one person and still smaller than the piles of food they give you at most restaurants. I could finish it easily without being stuffed. The menu offers a wide variety- smaller plates with stuff like tapas and pierogis, sushi ( I tried my friends and what she had was good) and some salads and larger soup dinners. For dessert, the trilogy of creme brÃ»lÃ©es is the only way to go. Three small servings of different flavors- yum! It not very big so 1 person can handle it alone. I'm not a fan of huge desserts anyways. I would definitely return!
(5)
Beth G.

What a great dinner! A friend of mine and I decided to go there, because the weather is nice and we just wanted to sit on a patio and enjoy some good food. We did both of those things. This place serves "global street food" which means they have a variety of cuisine types in smaller portions, so that you can order more and share. Love the concept and the execution. Why not 5 stars? Well, first of all we must have sat at our table for 20 minutes before anyone came to help us. Our waitress was constantly MIA and had a hard time keeping up with our changing foods. When we would finish a dish, the buss boys would clean up our plates and utensils, well then she would bring us our new dish without plates and without utensils so we were stuck sitting there waiting for new ones. Friday nights they have this wine flight special - last night was Chile (my fav for wine) and I have to say the selections were wonderful. Didn't do desert...next time for sure. The restaurant is on a busy street, so sitting on the patio was loud and exhaust filled. Often we had a music sampling to go with our eclectic cuisine. We didn't mind, cause we were just having a fun dinner, however if you are on a date, you MAY want to sit inside to avoid being overwhelmed with smells and sounds.
(4)
J D.

The food was great (at least what they brought out). I think my experience could be summed up by the crab stuffed avocado appetizer I ordered. It literally only came out with half the avocado. For how much I paid, I'd expect more. Excellent wine and food as long as you have a very tiny appetite or a very big wallet.
(3)
Georgianna J.

4 1/2 STARS!!!!!!! Their brunch is phenomenal!! However, it is a bit pricey.
(4)
Doug H.

My wife and I enjoyed Sunday brunch here with a Groupon today. Both food and service was great. The place was packed when we were there so you might want to make a reservation. We parked for free in a nearby city garage.
(5)
Sarah S.

I feel like a lover of global street food, having been to a lot of these countries to eat on the street. Let me tell you, none of the food even touches a close representation of any of the countries. After trying an Indian inspired wrap, I had to scrape the gooey sweet "chutney" off the wheat wrap and remove the raw cucumber, kale, and carrot just to get the the fried cheese. None of the flavors were Indian. My boyfriend tried the "American" philly cheese. The cheese was a sauce that he had to scrape off. The peppers and onions were not cooked, practically raw. The bun stale. The price tag enormous. I am scared for others who might want to eat there. Bad, pretentious service. How can one chef get all these countries right? Good Theory. Bad Practice. Masking bad food with beautiful decor is sad. I left feeling embarrassed for them, and poorer for it.
(1)
myles f.

Bu Ku sports an attractive looking main room, so we were displeased when they brought us to a banquette in the rear facing the kitchen lacking ambiance and with a lot of kitchen noise. No problem switching to upfront as the place was less than 1/4 full. But let's, get to the food. Menu, billed as global street food, is complex and varied, so our waiter's inability to guide us should be faulted. I read another review in which the diner applauded how his waiter helped select dishes that worked well together, how he orchestrated their arrival in a thoughtful sequence to the table and with just the right breathing room between dishes. Our waiter, Terry, did not. I asked him if their version of biriyani might be different from that served in Indian restaurants. Appropriate question inasmuch as I've never seen that dish offered as street food anywhere in the Asian subcontinent. Poor Terry was dumbstruck; he apparently has never been in an Indian restaurant. The food was okay, not great, with the exception of the wonderful pirogies cooked in brown butter. They were great. Masaman vegetable curry was alright with its cauliflower firm and not overcooked. It could have benefited from rice or nan or just something as a vessel to eat it with. Biriyani, not good (I should have been warned). Jade shrimp, pretty in green but swimming in oil. Disgusting. Korean bbq beef, terribly overcooked and had to be returned. The waiter should not have brought it to the table looking like it had been nuked but he was asleep on his feet. Management was apologetic about the beef and served complimentary dessert. This "hot" new place was a dud for us, although others have been taken in by its charms. I think it was still new in October 2010, so there is room to mature. But as we experienced Bu Ku, it is a braggart with no reason to be.
(2)
Matthew G.

I ate here for my birthday with 4 other people. The interior is chic and a nice contrast to an open space like Sitti. It is however just a bar, a water wall divider and then a squared of dining room, but the way it is spread out and the lighting are nice. I had heard mixed things about Buku from Yelpers and other sites and decided that I wanted to venture out to some place new for my birthday. Some of the accompanying diners were not familiar with the small plates/tapas idea and so this was a good learning experience. Here is a rundown of what was ordered and what I think were hits/misses from my opion. Lebanese Fattoush - HIt large salad Citrus Braised Beets - Hit colorful and nicely arranged Chinese Bao - Miss though the cucumbers (not bean sprouts as another yelper incorrectly stated) were refreshing. This was both room temperature and heavy on the bao. I'm guessing it was actually bought from Grand Asia. Pierogis - These were okay but have had better. They tasted like cheese and actually the flavor got worse when they cooled down. Empanadas - Hit Lumpia - Hit Korean BBQ - Hit the diner that ate the msot of this really liked the meat and the sauce. They weren't a big kim chi fan. Biryani - Hit Paneer - Hit - this was the first time I had had Paneer that wasn't part of Saag Paneer or Palak Paneer in this instance it was sweet. Organic Scottish Salmon - definite hit Ashley Farm Chicken - hit though almost a comfort food dish. The one item I was really looking forward to was their grilled Octopus. I was informed that they updating the menu and that it had been removed. I was pretty bummed about it but the service and food that we did order made up for it. I'm glad the idea of small plates and the items didn't scare my other diners off. Desserts were great on all fronts and they were as follows: Trio of Creme Brulee - Vanilla, Chocolate and Ginger Mixed Fruit Tart with Cinnamon Ice Cream Kahlua Tiramisu All the desserts were hits. I can't speak to cocktails.
(4)
Roxanne R.

I had a fabulous experience at buku. Our group of three opted for very different dishes. One person had the Sunset Roll. The second diner had the Viet Cucumber salad and the Korean BBQ. I had the Lebanese Fattoush and the Paneer. Everything we had was absolutely delicious and the presentation was fabulous. The restaurant is aesthetically beautiful and provides a wonderful dining atmosphere. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys delicious foods from an international menu or is willing to try something new.
(5)
William C.

Poor Customer Service - Recommendation - Do not go on a busy night with a confirmed reservation and bring 1 extra person / you will be punished I had a reservation at Buku in Raleigh on Friday 14, 2012 for a party of 6 to celebrate a birthday at 8:15 PM. We arrived 5 minutes early with 1 extra person. We were told it would be a few minutes to seat us. After being left standing in the lobby with gifts for 20 minutes, we learn that our confirmed reservation had become a walk in. They gave away our table. They did not give us an opportunity to agree to that situation. The dining room manager could care less that we are left standing in the lobby. Not once did they check in with us or offer an apology. I eat out a lot and this type of failure in service speaks volume - if we are busy and you do something unexpected (like bring 1 person extra) we are going to punish you. We left and went up to Bolt who were very friendly and welcoming. Bolt is still going through "newly open jitters" and if they continue progressing, they'll make it to my short list. I eat out 1 to 3x a day depending on my mood.
(1)
Kathleen F.

Loved this place. The food was primolicious, the wine purs were shy, but the after dinner drinks were quite generous. Terry our waiter was fabulous, the kind of waiter you'd expect for an upper end restaurant in the city. It says not good for kids but my 9 & 11 yr olds did great. The music was a refreshing change as well. Buku was bodacious!
(5)
Sean W.

I might be back to give BuKu another try this week as part of Raleigh Restaurant week, but my first impression left me longing for more taste. We went for a late lunch and ordered the Curry Chicken wrap. The presentation left much to be desired as it was served in a tine foil and wax paper ensemble, and it contained pre-cooked chicken, lettuce, and too much curry/mustard sauce. The wrap got soggy quickly and fell apart not too much long after that. It tasted decent, but I just expected more based on all of the other reviews. Maybe I just need to give it another try this week, and hope for more presentation and flavor....
(2)
Dia D.

We went here for dinner on a night that they had a large private party in the bar. While the service was super friendly it was a little slow at times. We ordered 4 small plates and 1 large plate. The small plates (Chinese buns with pork belly, Thai green papaya salad, Filipino Lumpia, and Duck Larb) were all outstanding but the large plate (the samosa pot pie) was just ok. The small plates had lots of flavor, spiciness, and fresh taste. Their menu is changing to a fall menu in a few weeks. The ambiance inside was nice and it wasn't too loud.
(4)
Abbie G.

When I first moved to the area my cousin absolutely raved about Buku and insisted we dine there. She told me it was an asian fusion restaurant, so how could I say no? I was not disappointed! We were seated on the patio, so I have no comment about the inside of the restaurant. However, the patio was cozy enough, and I had the atmosphere of enjoying my food outside in a very nice city area. Our server was very pleasant, prompt and kind. She was descriptive about the menu items when we asked. Our drinks were delicious (mine was the sangria), our appetizers were hot and fresh, and my pho was among the best I had ever tasted! I can't wait to go back and try new items on the menu!
(5)
Angelique A.

FIVE STARS FOR CONCEPT, DESSERT AND WINE. The halo halo is a flavor explosion of taro ice cream, coconut, jackfruit, and tamarind. I can't say that it much resembles the dessert I had in manila, but it's so yummy that I don't care at all. Other members in our party got the tiramisu and German trifle and were very pleased as well. They also have great coffee and tea offerings so you can enjoy those instead of Food if you're not up for a meal. The service here has been superior each time I attended. I love that they have an eclectic mix of street food from all over the world and will be returning to try the meals. Note that it is brunch only on Sundays til 5 pm.
(5)
Wise M.

The mTo French toast, waffles,and omelette was very good. The fresh fruit complimented my French toast very well. If you're in the area I would suggest going.
(4)
Natacha S.

Girls night out with my best friend visiting for the weekend and Buku was the highlight of our trip! We went on a Saturday night, without reservations, but luckily we still got seated after about 30 mins. While there was a bachelorette event in the bar section, we were able to order a couple cocktails in the waiting area! My girlfriend and I each had their mule special, and it was delicious! For dinner, I chose their scallops plate served on couscous - I forget what exactly was in it, but the dish was amazing! The scallops were by far the best ones I've ever had ($24 plateThe service was great. The waitress was always around to fill up our waters and she was very polite and friendly :) The dining area is very big, and can accommodate large tables. The decor and the style is also very modern which I really liked. I do wish the menu wasn't so expensive. When we had first arrived, all we saw were beautiful women in high hills specially dressed for a night out so we thought "this must be a fancy place!" But turns out all those people were going to the private event in the bar section, and in the dining section everyone was dressed pretty casually. Personally, I would dress up for this restaurant considering the chic atmosphere and the price itself is a little "dressed up". It's definitely a great restaurant for an occasion or a date night out :) I plan on going back with my husband this time, in hopes to eat that delicious scallops plate again!
(4)
Hannah P.

I came here with a friend on a Friday night at around 7:30. The first thing I noticed was the patio seating, where everyone was wearing a button-down or dress of some sort. It would've been a 15 minute wait to sit outside, but since my friend and I were both starving, we decided to sit inside with no wait. Inside has fancy modern decorations with a nice glass waterfall backdrop (noted because my friend particularly liked this) and plenty of seating. There was a better mix of style from the people inside - meaning, some were dressed up, others weren't as much. It made us feel more comfortable and less awkward. (We didn't realize that Buku was on the fancier side. Though we should've known since tapas restaurants are usually more upscale than regular restaurants.) After being seated by a haughty hostess, our waiter greeted us. I wish I had gotten his name - he was so friendly, did a great job of carefully explaining the selection of dishes and drinks, and checked up on us enough times to make us feel cared for but not overwhelmed. We started off with two small plates: the Filipino lumpias and Jamaican lamb patties. The lumpias come as four sliced pieces. These were delicious, especially paired with the side sauce and bed of mango salad. The lamb patties come as two patties with pickled red cabbage placed on top. These were spicier than I expected and the edges were crisp - so good! For our main dishes, my friend got the special of the day (grouper with sesame seeds on a bed of rice) and I got the pork belly ramen. Our waiter raved about the grouper, but it was honestly pretty bland and flavorless. The ramen was also underwhelming: the noodles tasted and felt and looked way too starchy (they were stuck to each other!), the broth didn't have depth (tasted a lot like the Korean o-deng/tempura soup), and the sake-braised pork shoulder was a bit rough and actually kind of tasted like pulled pork. I will admit, though, that the pork belly pieces were pretty large and crispy, and had a good fat:meat ratio. I also want to mention that I got the new Hefeweizen that they had on tap. My waiter decided to add an orange slice to it and told me he's never tried that with a patron, but wanted to know my thoughts. I liked it, my partner didn't. I thought it was a sweet and welcoming gesture, but some people might not like that (#drinksnobs). Overall, the atmosphere was nice and the small plates were great; but the large plates and bowls were subpar, especially considering the high price of them. If anything, just come here for the drinks and small plates. Don't bother with the actual entrees.
(3)
Janet N.

A group of 16 of us came out to buku for my birthday dinner and it was delicious!! However, being the birthday girl, I never got to see the bill which I assume is pretty steep. If you're looking for a fancy restaurant that treats you like you're made of money, buku is the spot! The food I had was very flavorful and the birthday shot the restaurant gave me was AMAZING!! They were so organized and courteous about our large numbered reservation. I felt pretty stress free! Thanks for a great birthday, bu*ku! Ps. I gave 4 stars for the crappy ramen. So many complaints from my friends.
(4)
Nina Q.

I usually wait to review restaurants that I have only tried for brunch until I've had lunch or dinner there to compare, but Buku really impressed me. We went on Father's Day for their weekend brunch buffet and I was expecting long waits and a packed place. It was indeed packed, but we were seated immediately (thank goodness for online reservations!). The service was phenomenal. Buku clearly throught and planned ahead and had upped their staff on duty that morning to handle the crowd. Food was always hot and every platter in the buffet line was promptly refilled way before anything was dangerously low. The selection was impressive too. They indeed had a global selection with items such as sweet-n-spicy spare ribs, prime rib, chicken dumplings, Basmati rice, chickpeas as well as a more traditional spread. The setup was smart, and intuitive: the left table was hot global dishes, including a make-your-own-omelet station and slices of ham, and prime rib. The right table included the tradition breakfast fare including muffins, bagels, croissants, spreads, fruit, bacon, eggs, sausage and cookies. The back table was the french toast and waffle station. Most of the food was delicious. I enjoyed the chicken dumplings with hoison sauce a lot (lots of filling!) and the prime rib was so juicy!! Surprisingly, the waffle was also in my top favorites as it was super fluffy with just the right amount of crisp. I was a little disappointed in some of the dishes including the traditional breakfast items: the potatoes were super over seasoned and super salty, the eggs with cheese were super runny and not very tasty, and the sausage was so dry even ketchup couldn't save it. Their ginger ale also tasted like watered down carbonated syrup with little ginger ale taste. However, Buku is not a homey southern diner where I was expecting to eat eggs, grits and bacon for my entire meal. They do their global selections well, and offer amazing service which is more than enough to entice me to return for dinner or lunch!
(4)
Anila Y.

Not quite sure what the hype is about this place. I guess my review might be biased because I am not a fan of places that do global cuisine! I am all for restaurants that specialize in one type of cuisine because I don't feel like it is possible to master all types of cuisine on one menu-- Buku just confirmed this hypothesis. We tried four very different items: 1. Colombian Arepas--don't bother with these. They were very bland and nothing compared to the amazing Arepas at Guasaca. It was just a thick slab of corn bread with a little jalapeno butter (not spicy at all) and onion jam. (The onion jam was very good though). But the bread was so thick, that you couldn't get the flavor of the butter or the jam. 2. Aloo Chana Chaat -- Was actually good, and quite authentic. If it had been spicy, this dish would have been great! 3. Vegetable dumplings -- good I like that they were very crispy, but they also tasted like something I might pick up from Trader Joes and toss into the microwave if you know what i mean ;) 4. Elote -- this dish salvaged the whole meal! I feel like I could eat this all the time! I definitely recommend this item! A great note to end on. We also had some dessert. They actually have a separate dessert chef, which was pretty apparent because the size of the desserts was bigger than the servings of the items we got! The desserts were definitely good, but there wasn't a global selection of desserts besides the Filipino Halo Halo. I wouldn't return to Buku simply because you get very little food for a very high price. The prices are justifiable for Downtown Raleigh, but I feel like at other places you would get much much more food. And then the desserts are very large and difficult to finish. Perhaps if they adjusted their portion sizes, it would be more worth it.
(3)
Amber M.

I want to give this place 3.5 stars, but I can't. It was....interesting? I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I was intrigued by the variety on the menu. The Chinese buns were super yummmmy, although you only got two. It would be perfect for a starter, if I wasn't starving like I was. I ended up getting the saki maki roll, I was craving sushi and it was okay. My mom got a duck adobo, I believe. That was delicious. Again, not a huge plate of food, probably the proper serving size to be honest, I'm just used to huge, over sized American portions. I don't think I would come back here super hungry like I was but the food was interesting not only with the menu options but the spice variety was great! It was different and I did enjoy it. Oh and Brent was our server, he was FABULOUSSSSS! Oh one more thing, I liked the dessert.
(3)
Nadia S.

As many of my friends had told me, this place is a hit or miss. The restaurant is beautiful and the ambiance is great...so are the crab flautas and the duck done 3 ways with coconut rice. Everything else fell flat. The mussels came out cold. Not sure what to say about that. My friend's beer came out warm and flat.... The arepas were good but not amazing. The bibimbap was alright, could have been so much better. Our server was awkward and not very helpful. We were told the small plates were tiny bites, but I thought they were pretty big portions- you def don't need to order 2-3 per person. I guess I'm used to small plates being like REALLY SMALL like in the big cities, so that was kinda nice. Glad I finally tried this place out but prolly won't be back. The hype was not real for me folks.
(3)
Stella M.

This place was a big fat bummer. They completely lack authenticity. The dishes are not street food and a bunch of their dishes are just a misnomer. It's cultural ignorance. The presentation is beautiful and the ambiance is nice. The drinks are okay as well, but I you are looking for good ethnic food, you won't find it here.
(2)
Melissa M.

Came to Buku two weekends in a row. Hands down my favorite restaurant in Raleigh. Andy, the bartender loves to create drinks and makes great ones. Loved the Short Ribs. Very large Gluten free menu, one of the best.
(5)
Esther N.

Looking for a new place to eat when in Raleigh, decided to try boku. Primarily because our show ended at 4pm and most of the other places we looked at opened at 530pm. Boku was open, didn't close after lunch. The waitress said that they recently changed up their menu, but never having eaten here, it didn't really effect us. For some reason, everything we ordered was incredibly spicy, but we took our time and enjoyed the spiciness. Tuna tataki roll looked and tasted great (per husband, I'm still preggo so no raw fish yet). I was confused why it was called tataki though. Other items we tried was the duck larb, very spicy, and I loved that they used the tender duck confit, but whatever seasoning they added to it gave it a gritty texture every now and again. Tom yum was even more spicier, not as vinegary as I like it, but it will definitely clear your sinuses. The least favorite we ordered was the crab flautas, it was overwhelmingly cream cheesy that it overpowered any crab. And it was slightly under fried. But overall, a great way to eat a variety of different types of food.
(4)
Harrison H.

I LOVE BUKU! Everyone NEEDS to eat here at-least once (and you will be back for more I'm sure) I came here first several years ago for Valentine's because I was slack and didn't make reservations until a few days before and Buku was the only thing that had a reservation left. I had an open mind since I had never been before and fell in love! The food is phenomenal....the service, spectacular....the ambiance, awesome. If you come here to eat there is nothing you will not like. The servers are very well trained and knowledgeable about the dishes and whats in them. One of my really good friends and I meet once or twice a week for dinner or lunch to catch up and gossip....Buku is where we usually end up! We both have a place in our heart (and stomachs) for Buku. Its perfect for small plates - my friend and I usually order several small plates and just share that way we get to taste a little of everything we love! If you are really hungry, the dinner portions are very large! The food is plated beautifully and always very tasty. I have seriously never had anything I haven't liked from their menu. *they also have a Gluten Free menu available upon request!
(5)
Linda K.

Though the ambiance and weekend buffet brunch was good, the dishes were mediocre and pricey. There was more emphasis on "fusion" and took away the authenticity of the original asian dishes. If you are looking for really good Asian food, I would recommend passing Buku but if you are in for a big western breakfast on a weekend, this is the place to be!
(2)
Lindsay H.

I was really looking forward to Buku but not sure what to expect. We went for a friends birthday dinner and it was the perfect place for a group. Their menu has quite a variety between Asian, Latin, etc but everything is small plate-style. Definitely good because there is something for everyone and you don't all have to want the same type of food. I had the Hot Pot Yam Talay (prawns, sea scallops, PEI mussels, coconut, yellow curry, mushrooms, cilantro), and if I go back, I would definitely get it again. It was so delicious. Others at the table ordered sushi, dumplings, mussels, and various cocktails. Overall, we were satisfied with the service and the food and had a good experience. Would definitely go back for a date night.
(5)
Lara P.

Visiting from south florida I thought Raleigh might be hiding some gastro gem so I was surprised when instead of yelp leading the way, it was my very own eyes that spotted the culinary beacon while wandering downtown in rented SUV. Upon approach I totally felt I was underdressed for dinner there wearing shorts and a t shirt, but the promise of global street food was too much and was so happy to be welcomed with open arms by an ever patient and constantly smiling waitress Leslie complete with charming accent and her sidekick and new trainee. The menu looks as tho someone snatched the highlights from about ten different restaurants and is offering it up almost like a dare challenging you to find something you are not in the mood for. Everyone will be pleased even a picky eater like me felt excited and threw caution to the wind and ordered like a gastronomical roulette machine. We tried to stick with region when ordering, deciding on just sharing a bunch of small dishes and then one large. To start we had the Colombian Arepas that were absolutely delicious and well balanced with the smear of guacamole infused with aji and tomatoes on top and very very delicious cheese. The empanadas were quite tasty, the filling was so rich and flavorful. they were lacking that nice crunch you would hope for. Having been to Colombia these definitely are pretty damn close! Next we ordered the lebanese fatuous salad and it was basically a glorified house salad...nothing special there definitely go for the viet cucumber salad as the combination of peanut, crispy slivered cucumbers and that vinegar dressing is so satisfying. The pierogis were delicious and quite filling, the crispy bready dumpling filled with creamy squash and chicken almost had a cheese like consistency that was addictive. To send your tastebuds into overdrive the brown butter they drizzle over it just intensifies the richness and taste of these morsels. More please! It was hard to pick one last dish but we narrowed it down to sake braised short ribs. This is a huge portion and to say it was delicious would be an insult as this was flavor overload. I personally rarely eat beef having been a vegetarian for many years before introducing chicken, but I could tell the Boyfriend wanted these really bad so I was par for the course. I only wish they served it with a different rice, perhaps a basmati rice as this was clearly the sushi rice which is fine, they state in the menu "japanese rice". After all those dishes I was pretty sure we were skipping dessert but I was so intrigued by the dinner menu I had to check out dessert. The offerings are quite tame except for that fillipino cheese ice cream dish that sounded pretty darn cool. Upon hearing the words "chocolate souffle", the B.F. was game even with full knowledge we would have to wait 20 minutes for the dish. The wait was not a issue as it gave us time to digest , have a good conversation and take in the details of the restaurants decor. Our waitress brought out a complimentary dish of sorbets to help tide us over in the wait which was incredibly sweet (her action and the sorbets )! The souffle is a great sharing size and it came out perfect. The coffee they serve is fair trade and organic and I had two cups it was so delicious!! Perfect compliment to the chocolatey dessert! Overall very very pleased and kinda sad that we don't live near enough to partake in this place often. As varied as the menu is, does anyone know if they change it up seasonally?
(4)
Shannon P.

There's truly something for everyone here! The dinner menu offers global cuisine from all over the world....feeling like sushi tonight?...no problem! Would you rather have Korean BBQ?....okedokee! How about a mediterranean salad?....that'll work! My point is no matter what you're in the mood for, most likely you'll find it on the Buku menu. It's perfect for a group of people as you can share many/most of the entrees. It's also perfect if you can't decide where to go - just go - everyone will find something they love. While I've been to dinner multiple times, I finally just made it to brunch for Father's Day. I specifically sought out Buku because my parents are not adventerous eaters nor do they prefer anything fancy schmancy....if they can't pronounce it, they won't eat it. *Sigh* So after much research, I learned that Buku offers a buffet for brunch! This sounded perfect - they can see what they're getting!...brilliant for picky eaters. I typically don't prefer a buffet style meal at any time of the day, but I've heard great things about this one and knew I wouldn't be disappointed after enjoying their great dinners! The brunch buffet is set up in the bar area (front of restaurant) and also consists of global cuisine. They have an omelet station where they cook up any type of omelet you can dream of, a waffle station, and a carving station. The covered buffet options were scrambled eggs, a vegetarian burrito, quiche, chicken, macaroni & cheese, curried vegetables, lamb curry, new potatoes, couscous, and several more things that I can't remember. For dessert they have fruit, cookies, chocolate mousse, cheesecake, and more! I was pleasantly surprised how much variety they can offer up in a rather small space (front bar). It does get a little congested as you're moving around, but everyone is nice and friendly. If you dine outside (and I always try to grab a spot on their patio!), it gets even trickier trying to get outside with your plate as you have to bust through the waffle line to do so - but it's all good. Once you're outside and seated, you'll be in heaven. The food is terrific, servers have always been great, and you can't be the street view and people watching! My only 'teeny tiny' complaint would be that the mimosas/bloody mary's aren't bottomless - meaning they'll cost you $7 a pop so keep that in mind. Oh and the price of the buffet is $19.95/person, which is a great deal!
(4)
Jeffrey M.

The best brunch I have ever had. So many choices from satisfying the sweet tooth to something salty. The buffet is awesome and everything tasted great. Sat outside and it was beautiful. The waitress was supposed to give us a tour of the buffet but she said she was too busy because she had so many tables. Either lousy scheduling by the managers or too lazy. Either way the food was awesome just the service was slow.
(4)
Lauren E.

Great location and very nice atmosphere. A little more sophisticated than places close by. I sat at the bar and ordered the house special which was not something I would typically order. Hawaiian flank steak with coconut rice and some kind of crispy version of bok choy with mango salsa. Oh. My. Gawd. Soooo good!!! The bartender was very friendly and poured Good drinks. Will be back!!!
(5)
Wei T.

Like it! The appetizers were good, duck confit main was great except for a little bit salty. Desserts were the highlight! Strongly recommend the sorbets combination, each flavor was so delicious!
(4)
Jerome E.

TGIF. I made the choice to go here for our Friday lunch after yelping for a new place in downtown Raleigh. First impression, very cool ambience with waterfall wall behind the bar. The main dining room had a good view of the waterfall too. The menu is global with American, Middle Eastern and Latin dishes but seems to emphasize Asian. We ordered off the lunch menu, much smaller than the dinner menu but with a good cross-spectrum of dishes. I decided on the $9 Vietnamese pho and my co-workers had the chicken curry roti and shrimp sandwich special. They seemed to enjoy theirs but really envied my pho bowl which I immensely enjoyed, oohing and ahhing with gusto. Big steaming bowl of savory, slightly sweet broth, packed (really packed) with rice noodles, and fresh basil, cilantro and slice of lime to mix in. It also came with a side of sambal (chili sauce) which I used to make the dish spicy and caliente. Our service was very efficient and our friendly server stopped by to refill our water several times. We enjoyed our meal and I particularly want to come back again, maybe to try the Bahn Mi sandwich which I was wavering about ordering.
(4)
Pam W.

atmosphere **** food ** service ** overall *** I usually try places I haven't been to mainly for their food and not so much because it's new, chic or hip. This place has a nice decor and it didnt seem over the top and pretentious. the food however was a big flop for me. I love the concept of global street food but they failed to deliver what they are aiming for. Prices are way to high for what you get. Quality lacks freshness and technical skills. I had the scallop dish with rice that was supposed to be infused with scallion broth. I was highly disappointed. The scallops were over cooked, rice was undercooked, broth tasted like candy, it was so sweet! what!? My friend had the thai BBQ snapper. I thought the fish had a nice flavor but no we don't eat that with a papaya salad in Bangkok! The dish felt disconnected in flavors. I've traveled to Vietnam to Japan and the street foods they offer on the menu are far from authentic nor do they exist! I get it, if it's supposed to be inspired but come on, at least make it tasty. I enjoy east meets west type of cuisine but this place is just not good. I expected much more. Plus if you really want a good Chinese BBQ bun (bao) .....go to the Grand Asian market in Cary for a real one for $1! overall, I may go back to hang out with friends for drinks but never again for food. I prefer an in cary much more. I definitely don't mind spending $$$ for food when it is worth it. I felt ripped off here. oh well now I know. On to the next....
(3)
Shannon M.

Lots of interesting choices of food. I had the Duck Adobe which was absolutely delicious. My only complaint was the portions were small for the price. The salad at $8.00 was very good but small. My husband is a big eater and was not nearly good although his food was good. Great desert menu ,
(4)
Juli G.

Had dinner at Buku tonight with my husband. We had the Duck confit appetizer which was recommended by our waiter. It had the perfect spice (ours was medium) and was delicious. We also had the mussels appetizer because I was craving them. Very good, but I've had better. They did bring us extra bread to dip in the sauce, bonus!! For entrees my husband had the Bibimbop which he thought was very flavorful but he wished it had more spice. I had the Pork Belly Ramen Hot Pot and it was absolutely delicious. A great dining experience, can't wait to return.
(4)
Timothy M.

Had lunch at Buku a few days ago, and was pleased. The lunch menu in NO way comes close to their impressive dinner offerings, but it was quite tasty nonetheless. We sat on the patio, which was likely a mistake in the sweltering heat, but the service was pretty decent (despite a slightly longer than desirable wait for the check). We ordered the Vietnamese Pho, the Tuna (seared perfectly on bed of arugula and kalamata olives...fabulous), and capped it off with an order of fries just to add some unhealthiness to the mix. The Pho was well-above average...which is impressive. I think Pho is hard to do well...many times I have had it and it has seemed to be just water, beansprouts and a few noodles tossed in not enough spice...but not at Buku. The meat is fresh and cooked just right (as in...not TOO MUCH). and there was just the right amount of crunch and plenty of delicious hearty noodles o soak up the flavor. I ordered the Creme Brulee trio for dessert and I may have fallen in love. They have GINGER creme brulee...it is absolutely heavenly. I will definitely be back, and in search of an enormous order of this alone. Kudos to Buku for landing on the scene as a great choice for DT lunch as well as dinner!
(4)
Bernadette A.

Came back for more during restaurant week and it is as still as good as it was the first time I dined here. For an app, I had the empanada. The sauce on top was not too heavy and it was filled perfectly - practically bursting with meat, but not too fat it was messy. My friend got the fatoosh and it's not what I remembered fatoosh looking like. Buku's was more like a salad - or at least that's what it looked like. For dinner, I had the short ribs - it was a little too rich. The sauce was a little too salty and I had to "drain" it before eating it because I was tasting the sauce more than the meat, but once I did that - awesomeness. The short ribs were cooked just right. My friend got the chicken and the other the salmon which they thoroughly enjoyed. For desert, I got the flourless chocolate torte - yum and my friends got the creme brulee, which offered 3 flavors - vanilla, chocolate and verbana. Glad I came back because I love this place. As we were leaving they had a sitar player which added to the coolness factor of this joint.
(5)
Kate F.

I was pretty unsure about this place as we were looking for Thai take-out, and the menu here was kind of weird. We all had a hard time choosing what to get. The end result though was amazingly good. The flavors were well-paired and not one of us had a bad meal (6 of us seemed to cover most of the menu with no duplicates). I had a romaine salad and paired it with the Thai basil shrimp - it was soo delicious, I would get it again. We would go again for sure. Great for a group.
(4)
Terri R.

Always seaching for good eats and this is one high on my list! Love this place. Very nice upscale atmosphere. All the staff are very friendly. Food is fun and delicious. Great place for trying new things you have never had before. You gotta try it. There's something for everyone and its a great place to take groups since you can order lots of different tapas style items and everyone can share and experience a wide array of foods. Good drink menu as well. Gotta go... gotta try it!
(4)
Paul D.

One of the best in downtown Raleigh. This is a great place for lunch, dinner, and even brunch on Sundays. The food is delicious, service solid, and all in all a great place to eat.
(5)
Caroline C.

I dined at Buku with three others last weekend and LOVED it! We arrived just before our reservation time and were seated right away. The bar was hoppin' and the dining room full! I had a cocktail and out waitress offered a few wine tastes before the rest of the group decided on a wine. We ordered lots if the smaller plates for the table to share and our waitress had impeccable timing--as we finished a dish the next two came out (waiters here time the food based on cook time and how busy the kitchen is--really a skill, I think!) We did not have any dishes we would not order again. Our faves were the Buku roll, empanadas, Korean short ribs (our non-rib eater in the group even lived these), Vietnamese crepe. Be sure to start with the world bread and three dipping sauces. Just a warning--the prawns are delish but spicy! From atmosphere to food to drinks it was the best choice for a nice dinner out in Raleigh. (ps: Valet service out front made it easy, breezy)
(5)
Em P.

To begin, the edamame is impeccable! Smoky sea salt and sesame oil, generously tossed in sesame seeds... Forget it, so good! The steamed pork dumplings were great as well, but I have to get to the hot pot and the bibimbap! The hot pot was unreal, Tom Kai Gai-esque and had a sweet and spicy flavor from the red curry. Sooooo good! The bibimbap inspired me, seriously! Sesame carrots, bread and butter pickles, pickled radishes, hangar steak, gochujuong, soy marinated mushrooms, scallions and a fried egg.... It was just unbelievable! I would have loved a poached egg (or 7 poached eggs) more than a fried egg, but listen, no complaints here! We love this place
(5)
Jarrod S.

Pros: Chic modern ambiance, some tasty plates Cons: Plates are hit or miss (ya dats just tapas I know) Expensive While not technially a tapas bar (because it is not Spanish themed) this place offers many small plates in the tradition of tapas. I think that's the best thing to say about it, as such it seems that even more than tapas their selections are hit or miss since they don't fully specialize in anything. It's an instance where if I knew going in what was good and what wasn't this place would probably be worth it. However, like most tapas places you're rolling the dice on "small plates" that can often run 10-15$ a pop.
(4)
Jean H.

This is by far the best restaurant in Raleigh I have never had a bad meal or bad service Aubri was pout waitress she was excellent She had allot of tables and attended each one with a smile and checked in everyone I asked if I could just get the vegetable spring rolls that were not in the menu as a side and she got them for me they were amazing with a peanut sauce that I could drink it was so good Thank u buku for always being a perfect restaurant choice chef Ramsey could never find anything wrong with Russ place
(5)
Gregg Z.

Aye there last year while seeking a local unique dinning experience! There were graduates celebrating, as well!
(5)
Penny P.

I'm usually not a fan of fusion restaurants, but Buku was delicious! I went with my cousin and our boyfriends for a much needed get together. We ordered multiple plates and with that our server to it upon himself to bring out our plates according to the world regions. And that was a great idea! Really added to the experience!! Also, great cocktails!
(4)
Dona S.

One of my friends and I went to Buku last night and it was really nice. The Donnie the waitress was amazing. She was great with suggestions and they pairing of food. They have the most amazing buku edamame. It has chili sauce and cashews I am never going to want it the plane way. Then we had the tuna tataki roll WOW was it good and we followed this with the Aloo Chana Chaat the flavors were great. We finished off with the creme brulees trio vanilla/chocalate/ginger I don't eat chocalate but the vanilla and ginger oh so good and I don't normally care for creme brulees. Of course we started off with a nice beverage Rosemary Neno suggested by Donnie another great suggestion. Go there ask for Donnie and enjoy you evening of flavors. You will not be disappointed I promise.
(5)
Sarah S.

A group of friends and I wondered in on a Thursday evening without a reservation. Lucky for us they had room for the 8 of us. I want to start off by saying that we such a wonderful and memorable dining experience. Our sweet Michael was outstanding. He knew exactly how to handle a bunch of girls celebrating. He was the most accommodating, fun, knowledgable server I have had in some time. You could tell it wasn't his first rodeo, and for that we are thankful. The food was exceptional. I ordered the ginger pear salad that was recommended by Michael. It was delicious. It had all my favorite elements. Sweet, savory, & crunchy. For my entree I had the Filipino Duck Abodo. It was delightful. The combination of the tender duck breast over coconut rice and a fried duck egg....oh my heaven. What a treat it was to dine and be so well taken care of.
(5)
Jennifer C.

DE-LI-CIOUS! Had a lunch meeting at Buku last weekend and I am kicking myself (not literally, but maybe I should) for walking by this place so many times because I thought it looked expensive and stuffy. First of all, they accommodated a group of 12+ on a Saturday, put us in a great room with a big table away from other diners and gave us a fantastic server. Second, Buku has quite a large gluten free menu (see picture I posted or see here bukuraleigh.com/buku/menâ€¦ ) - seriously, there isn't much on the menu that isn't gluten free to be honest, so I didn't feel like I was being short-changed. Nothing stinks worse than having to be at a restaurant and only being able to eat a salad while everyone else enjoys delicious meals. That being said, I ordered a salad (Sicilian Radicchio and Endive Salad) which was so flavorful and delicious, but I also ordered Empanadas because they make a gluten free version! It was so light and crispy and practically melted in my mouth. You get two with your order and it comes with a heap of yummy guacamole on top. Honestly I wanted to order two more when I was finished because they were just THAT good. I have been dreaming about them (and raving to friends) since I put the last bite in my mouth. Buku serves brunch on Sunday, has a large outdoor seating area, and a large drink and dessert menu. I can't wait to go back, don't walk by Buku!
(4)
Drew M.

I went with a large group for a client dinner. The food was amazing as was the service. We had a variety of cocktails that everyone enjoyed. I had a modified pimms cup that was very good. We ordered several small plates including Asian dishes and sushi that were loved by all. The lamb patties were probably the least popular. I had the duck confit with coconut rice and it was one of the best dishes I have ever had. The rice with the fried duck egg were very flavorful. I finished a wonderful night with chocolate soufflÃ© and almond ice cream. I would recommend again to anyone. It was also reasonably priced.
(5)
Anna W.

We enjoyed the food, but there's plenty of other reviews about that. The ambiance was nice with a fun waterfall feature. I had my toddler with me, and he liked that. We didn't pick the restaurant that night, so I wouldn't have generally brought a toddler, and indeed they werent prepared for him. The waiter had a hard time understanding that we needed to get him his meal asap, but we got through that OK. Biggest surprise was my dusty plate. It had been sitting on the table when I arrived, so I assume it had perhaps been there all day and collected dust. Asked for a new plate, and it was dusty too! Between needing to pay attention to my child, not wanting to distract from the celebration we were attending, and being too impatient to wait for the waiter to come back, I just cleaned it off with my napkin and water and went on my way. Two dirty plates is enough to keep me from returning.
(2)
Michelle M.

Ah, the bourgeois tapas dinner spot of Raleigh! Food was delicious, wine menu was varied, and ambience hit the spot. Service not so great, it was either hit or miss with the serving ladies and hostesses. Expect a short wait if you have a party of moe than two. Although the restaurant is huge, it fills up quick so make a reservation. We started with their raw selection of appetizers (ordered a sea bass tirade to and the pacifico roll). The fish was splendid, the roll was not out of this world (don't come to a Latin themed restaurant to eat sushi-lesson learned). Their arepa with cochino (pulled pork) definitely hit the spot. This is more of a fusion restaurant though so don't expect authentic cuisine, but a good mix of flavors. Lastly, we had the Steak Frites and we did not regret it. I will take truffle drizzled fries on any day, and the steak was cooked quite nicely too. Definitely try out their red Sangria! A full sized carafe for only $20, definitely bang for your buck here.
(5)
Joel T.

Lovely contemporary decor and great service. Our party sampled Edaname with spicy sauce, Asian Pear Salad, Vegetable Pieroggi, Potato Cake and Creme BrÃ»lÃ©e, complemented by well suited wine. All were tasty and nicely prepared. They got us in and out on time to make theatre start. Will go again.
(4)
Nicole E.

Of course I started with the Red Hat Mojito (cause I love mojitos and I love open source). The appetizers (the veggie dumplings specifically) were awesome - we had a bunch to share for our group. My dinner of plaintain encrusted fish was fresh, delicious and way too big! I only ate 1/2 so that I had room for dessert. The apple tart I ordered was also amazing and too big. So the lesson I learned here was that the food was amazing, the staff attentive and next time I should share everything with someone else.
(5)
Jon O.

A very solid 'good' restaurant to eat at in the downtown area. We stopped in for restaurant week and sampled some of the other selections as well. My first course was the Lap Khmer which had rice noodles and beef strips. The lap Khmer was waaaay over seasoned with mint. It completely dominated the dish. Second was the porterhouse pork which was awesome and the chocolate cheesecake desert you couldn't go wrong with. We also tried the empanadas which were good and some lumpia. This place does have a couple filipino items on the menu which are hard to find around town. Also, I'd like to mention the service and ambiance are too notch here. Very good experience all around.
(4)
Carol S.

This rating is not entirely based upon food so keep that in mind. Food wise I have no issue with Buku. The menu offering is good as well as presentation. My issue lies in an experience my husband and I had when trying to visit the restaurant one day... We had been to Buku previously for a late night bite and I had been with co-workers for lunch and enjoyed my meals. But today we were out enjoying a nice walk out with our dog. We were on our way back towards our condo and decide to have lunch out. We pass by Buku and ask for a table outside after a few back and forth communications with the hostess and what I presume is the manager they decide they cannot allow a dog on the patio. I'm a dog lover but I also respect a business' right to not allow dogs so okay fine, we go home and have lunch. The very next day and I do mean the very next day we are walking back by the restaurant and there is a lady eating outside with her dog. She was not blind and the dog was not wearing a service dog vest. I own a small and very well behaved dog, so much so that people often forget he's with me until I leave. So my complaint is with the inconsistency of Buku's rules regarding dogs. Either allow them or don't. The lady with the dog was about the only business outside that day but rules are rules.
(2)
Jeff F.

Buku is wonderful, you will not find a selection of different styles of food anywhere, and the best part is it doesn't matter what you order, it will be awesome! It's a bit pricey, I will admit that, but I guess you get what you pay for. They also have the best brunch buffet I've ever had in NC. Seriously, if you haven't tried it, get your butt there this weekend!
(5)
Kevin M.

I went this past Saturday night with my wife and sister in law. We didn't have reservations and didn't want to wait 2 hours so we sat in the bar area which we got a seat right away. The menu has small plates (appetizers) and are plates (meals). The Sangria was excellent and they had a local beer which also was amazing! We had appetizers and dinner and desert. This food was delivered fresh from the oven at the perfect temperature, was so delicious! The flavors were layered so well that you could not stop eating the food was that delicious! Our waitress was excellent even though they were extremely busy she made us feel like we were important and we never had to sit and wait for her. This was the best meal I have had in 40 some years and is a must for our favorite occasions to go to! I highly recommend reservations, and they have an outside patio that is also available.
(5)
Ana K.

This is just for their desserts. I hope they read this. They need a new pastry chef..or something. Every baked dessert I've had has been awful, almost inedible. The tarts, creme brulee, cakes, etc. They all lack flavor and taste dry and saw dusty. I think there is lacking butter and milk in the batter/doughs. It's really missing that RICH component that desserts require. Too much focus on spice/flavors and not enough into that Yum factor that makes you want to eat more. That's why all the desserts have been so hard for me to finish, I've taken friends here who felt the same way so I know it's not just me. There's no reason y'all can't nail the desserts just stop trying to make them so healthy LOL.
(1)
Elizabeth K.

The first time I came here with a couple of girlfriends, we shared small plates. The food wasn't that great and the service was horrendous. The second time, I went with coworkers; we had some drinks and snacked on a few things. Food was pretty tasty and the service was friendly. Fast forward to today, I came with about 12 other people for a birthday. Service was AMAZING (thanks to Justin), and the food got significantly better. Heck yes to improving experiences here at Buku. I really can't say enough about how great the service has gotten, even from others besides Justin. Everyone's food came out together smoothly and we were all happy. Buku does not get a perfect 5 stars because the hostesses aren't that kind, and I honestly think their food is just a bit overpriced for what it is. Their large plate options can go up to $30. I'm not much of a stickler when it comes to quality food; I enjoy spending any amount if the food is phenomenal and worth it. But I wasn't satisfied here. Trendy place downtown with global cuisine (lots of options to choose from: small plates, large plates, and even sushi) and complimentary parking.
(4)
T D.

food was ok in my opinion. yes great variety but execution is debatable. the concept is really inspirational but some dishes came flat for me. (idk have you guys been to taste wine bar? I LOVE EVERY DISH THERE) ordered: apps: duck larb: 10/10 really really good // all the flavors were spot on indian naan: 5/10 overall taste 10/10 so I was expecting this to be more on an indian dish (with a curry dipping sauce and naan to be thin with a hint of garlic) but it came out like a pita...pita with greek yogurt sauce tbh. so I gave it a 5/10 they should of named it something greek instead of indian naan. but still really good and I would re-order again if it was judge based on taste elote: 8/10 good. seared pork dumbpling: 6/10 our waiter was very into selling us this & we trusted him but it came out flat. like pot-stickers you would find at costco. don't bother with this dish mussel de Espana: 10/10 SO GOOD ... MUST GET Entrees: HOT POT: 9.5/10 it's on the sweeter side but that's my preference anyways. really yummy really coconut-y. really freaking good. I drank two bowls + ate 85% of my coconut rice (order extra for the table----thank me later) Vietnamese Banh Xeo: 8.5/10 really good!!! (all the flavors were right with this one) Filipino Duck Adobo: 7/10 good but flavors were soft and even a little weak in my opinion. It's missing the sweet element or heavy vinegar ... they made this safe & boring I really loved the fried egg on top. that gave this dish an extra point Korean BBQ bibimbap: idk it would be unfair for me to rate this. i live in koratown, los angeles & i'll leave it at that. there was no BBQ/bulgogi style meats in here. it was like a steak with attempted flavors. 4/10 at best Service is one of the best services I've experience since I've been in NC. I would come back just because I really loved the service so much. I wanted to love everything!! there are some great dishes I would def come back for. It's just not 5 stars food wise.
(3)
Geoff And Jenni G.

Cocktails were excellent... food was great... several large tables, so good for groups and not too noisy... Definitely would come back...
(4)
Katie T.

For some reason, I had yet to visit BuKu, but it had been on my list for several years. Last week, my boss and i made a trip over for lunch during the work week. The enormous outdoor seating area is a huge plus. We had great service, and a very attentive waiter who went above and beyond to make sure our special requests were addressed. I ordered the hummus plate - an abundance of pita complemented the garlicky hummus. I also ordered the papaya salad with tofu (vegetarian). The tofu was cooked well - crispy and a little chewy. It's a bit pricier for a lunch compared to other spots, but it was high quality and a beautiful space for something a little fancier than the vendor down the street. Plus, the variety of the menu really lets you build your own meal out of small plates or splitting larger ones. Will definitely visit again!
(4)
Donnell P.

The best brunch in Raleigh. I love that it's a buffet brunch with all the fixings. Everything from waffles to omelets. The last time I was here with my Mom the buffet was $20 but I thought it was a good value since there was a good variety of items to choose from.
(5)
Rikki-Lauren M.

Just went here for brunch for the second time and WOW! Amazing service. We called and made a reservation for our party of 9, and they gave us the private room in the back. It was great for our group, and we loved having our own space. Our waiter was friendly and chatty, but always making sure that our coffee and water glasses were full. Nothing is worse than an empty cup or glass when you are trying to enjoy your meal, and he was on point. The buffet brunch is fantastic. And I HATE buffets. Buku is an exception for me. It's very well done, and the waffle stand, omelet stand, and carving station just take it to a whole new level. I loved ordering waffles and adding some friend chicken to it. What other breakfast buffet can do this for you? We will definitely be back.
(4)
Sam Z.

Top 5 meal in raleigh. Dinner = amazing. We got a mix of small plates of 'street food' aka mostly dumplings, sushi and some entrees. There was nothing bad on the menu! But the real thing about Buku that blows me away is their Sunday brunch. It's only buffet which I usually don't like as much as a normal menu, but theirs is the best breakfast buffet I've ever had. They have some of their global street food for breakfast, along with salads, hummus, a Greek yogurt bar and normal brunch food like a waffle bar, omelette cooking station and meat station. I highly recommend this place for brunch and dinner.
(5)
Bobby P.

What a great place in the heart of Downtown Raleigh! The hot pot was tasty and warming, the beer selection was perfect, and the service was very welcoming. I'll be back.
(4)
Ko N.

Went back for dinner with my wife and her family. Every dish was great. All 6 of us were shocked on how good everything was. Maybe it was the day we were there, or maybe it was our server Justin, who was top notch and every recommendation was excellent. He was very professional, but at the same time very personal. The drinks were good too. and they serve Schlitz. Just for that i would give them an extra 15 stars.
(5)
Caleb S.

This place I really good. The dishes are small but have amazing flavor. Perfect for a quick bite and then a night on the town
(4)
Rachael H.

Of the restaurants in downtown Raleigh. This just isn't a favorite of mine. I went for my second visit (the last was actually a few years ago) last night to celebrate a friend's birthday. Our server was fantastic and they had Bell's Hopslam on tap. Those were probably our two highlights of the night. For food, we decided to try two small plates and one large plate. We ordered the Colombian Arepas and the Filipino Limpia as our two small plates. The Limpia was also a positive note on the the evening. I was thankful for pictures and reviews on here recommending it. Food wise - it was the best thing we had all night. I have never had Filipino food before. To help someone else in my shoes, I would describe it as a cross between a pork dumpling and an egg roll. The filling is very similar to a pork dumpling filling and then its appearance and outside is similar to an egg roll. The green sauce and mango salad served with it were great. I continued to drench each bit in the sauce and cover it with the strips of marinated mango. If I went back, I would order this dish again. Arepa wise - neither of us were two impressed. I've decided that I'm just not an Arepa girl. I think they are all generally a bit greasy (even the ones at Guasaca). My husband loves Guasaca so he was looking forward to these. They were just a bit plain. They served the arepa standing alone. We had to slice it down the middle and then spread either jalapeno butter or onion jam on it. While both fillings were tasty, they were very modest - especially in comparison to Guasaca. Even my Guasaca loving husband was disappointed. We wouldn't order these again. For our entree, we chose the Pork Belly Ramen. We chose this on a recommendation from a friend. Although it was visually a spectacular dish - the flavor profile just didn't hit it for us. It was very savory, maybe even a bit umami. We like a little more spice or sweetness. Great service and some good things here and there but, more misses and an expensive price tag will probably keep us from choosing this location over some of our other downtown favorites.
(3)
Kristen R.

First, I absolutely love the ambiance of this restaurant! It's modern and fresh but also cozy and comfortable. Every time I've come here I've felt welcomed and at home while still feeling very classy like I would at an upscale restaurant. The service is always attentive, professional and fun. Servers are very interactive and know the menu well which is always helpful when you need guidance on what to order. First time here I ordered the pork belly ramen and my friend ordered the Scottish salmon. Both packed with flavor and fresh ingredients. Salmon perfectly cooked and seasoned. And both decent portions. Second time around I ordered the Colombian Arepas to start, which was unfortunately a huge let down. Good texture but really lacked any flavor at all. For my entree I got the vietnamese crepes with summer rolls. While everything was fresh and tasty, the shrimp (which made up most of the crepes) were ridiculously overcooked! I felt like I was eating chunks of rubber. It kind of ruined the whole dish for me. (Some friends ordered the samosa pot pie and buku hot pot which they both loved!) For dessert, we ordered the honey & kuhlua tiramisu and it was heavenly! Very big portion for a dessert which was nice. Overall, I really do like this place for a nice dinner every so often but unfortunately I think it's very overpriced for what it is. The food is good, but I don't think it's good enough for what you pay, which is why I can't give it 5 stars.
(4)
Dina D.

I've eaten at buku a few times. I like the concept and the food is good.
(4)
Lisa W.

I had Buku bookmarked for quite some time based on friend's suggestions and Yelp reviews. I finally made it this past Friday for lunch and after my first visit I am already planning my next. The space its self is beautiful, the dÃ©cor, the lighting, and furnishings all tastefully done. It is one of the largest restaurants I have dined at in DT Raleigh and my husband and I chose to sit in the lounge area to enjoy the window view and some people watching. Service was perfect, it was during one of those "snow days" and after the lunch hour so we were free to enjoy ourselves and not feel rushed. Cocktails were superb - Strawbanero Sling- $9 and the Appalachian Slush- $8, well thought and mixed concoctions. For small plates we went with the Jamaican Lamb Patties- two for $10, Baja Crab Flautas- two for $9 and the Filipino Lumpia- two for $9. The Lumpia was the gold star winner with the cilantro chutney. If you love cilantro like I do then this item should be on your short list. The Lamb patties were a solid sliver. Not bad but I wouldn't get them again. In Jamaican dishes I am looking for that spice profile that these just didn't have and were quite bland considering the region they were trying to mimic. The pickled cabbage they were served with was a nice touch. The Baja Flautas were more like a spicy crab Rangoon. There was a balance between spicy and sweet with the mango-habanero salsa but I mostly just tasted the cream cheese and zero crab. I wouldn't get these again. I am a huge fan of small plates, getting to try a bunch of different plates without stuffing yourself is my ideal dinner. They have 20 or so small plates to choose from but they also have about 12 large dishes/meals if small plates aren't your thing. Overall I enjoyed my experience and look forward to trying more of their dishes in the near future.
(4)
Lee L.

This placed was over priced. Food was decent. Not a good selection of sushi. Would not recommend it.
(3)
Christina M.

The food here is always good. I've come for dinner, brunch and lunch. Its pricey for Raleigh, but its probably one of the nicer places to eat in the city. Its good to go with a group and try a lot of different plates. There are lot of choices. We came for Easter Brunch with my family visiting from New York. It was $20 a person, but it was worth it! Great selection of food. They have a brunch buffet on Sundays which lots of choices. We got to try a lot of the different Buku food. Drinks here are also great. I will be coming back soon!
(5)
Doug H.

We have been to Buku twice now for Sunday brunch. What a wonderful place to eat! Everything on the buffet seems to have extra flavor. They had a breakfast sausage with mango that was out of this world, for example. The service is great and the selection of foods available for the brunch is quite broad. We especially liked the cooked to order omelets! We will definitely be going back.
(5)
Emma C.

We went there for the first time a few months ago. The restaurant itself is large and very pretty. We were impressed with the diversity of the menu. The waitress was very polite and helpful. We asked for suggestions, and she was honest about what her favorites were. The food, for the most part, was delicious. There were a couple of selections we didn't like as much, but were happy to try something new. We plan to go back again and try the new menu,
(4)
Rod O.

Our First Real Meal here was during Triangle Restaurant Week...My Bride ordered from the regular Menu and I ordered from the Restaurant Week Menu! Hits : Winner "Best Restaurant Week Menu Summer 2014" RodO Awards Presentation - Beautiful! Artfully Displayed! Enjoyable to shoot! Curry "Panang" (They Said)... We said something else...Still it was Good! Soft Shell Crab Red Slaw Filipino Sausage Roll (my Description) Cilantro Sauce Mexican Corn on the Cobb Missed : : Mango Chutney - tasted more like Orange Rind Marmalade, nice color Perogies were Poor! NO POOR!!! Sauce was Awful ! This twist was meant for something Asian, NOT Polish ! Filipino Dessert - you may like if you Love Pineapple, wait, I LOVE Pineapple and did Not like this one...the cakes with it were better than the Dish as a Whole and the cakes were plenty PLAIN! Before this Dine, my Bride and I had Dessert and Appetizers here on Election Night and we were not so Impressed, thus the long gap between visits, I have visited a few other times before and after....From these experiences I was expecting to have to stretch yelp stars to get the review to 4 yelp stars... I'm NOT a fan and I doubt we will ever come back, still we were Impressed enough with the majority of the food that i believe they earned 4 yelp stars from me! Unimportant END Notes : : : International? What that could mean and does mean... Street Food! Cool sounding? Designer! Definitely Designer and surprisingly well done on more than half of the Dishes we were served! One of the things that bugs me about the so-called "Celebrity" Chef's is when they cook outside of their area of expertise and assume I'll like it because they are Famous and all of us are not (so they Assume)... Hey POPROCK LOVE : : : : The origin of my relationship with Buku was a recommendation from POPROCK LOVE who asked someone in Raleigh (probably Ron W.) about a place for me to take a Date...this was years ago when Buku was newly opened. I finally finish my review.
(4)
Maria K.

Pick anything off the menu. Anything. You won't regret it. You'll love it. It's going to be your new favorite thing. Buku takes great risks with their twists on traditional means (duck adobo anyone?) and it pays off. I've been there a few times with large groups and everyone was always incredibly happy with their food. It's great and worth every penny.
(5)
Sasha G.

Finally tried this place out after finding it on yelp a while back. The ambience is very nice - definitely a good place for a date! I tried the tuna tataki as well as the shrimp won ton. I loved the tuna tataki. I want to go back just to get that again. After dinner I couldn't help myself from getting the Filipino halo-halo after all the colorful pictures that I saw. This dessert was so good! It was definitely on the sweeter end but that was what I was looking for. I highly recommend trying it out.
(4)
Priya F.

I officially asked my bridesmaids if they would stand by my side at my wedding over dinner and drinks at BUKU and the staff and our waiter Michael did a phenomenal job with the entire surprise!! The girls loved it and we all had such a great time! The food was insanely good and our waiter did such a great job keeping the food coming without over crowding the table. They set up my bridesmaids boxes so neatly and brought them out on such nicely decorated trays as "desserts." It couldn't have been more perfect!
(5)
Matt G.

All I can say about Buku is WOW!! Actually, there is a lot more I can say, so here goes: I wanted to find an elegant restaurant in Raleigh that would be good for celebrating an occasion, or for bringing friends from out of town. This will be the spot for that from now on! The restaurant is very big and clean and has just that kind of ambiance that I was looking for, a kind of place where you can spend a good few hours. The server was super-friendly, very accomodating to our requests and questions, and he even offered my wife a glass of sparkling wine for her birthday, and a glass of beer for myself! The entrees do sound delicious, but we went for about 7-8 of the small plates. It tasted so fresh, only prime ingredients. The Mexican corn on the cob dish was so yummy! I loved the crab floatas, and the green mango gazpacho was very innovative (but I do have to say I prefer the original recipe). The highlight of the night though was the dessert, the Filipino Halo Halo was out of this world, wow, never had anything like it , so many flavors and colors! Guava sauce, jack fruit, kiwi, papaya, and obviously the sweet potato ice cream with the beautiful purple color. We didn't want our dish to be done and kept scraping it for more! I would come back just for that. I do have to say we started off on a bad note with this establishment, when we waited to be seated, the hostess was very flat in her manner and not welcoming at all, and when we were seated at our table, she kind of tossed the menu at my wife, not cool! I would take a star off for that if the food wasn't so good. To summarize, I will be back! Merci buku!
(5)
Jen N.

Whoa, Buku... My socks are officially knocked off! Our Mother's Day brunch was outrageously wonderful. From the scrumptious food, to the excellent service. to the most tasty and super-fancy Bloody Mary I've had in a long time... they have really gone out of their way to create an excellent dining experience! (Honestly, my mouth is watering just thinking about that Bloody Mary!) The Sunday brunch offered a plethora of options... The carving station featured four different meats including lamb. I tried the prime rib: omg, juicy, delicious, and perfectly prepared! They had an omelet and waffle station, there were bagels with all the fixins including two types of cream cheese, red onion and capers, along with an array of muffins and pastries. The salad section had incredibly fresh spinach and lettuce along with several prepared salads (don't miss the German Potato Salad... omg, scrumptious!) I also loved the cucumber and chick pea salad--delicious! There was a bank of lunch items such as mac-n-cheese, yummy dumplings, and an out-of-this world Spanikopita. And did I mention desserts?? Cupcakes, carrot cake, tarts and, my favorite, the Key Lime Pie. And, hello, Larry's Beans Coffee! The served a special blend that I absolutely loved. I wish we could have tried everything but we rolled out of there with bellies filled to the brim and promptly went home to nap. Excellent experience and now our primary go-to restaurant for a delicious, relaxing Sunday Brunch. We were super impressed!
(5)
Clem C.

Some some good, some awful. I never send food back, but the pork dumplings were not fit for cat food. On the other hand, the Chinese steamed dumplings were great.
(2)
AaronErin D.

After arriving into Raleigh we decided to stop here for dinner before heading to our hotel which was just a short walk. We were able to find two spots at the bar which worked out perfectly. The bartenders were extremely polite & attentive. We enjoyed the atmosphere here very much, but the food wasn't as exciting as the menu sounded. Everything was "good" but nothing you would crave to have again. We personally ordered the Pierogis, Pork dumplings, Empanadas & The Tuna Poke. Everything needed some heat or spice, I would ask for some hot sauce. The highlight of our meal was the Chocolate SoufflÃ©, it was delicious and well worth the wait. Keep in mind it takes a little while to make. The speciality drinks were also delicious. Enjoy!
(4)
Janeen M.

SOOOO Good! I have been to Buku a few times and I am never disappointed. My last trip was on valentine's day and I couldn't have been happier with my meal. I had a mushroom polenta cake that was crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside. My vegetable curry was delicious and I am not even a big fan of curry, and I couldn't stop eat my chocolate creme brulee' eventhough I was already stuffed! The atmosphere is very romantic so it makes for a great date night. Love!
(4)
Alan F.

Ordered the Roasted Pork Ramen, which was a let down as the soup was short of warm with overly cooked noodles. The Jamaica lamb patties were above average. Thankfully, the apologetic and friendly staff offered us a free dish, which we ordered a Philippino dessert, Halo Halo, and ended our lunch with a slight positive note.
(3)
Megan S.

Very good but pricy for small portions. not the best sushi I have had but some of the plates are very tasty
(4)
Peter Y.

Buku is a very cool concept restaurant that serves trendy street food meant to be shared among friends. I can't speak to how authentic the menu actually is, as they are slightly touched up to cater to the modern palate. That, however, isn't entirely a bad thing. Unlike actual street food, you know you will be getting fresh, good quality food. Their presentation also enhances the dining experience, and offers eye candy to those enjoying their meal. The interior of the restaurant is very modern and hip, with a bar section in the front, and dining tables at the back. As for actual food, I thought their small plates were much tastier than their larger plates. I loved the pierogis, empanadas and pork dumplings. For the entree, I got the Filipino duck adobo, which while juicy, didn't really stand out in any other aspect. Overall, the atmosphere of the restaurant and uniqueness of their menu really makes this a worthwhile experience.
(4)
Connie W.

Buku is amazing! We came here for a birthday dinner and received the best service I've ever experienced, I kid you not. Our waiter split our checks (even people who split entrees) and also gave the birthday girl a complementary chocolate cake anddd birthday shot. The food was all delicious, atmosphere was perfect for a nice dinner with a large group, and service..exceptional!
(5)
Marielle T.

Pretty much EVERYTHING is made/created/cooked and prepped IN HOUSE. BuKu also strives to use fresh and local ingredients in not only their food but also their cocktails! Very nice touch, the price reflects this because you are paying for quality! YUMMMMMMMM Definitely be adventurous and enjoy that you live in America and that you can have a somewhat traditional and nice comforting dish from across the globe, but that they also add a little local touch to appease the eye and taste buds as well as supporting the local economy :) I've been here once for dinner & once for Sunday brunch- so far. Both times I enjoyed the atmosphere, the food, & the service! Sunday brunch: $20, kind of steep for me to do frequently & I don't eat too much at one sitting- but of course some people can pack it all in, so I understand they need to up the price for that. I do wish that they had more 'global street food' options at the buffet, would be so nice to be able to sample a few little things that I would never think to order just to get my feet wet (instead of being scared that I'll waste $11 on an appetizer that just may not be the right palette for me- which is fine!) Buffet when I went just the other weekend had fried chicken, Mac & cheese, maybe 2 ethnic-ish style dishes, build your own waffle bar, omelette station, meat cutting station, sweets, & a bunch of traditional items like scrambled eggs, breads and muffins, sausage, and bacon. Definitely lots of options! Dinner was a really nice experience. We were celebrating my birthday so the server brought out a whipped cream vodka shot for me- very nice! Then we ordered several small dishes to share and they were all very good! We also enjoyed a very nice bottle of wine and were cared for nicely. I like to work off different parts of the menu just to be a bit more adventurous. The Duck Adobo is out of this world!! At the end even though I was stuffed, the server brought us out on of the best slices of chocolate cake I've ever had. So light and creamy yet dense and delicious! How did she know I couldn't resist chocolate?!? Well we made an attempt at it but I ended up bringing it home to enjoy over the next couple of days! Very generous! Would definitely recommend lunch or dinner here!! & brunch if you have an expandable stomach! Mmm
(5)
sammy r.

Mother's Day brunch was interesting. I took 6 moms (sisters inlaws Wife and mom) for brunch. Food selection was mid range a lot of carbs few proteins and burnt dry fried chicken. Waitress violated abc violation by styro cup extra wine to go and over charged for glass of prosecco ( charged full bottle) and delivered full carafe of sangria to one when a 1/2 was ordered. Seemed very confused. Will not recommend for brunch, might try dinner sometime menu ( not avail on Sunday til 5 ) looked interesting.
(1)
John S.

Service is excellent. Party of 5, our waiter did an excellent job and was very knowledgeable of food and wine. Tapas small plates were amazing. Crab spring rolls, grilled corn, sushi roll, empanadas, you name it it was delicious. Plenty of vegetarian choices. Unique delicious food.
(5)
Pamela H.

The Sunday brunch was outstanding. We had an extremely large party and we were put in the back with another extremely large party. Let me get the negative out of the way. They use Larry's Beans, so I was expecting a really fantastic cup of coffee, especially after having a sip of my playmate-for-life's cup while I was waiting for mine. Mine was burnt, like it had been sitting in a pot on a heating plate for too long. I sent it back and asked for a fresh cup. The second was no better and the waitress was clearly over how difficult I was being, so I stuck to water and ordered a Bloody Mary at noon. The food was excellent. The waffle station has everything you could possible want and they are cooked perfectly, nice and crisp to hold your butter and toppings. The servers at the omelette and carving stations were lovely and there was a large selection of meats, veggies, and cheeses for the omelettes. There were tons of other dishes and I tried a forkful of just about everything, but the standouts were the dolmades, the cucumber salad, and the bacon (it was perfectly crisp). It was all fantastic though. I would definitely consider Buku for a special occasion brunch again.
(4)
Payton A.

I've only been to Buku on a couple of occassions. The last time I was there was for me and the Man's one year anniversary in late July. We made sure to make reservations for our Saturday night date and were promptly seated. Both of us like food. A lot. We eat out a little too often, watch too many food shows, and do a lot of cooking. We're good at this 'food' thing, able to hone in on the best combinations on a menu and be ready to order within just a few minutes. Not so with Buku. It isn't because they don't have a large menu or because of a lack of things that sound good -- the problem is that nearly everything sounds amazing, but you have to choose carefully what you combine with what. Since everything is from a different area of the world, it's a little hard to decide what flavors will go the best together. I think we did a good enough job on our anniversary. We started with the Viet Cucumber Salad, which was refreshing and texturally interesting, with the fried onions staying surprisingly crispy as they swam in the rice vinegar. We moved on to another cold dish, the Peruvian Red Snapper Tiradito, which was a great way for us to have something very similar to sushi but with a completely different flavor profile. One of the sauces on the plate tasted as though it has some of the snapper pureed into it, which was kind of strange at first but grew on me quickly. The pierogi was just alright -- I'm not sure exactly what we were expecting, but it was bland. Luckily, I made sure we ordered the cochinita arepas, which were fabulous. I love arepas and pickled red onion to begin with, so as long as the pork is spiced and juicy, I'm happy. We drank two each of the Merci Bouquet, which was insanely floral and refreshing, and the Rickety Ginny, which had a beautiful Thai red chili sliced to sit prettily on the rim of the glass. The decor is gorgeous, service wonderful, and all in all, a good experience.
(4)
Clarissa K.

I treated myself to dinner, and was kind of disappointing. Maybe it was because it was a Saturday, i don't know, but it took 15 minutes for a glass of water....i kid you not. I got the hot pot and i got some pretzels. the hot pot was just okay....there was something missing badly. the pretzels were good. I want to come here again but this time, i will come during the afternoon and i hope for much better a food experience. It takes two, you know?
(2)
Barbara B.

Buku serves constantly serves innovative and interesting food. I've been here twice for restaurant week and I've managed to hit every single meal at this place - brunch, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant name is a cute little play on the phrase "thank you" in French - merci "buku" beacoup, which always makes me smile a little bit when I see it on the receipt. I highly recommend you come during restaurant week - they have true specials for this week and they're always delicious. The highlights from last year include a duck confit over black rice and absolutely fantastic jalapeno and mango (so good) and guava sorbet duo. And The highlight of this past year was a Normandy-style roasted apple cake which featured golden raisins, chevre buttercream, Calvados-vanilla bean ice cream, fried sage, and a cider reduction. It was absolute dessert heaven. Brunch is a good combination of usual American brunch fare, including made to order omelettes, and a variety of global "street" foods. My main criticism of this place is that the portions are on the small side and the prices are on the high side. And while there are some creative fusion dishes to be found here during restaurant week, a good portion of their menu is just various ethnic foods, mostly from Asia (South Asia and India specifically), which I feel that you can find at other authentic restaurants in the area and for far cheaper (and sometimes better). But that being said, the interior space is very beautiful and I always enjoy my food here. So I'll reserve this place for restaurant week menu specials but I'll probably go to other places for my usual sushi, thai, indian, korean or other south asian dishes.
(4)
Will P.

Atmosphere is nice. Although the main attraction the food is very sub par. I believe we have bad case of identity crisis here. What are you. Hispanic food. Asian. American. I'm confused. We went for the lumpia (def not lumpia and served with some sort of mojito sauce). Yuck. Empanadas were bland and flavorless. Shrimp on steroids. Bigger is not always better. Although the whiskey is delicious!!!!
(2)
Allison M.

I didn't like Buku when it first opened because everything was so very spicy. But I've been several times since, for lunch and for dinner, and I've been happy with all of my orders (save for the price...steep!). The best dish in the house is the duck. They put something addictive in that coconut rice of theirs.
(4)
Javarus W.

It's a beautiful day in Raleigh, so me and my friend decided to eat at a nice downtown restaurant with a patio. Bu*ku offers great ambiance with a patio that is gorgeous for beautiful days like this. The downside to this great downtown Raleigh location is the bug and fly problem. I couldn't enjoy my food due to the flies. On top of that, what I ordered was not that good. I ordered the crab stuffed avocado which had no flavor and the Thai BBQ shrimp which tasted like the shrimp where not as fresh as they could have been. I will give this place another try but sit inside the next time.
(2)
Troy B.

The most complicated menu I have ever read but with the help of our waitress Victoria she helped us make some great selections. The food is amazing, so fresh and flavorful. I also had a coconut Mojito which was best I have had since Miami. You will not be disappointed by the service or the amazing food selections!
(5)
Lori R.

I must update my review for Buku's Sunday brunch, because it is in no way shape or form the Sunday brunch we had there last time. (which, shockingly, was almost 2 years ago...where DOES the time go?) I did like it last time, but now I love it! Armed with a Living Social and an 11:45 reservation, four of us arrived and were seated promptly in an already-crowded restaurant. So, make sure you have reservations! By the time we left there were many folks waiting for a table. I absolutely love what they've done with the food for the buffet. There is an excellent International variety, and a nice variety of both breakfast and non-breakfast foods. I can't tell you how many times I've asked for a small omelet at a buffet, only to be presented with a giant one that filled me up so I couldn't try other things. Not here. The Chef laughingly accepted my small omelet challenge and my meal started off with the most adorable crab/spinach/onion/cheese creation you ever saw. And it tasted fabulous also. Kudos Chef! Favorites for me included the pork filled dumplings, and the lumpia...what a delicious sausage...it's slightly sweet from the mango, yet a tad spicy too. I loved the salad greens with a sweet onion viniagrette, the fresh fruit (beautiful berries and pineapple and more). Family members in our group have completely different likes, and everyone was totally happy with the selection and quality. Service was okay, but we were left hanging for drinks at times, and dirty plates were left for long periods of time. Fairly understandable, though due to how busy they were. TIP: Ask for the fresh cobbler dessert! Yes, they have cold desserts on the buffet, but if you ask, they will bring you a fabulous cobbler...in our case, a mixed berry one, topped with cinnamon ice cream. And Husband enjoyed a cup of good coffee, which came with a card saying where the coffee was from. (Peru, in his case). It is not inexpensive (in the twenty dollar range), but well worth it for the quality and selection!
(4)
Monty M.

Short review, just to get in. Valentine's Day here was a disaster. Service and food mechanistic and uninspired. Mussels were served undercooked, cool to cold and sauce tasteless. The snapper looked nothing like the pictures and was lackluster, although better of any choice. Ah, what happened to the Spanish olives? The brÃ»lÃ©e, being kind to even call it that was a cold lackluster tasting slightly chocolate tasting pudding covered by caramelized sugar; so I guess we can use word brÃ»lÃ©e. Sorry France. We left allot lighter in the pockets and disappointed. Maybe it was just because of holiday. If so, just close!
(2)
Lisa P.

You don't get a dinning experience better than this. The decor is swanky and the sevice was well versed and product knowledge that will exceed your expectations. The food will make any sophisticated palate do cart wheels. The flavors were perfection. We had Duck, dumplings and crab flautas! ! DELISH.
(5)
Anthony G.

Went to Buku to try the brunch that everyone was always telling me to try and they were right! For $20.00 bucks you get a very nice assortment of foods and eggs and a great carving table with a waffle section and lots of other foods as well as sweets. The service was very nice. The one thing I noticed is that the clientele here has changed . There were two tables of what looked like a bunch of Wal Mart shoppers filing their plates with bacon and eggs and waffles that it reminded me of I Hop. But then we hid in the back and felt at ease. So try this place out for brunch. For dinner the plates are super small and you have to order a thousand dollars worth of food just get filled. But the place at night is pretty and offers out door seating. Muy romantic!
(3)
Denise S.

I love street food. Really, the people on the street know what is good and not good. If Buku were really serving food on the street they probably would not last. Service is great. Good location in downtown and drinks are strong, the way I like them. Asian inspired decor. Those high tables set against the windows so you can eat your food at altitude while people watching. Expansive outdoor eating. The food was just not buku great. The sauces were really applied too heavily. The pan seared wontons were just not right. I can't describe it properly, too mushy or something. Unexpected flavors in not a good way. Desert was outstanding. Tiramasu in tall beer gobblet glass. Looks really pretty and tastes gorgeous. However, for the price point this place is a good night out and decent food.
(3)
David F.

The atmosphere is great. The restaurant design is very modern but it does not compensate for the food. I went for the brunch and while it tasted good, it was not great. Two rows for the buffet but they had bagels, toast, and other simple stuff. I can make that at home. The dumplings were kinda cold and just bland. The waffles and salmon omelet was pretty good but I'm not paying $20 a person just for waffles and omelets. I want the full shabang. I've also tried the regular entrees and they are also quite expensive. The portions are small.
(3)
Aaron W.

We had high hopes for this restaurant, but they were quickly killed as soon as we got the food. The duck appetizer is insanely over seasoned for a cold dish, the pork belly sticky buns were overcooked and tough, and the potstickers were the worst I have ever had. I feel that a street vendor on the side of the road in China makes better food for a fraction of the price (I know this from experience). The staff were attentive and apologetic, but I would definitely avoid this place and buy microwave Chinese from the local market and eat at home.
(1)
Aline S.

Do your self a favor and order everything off of the menu... Everything is amazing from the tapas to the fish to the deserts.
(4)
Caitlyn A.

We visited BuKu and ordered off the Valentine's Day menu. I ordered the muscles and my husband ordered the salmon app recommend by the server. I like oysters but I don't think muscles are for me. My husband's salmon was great, served with almost a spicy mustard. For the main course I had the duck and my husband had the filet. Once again I just don't think duck is for me. It wasn't bad but I just couldn't get past the texture! The bbq and cucumbers on the side made up for it. My husband said his filet was like butter, his potatoes almost had sweet flavor which was great. The final course I order the creme brÃ»lÃ©e and my husband ordered the tres leches cake. I've never had creme brÃ»lÃ©e before but I thought the top was suppose to be almost candied? Like a caramelized layer. But it wasn't, just all pudding texture. I only took a few bites, I did not like it. It tasted like alcohol. Once again my husband's dessert choice was better than mine! We finished his. Overall the service was amazing from the moment we walked in. Kept our drinks full without interrupting us. The sweet hostesses even took a picture for us. Would I go back to pay $65 a person for a meal that left me hungry? No. We will be back to try the regular menu and hopefully I can order more within my comfort zone.
(3)
Matthew C.

My wife and I ate here for Valentines Day. The setting was nice and modern. The food was bold and well thought out. We were both surprised that the portions were not too small. It has been our experience that restaurants like this normally have very small portions. FYI, we love to eat. The staff and owners were really nice and we had one of the best dining experiences we have ever had. I highly suggest Bu*Ku to anyone.
(5)
Liz W.

We ordered several small plates and split them. Best way to eat here so you can taste a variety of things, especially since everything on the menu sounds appealing!
(4)
Paul B.

Was curious about this place and finally got to check it out for dinner. It's one of the nicer restaurants I've eaten in, but that's not all that impressive because I love inhabiting hole in the wall places. The atmosphere is nice. Not a bad place to take a date for a foodie adventure. It's not called Buku Global Street Food for nothing. There's stuff from all around the world from Argentina to my native Philippines. I was kind of skeptical of ordering anything Filipino due to being familiar with the food and thought authenticity would be an issue, but I ended up folding and ordered some Lumpia. I also ordered the Buku Pad Thai and my partner went with Buku Hot Pot. As formerly stated, authenticity was a concern, however due to the wide array of different foods from all over the globe, I assumed none of it would be perfect. However I was expecting a bit of upscale (if you will) twist to the dishes. That being said, for the price, I was a little disappointed. Both my dishes were, by no means, bad. However I feel like I could make the same thing at home at the same level for a fraction of what I paid for. But hey, service charge I guess. I guess it doesn't help that I've tasted very authentic versions of the things I ordered. I'll probably order something I have no idea about the next time I come. Service was good and smooth as smooth can be. I did not have any problems. Overall it was a good experience, but the prices are a little bit of a turn off for the value. I probably won't be back on my own whims but if someone wants to try it I would not mind coming back to try more of the menu just to see if I'm missing any hidden gems.
(3)
Lindy P.

If you're in downtown Raleigh and searching for a good Sunday brunch, this should be first on your list. I haven't been there for dinner, but their brunch buffet certainly won't disappoint. It's certainly not your typical buffet- they have a carving station, several international entrees, cooked-to-order omelets & waffles, desserts, and other breakfast stuff.. all for $19/person! We snagged a Groupon voucher for one visit, so that rocked. The atmosphere is quite nice, and there's this beautiful waterfall wall in the middle of the dining room :) They don't require dressy attire, though I wouldn't go in looking too sloppy. There's valet parking too, but there's always ample free parking on the streets on Sunday. We've been on two different Sundays now, and each time we go, we've made a reservation on OpenTable. I recommend doing this because they're quite full and always seem to have a wait. Buku has several patio tables as well as a large dining room that can accommodate small and large parties. Though I didn't see if they have a bar area, they do make cocktails and tasty coffee drinks. On the buffet, you'll find an array of international lunch dishes ranging from hummus, cous cous, spanakopita, spring rolls, pork dumplings, fried chicken, and potato salad. For breakfast items, you can choose from scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, veggie burritos, quiche bites, fruit, yogurt, and granola. They also have a carving station with roast beef, ham, and turkey. As if that's not enough, they have cooked-to-order omelettes and Belgian waffles with multiple toppings. To top it off, they have several different dessert bites. I love the pork dumplings, spring rolls, fried chicken, and waffles. They also have a peanut nutella granola dessert that totally rocks your taste buds. When the server brings your check, they bring a plate with small dessert tarts on it that have been different both times we've been. It's quite a nice touch and great way to end a fantastic meal. The experience is quite wonderful and the breakfast is even better... I highly recommend it to anyone in DTR on a Sunday morning/afternoon!
(5)
Simone T.

I would actually rate it 3-4 stars for the food, but the little flies that were all around that night bumped it down to a 3 - I hope they do something about that. In terms of food, the presentation was nice. The pretzel knots were really amazing. I would get those again. I would not get the crab-stuffed avocado again, though. This one lacked flavor and the I don't think the crab went well with the avocado and salsa. For the main course I got the Chilean sea bass, which I thought was done very well and which I would recommend. Our server was really friendly and attentive.
(3)
Millie D.

bu*ku has become our go-to place for special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and dinners with out-of-town guests. Several other tapas / small-plates style restaurants we've been to have failed to impress, but the variety and quality of food at bu*ku have made us loyal customers. Being able to sample international foods makes each experience unique and interesting, and we appreciate vegetarian and gluten-free options for our various dining companions. Service is attentive and competent; the wine and beer options are thoughtful with many options; cocktails are unique and delightful! Make sure you try the bu*ku hot pot and the sushi -- honestly, it's the best sushi I've had in Raleigh. My favorite roll is the bu*ku roll: crab, avocado, cucumber, tobiko, spicy tuna tartar. It's amazing! Dessert is always a plus: we love the Creme BrulÃ©e trilogy. Bring an appetite and an open mind, and you will love bu*ku!
(5)
Sofy M.

My favorite! I've been to Buku a couple of times and have never been disappointed with any of the meals . The South African lamb is awesome and the Sunday brunch is worth the fuss, just don't forget to get a reservation
(5)
Marcy R.

Flavorful fare- some plates are on the small side so ask your server in advance if the serving is enough for a meal if that is what you are there for. Found a chicken bone in my hot pot. Fail
(2)
Robin S.

Everything we ordered was delicious, but there was something about this place that seemed fake, or un-authentic. The atmosphere seemed a bit sterile and boring. I am gluten-intolerant, so I really appreciated all the GF options!
(3)
mary s.

Very trendy ambiance and decor. Plates are reasonably priced. Mixed drinks are standard, nothing too noteworthy. Had a salmon dish here once that was cooked to perfection.
(4)
Sarah L.

I've been here twice now and both times I had a great evening ... Amazing food, drinks, and service, all around. Such an interesting menu too! A great place to go for a nice night out with friends, a date, or even a family outing on a Saturday afternoon. The hardest part is deciding what to order because the entire menu looks delicious!
(5)
Angela K.

I've been here for both lunch during the weekday and brunch on the weekend. Both times I was relatively unimpressed. The inside is beautiful with the waterwall, but something about the decor makes it feel like a hotel restaraunt - bland and unassuming. The food is mediocre. There is certainly a very large selection, and I will admit that perhaps my lunch selection just wasn't good, but even the large selection during brunch wasn't really to my liking. They have an entire salad/pasta bar, carving station with multiple meats, omelette bar, waffle station, and a truly impressive dessert selection. However, despite the options, nothing really jumped out at me as amazing. Based on the reviews that I read, I expected high quality food, but everything tasted a little over salted and hastily cooked. It's definitely much better than the other brunch buffets in Raleigh, so if that's what you're looking for, I would definitely recommend this over the other places.
(3)
Jake R.

Reservation and we still waited 45 minutes to buy 20 bucks worth of food for about 200 dollars.
(1)
Jill S.

I must say, save your money and go somewhere else. The food is way over priced for what you get. $6 for 1.5 deviled eggs? Hmm. No. I can't say the small plates are that great. Each small plate is TINY, and you have to order a lot to make a meal. Also sometimes you might get all 4 small plates at once (and they get cold) or you get one every 8 minutes. Save your money. Go else where. You could go to Sullivan's and get twice the food, (better food) for 1/2 the price.
(2)
Elizabeth M.

This place is good, but not great. I can go and count on getting a tasty dinner and craft cocktail, but it doesn't excite me as there are lots of places in Raleigh that offer the same. The menu is fresh, but lacking creativity and originality. A touch more flavor would help.
(3)
Gina B.

I'm really really sad to be giving Buku 3 stars this time. I've written several reviews on them in the past and I really pained over this rating. In the end, this is where I landed. Pros: Expanded and updated gluten free menu! Yeah!!! I ordered the scallop dish, which was absolutely delish. Served over lentils with pumpkin. Holy yumnish and I had them do it sans the curry and it was still fantasical. Also, our server was patient and kind and understanding. Especially given how many times I sent food back. Cons: We had some serious issues with the drinks. I ordered a Titos (gluten free vodka) cosmo. It was straight alcohol. I know you're thinking why would you send this back? Because it was undrinkable. If I had wanted a shot, I would have ordered one. Even after they tried to fix it, it was still terrible. Several ladies at the table tried it and we all agreed. The bartender needed some training. This is a staple drink. I was especially hungry that night, even after an ample portion of food, so I ordered a side of fries. They fry them in duck fat and truffle oil. Ok, that sounds incredible, but it's horrible. We all tried a fry and immediately thought it tasted like McDonald's fries. We couldn't eat more than 1. Just disgusting. I sent those back too. Just stick with canola oil. It's a french fry for God's sake!? Last, I would have ordered dessert, instead of fries, but the selection was really lacking for the gluten-free dairy-free gang. The server said the creme brulees were tiny, so we didn't bother. If it hadn't been for these snafu's, I would have given Buku a full 4 stars.
(3)
Paige H.

I took a friend there for her birthday dinner and both of us were very pleased with every bit of the evening. The food and service were both great. Brent was our waiter and he was very informative and helpful with selections. We had several of the small plates to share and each one was excellent. I don't think you could go wrong with anything chosen from the menu. It was hopping on a Saturday night and fortunately we had a reservation because at 8:00 there was an hour wait.
(5)
Josh P.

Went for a birthday dinner and had the Filipino duck adobo, which is seared duck breast, shredded duck confit, and a duck egg over coconut rice. Everything was delicious.
(5)
Laurie V.

Tasty food, decent prices. I like the small plate and large plate variety the menu provides. My friend and I shared the chicken pad thai, one of the sushi rolls, and the pierogies. I had a drink made with apples and homemade ginger beer. It was refreshing and tasty. My friend ordered a beer. They poured his beer into a strangely shaped glass, which made it look really small, but it was indeed the same size as a typical pint glass. The ambiance and decor was really pretty and I would agree with other reviewers that it does feel very "urban". I love the lighting fixtures. Service was great. Everything they offer is very eclectic and I understand it's "global", but somehow the menu seemed a little bit disjointed. And I'm not sure I understand the "street food" part of it. For example, when I was in Thailand, I bought a lot of food from street vendors (for very cheap), but it was stuff you take with you and eat on the go. Pad thai would not be included in that. I also teased my friend about using chopsticks for his Pad Thai, since Thailand is the only southeast Asian country that does not, in fact, use chopsticks. They use forks. But chopsticks made him happy. So be it.
(4)
Elizabeth M.

Great food and service at this restaurant. It has a good lounge atmosphere and had televisions available to watch whatever fame is on. Free use of the wifi so great place to grab a glass of wine and catch up with friends or do work! I spent a lot of time here on a business trip and it became a fast go-to spot. Would highly recommend it.
(5)
Angelica T.

Nice ambiance and decor in the lounge. I ordered one of the bowls with marinated steak and it was delicious- lots of fresh vegetables and no salty sauces to cover up flavor. My fiancÃ© had the duck which was fattier than he expected but he still liked it. He really enjoyed the coconut rice that came with it. Overall, good fresh meals.
(5)
Eric S.

Decent selection of Asian and Latin American street food with a modern twist. The dessert was boss. Bonus points for carrying Terrapin Hopsecutioner.
(3)
R D.

Against better judgement we gave Buku another try this weekend. This time we avoided the hostess counter all together and went straight to the bar. Unfortunately again we were underwhelmed by the service. I ordered a martini which was served to me with the glass barely half full. Overheard multiple private conversations of the apparently bored staff. Pretentious and overpriced. Maybe this place works for some but now I know it's definitely not for us.
(1)
Ash R.

Not horrible. The ambiance was lively and a little loud, but not over the top. It's not really intimate enough take a date but rather where I'd want to be with a group. The wine selection is modest but we found a good bottle or two. I've been twice, the first time I had the Duck with coconut rice and it was exceptional, but there was a group of about 20 of us and it seemed that the only people who were as happy as me were those that got either the duck or steak frites. I think the food is solid but nothing to write home about and a bit overpriced. The dishes worth getting are between 28 and 35 bucks, and given that there are so many other great places within walking distance it's probably not a place I'd visit often.
(3)
Tyler D.

Loved the cool ambiance, food selection was so widespread that nobody could complain and the staff was rediculous lay friendly
(5)
Lee M.

Amazing food and service. Had just flown in from CA, tired and hungry. A friend suggested Buku and so glad she did! Ordered several "small plates ", each one fantastic! Great blending of flavors and full of character. Our server Adam was gracious, took time to explain each item and was available but not overbearing. Wish we were in town more often to enjoy!
(5)
Beautiful M.

I recommend this place to anyone hosting a birthday party or dinner. I've eaten here during restaurant week when everything was on sale, and out of the five of us, every single person loved every single entree! Also hosted a bday party here - our waiter was HILARIOUS and so much fun, recommended amazing drinks to us, and we had a blast in a private room. Place is pretty expensive but the food is delish and service is incredible!
(5)
Lauren R.

I love this place. It was only the first or second nice restaurant I tried in Raleigh and I was hooked. The concept is cool--global street food--and (more than slightly surprisingly) they pull it off well--I mean really well. Once, I sat at the bar and did appetizers. We ordered naan and dumplings and something else. All were good and definitely made we want to go back. I finally had a chance to go back this weekend--for a real meal. Unfortunately, I wasn't particularly hungry, so I opted for the Thai papaya salad and the deviled eggs. The Thai papaya salad was really, really spicy (good in my book) and was a lot of papaya. The eggs were some of the best food I'. Everyone I was with seemed to enjoy their meals. By the way the menu is set up, you can easily share multiple small plates from all over the world. The decor is neat--the dining room has high ceilings and strange log-like lights (they don't look bad, I'm just not describing them well). The bar area has a vertical waterfall behind the liquor bottles that is also really visually appealing. There's also a big screen in the bar area for sports on game days, which is nice.
(4)
Suzanne C.

Spectacular dining here. Amazingly delicious world food tapas and excellent service. We really enjoyed the ginger pear salad, duck larb, empanadas and tuna tataki roll. Plus the creme brÃ»lÃ©e trio was to die for. It was my husbands birthday and they brought small chocolate cake and champagne on the house. Excellent touch!! Definitely recommend. One of our fav spots in Raleigh!
(5)
Binh W.

Great concept, nice environment, very overpriced, food quality is mediocre to good. I've been here 3 times, always walked out dissatisfied. Next time someone invites me here, I'll kindly decline.
(3)
Karla J.

This is a pretty cool small plates place if you're up for something slightly different. As a Venezuelan, I thought the arepas were okay but very pricey. All the other dishes were fine. There's nothing really special about this place, just a bit pretentious and tries to give "street food" an exotic, fancy vibe that's not truly warranted.
(3)
Lauryn C.

I've been to Buku several times over the last few years. It's a great spot for a group of people they have a large dining area, bar, and outdoor seating plus the menu is full of options even for the pickiest of eaters. With the amount of money you will spend here I think there are quite a few other places in town I'd rather eat at But overall I don't have any real complaints. I've never had anything bad at Buku but I've also never had anything that has given me that foodgasim that made me want to come back again and again for more. Buku does make pretty good cocktails I tried the watermelon sangria on my last visit, very unique and refreshing not to mention they served it in a huge glass. That drink was well work the $7 I paid for it. I shared a few plates with some friends, the tuna poke, short ribs, Thai grilled shrimp, and Mexican grilled corn. The short ribs were tasty and well prepared as well as the poke, which is always a go to for me here. I wasn't a huge fan of the Thai grilled shrimp and I've had much better papaya salad. But that's the fun part of Buku if you go with a group order a bunch of small plates and experience all the unique food that they offer. You're bound to find quite a few dishes that you'll like.
(4)
Maryann D.

This review is for their Sunday brunch. I heard it gets extremely busy, so I made reservations through OpenTable for 11:00. When we walked in, I was surprised that it was open. Google Search says it opens at 11:00, but learned that it actually opens at 10:00. The complimentary valet is nice.Our first impression was that the place is upscale and pretty. We were seated immediately, even though there were quite a few people waiting. The waiter greeted us warmly, almost immediately. We ordered a mimosa and a bloody mary, but were told that they don't serve alcohol until noon. (We are from out of state, so must be a North Carolina thing?) The brunch is set out in the bar area, toward the front of the restaurant. Stations: omelet, meat carving, and waffle Other breakfast fare: scrambled eggs, cheese scrambled eggs, yummy Filipino lumpia sausage, bacon, pastries, bagels, oatmeal, mini quiches "global" street food: massamun curry, dumplings, basmati rice, hummus, and others I can't remember at this moment Point being, plenty of food and a wide variety. I read that the buffet costs $19.95 per person. So imagine my pleasant surprise when I got the bill and the bill for two people was only about $24. The bill clearly deducted the price for one of us. There must have been some promo going on. I still think that $19.95 is a good value for the ambiance and the amount of food that the buffet offers. I'd come back.
(4)
Chris K.

We purchased a Living Social so we could try their brunch and so glad we did! They have a wonderful and eclectic selection of salads, hot items and breakfast foods including made to order omelets and waffles, fruits, cheeses, and amazing desserts to choose from. Everything we tried was fresh, amazingly delicious, and high quality. Although the coffee isn't included in the price, it's Larry's Beans, which is well worth paying extra for! The decor is splendid and the staff couldn't be nicer and more attentive. We definitely will return!
(4)
Aaryn M.

The $4 martinis were delicious. We had the Jamaican jerk chicken which was amazing. Also we had a Korean steak which was nothing special. Overall very good though!!
(4)
Sean C.

Great location, great idea. Really short on execution. Honestly, I can't believe that people love this place. I do not see "global street food" influence in the menu. I see a lot of cheap, over-priced fried fried food, dumplings and other things that can be turned around in a nice dining room for a heck of a margin. I'm not typically the "I can believe this cost X dollars" guy, but the price should be commensurate with the quality. That ratio was off at Buku. Love the idea, but it was Buku bucks for standard Asian restaurant appetizer fare in a fancy spot with a waterfall...
(3)
Samara R.

Went here last night for a girls night dinner. The atmosphere was very nice, and the menu was eclectic and tasty. The excellent waitress really made the experience, though. She explained all the vegan options on the menu for me, was able to recommend good wines, and just made things extra pleasant. I had the massaman curry hot pot, which was huge and tasty for only $12. Will definitely go back to Buku!
(5)
Taylor M.

OK, folks, I am normally a decisive guy and I am really struggling with the rating. Hopefully, you'll see why. My daughter had eaten here and recommended we meet her for drinks and dinner. We decided to go early to have a drink and wait for her, only to find we had arrived before the Sunday evening service started. After some uncomfortable and awkward give and take with first, the valet, and then the greeter, we were finally allowed to sit at the table 15 minutes early for a drink. There were waiters wandering around and a bartender on duty, so we weren't sure why they acted like we were asking for some freakish indulgence. The valet who took our car looked and acted like he had just finished a nice fatty. Our waiter was pleasant, but droll and uninterested in our experience. We overheard a waiter at another table making recommendations and exchanging lively repartee with the family at his table. Our guy was passive to the point of comatose. My daughter had highly recommended a strawberry-habenero cocktail. My wife ordered it, and when it arrived at the table, it tasted like bitter, unsweetened lemonade. She asked me to try it: no strawberry flavor, no alcohol flavor, and definitely no habenero flavor. Bitter, stale lemonade. It was awful. We felt flummoxed. Here we were in this trendy, pricey hipster joint with a fancy cocktail list, and the expensive drink tasted like swill. We prevailed on the waiter to take a sample and he agreed it was "off". By then, our daughter had arrived, sipped it, and pronounced it undrinkable, confirming our concerns. The waiter kindly asked the bartender to try again, and two were brought to the table. My wife's was now refreshing and tasted like one would think. My daughter's was excellent. During the night, the ladies each had two more, remembering that one my daughter had, but they never came out the same - always strange variations on the theme, but thankfully, none as gruesome as the first one. The menu is advertised as 'global street food'. I have eaten street food across Europe and Asia, and I felt the tapas style small plates and well-designed dinner offerings were neither accurately defined as "street food" - certainly not for the price. As others have said, the global street food meme is deceiving, and is not reflected in the dishes or the pricing. It's not an Anthony Bourdain alley crawl by any means. They had nigiri rolls (not really Asian "street food"), some tapas-style creations, and large dinner meals. Again, I fail to see the "street food" aspect of their menu. Not a bit of it reminded me of street food. Perhaps I am just an uncultured rube. That said, our meals were creative and quite delicious. So here we are. We have a strange and unpleasant introduction to the establishment by a stoner valet trying to tell us the place wasn't yet open, but offering to park our car anyway. We are from out of town, so we asked him if there was a nearby place to grab a drink to wait, and he gawped at us, mouth agape, like we had asked him to recite the Iliad AND the Odyssey. We finally pushed past him and his dazed countenance to try our luck with the hostess. She grudgingly allowed us to sit at the table. I would have preferred she just tell us to get lost for fifteen minutes until they formally opened. The drinks were more than odd and the bartender in a place like this needs a new job or lots of training. The menu made little/no sense and we got no help from Lifeless Lurch the Waiter. When we did get food, what we had was inspired and well prepared. It was a strange, cold experience, and fell far short of its trendy atmosphere. But the food was excellent. How many stars would you give it? I'm curious.
(3)
Michele V.

Great date night. Wonderful that they have a separate gluten-free menu. Lots of options.
(5)
Cait H.

Buku is definitely worth the hike from Cary into Downtown Raleigh! Jay and I took our families here for brunch on Easter Sunday and it was LOVELY (even though we couldn't order mimosas, due to being there too early. Some of us don't go to church and want to get our drink on early on Sunday. Jeez.) The buffet is plentiful, offering up muffins, scones, omelets, waffles, a carving station, sausage/bacon and eggs, and a variety of ethnicky items. There were delicious little chicken potstickers, jerk chicken, curried veggies and a WIDE variety of desserts - including PEEPS! I had a brief love affair with some cinnamon/brown sugar cream cheese that was BANGIN' on the lemon blueberry muffins. My mom liked Buku's brunch so much, she requested that we go back for Mother's Day. Reservation - made. My beau and I also had dinner at Buku to celebrate 1 whole year of co-habitation. Buku loses a star from me for being a tad too pricy for the amount of food you get. Tapas/small plates IS very fun, encourages sharing and forces you to try new things - but for my $$, I think I'll probably only return to Buku for special occasions. We ordered the following: * The Buku Roll: crab, avocado, cucumber, roe, topped with spicy tuna tartar * Cochinita Pibil: pulled pork, soft corn tortilla, pickled red onion, habaÃ±ero salsa * Sake-braised Short Ribs: pickled daikon, black sesame, Japanese rice * Peri Peri Prawns: flame grilled, spicy chili sauce, jasmine rice Sushi was fresh and the spicy tuna tasted so good to me - mmm. We inhaled the roll and moved on to our Cochinita Pibil (aka, pork tacos, they come 3 to an order). These were also delicious, great flavor, but I wish there had been 4. The waitress warned me that the Prawns were going to be HOT, but I wasn't prepared for the heat of the spicy chili sauce. It was fantastic, but I don't know if I would order this again (mostly out of self-preservation. I love spicy food, but it doesn't love me.) Jay's short ribs were fork-tender, and while they sound really odd, the flavor was incredibly savory. We'd definitely recommend. One of my very favorite parts of Buku was my drink! I ordered the Strawbenero Sling, made with Skyy citrus, fresh strawberry, habaÃ±ero and lime. Definitely one of the most refreshing and tasty cocktails I've ever had. We weren't interested in any of the desserts (which is unheard of for me), but we definitely loved the meal we shared at Buku. It is a great spot for date night, a mini-celebration AND brunch!
(4)
Matt N.

Had Sunday brunch there recently and the food was very good. They have a wide variety of dishes to enjoy and everything that I tried from the buffet was very well prepared. Waffle station, meat carving station, lots of pastries, various street foods, they had a lot of choices. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive to us. We were seated immediately; the hostess did give off a vibe that we were doing her an inconvenience but that was the only minor service flaw. If you aren't a wealthy urbanite type with lots of disposable income, then a $20 brunch price might give you a bit of sticker shock initially. But the food was great and the wait staff was excellent. The place has a nice decor and it was an enjoyable experience.
(4)
Mei M.

very good for what it is. I dont think its quite street food. Its most likely kinda high end global tasting menu they should be called. Very good quality fresh, tasting, of course pricing.
(5)
Becky F.

We went here on Sunday for Brunch. Its a beautifully decorated place, high-end everything. I couldn't get over the amazing waterfall that separates the bar from the main dining area. We sat in a very nice, very high-backed booth near the kitchen. Our waiter (Cory, I think?) was attentive and helpful. He gave us a tour of the Buffet which I'm glad I took. It felt pretty chaotic in there at times when walking to and from the Buffet area with all the people traffic, but that is somewhat common at Buffet's. The food was very good. On the downside, being a buffet, my bagel was a bit dry, and so was the pita bread I used with the plane-jane Hummus. The bacon was thin and flimsy, not thick and meaty like I prefer it. On the bright side, the Waffle Station had quite a variety of goodies, including Fried Chicken at the end of the buffet, which I was tempted to try. But instead I visited the Carving Station with Ham, Turkey, and Roast Beef, yum. Then to the Omelet Station for lump crab and other goodies in my omelet. All of that was great. Okay, I'll complain a little more. My Bloody Mary was 'eh', really no flavor to it at all, and I like a spicy kick (isn't that what we like about them?). And the Booth... don't get me wrong, it was very nice... but once seated, you couldn't enjoy any of the beautiful surroundings except for what was high above the head of your buddy in front of you. I wanted to enjoy the atmosphere, but instead watched the kitchen and the busy waitstaff passing by. We ordered fresh, made to order blueberry cobbler which was being made fresh in the kitchen and it was very good. All of this was well over $50 total for 2 people. I'm not sure if I'll go back for the buffet, but I'm glad we went and maybe I'll go sit at the bar and have some appetizers sometime, so I can enjoy the atmosphere better.
(3)
Barnett A.

I have to agree with a review I read on Buku after going for pre-theatre appetizers and drinks. The young lady who waited on my party was great, the appetizers were very good. Not spectacular, but interesting enough to get me back. The drinks we ordered were both very forgettable despite complicated recipes / ingredients. I liked the restaurant and would go back, but it didn't rock my world.
(3)
M H.

While the food is fantastic, the upset faces and rude service of the staff cannot be overlooked. If you arrive at 30 mins close to closing expect to find a hostess and a few employees that are less than excited to see you. I work late and was looking to have a snack. I was shocked at the way I was treated and will NEVER eat there again. I understand the staff works long hours, so do I. I don't need to see a revolted look on your face because I wanted to sit and have something to eat.
(1)
Katey R.

The ambience was contemporary and comfortable. Originally, we made reservations but decided to eat at the bar. It was early evening, so it started a bit quiet. Around 8:30 the bar started to pick up with a mix of all ages; made for interesting people watching. The service was great prior to and after the crowd arrived. I was drinking a special strawberry/habanero cocktail which was a suggestion from the bartender, I was not disappointed. It was fantastic! We asked the bartender for some food suggestions that were also excellent. Great date night experience. Will go back for a girls night out as well.
(4)
Jami Y.

Had I made this review prior to yesterday it probably would have been 4-5 stars, but I just can't after our brunch at buku yesterday. We had a reservation and, thankfully, were seated quickly. The lobby was too congested with people waiting to be seated and those who were passing through to get to and from the buffet. It was uncomfortably close. Our server looked hungover - like work was the last place he wanted to be. He told us he'd be in charge of the drinks and that was it. If his only job was to get us drinks and clear the table I thought he'd be on top of things. We had to ask him three times, while he stood around talking, for one coffee refill. We just stopped asking for simple things like coffee and water. We ordered Bloody Marys, which were awful. They were way over-spiced, with no flavor other than hot sauce. It was like a Tabasco kick to the throat, and by the time it made it to the stomach we wanted to vomit. I couldn't even finish mine. I went to the bar to ask for some more olives (at this point we figured asking for anything more, like a new drink, was going to be too much for these people) and the female bartender looked at me like I just ruined her day with the simple request. I told her to forget it and walked away. Both bartenders looked as sloppy as their drinks tasted. Perhaps the servers party hard on Sat. night and can't handle the Sunday rush, as most of them appeared to be struggling to make it through their shift. The food was decent, but couldn't make up for the wretched service. There are many more excellent brunch places in Raleigh, with better service and atmosphere.
(3)
Janet S.

Modern global cuisine a little bit of something from everywhere. Tapas around $8-$13. I had the shrimp crepe - like a ban xeo, pretty tasty and enough for lunch, my comrade had the raddichio salad with a bit of everything in it. We topped it off with home made ginger beer. Cocktails available, some big screens unfortunately but counter balanced with friendly service. About 6 mins walk from the convention center.
(3)
Sonia N.

I appreciated the wonderful service, and the aloo chaat was amazing. However, the expensive pad thai (vegetarian) really missed the mark by being bitter and overcooked, and made me feel like this meal was not worth a $90 pricetag for two people.
(2)
Yolanda B.

Two words:Sunday brunch. Holy cow! It was an event. A room full of food. I came for the meat. Carving station with turkey, ham, and roast beef. Fried chicken AND crispy bacon in other parts of the room. Manned waffle and omelet stations. Living social took the edge off the $20 price tag, but with all that buffet had going on, $20 may not be asking too much. Yes. I overdid it. No. I don't see myself eating until Tuesday. I mean who puts big boy slices of cheesecake on a buffet??! You will never get biryani rice and mini quiche on a buffet anywhere else. Make reservations.
(4)
Carissa M.

Been to Buku for brunch twice! Soooo good! Great selection. Love the omelet bar, waffle bar, carving station, unique and decadent desserts, and ethnic salad selections! Buku hires great staff - professional, polished, and educated. Beautiful atmosphere- while I was there I felt like I was a part of something bigger than me. Overall, a really cool place.
(4)
Mollie W.

Wonderful buffet spread for Sunday brunch! Best Bloody Mary I have ever had and the service was excellent for our large party! Highly recommend!
(5)
Alexa R.

I would have given buku 5 stars because their food is amazing and flavorful, but due to the service the last time we went I decided to take off a star. They have an array of smaller appetizer dishes, sushi rolls, salads, and larger entrees. I recommend their Baja crab flautas, empanadas, and their arepas. The Korean beef is also delicious! Sunday was my third time going to buku and I went with my family. The hostess had an attitude when we asked for a table for 4 and told us the dining room was full, so we opted to sit at the bar. Our waitress/bar tender did not seem to really care about giving us good service. My dad has a sesame allergy and we stressed this to her quite a few times. He only ordered one dish out of fear of a reaction. She assured us that there was no sesame. That night he had an allergic reaction.. I will still return because I still enjoy the food despite the not so good service on this particular night. But I think it's safe to say my dad never will.
(4)
Jen F.

Great buffet! There are ton options for breakfast and lunch. Waffles are the best! They have a waffle station with many different toppings. The service is great and they are super laid back. Definitely a place I will go to in the future!
(5)
John L.

Great food!
(4)
Richard P.

Lovely dining experience. We like small plate style dining, especially with groups, because we get to try a wide variety off the menu. Buku doesn't disappoint. The staff is consistently top notch. We've never felt rushed, which is a joy given the typical restaurant MO. I can't recall anything I've had that I didn't love. The food is well prepared, interesting, and delicious.
(5)
Evelyn G.

Korean BBQ was fantastic!
(4)
Jamie H.

Love Bu:ku! Service was great and our server was awesome. We basically followed her lead on our appetizer and entree. The sea bass was perfectly cooked and the accompanying flavors were simply delicious. We have been twice now and highly recommend for those that enjoy sharing plates, exotic flavors and a great atmosphere.
(5)
Kaylen K.

I love ethnic food, so when I saw that the logo for bu ku was "Global Street Food", I had to come in. I love the concept of this restaurant and how you can get a sampling of food from around the world. For example, for bread, you could get Indian Naan Bread, Mediterranean Pita Bread, German Pretzel Knots or Malaysian Roti. The whole menu was like that, down to their beer list from around the world. We ordered Thai Shrimp Tom Yum Soup, which was amazing. German Pretzel Knots, which were pretty good. Mexican Arepa, which was really good, Malaysian Roti, which we didn't care for, but that's just because we didn't like what it was, had nothing to do with how they prepared it. We also ordered Filipino Lumpia, which I thought was just ok, but my husband enjoyed. Filipino home cooks make much better lumpia in my opinion. Their tapas sized items were reasonably priced, about $6-9 dollars, but I didn't order any of their full-size entrees because they were about $27-30. Overall, a nice lunch. Would come back if I were in the area.
(4)
X X.

4.5 stars would be more accurate, but extra 1/2 star for just an overall great dining experience. Bu-Ku has gotten a lot of buzz and hype, so I was concerned that it wouldn't be able to live up to expectations. I had been looking forward to this meal for weeks. It's in a central location in downtown Raleigh. I think the valet is complementary, but free street parking was easy around 7PM on a Saturday. The atmosphere is top notch. Very contemporary, pleasing design. It's sectioned off into a dining room, bar, and patio. It was nice outside, but Bu-Ku tolerates smoking on the patio, so we skipped it for the main dining room. The bar had live music, which permeated nicely into the dining area without being overbearing. You can be either dressy or casual and fit in just fine. Our server was well informed and knowledgeable. I respect any server who tells us what to avoid on the menu. Our drink and food orders were taken promptly and everything arrived without a long delay, though not all at the same time. The food was superb. The theme is upscale "global street food" with most of the cuisine falling under the Asian fusion category. The sake beef short ribs were the star of the night--moist and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The Thai BBQ pike with green papaya salad was amazing. We also sampled the yellowtail poke which came with tasty crispy plantain chips. The only mediocre dish was the empanadas. They weren't bad...just run-of-the-mill. We skipped dessert after seeing nothing on the menu that looked interesting. There is a section of the menu with more traditional mains. You have to try the small plates if it's you're first time to experience the concept of the restaurant. Each small plate runs ~$7-10, and 2 plates per person is about right. With a drink, it worked out to a very reasonable $30 per person for an outstanding meal. Would go again without hesitation. Highly recommended.
(5)
Ashley W.

It's this kind of spot that makes me realize Raleigh's downtown has truely evolved. This was originally the first stop of a designated "snack-hop" kind of night with two old friends. But, with so many delicious options on the menu at Bu-Ku, we just snack-hopped, without having to walk. With my first glance at the menu, I exclaimed, "You had me at "Hot Pot". We didn't actually order the Hot Pot, which is one of many reasons (all the untried menu options) that I will need to go back. Sitting at the bar, it was easy to chat and visit as the adept and friendly wait staff brought us one delight after another. We tried the Vietnamese Crepe, filled with Asian goodness and a faint essence of coconut as well as a sushi roll that was as visually appealling as it was delicious, and the Paneer, a dense, fried cheese, served with crisp kale. We dined on a Saturday night and there was a great DJ effortlessly streaming together a bunch of music that my un-hip ears had never heard and thoroughly enjoyed. That guy could make me a mix CD any day. The music added to an overall dining experience that stimulated all the senses and left me wanting more.
(5)
Christi L.

[Update: 11/09/10] Sadly the paneer portion in the lunch menu item has diminished and things aren't tasting so good these days. Disappointed because it was such a good start for a downtown spot. Needs a menu boost! (Lunch Only) We had a fabulously attentive server named Turner that was gracious and sincere. To me, that is immediate points no matter how good the food. Turns out the food was pretty good too! The highlight though was the Buku Blend (Larry's Beans) and the homemade coconut and Fuji Apple sorbet. We'll be back to try the other flavors... The ambiance was worth a million for a serene lunch break, but arrive early to beat the crowd.
(3)
S N.

If it's a restaurant telling a "global story" I read it as one of identity crisis. Here are the good things - decor is modern while still warm, cochinita pibil, and sangria are both delicious. Here's the not so good - the menu feels like they're trying to be all things to all people. Tapas, Asian fusion, Indian... and that's just scratching the surface. There are also several restaurant standard full meal options, such as steak or sea bass just in case someone isn't feeling their street inspired approach. I was excited about the creative take on world foods, but I think they've stretched themselves too thin. (The biryani was so unpleasant that we tasted it and left it. Despite asking our opinion of it and carrying it away, the server did not offer to replace it or take it off the bill.) Next time I want tasty, original cuisine I'll head to a restaurant that specializes in just one ethnic food.
(2)
Holly G.

What a phenomenal restaurant! Global street food. They have such an exotic array of dishes to meet any taste bud. We had their hot pot, which was a delicious chicken curry enough to feed 4 people! The korean bbq was delicious. The portions were adequate, smaller that what you would find at a traditional Korean restaurant but also half the price. We had the filipino lumpia which while very good lacked some key ingredients aka. veggies. Not quite the lumpia you would get from Golden Coin right Manang? There was a band playing in the bar area.. A bit loud, but you were able to carry on a conversation easily in the dining area.. Wonderful experience. A must if you go to Raleigh.
(5)
Mal O.

Buku's the kind of restaurant I find annoying as hell: gimmicky, seeming to pay more attention to Food Network zeitgeist than creating actual dishes.The entire concept of high-end "global street food" I find absurd and manipulative-- it divorces the dishes from their original context while allowing the owners to charge you entree prices for snacks and appetizers. Why the hell am I giving it five stars, then? SUNDAY BRUNCH. It's $20/plate, and more than worth every penny. Every single item is fresh and delicious-- assorted muffins, scones, and breads, a waffle bar, an omelette bar, gigantic platters of fresh fruit, bagels with lox and cream cheese, nuts, herbed lamb sausage, perfect bacon...ambrosia. Last time I was there, the dessert section was filled with an arrangement of fresh caramel apples. As an aside, if you think that $20 is too much to pay for breakfast and end up at the corporate feeding trough that is Golden Corral for $12 instead-- please bow out of polite society AND remove yourself from the gene pool. We would like to phase out troglodytes as quickly as possible.
(5)
Bob L.

Looked for the highest rated place within walking distance of the Marriott....after some research...decided to try here. Asian Fusion....well balanced, perfectly prepared....soup, appetizer and entrees...I wish I lived closer to eat more often. The yellow curry scallops, red snapper off the charts...not an exaggerater...WOW!! Consistency I can't vouch for, because it is my first time, but best meal this foody has enjoyed in a while.
(5)
Lindie L.

Very nice patio, good food.
(4)
Carmen P.

I went with my boyfriend a few weeks ago for dinner at Bu-Ku and we both had a great experience. We each ordered the Viet Cucumber Salad which was unbelievably delicious. I was tempted to order a second round because it was that good. If you like your food spicy then I would recommend this salad. My boyfriend had the Korean BBQ and I had the Grilled Octopus...both were amazingly yummy, especially the spinach that came with his BBQ. I had to restrain myself from devouring all of it since it came on his plate. I also ordered the Viet Crispy Crepes which was good but probably won't order it again just because there's too many other things on the menu that I'd like to try. By the end of the meal I was feeling really full but decided that I could squeeze in a bite or two of dessert. We ordered Tiramisu and my "bite or two" turned into nine or ten. The only downside the entire night was that the kitchen was backed up but our waiter was courteous and kept checking on us during the wait. We didn't mind but I can see how that could be a problem for others. Overall it was a great dining experience and a great place to go on a date. I'm looking forward to trying their lunch menu next.
(5)
Crystal L.

A fun place to eat and definitely a ton of options. While the food was good, it was not a place I would make a frequent stop.
(3)
Pam G.

I was excited to try Buky after all of the rave reviews that I have been reading here. I went with a group of girlfriends for our monthly girls night out and Buku was a great choice since there is something for everyone. I like the sharing of the small plates, but you need to be with a group that is into the whole sharing concept. Luckily ours was, so I got to try some tasty things! The cucumber salad was delicious and wickedly spicy. I love spicy so was happy about that, but I think this could be a big shock for someone who wasn't expecting it. The best thing I tired though was my GFs lumpia. It was filled with ground pork and the outside was perfectly crispy and lovely. It was served with some kind of sauce. I can't recall specifics on the sauce other than remembering that it was really good. I also had the BBQ snapper which was slightly spicy and quite good. I think all in all everyone enjoyed their selections.
(3)
Kristy B.

We recently visited bu*ku for a dear friend's birthday on a Monday evening. Having recently moved to the Triangle area from Arlington, VA bu*ku is the first restaurant that envoked feelings of what I loved about the Washington D.C. dining scene. From the drive up looking for the restaurant amongst the downtown high-rises, to the valet parking (free, of course here), thoughtful hostess and smart decor - I was excited. As we were a group of six and the menu is geared toward tapas, we ordered a solid variety of items for the table. We began with the hot pot, and what can I say? Shear perfection. I am still dreaming about it. I think I could eat that hot pot on every cold day/night with some grilled bread and be in heaven on earth. We then had the baba ghanouj, chicken empanadas, and pierogis. Now, here is where I usually go south on tapas restaurants. I usually get a nice drink, and the first thing I eat is great and them am steadily disappointed with the other courses. Not so at bu*ku. The empanadas and pierogis were fabulous. The brown butter sauce on the pierogis was a divine touch. Next came the short-ribs, Korean BBQ and prawns. The prawns were probably my least favorite dish of the night, although the jasmine rice that accompanied them was scraped up by us all. The Korean BBQ was outstanding and the kim chi was some of the best I have ever had. Before we had finished cleaning our plates, the moules frites arrived. Ahhh.....another slice of heaven. We even ordered extra frites to soak up the fabulous garlic wine broth. Now, prior to dessert (which was a must for a birthday celebration) we decided we needed one more thing to round out the meal. Our waiter smiled broadly when we requested a second hot pot! So we book-ended our meal with the scrumptious red curry coconut soup. We tried a sampling of desserts, the molten chocolate souffle and warm apple tart are worth saving some room for. I highly recommend bu*ku for a date night, celebration or just because you want some great food in a great location.
(5)
Carmen J.

UNDERWHELMED! Pleasant atmosphere and decent food; however, the service was terribly slow all night long from the get go, and our waiter had the audacity to charge a 20% tip for his sorry service!
(1)
Matt B.

Eclectic and fun menu, but some items are hits and others sound better than they taste. Good-lumpia, tuna roll, curry, meh-short ribs and Korean BBQ beef. You would think I would have learned from my previous visit, but someone else at the table ordered it and I let it fly. Service was very good at the start of the meal, but lagged halfway through, and was downright sluggish at the end when we were not as interested in desserts and coffee as the waiter may have liked. He continued to reset the nearby tables after acknowledging that I was prepared to pay for our meal even though it was the end of the night and he wasn't likely to get another seating on them.
(3)
Donald O.

Not bad, the food we had was spicy. Good decor, good service. I think it just wasn't my food (that I like) but others at my table liked it.
(3)
Prisha P.

Great atmosphere but the food seems a little too bland. Think they need to kick it up a notch. Great drinks though!
(2)
Lynn O.

To be more accurate, I would give Buku 3.5 stars. We came here for dinner on a Saturday night. We had reservations (where I had indicated we were celebrating a special occasion), and we were walked through a half full restaurant and seated at a terrible table in the very back, against a wall and separated from the rest of the restaurant by a divider. We were told the rest of the tables were reserved. Ok...not sure how the other folks' reservations got them a good table, but mine didn't. Our waiter was extremely friendly and attentive. He suggested the watermelon sangria which may have been one of the best cocktails I have ever had. Fresh and delicious. At $7, I think the price was very fair. We had the cucumber salad to start, and it was simple with a nice blend of bitter and sweet. My husband had the salmon as his main course, which was presented and cooked beautifully. My dish, the Korean BBQ, was pretty terrible. The presentation was nice, but the beef had no flavor and was so overcooked it was like eating pieces of rubber. The kimchi was average as was the spinach. For dessert, our waiter recommended a smores inspired dish...it was freaking fantastic. The hubby typically skips dessert, but he chowed down on this one. Overall, there were more positives than negatives about Buku. I may try it again and hope I get a better table and main entree.
(3)
Gretchen G.

We had an 8PM reservation on a Saturday night. It was a hopping atmosphere and vibrant. The wine list was affordable and exceptionally good. We had the pierogies, short ribs and Korean beef. It was all excellent. The only slight disappointment was the empanadas. They were made with corn tortillas instead of the traditional empanada dough. They were not that great. A perfect night, all-in-all!
(4)
Glenn P.

Good food and an innovative menu. Dined with a large group from work. I think we ordered at least one of everything - it was fun to share and taste. Drinks didn't come off as well as they sounded on the menu. Not bad, but a higher expectation was created. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Y L.

OK at best. One of those restaurants where the decor implies the amazing dining experience and then you get your food and start wondering if you perhaps ordered the wrong things... We've tried a bunch of apetizers and I had the seabass entree...nothing special, especially for the prices they charge. Service was somewhat annoying.
(3)
Craig P.

I love this place! Try the short ribs, empanada's and the little taco things that I can't remember the name of. Decor and atmosphere is awesome, they nailed it with this restaurant!
(5)
Chuan T.

- Unique menu, food is okay at best - Not worth the money. Ã£n is much better! - Great romantic environment in downtown Raleigh - Fairly good service. Again - not as great as other restaurants around the area such as Duck & Dunpling (closing Dec 31, 2010)
(3)
Alison S.

Loved this place! They have a fun menu with something for everyone. I had the paneer hand roll--it was delicious, though a bit messy. My friend had the greek salad--hard to go wrong with anything that has fried artichokes! The service was friendly and attentive, but not overbearing. It's clear that there is lots of attention to detail, from setting the table with the knives standing up "just so" to an interesting menu. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Kristen O.

Overall, the takeaways from my experiences at buku are excellent, excellent service and interesting flavorful food. My first experience at buku was at a wedding reception in one of their small dining rooms where we were served the short ribs. I am a big fan of short ribs and buku did not disappoint. The experience had me wanting more and knowing I'd be back to eat my way through their tapas. Who doesn't love a little taste of everything? So I came back to buku with a friend on a Saturday evening in April. The atmosphere was warm and pleasant and we were seated promptly. Although I had studied the menu extensively before leaving the house (I have trouble with decisions, one of the reasons tapas works so well for me: I don't have to decide on just one thing!). One thing I was sold on was a beet salad, a picture of which I had seen on the website. My friend ordered the cucumber salad and we decided to share the chicken pierogies and scallop dishes. As much as I loved the short ribs the first time, I felt I had to try other things. The beet salad was as amazing as the picture and actually inspired me to make this dish at home! The creamy goat cheese and sweet/tart beet flavors paired perfectly and I felt like I was eating a super-food! I never knew how delicious beets were until now and in fact I had never even considered eating beets at all! I always love when a restaurant exposes me to something new and unexpected. The Viet Cucumber Salad was interesting as well with a vinegar-flavored "dressing" with spicy red pepper flakes(maybe chili flakes?) and peanuts. The pierogies were excellent and you could really discern all of the different flavors: the chicken, the butternut squash, and the brown butter. As for the scallop: well, I don't love scallops. I love seafood, which makes me think I should at least like scallops, which is why I keep trying them. I was apprehensive but decided to give it a try based solely on the scallion butter. I love scallions and I love butter. But alas, a scallop is a scallop. A giant, squishy, fishy scallop. I was really counting on that scallion butter to make something of the dish but it didn't. Now, the dish may have been excellent in the opinion of a scallop-lover. I will say I was disappointed by the lack of flavor provided by the scallion butter. Perhaps my expectations of the scallion butter were too high. I expected to be wowed by scallion flavor but I was not. Oh well, there was only one way to find out. All of this was paired with two different pinot noirs which I thoroughly enjoyed. The most important thing I must say about this experience, though was the service. The service at buku was the best I have received in a very long time. Unfortunately, I forget the girl's name (not helpful, I know). But she was so attentive and patient with our indecision. We did not decide on our dishes right away but started with one thing and then ordered more as we went along. The biggest thing for me was that my wine glass was never empty. She checked on us frequently and when I ordered another glass it was there right away. This type of service is key. I dine out for 1. service 2. something I can't make at home which encompasses new flavors and experiences. She patiently answered all of our questions about the menu and never ever seemed like she was in a hurry to get to another table. Both of my dining out requirements were met and we left impressed and satisfied.
(4)
Relevant E.

Upon reading the mission statement of 'global street food' and browsing over the menu, you'll be ready for an exotic experience when journeying downtown to Buku. If you're a Facebook fan like myself - you've also seen the daily photo postings of attractive plates and specials, successfully amplifying the anticipation to get inside. However, some may experience anxiety about the foreign or unknown, but Buku's presentation of international favorites has a real modern, westernized feel from the posh interiors (a la waterfall walls) to the conventional proteins of chicken/beef/pork/fish. The Buku staff conveys poise in their workplace, and they should with its reputation of respectable food and atmosphere. I loved that our waitress was so self-assured in the menu - she was sincerely confident we were leaving happy, regardless of our choices -evident pride. We started our adventure with signature cocktails, which were beyond global, actually out of this world good. The Buku Dark & Stormy (Cruzan vanilla, brandied cherry, lime, housemade ginger beer) is one of the best spiced cocktails I've ever had. Side story: the bartender is still brandying cherries and muddling stuff to ensure good quality just after having a baby... street credit. The habanera margarita was also a distinctive concoction, with its subtle (yet very present) heat & sweet balance. I feel props is due to Foundation Bar for upping the cocktail game & Buku is a solid contender. Food: Tip:Share: We started with Pierogis (chicken, butternut squash, brown butter) I was/am a little confused with this dish, mostly because of my own unawareness of what a pierogi is. It is featured under the dumpling menu, so naturally I assumed it was of Asian flavors. I was way off - the chicken had hints of Spanish/chipotle flavor? Today, I looked up the pierogi's origin, which is European/Polish cuisine. I'm still left a bit perplexed about the flavors. The Buku Roll (crab, avocado, cucumber, roe, topped with spicy tuna tartar) was incredible. I know I've had good sushi when I think about at lunch the next day. I recommend Buku develop an appetizer featuring that excellent tuna tartar - yum. Lastly, we tried the Korean BBQ - again, a very new dish to me. I was anticipating beef with grill-marks?, and investigated today to find Korean BBQ's presentation varies. Buku's version was a heap of steamed, shaved sirloin. I'll pass on kim chi (vinegary cabbage situation) and the sesame spinach was bland. Overall, this was not a hit plate for me. All in all, Buku is foreign cuisine with training wheels for the Americana-frequenter. I found myself researching the cuisine post-dinner - which is concrete evidence of the chefs' literal feeding of the patrons' curiosities about foreign foods and ensuring their return for more exploration. It's also a crowd-pleasing restaurant with a wide diversity of menu options. I actually encourage one to visit in a large group so you can better sample the entire menu (we were beyond stuffed with only three small plates). Also, a noteworthy event is their Sunday Brunch Buffet.
(4)
Amy S.

The Thai Yellow Curry Scallops dinner entree is amazing! The environment is fun, trendy. We sat at a table in the bar, as it was too crowded to sit in the dining room without a reservation. Service was great, though.
(4)
Bobby G.

just ok. not sure how else to explain the huge spread of food we had. nothing memorable. ok service.
(3)
Cathi R.

Sunday Brunch Review - Bu-Ku I attended the inaugural Sunday Brunch, understanding that it was their first time and there would be a few kinks to be ironed out. Management was great about communicating some minor delays with items being delivered, providing free fruit for the cranky toddlers in our party (greatly appreciated). Items that members of our group sampled included the Waffles, Samosas, Gyoza, Gazpacho, Filipino Omelet, Cuban Benedict, Crab Tamales, Sashimi Mini Pizza, Naan, Gnocchi, and Hash Brown Potatoes. We also sampled the spicy-as-hell Bloody Marys, big on flavor but a little overpowering (and chewy) for a Sunday morning. I was most impressed with the Yellow Fin Tuna Sashimi Pizza. For the money I think I was the one who got the best value. Presentation was great all around, simple and understated, with lots of fresh herbs. The flavors of the pizza all worked well, although the onions were a little strange for a sushi-inspired dish. I would definitely order this again - it was very filling, but not heavy. I also tried the Lumpia sausage from the omelet, and can't wait to get my hands on more of that. The Samosa was good but not for the price - it's not Samosas but one lonely Samosa, so the menu is a little misleading in my opinion. I'd pay $4-5 but not $8. The Gyoza were a little more on target - perfectly cooked, and the sauce was fresh and authentic. The Cuban Benedict was the dish I was most surprised by. I made fun of my cousin for ordering what I expected to be a dud, but it was delicious - an unexpected medley of flavors and textures, nicely seasoned and everything cooked perfectly. My toddler had the naan and gnocchi, and the gnocchi was ok, although I'd like to see a sauce or pesto option. The naan was a little disappointing, more like pizza dough than true naan (somewhat heavy, stiff and crispy on the edges). The service was terrific. We ate out on the patio, which we all enjoyed, and drinks were always filled and our server knowledgeable and attentive. I'm looking forward to going back for lunch/dinner, and will absolutely be back for brunch again. Location is downtown, but there was street parking available within the block, and it was easy to get to for all of our party (N. Raleigh, Cary, Garner). Definitely give it a try!
(4)
Regina T.

My first visit was to their Sunday Buffet; upon waiting for friends I spoke to another individual who had been here several times before and spoke very highly of the staff and food and he was right. Food was phenomenal! I was stuffed for the remainder of the day. Staff was very attentive...I'd like to come back again during a different night to see if my rating will change but for now, its the best buffet place I've been to in a long time and I DETEST buffets!
(3)
Sean G.

Great diverse menu and good service. We had the luxury of going on a Tue night with almost no crowd but our waitress offered up some great recommendations. The short ribs were my favorite and we destroyed about 5 small plates in all. I would order any of them again.
(4)
Karen S.

HIghly recommended restaurant with an original menu that plays on asian cuisine. Though it isn't as true as real asian street food, buku brings an , eclectic spin to the real deal. Buku captures the flavors and concept of asian street food. My husband and I have been returning customers and can say that the food is consistent. Food presentation is appealing to the eye. Atmosphere is loungy with great services. Excellent sushi and sashimi, hot pot is must have.
(5)
myra f.

First, I would like to state we had the most amazing waitress. Party of ten, with some picky patrons. Her patience and competence made our experience quite delightful. Second, gratuity at 20% placed on our bill was extreme 18% is a better choice. I understand the large party issue but still. We left her what we would have done because she was so awesome, which was more than the 20%. Third, food quality awesome. Portions pricey for size. Steak and potatoes, Chicken and potato entree very good. Lamb meatballs we had three orders one came with six meatballs, one with three one with two so quality control in kitchen not great. Meatballs were very small would not order again. Prawns bland. Tuna great. Miso soup great. Perogies good, Empanadas good, bread at table very good.
(3)
Chad O.

One of my favorite restauants in the Triangle. Great selection of food (mostly tapas style, with a few dinner entrees) and the snapper entree (Indonesian style) is phenomenal. When we go with a group of friends, we have the chef choose what we will eat due to it being difficult to choose on our own.
(5)
George C.

Been here several times and love it. So many great and varied tastes. Defer to wait staff if unsure what to order. Bread and dipping sauces probably not worth it. Love the hot pot, sashimi, masaman curry, beet salad. Nice wine list with good prices.
(4)
E G.

Bu-ku's pitch is that it's all about street vendor food, but really it is an internationally eclectic tapas bar. (Think pan-Asian dim sum.) The atmosphere was more upscale than I thought it would be, but I still felt comfortable in shorts for a late afternoon August dinner. Our server was attentive and helpful in making suggestions for our varied tapas selection. My husband and I took advantage of his assistance-the cuisine is a combination of Chinese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Filipino, Indian, etc. With a meal built on appetizers, the challenge is how much to order. (We ate all of our food, but I did take about half of the curry home). The server really pushed the sauces (we had the Indonesian Sweet Soy but unless you are with a larger crowd for sharing I would forgo the $3.50 price for a sauce-you can get another appetizer instead). The standouts were the Massaman curry (mild and vegetarian-order an extra bowl of rice for $2), the perfectly sauteed pieorgi dumplings with chicken and squash, and the Cochinita pibil, 3 small corn tortillas filled with exquisitely-spiced pulled pork. The Thai green papaya salad did not appeal-reminded me of a lightly vinegared broccoli cole slaw. (Next time I will try the Viet cucumber salad.) The Malya kulcha bread tasted like what you might typically find in any Indian restaurant. Overall, some pretty tasty and unique Asian fusion cuisine (my favorite). It's nice to find a place like this in Raleigh. Worth the trip downtown!
(4)
Mckenzie C.

My friend and I had dinner at Bu-Ku around 1 week ago, and I really enjoyed my experience. The food quality and service were both great. In terms of ambiance -- I have no idea what it looked like as Fins -- but I think it currently has a lovely atmosphere. The restaurant has a nice layout, comfy seating, music in the bar area on the night we were there -- it's an ideal spot for "date night" in downtown Raleigh. We each paired various wines with our meal, and I did like the selections on the wine list. Based upon a few recommendations from our server, we ordered quite a few dishes to try. I remember I specifically enjoyed the Empanadas, Korean bbq, Plantain crusted Chilean sea bass -- YUMMY. I totally forgot the Citrus-braised beet salad - seriously to die for if you like goat cheese - delicious! I will definitely return to Bu-Ku in the future!
(4)
Kim H.

Great Brunch! We too, like many, used the Groupon deal with a party of three. Sad that some reviewers did not read their coupons and rated the restaurant based on that. Ambiance: slightly upscale yet casual. Saw folks wearing everything from Sunday dresses to jeans and flip-flops (and one guy in a baseball cap - when will they learn their manners!!?) Food: great stuff - fresh waffles, omelets, greek yogurt, breads, and more. Great spanikopita but bummer on the fried chicken only being legs and thighs. Coffee is amazing and worth every drop Staff: the brunches get busy - really busy, staff gets rushed but our server tried to chat when she could and offer suggestions. Drinks came slow but we never had to remind her once. All other staff was friendly and helpful Price - a little pricey but go hungry! They offer sooo much! If you want cheap, head to Golden Corral and enjoy subpar food options. Parking - free valet parking!
(5)
Dave C.

Being new to the area I wanted to explore the downtown area and ended up eating one night at BuKu. Our wait was pretty reasonable for it being a Saturday night and once we got to our table we waited almost 15 minutes just for our drink order. Once we placed our drink order we also put in for an appetizer (soup pot), which was very good. We then put in our food order about half way through the appetizer and waited almost another 30 minutes for our food.......So including wait time and food wait time we have now been here for almost an hour and a half, and are just beginning to eat. Once we finished dinner which was pretty good we elected on dessert, so we choose one and waited about ten minutes for the waiter to come back and say they did not have that one......So we choose a second, ten minutes later, "sorry we do not have that one either" Why do you not know what you have to offer? All in all the food was good, but the service was not.
(2)
Jeff B.

I'm really torn on the review for this place for a variety of reasons. The initial server asked for drink orders as soon as we sat down, but when we responded with "Let us peruse our options and bring some water in the meantime", we didn't see her for 20 minutes. In fact, it wasn't until another server noticed that we had been sitting unattended that we got any more attention. Props to her for jumping in, but the rest of the evening was a bit of a tag team and I wasn't sure how to tip...because I certainly didn't want to give my original server much, but I appreciated the other server pulling extra duty. As for the food: Good: -The lumpia, shrimp puffs with tamarind broth, and braised beet were unique and tasty. The pork in the lumpia was about medium-rare, which was perfect. The shrimp puffs and broth were complex and spicy. The beet was well-cooked and the mixture with goat cheese and some simple spreads was satisfying. Meh: -The empanadas had all the makings of delight...but something was missing. A nice shot of vinegar or perhaps even a pinch of salt might have helped, but there wasn't a fullness of flavor I was expecting when taking in the ingredients. -The tuna tekka maki had nice large chunks of tuna...but wasn't original at all. I'll fault myself for ordering that, but I was sucked in by the menu description. I didn't realize it would just be a crunchy tuna roll. -The cochinita pibil (basically, pork tacos) weren't great. The pork was too dry and there was very little sauce/flavor. But for all those dishes plus a nice cocktail (rickety ginny) and a bottle of sake, the bill came out to $62...which seemed *really* low for the amount and variety of food we received. Low enough that I'd be willing to visit again to try some other selections (I've heard good things about the hot pot and the beef tataki). If the return visit impresses, I'll be happy to chalk up this visit to a mixture of poor choice and poor luck. But I still feel like it's a roll of the dice. Your mileage may vary.
(3)
Michael W.

Wow!! what a great place here in Raleigh. This place could be in NYC, Chicago, San Fran. Gr eat food, outstanding wait staff. The staff knows the menu and assists the newcomer. Love that the dishes come out as done. Have been there twice and there were several different choices each time. A great place for date or just to get away from the hum drum restaurants
(5)
melissa d.

Wow! What an adventurous addition to downtown Raleigh! The menu takes you on a culinary journey around the world! It is a great place to just relax and "graze" the night away! Great atmosphere, awesome food (mostly tapas style) and a nice patio will make you want to return again and again. The service was on the slower side or I would've given it 5 stars.
(4)
Jude G.

My husband & I went for our 7th Anniversary and the place was unbelievably awesome. The food was delicious, the drinks were great & our waitress was super nice!! We plan on going back to Buku
(5)
Geoff W.

One word for the food here: "BLAND" Expectations were high, Asian Street Food concept, etc, maybe I am a snob, but I have been to most of the countries discussed on the menu, and the flavorings were weak, India: Papadum, deep fried like a doughnut, not the thin crispy peppery flavor you should have, Mango Chutney: just stand alone pickled diced mango, pretty boring, not really chutney at all, Vietnam: Cucumber salad, 32 cucumber slices, with a few peanuts, some vinegar, not even marinated, Octopus salad, chopped diced with some beans, also bland, my wife had Korean BBQ, just some thinly sliced beef you dip in the sauce, Kimchi was not bad, and her Tuna Tataki was pretty good. This is what happens when you go for the Cool Vibe, try to do too many cuisines and master none. Even the cocktail with Gin, Chile and Ginger and Lime was bland!! Study the dishes and Crank up the flavor!!
(2)
Deja Joli W.

Went here this past weekend for drinks and dessert on what I didn't know was going to be a double date. It was a little dark (but it was what I guess would pass for intimacy with the appropriate dining partner). Our waitress was awesome. She was really on top of it, made all the right suggestions and came around just often enough to check on us but not be a bother. She even served as a good comedic distraction from our surley dining companion. The Chocolate Souffle I ordered was delicious. (Not tasty enough to warrant any exclaimation marks but good.) The food is probably suited for a palate with a bit more of an expensive taste. It felt a little froo-froo to me. All in all, not a bad experience, restaurant wise.
(4)
Ad-Rock J.

Definitely a must try if in Raleigh. Amazing culmination of foods and flavors at a decent price. The Cochinita Pibil and Filipino Lumpi are both money. The Baba Ghanouj is a perfect starter.
(5)
Amanda F.

We enjoyed a high quality spread of food and drinks at a good price. I think the tip here is to go with a small group and just split the bill. We had multiple dishes, shared the large and deliciois hot pot, and a bottle of wine for $60 a couple. I thought it was worth every cent. I am looking forward to my next visit!
(4)
R D.

Not bad, but claiming as a place for 'Global Street Food' is a tall order, and that was difficult for them to meet. Lamb Kebab was undercooked and sweet. Empanadas were ok. But the Cochinita Arepa was really tasty.
(3)
Katie M.

High class establishment, great service, but relatively casual. We ate at the bar since we would have had to wait for a table. Our food was delicious and came promptly, cocktails were pricey but good. Definitely a top pick for a date in Raleigh in the future.
(4)
Aaron B.

Great food, great concept, lousy service. I've been here a couple times for both lunch and dinner. On one visit the service was extremely slow, and the food came out cold. If not for the way the manager handled the situation, I wouldn't return. However they tried to resolve the problem and make up for their errors. On the last visit, the food was okay, still unique, and the service was mediocre. It leaves me to wonder for what occasion I'd return. Certainly not one where stellar service was important. What I've come to expect from Bu Ku is an interesting assortment of dishes, cooked with fresh ingredients, at a reasonable price. I don't expect service to be on par with finer dining establishments, and I don't expect to find anything so tasty that I'd call it the spot to go for that particular dish.
(3)
L H.

First time here. Best food I've had in the Triangle in a long time! After reading other reviews about slow service, I worried that we'd have a hard time making the show we were going to. We arrived a little after 6:30 - early on a Saturday - and sat outside. I noticed that the bar was already busy. We ordered drinks and a few small plates. Service was great - waitress was helpful, astute. Food was delicious; portion sizes not huge but exactly what I expected. Food came out quickly. I wanted to go for the arepas; not a traditional arepa but very good nevertheless. Place started filling up not long after we sat down and by 7:00 was surprisingly busy. I can see why - we'll definitely be back.
(4)
Jennifer C.

Lunch at buku is outstanding-- great food at incredibly reasonable prices. The paneer hand roll, with kale, potatoes, and lightly friend paneer may be my favorite downtown lunch option. So tasty-- hope their idea of a lunchtime food cart comes through soon!
(5)
Julie B.

We have given this place a few tries... dinner and brunch... the verdict: overpriced processed foods, presented beautifully in an eclectic environment.
(1)
Bev H.

Good service... Tapas style - burst of flavor food! The hot pot, short ribs, and apple tart were our favorites.
(5)
Miranda A.

For a birthday dinner, Buku was an excellent choice. The decor is chic, modern, and the lighting projects a somewhat dark and romantic ambiance. It has a lounge-feel to it, but it is very upscale. Our server was very attentive, despite that it was a Saturday evening and she was certainly plenty busy. She was quick with our drinks and checked in just the right amount of times to make sure everyone was satisfied. Speaking of which, allow me to discuss our beverages: I had the Passion Exchange, which I suppose is the equivalent of a passionfruit margarita. Easily the best and most delicious margarita I've ever had the pleasure of drinking. The boys went with a drink that I can't seem to find on the menu anymore, but it was Negro Modelo mixed with something spicy. Different, but definitely fun for the tastebuds. The food was amazing. I had a steak (which again, I can't find on the menu which leads me to believe that some food is seasonal) that was fantastic. Perfectly cooked and marinated. Yum! Honestly no idea what everyone else had, but there was a perfectly good mix of herbivores and carnivores at our table and everyone loved their meals. It was awesome that instead of the typical, obnoxious birthday song, they had a staff member that played the harmonica come to our table. Dessert was to die for. Chocolate souffle with almond ice cream? Yes please! Great overall experience. Would definitely return.
(5)
Amy B.

We were pretty excited to try Buku after hearing lots of good things from several different sources. And, why wouldn't we be excited about a place with such a great concept? Global street food--think of the possibilities here! The menu is pretty broad, and we had a hard time narrowing it down. There are items from lots of places, but there were large geographic regions noticeably lacking, or grossly under-represented, from Buku's concept of 'global'. Europe is part of the globe, right? As is North America? Last time I checked, Africa was a fairly substantial part of the globe. What about the Middle East? I know, I know, there are a few notable dishes representing some of these areas, But the menu as a whole could be a little more balanced. I would be happy to see what the kitchen at Buku could do with additional dishes from these corners of the globe...cornish pasties? gourmet mini hot dogs? Moroccan lamb kebabs? Anyway, we got the hot pot, empanadas, columbian arepas, vietnamese pancake (a little too eggy for my tastes), beef tataki, korean bbq, and the banana dessert. I'm writing this review many months after the fact, but I do remember that everything was beautiful, well-balanced, and executed to a t. My most striking flavor memory was a sauce that had soy and butter in it. it was like magic, and to this day, i desperately would like an opportunity to take a bath in that sauce. the service was pretty good, and the interior is sleak and sexy. I enjoyed coming here, and look forward to another visit.
(4)
Vicky T.

Been here 5 times and I'm a fan. Food has always been flavorful and of good quality After a good review came out about them the kitchen was a little out of whack (food took quite awhile to come out) from the influx of people at once but they'll get that figured out over time. I recommend: Front of menu/Small Plates: Fattoush is tasty and refreshing Lumpia is awesome The cilantro dip is interesting but very flavorful Back of menu: Braised beef was money. I definitely prefer this over the Korean bbq. Tender & juicy..looove it. Never would have thought to order Pike but it was very good, mild and the glaze was yummy. Good luck to you guys...you're a good local spot.
(4)
Tom S.

Shame on me for not reviewing this restaurant already - clearly I'm slacking. Bu-ku is a great addition to the revolving door that is the downtown Raleigh restaurant scene. Bu-ku calls themselves a "Global Street Food" establishment, but don't expect to walk in and see a room full of push carts and leaking coolers. It's more like the #4 from your favorite cart guy meeting up with Gordon Ramsey. The menu can be a bit challenging at first, but they have done a great job staffing the restaurant with a staff that not only knows the flavors and styles of the many dishes, but can offer great suggestions on pairings as well as time out the delivery to your table. The menu offers a creative and refreshing mix of international flavors. Most come tapas style, but for those who just want a main dish, there are a fair number of full sized entrees as well. All of my visits have been in groups of four or more, and typically we will order around 4 items per couple, and share a bread plate or two as well. There are number of chutneys to choose from to accompany the bread, or perhaps one of other items if you want. You can jump from vietnamese, to korean, to a flavorful curry dish in a matter of minutes, without feeling you've mixed too many dishes and missed a component along the way. Drinks are fairly priced, with some fairly creative cocktails emerging now and then. Price wise, with a drink each, and sharing four plates, you're looking at around $60 per couple, give or take. I'm not saying it has to be a "couple" setting, but usually helps if two are selecting a few dishes they'd both like to try. Avoid sitting outside, little airflow, and well, just not that scenic. The atmosphere inside is way more appealing, and as the night goes on, it changes from an interesting mix of background music to a live musician on certain evenings. You'll never look at a sytrofoam container from your pushcart guy the same way again...
(4)
Candi D.

World traveler here and former server/ bartender. This place was excellent!! 3 visits total. Lunch, birthday dinner, and drinks and apps with friends. Each time in a different location of the restaurant. Service was excellent, drinks were perfect, and food was divine!! I saw a post regarding "over-priced fried food." I beg to differ. Plenty of choices on the menu. I try something different each time. Regardless of what they call it, it's great food, great atmosphere. Will go back again and again, Plus, only place in Raleigh area that serves Brazilian beer, Xingu. Love it!
(5)
Michael E.

For full and total disclosure-I thoroughly enjoy Chef D'Auvray's dinner options at this establishment. However this review if for their brunch, and solely reflective of the meal Brit and I had, not the rest of the Yelp-ers that accompanied Mari H. to the UYE and made the meal the fun experience that it was. To start things off-Ambiance (4 stars). This place is much warmer than Chef's previous restaurant in this space, though still a bit more upscale than global street food would provide, but it works. Service (4.5 stars)-I hate not being able to remember our servers name. He was observant, on point and dedicated to our table. His knowledge of the offerings was a bit below my expectations, but this is only their second week offering a Brunch. Drinks (5 Stars): House made Bloody Mary's-Spicy, tangy and filling. Accompanied with a side car of a shooter of Schlitz with a skewer of roasted red pepper, feta cheese and a large Spanish olive. Additionally on the side car was one of the best deviled eggs I've EVER had, and a small crostini with some baba ghannouj. It was like an unplanned appetizer to which Brit and I promptly rolled our sleeves up and dug in. Food (2.5 Stars): I ordered the Beef Short Rib Arepas. I'm going to deconstruct this meal a bit as there were good points and some points that I feel need some work. Let's start with the good-Fried eggs , hard to mess up but it happens. Well fried nice crisp edges with a decent amount of runny yolk. The black beans were salty and flavorful. The pulled short ribs had a good complex smoky flavor. The Arepas are the point where I pull the plug on this meal. They were very doughy and cakey and essentially sucked the moisture out of my mouth. Brit had the Yellow Fin Tuna Sashimi pizza. This dish would make a sushi fan do flips. There were a good 8-10 slabs of yellow fin tuna on this pizza. The crust was flaky and crispy. The only miss Brit found here was the wasabi creme fraiche was a bit excessive. We did a post brunch wrap up and next time I'll order something different, and she'll do the same pizza with the subtraction of the creme fraiche. The assorted yelpers were awesome, and made the meal all the more fun. Mari H. made the plans and reservations. Nancy Y. made her first event and I hope we didn't scare her off. Christina G. hooked the table up with "Samosas" (the singular version) and some awesome vegetarian dumplings. Ron W. graced the table with the Laksa which hit my curry nerve and was promptly inhaled. To summarize, I know what the chef is capable of, so I'll be back. They're still working out the bugs and if you read this please take this review with a grain of salt as I have lofty expectations for Chef D'Auvray.
(3)
Mike M.

Fantastic and eclectic.
(5)
Janara N.

Great downtown location with free valet. Very nice atmosphere - upscale without being stuffy or overly pretentious. The food is good, with a variety of world flavors. The special cocktails are awesome. Service is good. My only objection is that it's a bit pricey for what you get...but all that atmosphere costs money! Oh, buku has great music too...especially the Wednesday night blues jam!
(3)
Lo N.

Pam's review of Buku is spot on. I think the place is lovely & modern (I gave 2 stars for this); a great place to hang out with friends for a drink. But, the food was overpriced and not at all to my liking. My friends and I ordered 8 dishes. We each paid ~$30 (not including drinks) and didn't feel satisfied. The fried dishes were way too greasy and we barely touched them. The papaya salad was way too tart. The only thing we all liked was the creme brulee (I added 1 star for this).
(3)
Drew D.

Buku is one of Raleigh's best new restaurants. The food is incredible and the atmosphere very nice, with an upscale interior and a large covered outdoor patio. The lunch is okay, but the dinner is where they really shine. Until you've been for dinner, you've not had the real Buku experience. Most plates are tapas style. Whenever I go, each person typically orders 3 dishes and then we all share with each other. One standout is the sake-braised short ribs. Boneless, super tender and delicious. The cochinita pibil tortillas are also very good, as are the scallops, jade prawns, and filipino ground pork lumpia. The hot pot is large and very delicious as well. I'm still working my way through the menu, but so far the only disappointments have been the breads and sauces, so I'd advise avoiding those sections of the menu, especially since for the price of a bread+sauce you could get another order of short ribs. :) One problem with Buku is that it can be extremely crowded on the weekends. I'd advise to make reservations, just in case, regardless of the day you are going. Also, on Wednesdays they have live blues bands (the hell? what is this, the Berkeley?) which are WAY too loud. If you're in the bar area that night, bring earplugs. But on Tuesdays they have a very talented person playing sitar(!), which is relaxing and much more appropriate. The service could be a little faster at clearing out used plates but is generally good. Overall, I'd give Buku 4.5 stars (5 stars minus a half star for the few annoying cons). But I'll round up to 5 for now. :)
(5)
Russell A.

I have only eaten here at lunch, but the food was great. The tuna dish has the best salad dressing I have tried lately. The tuna was cooked perfect. We sat outside and enjoyed downtown Raleigh, so the atmosphere was great. To end the meal we got a surprise sherbet at the end. The best thing was the prices. They were spot on. For the amount of food you get it is great. Will be going back.
(5)
Brian A.

A foodie's dream. A great variety of small (and not-so-small) dishes from around the world, all brilliantly executed. We went for my wife's birthday. She got the hot pot, beet salad and spider roll and loved them all. I got the pierogies, Colombian arepas and Korean BBQ beef. My dishes were all terrific, but the Korean beef almost put me on the floor, it was so good. Great experience, great food great prices. We'll be back!
(5)
Kerry C.

People have been talking about bu-ku, and a boring Thursday night gave me the chance to try it. Like others have said, the "street food" epitet gave me pause; after asking the waiter how the menu worked, it sounds basically like tapas. Two friends and I split five small plates, although the waiter had suggested we get two or three things per person. With each plate being 6-10 dollars, that would be pretty pricey. However, the serving sizes were generous (in the upscale restaurant kind of way, not in the Claim Jumpers kind of way), and we all left full. A pleasant surprise; they served cans of Carib beer, and although that's what we ordered, the drink menu was extensive otherwise. Each dish had good flavor and was nicely presented. Don't get confused by the assortment of sauces on the menu; the waiter said that most dishes come with/in their own sauce, and you only need to order additional sauces out of curiosity. We did just that and ended up with a very liquidy tamarind chutney. It was amazing how the chutney worked well with our bread and both meat dishes. The Korean barbecue was average and cooled very quickly. The pork bun was good and served with plenty of bean sprouts, just like I like it. A large party came in as we were leaving, and by the end of the meal, we couldn't get our waiter's attention, so we left without ordering dessert. We'd been ambivalent about dessert anyway, and he was very attentive throughout the rest of the meal. I want to come back later at night to chill and grab some drinks on the couches in the bar area. I probably wouldn't come back again for the food - there are so many other places in Raleigh I want to try that unless a place blows me away, I'm probably not going to be running back.
(3)
Vidhi S.

Great variety of food....good choice for bruch!
(4)
Christina L.

My new favorite restaurant! We shared about 6 dishes. The Lumpia was my favorite of all the dishes. Cucumber salad was delicious. Most everything we had was spicy, which I love. But my sister, who is picky and not too adventurous, didn't like it as much. Looking forward to going back,
(5)
Luke C.

Jen and I came by after reading all these reviews and hearing from some friends who have been. Our verdict: Awesome & Keep it coming!!! The place transformed from the former Fins and now sports a new spirit - complete with a live band and sometimes a DJ. The restaurant still has the same decor and table setting, however, it has certainly seen a rejuvenation of sorts - the night we came, it was jam-packed with people. The menu is a mash of delicious treats from around the world. I cannot speak for the authenticity of each of the dishes but we thoroughly enjoyed the chef's creative and disciplined flair in recreating them. Each dish we had was delicious in and of themselves. The Hotpot/soup dishes were great and there were enough to share between two or three. The Thai BBQ Pike was Jenny's favourite. My fave was the beautiful Chowder. The food was reasonably priced too - even with wine added in. This is a great place to chill and have delicious food. We really like this !!
(5)
Erwin L.

I have to say, I never thought anyone could take food that you would find on a crowded market street in Central America, Asia or Europe, that is served by a man who speaks no English and might make you wonder if you will spend the rest of your trip in a cramped and dimly lit bathroom wishing for death and turn it into an modern, fine dining experience, but Buku did, and they did it extremely well. We were on our way to the annual Artsplosure festival in Downtown Raleigh and wanted something unique and flavorful so we stopped in to Buku. Immediately we were struck by the amazing modern look of the restaurant and couldn't stop commenting on how we loved this or wanted that in our own home. The place wasn't very busy, on account of it being around 3 in the afternoon so we were promptly seated. After initially getting lost in the drink section of the menu we found the food and were immediately faced a dilemma, everything looked and sounded so good! We finally settled on the Filipino lumpia, empanadas and the PEI mussels. I was super excited for the lumpia myself since my mother is Filipino and I have had this wonderful dish in the homeland so I had high hopes for it and the rest of the meal. And we were not disappointed. The empanadas were crispy and hot and covered with an amazing guacamole and farmers cheese, the mussels were perfectly cooked and serve with an amazing cream sauce and toasted baguettes that reminded me of the moule frites that I had in northern France when I studied abroad. And finally the star of the show was the lumpia. It was amazing, some of the best I have had and the mango cilantro side salad that it came with was spot on. Service was great in the beginning with our dishes coming out in rapid secession, but it sad waned toward the end and we ended up waiting a good 10 minutes for our check after we requested it, even though the restaurant was still almost empty. Another reason this place isn't a five for me is the fact that I could easily get more lumpia in the Philippines for under $1 than I got for $8. I know its a business and they have to make a profit but street food should be priced more like street food wherever you are in the world, I guess your paying more for the ambiance and experience. Buku is one of a kind in Raleigh and well worth your time and money, unless you go to the country itself you won't find better representations of international "fast food" in the Oak City.
(4)
Tricia F.

Great vibe, inside + outside seating, very helpful staff. The Sunday Brunch is a substantial selection of seafood (crabmeat, salmon) through custom omelettes, waffles, dozens of salads and desserts, great value for the selection. Enjoyed a very leisurely afternoon and was never rushed....definitely worth checking out...
(4)
Jason N.

Nice addition to downtown Raleigh and glad business has picked up since the makeover. Lower price points (at least those that seem lower) are smart and there are some good choices- some better than others. Having said that, BuKu is not mindblowing and there is such a thing as trying to do too much. The menu is too extensive, too disjointed, too unfocused and thus the quality is not consistent. But I am glad the tide has turned and hope the restaurant continues to prosper.
(3)
Patrick F.

Not very memorable. I had brunch there once, and I cant recall anything that I ate. I think that says it all.
(3)
Wolfgang K.

We've been meaning to eat at Buku ever since I heard about Fins being converted into this "Asian Street Food" place. Yesterday we finally went. Dinner was outstanding - and I especially liked their wine list which has 30 bottles for less then $30 on the menu (OK, most are pretty close to $30 - but still a great selection of decent wine). We started with two breads - both of which we won't have again. The Papadom was greasy and the flat brad dry - even though the dipping sauces (Cilantro and Lemon Sesame were OK). Not worth the money or calories. The rest of the meal however was outstanding. My wife ordered of the first page of the menu and I took care of the second page. Now here's a word of warning: our waiter told us to get 3-4 plates for each of us - which turned out to be WAY too much food. Most plates are actually big enough for a small entree - so my recommendation would be to order two for each person and then order more if you're still hungry. Scallops were fantastic, so was the beet/goat cheese salad (with beet puree) and the grilled Octopus Salad. We especially enjoyed the Lamb meat balls with lentils (a plate that was big enough to double as an entree) - and that is saying something given that my wife doesn't eat red meat a lot. They also had a special Toro (fatty tuna) sashimi platter which was good (and stacked with Ginger and other condiments). The Beef (kind of a carpaccio) plate was good though not outstanding - but maybe I was just too full by the time that one showed up. So we'll definitely be back again - probably sooner then later.
(4)
Jane W.

The only reason I cannot give bu-ku 5 stars is because I had nothing but new to me, interesting, "global" cuisine...... I just don't have much to compare it to and say it is "as good as it gets." The service-- was over the top friendly, knowledgeable, and she just all around knew what she was talking about!! The atmosphere-- we sat outside for a couple of reasons. The first reason: it was a beautiful evening. The second reason: it was LOUD inside. The band of the evening was fun, but we definitely wanted to be able to carry on a conversation over dinner. The food-- lots of small plates. Our waitress actually suggested getting 4-6 small plates for us to share. We went down the middle with 5 plates and a sauce. (P.S. the sauce is crucial!!!) We went with the chili/cashew sauce and used a little on everything to change up and add a different flavor. The plates we chose were a tour of the globe including: Moroccan meatballs and lentils, an arepa with farmers cheese, bao, poke with plantains, and Korean style BBQ. It is hard to pick a favorite, but the bao was pretty great! Drinks-- awesome wine list!! Every bottle on the menu is under $30 and a selection is offered by the glass. The specialty drinks are inventive, and well crafted. Overall, my only complaint about bu-ku is that I didn't discover it sooner! I can't wait to go back with a larger group to try more things, especially dessert!!!
(4)
Jason C.

Portion size was too small. I run 30 miles a week so, Cole R. , there goes your fat American theory. Food was awesome. Just slightly increase the portions. I think that is a reasonable bit of feedback.
(3)
Jamie K.

We drove about an hour to visit Buku for Restaurant Week, and ended up ordering off the regular menu. The food was just okay (though the Thai BBQ Prawns had a really unpleasant smell). Our favorite dish was the deviled eggs (which were actually quite exceptional), but everything else was pretty average. Disappointing after reading all the hype on Yelp!
(3)
Gavin F.

Consider this a tapas or mezze kind of place, and you will have an easier time deciding what to order. The food is all pretty good and very reasonable size for the cost, compared to tapas bars in larger cities. We had the 'hot pot' soup (very much like Thai tom kha soup), the Viet cucumber salad, and empanadas. I quite liked the cucumber salad--just hint of vinegar enough to soften the cukes, but not to the point of being pickled, and the fried shallots were a nice touch. The hot pot was good, and a very large bowl of soup. It's more than enough for three or four to share. With two, it's almost a meal in itself. The empanadas were forgettable--so much so that, in fact, I had to wrack my brain to remember it... "There was something else, right? But what was it? It had meat, didn't it? And cheese?..." You get the point. The desserts were quite good; both well presented and very large for the cost. The tiramisu comes in a tall glass and they pour fresh espresso over the top, so that saves getting a coffee, too. For what we ordered, we didn't expect to be as full when we left the restaurant as we were. I'd go there again next time I'm staying in Raleigh.
(4)
Rene M.

I went for dinner recently. The Arepas are AMAZING!! The atmosphere is cool and casual, the wait staff and management are friendly and helpful. I went on a very busy Friday night and our food still came out in a reasonable time frame. If you're a first time visitor, go for the small plates to get a variety of different options. The drinks are very good as well. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Lauren R.

They say that Bu-Ku is the place to be seen in Raleigh, which makes me giggle for so many reasons. It's Raleigh. Let's take a breath. bukuraleigh.com THE FOOD: We thought the food was very good for a new restaurant -- The columbian arepas with farmers cheese was fine... not mind blowing... I've had better cornbread, but the beef tataki was amazing but there was just beef and some dandelion greens. That's it. The dressing was barely noticeable but that's okay because the meat was amazing. The flavors were great. The husband had the Hawaiian poke and loved it. He * RAVED * about the Korean BBQ. THE DRINKS: KUMQUAT CAIPIRINHA and the passion exchange were nothing special. The flavors in both our drinks were bland and my passion exchange had so. much. freaking. ice. THE DESSERT: I had the trio of creme brule and the ginger creme brule could be its own dessert. The rest were so-so with the chocolate being the most disappointing. The husband had the lemon puffs and he was very disappointed. Had better pastries at Dunkin Donuts and they weren't very fresh. THE RESTAURANT: It was so freaking loud in there that it was almost unpleasant. The server apologized for the noise level AND THEN the bongo drums started. Oh yeah, there was a bongo band. It was borderline obnoxious. Also, the bathrooms were gross. I'm not kidding. That's unacceptable. THE SERVICE: Slow and a little clumsy because the kitchen was backed up, but everyone was nice. I had to ask a few times for extra plates so we could share, and our food and drinks were often misplaced on the table.
(3)
Jes P.

I stumbled upon Bu-Ku while driving around downtown Raleigh looking for an after dinner drinks spot that wasn't filled to the hilt with loud music and 20-somethings being frisked at the door. Bu-Ku looked trendy and inviting from the outside and we were not disappointed. The bar had the perfect mood lighting, and a DJ playing great music that didn't overwhelm your ability to have a conversation. The base of the bar is made out of beautiful stone and a wall of water, lit from below, cascades behind the liquor section of the bar. There are plenty of tables in the bar, both high and low with cool little flickering light type thingys. (Great description I know.) The service was very attentive and friendly, and I like a bar where you can sit at tables and get served on the weekend and not have to get up and fight at the bar to get your own drinks. The bathrooms were also very nice and clean and filled with all those extra goodies - wrapped peppermints and various types of smelly lotions. So when you go back out to your date you can smell good and be ready for a kiss. The drink menu is filled with unique specialty drinks. My friend and I both had the Rue Eden - a mix of light run, pineapple juice, basil and soda. Very tasty, although heavy on the basil so you have to be a fan of the herb. Bu-Ku has a cool website and looks to vary between DJs and live music in the evenings. After seeing the reviews here I will definitely be going back for the "Global Street Food" at dinner, but in the meantime I definitely recommend this trendy spot for cocktail hour and drinks.
(4)
John R.

Five of us went for lunch on Saturday May 8th. We secured a Noon reservation via Opentable.com . I was surprised at the size of the place with a large patio and indoor dining area. It also has a good sized bar area. The decor of the place was very nice and obviously some serious money and attention has been spent on it. Due to the high winds that day we decided to eat indoors. Service: Our service was excellent throughout the visit. Our server...wish I knew her name...has been well trained and did a proper wine service as well as had the perfect amount of table visits. Additionally, any other server that passed by smiled and acknowledged us. Food: the group ordered the Malaysian curry chicken on roti, the "Banh Mi" red cooked pork shoulder, the Vietnamese Pho and the Greek salad. Sides of the fresh, home-made pickles and hot chile sambal were also ordered. The Malaysian curry was well liked, especially with a dose of the hot and flavorful chile. The house salad dressing on the Greek salad was delicious and the Vietnamese Pho was good as well (though a lot less soupy than I usually see it served.) The only dish that got so-so reviews was the Banh Mi sandwich which was disappointing because it was "too similar to asian bbq from a buffet". The home-made pickles are a must get for a $1.50. We also enjoyed several of the home-made gelato choices for dessert. Value: our prices were quite surprisingly cheap! The lunches ranged from $6.5 to $8. I've find it exceedingly rare to find this type of food and attention to presentation at this price point. Overall: I really enjoyed this visit and it was worth the 1.5 hour drive from Greensboro. I'd really like to come back for dinner where there is an extensive menu to dabble with. Food: 8/10, Service: 10/10, Value: 9/10, Atmosphere 9/10
(4)
Abby L.

I have no idea how they did it, but after closing for two weeks, the owners of Fin's turned their snooty place into this super-awesome happening place to be. It's only been open for a few weeks, but my boyfriend and I have been twice. We've chosen to eat tapas-style on both occasions. In total, we have tried 8 dishes: Hot pot, coconut, red curry, straw mushrooms, braised chicken - This is a MUST. It's soooo good. Only $10. Plenty for 3-4 full bowls. It's a hot soup. They serve it for you. Seriously. Just order this. You'll thank me. Grilled octopus, lemon, white bean, potato, paprika oil, toasted garlic - Very good. Lots of the things in this that look like octopus are in fact NOT octopus, so eat slowly. I ran through the real octopus much more quickly than I meant to. :( Korean bbq, shaved prime sirloin, flash grilled, garlic, dark soy, kim chi, sesame spinach, hot mustard - Good. Mostly meat. The kim chi that came with it was excellent. Viet cucumber salad, crisp shallot, chiles, fried peanuts, sweet rice vinegar - This is surprisingly excellent. Wanted it to be about double the size it was. Viet crispy crepes, bean sprout, Thai basil, mushroom, shrimp - Not memorable. Crunchy Tuna Maki - This isn't on the online menu, but it was very good. In fact, all the sashimi that we've ordered or tasted from others has been high quality. Hawaiian yellowtail poke, cashew, lime plantain, sweet soy - Really good. I will definitely order this again. Lebanese fattoush, grilled pita, pickle, tomato, olives, lettuce, fragrant herbs - Very good. One dish I tried from another person but have not ordered myself is the Paneer. It comes with greens (maybe kale) and a really interesting sweet soy-based sauce. Desserts are all carried over from the old Fin's menu, which is a very good thing. My boyfriend keeps saying we should order the sea bass. It's one of the full entrees. They've been bringing musical performers representing a variety of global cultures regularly. So far, I haven't hung out much in the front room where I was able to listen to that, but soon! I'll be back many times, I think. What's great about bu*ku is that I know I can go for a cocktail, for an app and a coffee, for a full dinner, whatever I want. I think ti's place will make it.
(5)
Danny A.

The variety and experience was nice. As were the drinks (great beer selection and an excellent oatmeal stout on the rotating tap). But overall the food wasn't all that great. My wife and I enjoyed the variety and the overall experience, but the food seemed rather ordinary. Overall there seemed to be a lack of seasoning or some sort of 'pop' to it. Especially considering the 'global' influence, I expected bigger flavors and more 'wow'. We had a nice time, but for $50-$60 I would rather eat somewhere else.
(3)
Nene K.

First off, Buku is NOT an Asian fusion restaurant. It's a small plates restaurant with dishes inspired by recipes all over the world. I went about one week after it had opened with 2 friends. I love the inside - it reminds me of something in NYC or Chicago - quite upscale, fanciful, and modern. Buku is spacious with a separate bar and dance floor area, a large patio, and a huge dining space. I ordered a sashimi special (seems like they've raised the price by a whopping $7 on this one!), a South American side dish, and lumpia. The sashimi was superb, the side dish was pretty awful and grainy, and the lumpia was fine. My friends ordered vegetarian dishes which were ok but not mind blowing. The service was standard and efficient. When I went, there were a good number of couples but this may have changed since buku is marketing itself as a late night hotspot. I think the bar/dance area is fun especially with one of DJ Sputnik's parties but you'll pay Glenwood South prices for the drinks, fyi. Verdict: While I appreciate the effort to bring global foods to Raleigh, I think the menu lacks direction. I like a coherent meal and you won't get that at Buku which is probably intentional. The idea of a restaurant with a menu made up entirely of street foods around the world sounds better in theory than it is in practice.
(3)
Margaux H.

I have to say that the execution of pretty much all the cooking at Buku was spot on. Conceptually, though, every single dish we ordered had some sort of not-quite-rightness. Exhibit A, the cilantro chutney. As our waiter had promised, it was very tasty. Unfortunately, it was NOT a chutney. Super-thin, and not a chunk in sight. Number 2, the cochinita pibil. The pork was tender, the corn tortillas soft but not soggy. However, these tacos could have really used some acidity. Even just a lime wedge on the plate would have done the trick! The paneer had fantastic flavors, but lacked texture. Soft cheese with mushy caramelized onions and sauteed kale really need something crunchy so didn't all just slurp down. By contrast, the Chilean sea bass had all sorts of textures and, like everything else, was perfectly cooked. But it was sweet, on top of sweet, on top of sweet. I have a killer sweet tooth, but I don't really like my fish to taste like dessert. And speaking of dessert, lastly, the tiramisu. Absolutely delicious, and I loved the presentation in a parfait glass with long spoons to boot. But where was the booziness? A tiramisu without liquor is like a fair without a ferris wheel. If cooking is both an art and a science, Buku has the technique, but lacks the finesse. But I see real potential! (portions x-posted to my blog)
(3)
Kelly L.

This place was so underwhelming. The idea is great but the execution is lacking and inconsistent. It's like the owner watched the Street Food episode of No Reservations and a dim light bulb went off. So this place used to be Fins, a fine dining seafood place. The interior is identical to Fins, as is the flatware. Do you see the issue? Most real street food should be eaten with your hands not with flatware, not to mention the most annoying knife on earth that refuses to keep its place on your plate. Then the plates that are so large it is difficult to have more than two on the table at any given time. The fine dining vibe just doesn't work. To start we have the Colombian arepas, an unleavened bread served with cheese and a tomatillo sauce. Did I say tomatillo sauce? I sure did but the menu didn't, it also didn't mention the tomatoes that came on it. We also had the citrus-braised beet salad which is a hold over from Fins. It was tasty but I love beets and goat cheese and the arugula is nicely dressed. If you like arugula it makes another appearance below. Then we had the Filipino lumpia. This is a dish I know and love and it was good, but it was so GREASY. The oil could not have possibly been hot enough when they threw those bad boys in. Again, they failed to mention that it comes with a sauce on the menu and they should have mentioned the sauce, it was great and light The Thai bbq pike was just ok. I guess I didn't like the texture of the fish, so if you like pike try it. The best dish by far was the beef tataki. This was mouth watering and was the salvation of the experience. Its very rare and melts in your mouth. Although this too was misrepresented on the menu. The wasabi greens were just more arugula with not a hint of wasabi, it was the exact same dressing from the beet salad. The desserts were wildly inconsistent with the menu. They are boring, overwhelming, and misrepresented. I order the lemon puffs that were just eclairs with lemon curd and were covered in chocolate that was not mentioned on the menu. If you order dessert stick with their sorbets which are really good. The sorbets are all different flavors and ends the meal on a high note. Another thing that really rubbed me the wrong way was the front end manager. He visited all the table around us but not us. It felt intentional, especially when you looked around and all the tables that he chatted with had an average age of 55. I might go back if I get a craving for the beef tataki but otherwise I would skip it. I end with a final question: Where's the meet on a stick?
(2)
Bethany B.

Great new restaurant in downtown Raleigh. Lots of smallish plates, so it's a good place to go with a group and order various dishes to share. Their wine list was great, with some pretty inexpensive options by the glass. Great cocktail list too. Lots of veggie options.
(4)
Steven B.

Fun place to experience. Great unique drink menu. I had a cocktail w/ lemongrass and thai chili! FUN! Menu is always vegetarian friendly. Server, Heather, is amazing! Went for my birthday dinner a couple of weeks ago, had a blast! Will be back there soon! Friday Night Flights, Wine sampling, is a great idea!
(5)
Johanna K.

Ah Buku, finally had the chance to check you out. I have been so excited about this restaurant since first hearing about it. Street food? Love it! My first visit for lunch was dissapointing...they weren't open yet, though there was no indication of this on the website. Duck and Dumpling got my $$ that day. Second time around, knowing it was open for lunch, I went with a group of 4 other foodie fanatics, all of us dying to find out what all the hype was about. I must say, I'm not sure what the hype is, for all the food we ordered, no one was left with that "wow" factor. There was 2 X Banh Mi, Pho, Tuna Salad, Shrimp Roll, Eggplant Soup, several orders of fries and one Sambal. My Banh Mi had all the right components to make a great sandwich. I loved the pulled pork idea but wish it had had more flavor, instead it was bland. I think I asked for hot sauce at least 3 times not to mention the need for some S & P. The soup was chalk full of beautifully sized eggplant and mushrooms, but was "overly" salted. Everybody else's response was the same. Great menu items, but lacking that something that made you want to order it again. The response to the Sambal was why wasn't there any bread served with it? The drinks on the other hand get 5 stars from me. I had the Horchata. They make it in house and serve it with Kahlua, Patron Citronge and Navan. It's like a smooth, milky, just kinda sweet heaven on the palate. My friend ordered the Rickety Ginny, with Henddricks Gin, Thai Chile, Lemongrass, Ginger, Lime and Soda. It was equally delicious, if not even more refreshing. The drinks run about $8.50 which I thought was completely reasonable considering how good they were and knowing other restaurants in the area charge upwards of $9+ for some of their drink specials. I have to admit, the lunch menu is much smaller than the dinner menu, and many of the items I wanted to try were not available. I would go back again to try the dinner menu and hope that the experience brings this review up to 4 stars. But for right now the let down is keeping it at a 3. Until my follow-up dinner review.....
(3)
Amanda B.

A very posh place to dine. Good for small plates to share with friends. Tuna Tutatki. Beet salad..
(4)
Roxane K.

Went for drinks and appetizers last night. The drink menu was really fun and I tried several of their specialty cocktails. Every drink tasted unique and good. Though the pricing didn't make much sense. I had the Baba ghanoush it was okay but tasted a little bit plain. My friend had the boa and thought it was too doughy.
(4)
Brandon F.

Good food, large variety, cool atmosphere! Food was really good. Mongolian beef was awesome! Good date place!
(4)
Richard G.

Food was delicious, service was great and price was not too bad either. Everything on the menu looked great, I will be back for sure to sample so more delights, hopefully!
(4)
Ani S.

The Biryani is hopeless. If you are vegetarian just get the injera. Sorbets are really good.
(3)
Erin W.

Awesome Tapas & drinks. So many ethnic choices to choose from & good variety of vegetarian choices as well. Nice atmosphere & great location downtown.
(4)
Serena S.

I'm still recovering from the gluttony that happened here this evening! It's funny how tapas makes it LOOK like you're just snacking, until you realized that you just consumed 10 plates. I find it hard to review places that serve any type of fusion food because you don't have something like it to compare it to. It's hard to ask yourself if this is the best papaya salad you've had when you've never had it with BBQ pike before. Buku serves a lot of seafood, which is why I'm so in love with it. I had yet to find a restaurant around RTP that served things like beef tataki or grilled octopus. So when I came here, I had a laundry list of things I wanted to try. And try a lot of things, I did! The yellowtail poke was delicious and totally worth it for $8. The tuna tataki was definitely worth $7.50 for the amount of meat you get, but not the tummy ache my friend and I got after we ate it. So consider yourself warned! I would have been more than happy to give this restaurant 4-stars, but restaurants of this caliber should not be serving any kind of food that gives people tummy aches. The Chilean sea bass was delicious, especially since it was drenched with a tom yum based sauce. The red snapper was tasty, but the amount of sesame oil they put on it was too overwhelming. The jade prawns I ordered were really well cooked and had just the right amount of flavor. Make sure you get some dessert too! Buku's tiramisu with espresso sauce was amazing. This place is great for dates and large parties. If you still want to hang out after dinner, their bar area is a great place to do that. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. Don't let my tuna tataki incident prevent you!
(3)
Scott B.

The best and most interesting food downtown. I have never had a bad meal there. Like to eat at the bar, more lively than the dining room.
(5)
Queenie V.

I went into this place with high hopes, which is never the way to approach a place. However, considering I expected five star everything, this place did very well. We went at 10:30 not realizing that the dining room closed, but after being turned away by the hostess, I tracked down a server who very graciously allowed me to sit in the dining room. I persisted because the bar area was packed, no sitting room, and ridiculously loud. Even from the dining room it was loud. Now, if everything was as good as their coconut gelato, this place would be getting five stars and I'd be having a foodgasm writing this. Seriously, coconut gelato was really superb-- better than superb. But I'm getting ahead of myself. After ten they have a mini bar menu, and we ordered all but one item (the eggplant thing-- not a huge eggplant fan.) The Chinese steamed bbq pork bun ($6) was meh. If anyone has had bao before...it's like the chef was trying to "whitey" it up a bit. The bun part was fantastic, sweet, and airy and chewy at the same time. The inside was meh, and the main chef, according to our server, made the executive decision to take out the hard-boiled egg found in most Bao. So, all you're getting is pork and there's nothing to break up that taste or texture. I believe it came with a pickeled jicama garnish and that was actually really good. Next up we had the Empanadas, listed at $7 for three of bay-braised chicken, avocado leaf, farmers cheese, salsa. This was probably my favorite aside from the gelato, but I felt that there needed to be one or three more empanadas, and the farmers cheese was almost non-existent. Probably what bothered me the most was the Lumpia, because, having been raised in a place with a lot of Filipino people who made crispy, delicate greasy flaky goodness, the lumpia really here bothered me. Forget that it was just two pieces cut in half for $7. I finally figured it out the next morning-- that wasn't lumpia. They were taquitos! As taquitos, they were good, though you could hardly taste the pork from the crispy bits. The sauce was fantastic. I think that plate had the mango side cup, which my date liked though I didn't really moreso because I'm not a fan of mango. Finally, we had the beef tataki under field greens. And not even a variety of field greens but all the same. It brought new meaning to the term "surf and turf." I felt like I had to surf through all the turf to get to the good stuff, which, really was just mediocre. My date really liked it, but then, he's never had tataki anywhere. What really made this all worthwhile (and the only reason I gave this place four stars considering the food was underwhelming) was that: a. the staff was willing to accomodate me, b. the bathrooms were stellar clean and nice, c. the decor was really fun to be in, well lit with just fantastic touches, d. the gelato, of course, and e. our server rocked! As a side note about the gelato, both praise and criticism: 1. I thought the gelato was $5.95 (it isn't, the sampler is. Individual gelato is like $2) and STILL asked for a second one, even though it was just a tiny little golf-ball sized scoop. It was that good. I even licked both mini-plates when there weren't any servers around which endlessly amused my date. 2. The first gelato that came out had little flakes of coconut over the gelato and the plate. The second had none. Asking my server for clarification, he said it was probably prepared by a different cook, which to me indicates either laziness or inconsistency which is not appropriate at a place of this caliber. I am looking forward to going back for lunch or during dinner hours.
(4)
Aaron B.

Best brunch buffet in the tiangle....hands down! Bring an appetite, and leave your worries behind with complimentary valet parking and superior, genuine service.
(5)
Fancy K.

I normally like Buku and the service there is usually awesome. So what happened last time I visited is a bit of a mystery. We were a party of 7, so automatic 18% tip was included. Our waiter was rude to our vegan kids, comparing vegans to people on the other side of the Berlin Wall and noted that real deal vegans have tattoos. We told us there wasn't much available for vegans. He finally asked the kitchen and there were several options. When my son, who is studying to be a brew master ordered an alcohol free beer to see what it tasted like, and then for a second round ordered a darker beer with alcohol, the waiter smirked and said, "you know this beer has alcohol, right?" My older son ordered a scotch and the waiter asked if he was "familiar with that particular scotch". Not that he had anything to say about that scotch, so I don't know what the purpose of the question was. Not sure where this young man learned to wait tables, but I vote he be put in the dish pit until he learns some waiting manners. Food was fine and fun as usual. Thank goodness for that.
(3)
Meagan S.

Last night my boyfriend and I checked out Bu-Ku, and our meal and entire dining experience was fantastic. Great atmosphere, live music, but the highlight was the food for sure. While waiting for our table to be ready we grabbed a seat at the bar and the bartender was immediately attentive. My beau had the kumquat caipirinha which was fantastic. I had a peach bellini that was on special for the night. It was a little too sweet for me. Our waitress was also extremely helpful and upbeat. We went the tapas route instead of ordering main dishes, and she had ideas on everything. We started with the Malay Kulcha paired with Tamarind Chutney. Mmm... caramelized onions and ghee. We followed that with the Viet Cucumber salad which had a lot of great roasted peanut flavor and a little bit of a kick. We then tried the Massaman Curry, Filipino Lumpia, Tuna Tataki and the Korean BBQ. All of them were fantastic, but I have to disagree with another reviewer and say that my very favorite were the Lumpia. The pork was spicy and delicious, and the wrappings were cooked until they were crispy and golden. The tuna tataki was also lovely and I would recommend it highly for anyone who likes rare fish or sashimi. I was also pleased to see that they had a lot of local beers on tap, including a Stout from Boylan Bridge Brewpub. Way to stick together local businesses! I will be coming back for sure - especially to test out the red curry hot-pot, a carryover from Fins, which my boyfriend claims was one of the best things he had ever eaten.
(5)
James B.

This place is amazing... Whether its a beautiful night or a stormy night, the patio with its huge overhang makes it a great place to either enjoy the weather or watch in awe. On the inside, it seems just about every night they have exciting live music. The food? Well the food is just as unique and exciting as the atmosphere. Food from all across the globe allows you to branch out and try new things. This is a great addition to downtown Raleigh and I can't wait to try everything on the menu!
(5)
Stephen S.

this is the 7th week after the transformation from Fins to Buku...listed as "Global Street Food"...the menu is remarkable diverse and includes many different cuisines.. We visited Wed 3/16 at 7:45 pm...the place was fairly full...we had doubts that the chef could accurately represent such diverse areas...we were Wrong!! Ambience was good and interesting Live Sitar music earlier and the most eclectic music played overhead between sets.. We shared everything 3 ways and portion sizes were generous We chose to stick to multiple small plate offerings...there were 30 to chose from and we didn't even get to the main entrees.. Corkage was a very low $10 and stemware was excellent (including decanters) We had '02 Gimonet Paradox Champagne and '88 Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage...both excellent On to the food.. Hot pot, coconut, red curry, straw mushrooms and braised chicken $10...marvelous melange of flavors...not too hot, not too sweet...Excellent..more than enough to be shared 3 ways...would make a great shared lunch dish for 2 Shrimp puffs, cashew sambal, tamarind broth $7...the broth was amazing and Jeff and Dena took some home to use over Mahi the next day....Very Good Malay culcha, caramalized onion, brown ghee $5.5 Excellent Columbian areapas with farmers cheese $5 Good Both paired with Bajak sambal, tamarind and chile sauce and green mango chutney, mustard seed and cilanto... What a great idea to have 8 different sauces that can be ordered a la carte!! Very well prepared and authentic Next onto Shashimi Big Eye tuna, yellow fin and salmon with seaweed salad.$18...Excellent/Outstanding... Some of the freshest and most appealing any of us has had in a long time...worth the trip just for this..very pleasing presentation as well Pierogis puffed in brown butter, pastry, winter squash, beer-braised chicken., $7..Very Good (for others Excellent) Viet Crispy crepes, bean sprout, Thai basil, mushroom, shrimp, $7.5..Excellent/Outstanding...perfectly done...very light and flavorful Thai BBQ pike, green papaya salad, chile, tamarind $10 Excellent...very tender fresh fish excellent balance of flavors..an unexpected pleasure Korean BBQ, shaved prime sirloin, flash grilled, garlic, dark soy, kim chi spinach salad, hot mustard $7...Excellent/Outstanding....tender perfectly cooked beef sliced very thin and great dark soy Cochinita Pibil, tender pulled soft corn tortilla, pickled red onion, habenera salsa $8 Excellent...just beautiful Curiously, the dessert menu is exactly the same as it was when this was Fins...we had no "room" and skipped this but the offerings of fresh sorbets was tempting What an experience...a culinary trip around the world in one setting...dish after dish skillfully and authentically prepared with nice presentations and generous portions... One could (and we will) revisit several times with no "repeats"...I would not hesitate to try anything on the menu...this chef is a genius! Total bill for 3 of us, $125!!!
(5)
Monica J.

Oh my oh my my my! If you love yourself you must have BRUNCH here. I dined here earlier today with a few girlfriends and I have zero complaints. Our waitress was attentive. Endless possibilities for meat eaters and vegetarians. I could eat their Carmel Pecan Waffle everyday. Bonus complimentary valet which came in handy on such a rainy day!
(5)
Rachel B.

The BEST brunch buffet. I was so full afterwards! I wanted to try everything, and I enjoyed exploring all the different cuisines. I have also been there for dinner, which is quite good as well. But for $19.95, all you can eat brunch with global flavors, can't be beat! I especially loved the conchinita arepa and the viet cucumber salad, and of course fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits and grits for breakfast (southern foods too).
(4)
Michael B.

I took a friend here for his birthday brunch, not knowing anything about this place. The buffet was superb and eclectic - the waffle station had six different types of syrup (apples, blueberries, strawberries, salted caramel, Nutella, and something else I can't remember) and nots and chocolate chips, and yes, it was scrumptious. Of course, plenty of fruit, eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, pastries, and such were there as well...along with chicken dumplings with hoisin sauce, truffled kale, and grits. Basically a giant smorgasbord of breakfast foods, and all were delicious. (Also was an omelet station but I was full by the time I got around to it.) I'd love to try the "street food" that they normally serve if it's as good as the brunch was.
(5)
Lakeshia ..

Great street food and service. The Empanadas were so tasty! The outdoor seating is wonderful at night; great for a girls night out. Oh and the drinks! I don't drink alcohol but they were happy to bring me virgin versions of everything my friends ordered.
(4)
Amanda F.

This place is so yummy, creative, diverse, surprising and a delight to your tastebuds. I originally was searching for a good sushi restaurant but once we perused the menu, realized it was much more than that! Our cocktails were interesting but delightfully tasty. My second drink was the Mumbai one which had such a different taste than you would expect in a cocktail but after a few sips I realized how delicious it was. Our edamame had this addicting spicy sauce that we ordered on the side that gave it just enough fabulous pizzazz. The naan bread. Yum. Need I say more. My husband's dish was the samosa pot pie. Holy cow was it incredible! Delicious Indian spices mixed with a small amount of sweetness from the apples. His words "that was man's food right there". I got the spicy tuna sushi roll. Delicious flavors melted in my mouth with each bite. We don't usually order dessert when we go out but we couldn't pass up on the halo halo! So scrumptious and different for a dessert! Hands down recommend this place!
(5)
Jennifer S.

This was my second time coming here, the first time only sitting outside... I loved the ambiance and vibe here and will definitely be returning when I come back to Raleigh. I recommend the crab flautas, they were fantastic!
(4)
OMARA G.

Looking for a late night spot to eat on a Tuesday night and found this place! (Thanks YELP) Staff was friendly and when I asked my server for recommendations she suggested the chicken empanadas. They were a perfect late night snack! Crispy flaky goodness! Left me wanting more. I'd love to return when I'm in Raleigh for business or any other time for that matter to try more items from the menu. I'd like also to point out that the seating design made for a comfortable experience while dining alone that evening. Quite cozy!
(4)
C M.

Service and waitstaff were attentive and friendly. I enjoyed being at Buku. The food...not so much. I ate lunch here with my wife. We started with appetizers, which were tasty chicken empanadas. The main course was lamb kabobs and curry vegetables. I won't say either tasted bad. But the flavor was either not there or misplaced (mango with the lamb just didn't fit.) Plus the cost was high, even for lunch.
(2)
Larry G.

A tale of two different restaurants. At $20, the Sunday brunch buffet is a little on the expensive side relative to other brunch options but is a bargain when you consider the quality and quantity of food you are getting. Freshly prepared omelets, carving stations, waffles, boss mac n cheese, cookies, dumplings, deviled eggs and bacon are just some of the finer delicacies offered. All top-shelf, brunch is an easy 5 star rating. In related news, when I was walking around Raleigh last week with the wife we heard a frat boy tell this relatively attractive group of girls that they had to check out Buku brunch. My wife gave me a snarky look and said, "He knows his stuff, I'd date him!" Outside of brunch, Buku is a good restaurant but it doesn't have a signature dish that stands out. I've eaten dinner at Buku 2X in the past 3 weeks and can say that everything is good but not great, the only craving I would have to come back for dinner is to try something new on the menu because it is so vast, not to revisit an old classic. I also love the concept of classed up street food, but overall it is overpriced and there are a lot of other places in the area I'd rather dine with the kind of money you are going to spend here. For example, chicken pad thai costs $22 but at an above average Thai restaurant in Raleigh it averages around $10-$15. Another example for the small plates is pork dumplings, where 6 will set you back $12 compared to the same order at David' Dumplings (a higher priced Chinese/noodle restaurant) for only $6. In both cases, the cheaper pad thai and dumplings are tastier. I could go on and on about this with other dishes at Buku, but you get the point; upcharging by almost 100% compared to other restaurants in the area isn't my scene. Dinner is good, but stick to Sunday brunch for maximum Buku satisfaction.
(4)
Connie L.

Stopped by just for dessert but ended up ordering a couple small plates because they looked so good! Got the arepas and Aloo Chana Chaat. Both were really good and flavorful! Loved the soft corn pastry with the arepa and the pork was tender.. Topped with a good amount of guacamole and pickled red onions The aloo chana chaat was also super flavorful full of spices! Reallllly good! The dessert was disappointing though:( was excited for the halo halo but it was way too sweet! The ube ice cream was really good though! I could eat that by itself! But the coconut pudding plus all the toppings were a little too sweet for me. This place makes me love Asian fusion!
(4)
Ranjay J.

My partner and I tried this restaurant some weeks back. It was all in all a relatively average experience (don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad). The ambience in the restaurant is amazing. The service is really impeccable. For tapas, we tried the Jamaican lamb patties which were quite tasty. The seared pork dumplings were really good. We also had a sushi roll which was very fresh, tasty, and wonderfully presented. For an entree, the Buku hot-pot was nothing spectacular. It was Thai red curry that was wayyyy too sweet in my opinion. However, we really liked the Filipino duck adobo-- try this if you're feeling adventurous. The duck was crispy and the rice was really flavourful. On the whole though, we probably will not be going back, unless it is a really fancy occasion. If they lower their prices by about 20%, I'd consider going back--the food is just a bit too pricey.
(3)
Jennifer W.

Second time here and the food is delicious! The Ramen is my favorite as the broth is very good!!! Definitely will come more often!!! You also need to try the Tiramisu there, it is very special!!!
(5)
Cat L.

My husband and I visited Buku this week to participate in Triangle Restaurant week. The location is easy to find in downtown & the outdoor seating is really welcoming, but unfortunately it's too cold to enjoy outdoor seating. The inside decor is beautiful & modern. There's lots of seating either in the dining room or in the bar section. We were seated promptly since the location was fairly empty, but we also did have a reservation. We had a huge semicircle plush booth to ourselves which was comforting and convenient. We ordered a few dishes of tapas. We had heard from friends about the South African kabobs but it looks like it's been removed from the menu. We did order Arepas, baja crab flautas, and an Indian aloo chan chaat. For the entrÃ©e, we ordered Moroccan chicken from the restaurant week menu, we also tried the Filipino duck and the NY strip. The Moroccan chicken was very flavorful and satisfying. The duck was new and is definitely an acquired taste, but the egg and the rice served with it was both beautiful & unique. The rice had a creamy maybe coconut milk flavor to it. The steak was really fatty for me. I had probably 3 bites of meat total. I didn't eat any of the Brussel sprouts but the potatoes were great! We didn't indulge in dessert this time but maybe next time. Lauren our server was great and very informed.
(4)
Ivan C.

So im in Raleigh, North Carolina, walking through this gloriously busy town ( im being horrifically sarcastic, i thought i was on the set of the walking dead) and looked up what were some of the best restaurants Raleigh had to offer, and Buku showed up. The restaurant is nice and well decorated, pretty swanky if you ask me. Went and sat at the bar ( i was out there on business and on my lonesome...yes, sad indeed). I started out with the Pork Dumpling...seard just right, not complaints, as they should have been. I also had their rainbow roll....this is where it gets interesting. The shrimp almost tasted ( and looked) like it was grilled cajun style. It didnt taste bad... but it didn't taste right. Again, i reiterate, it wasnt bad at all, but probably won't be getting it next time. The empanadas were delicious, i love anything will a chipotle mix and this doesn't dissapoing, it also had a lime cream that was to die for. Im looking forward to trying them out for dinner when i go back! Good stuff, check it out and let me know what you think!
(4)
Nick K.

Complimentary valet is a nice touch and the ambience is good. Four of us went and loved every item. A little pricey for the amount of food but it was still a good experience. Waiter was really good and the co-owner was nice too. Bigger portions would have given it 5 stars
(4)
Chip W.

Cuisine from around the world. Excellent on every point! Starting with small plates, having an entre, and ending with a superb dessert. The service was great with the fast, knowledgable and pleasant wait staff. This was one of the best restaurants I've been to in years.
(5)
Courtney N.

It is probably a sin how much I like this one dessert they have. How I'll restaurant hop just to end up here, outside on a nice night with a cup of coffee, and (drum roll please) The Trilogy. This dessert has fueled my obsession with creme brulee. I love cheesecake but creme brulee is starting to take over because of Buku. Nothing I have had here is bad so don't shy away by any means from the regular menu but please know I will be offended if the creme brulee is not on your table (as long as there is one for me). The coffee is fresh local Larry's Beans as well! For me they are the perfect little hold-in-your-hand non-handle having cups. The chocolate has a fresh raspberry on top, the ginger has fresh blueberries top, and the vanilla has a perfect fresh blackberry on top. The fresh strawberries on the plate on placed on this amazing raspberry sauce that should not go over-looked either. Oh man, I go here by myself, sit outside and enjoy the view, and just indulge. It's worth it and brings a smile to my face. Go check out Buku and find what speaks to you!
(5)
Jacqueline J.

Extremely small portions with a hefty price. I don't plan on coming back because I've always left feeling underwhelmed about my experience. I'm not sure why it has an overall rating of 4.5 stars? My guess is because its a super trendy spot, with good cocktails.
(3)
Beverly F.

My hubby and I were wandering around for some late night eats and ended up here after remembering that a friend had posted about this place on FB. We arrived 30 mins before closing and were graciously seated. Chad or Chet (?)waited on us. Our food came out almost promptly and was hot and deelish. This was our first foray into WORLD FOOD...and we will be back.
(5)
Magnus H.

The food is flat out amazing here. Very nice upscale dining area, great outdoor seating during the warmer months. They have a good selection of small plates, too, if you want to have a great meal but you're being careful about portion sizes. My only real beef with the place is that the servers can be rather spotty, even snubbish. With more consistently friendly high-quality service, this place would be five stars.
(4)
Kristi F.

Went here for Sunday brunch and luckily had a groupon for 50% off. The food was ok to good, though the fruit selection was lackluster and the spring rolls were either over fried or fried in old oil as they were very dark. The tables on either side of ours complained of terrible service but we were pleased with our waiter. Not sure we will return as it is very pricey for the variety of foods available, not sure that dumplings and some curried veggies really count as "global street food".
(2)
Leigh A.

Nothing has ever really wowed me here. Their social media presents some beautifully plated dishes and I've tried it out on three separate occasions, but never found anything I'd recommend. It's all just been mediocre. I've heard that they have AMAZING brunch, though.
(3)
Trupti T.

Nothing to do about street food. The attempt to make street food fancy is a total fail. When you say street food I expect something full of flavor; not something that looks fancy and has no flavor. I will not go to this place again.
(1)

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Address : 110 E Davie St
Raleigh, NC, 27601
Phone (919) 834-6963
Website https://bukuraleigh.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Buku

110 E Davie St, Raleigh, NC, 27601

Buku Menu

Chilled Refreshments Salads

Hot Pots, Soups, Fragrant Broths

Raw Almost Raw

Small Plates

Large Plates

World Breads

Desserts - Individual Desserts

Desserts - Larry's Beans

Desserts - Tazo Tea

Healthy Meal suggestions for Buku

Chilled Refreshments Salads

Hot Pots, Soups, Fragrant Broths

Raw Almost Raw

Small Plates

Large Plates

World Breads

Desserts - Individual Desserts

Desserts - Larry's Beans

Desserts - Tazo Tea

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