Delicious food! Excellent cocktails. And fantastic service. A bit pricey, but we will come again! Quite amazing!
Maria Katarina
Amazing, underrated spot and easily my new go-to for pre-theater dining (walkable to civic center performance venues). The food was some of the tastiest and most unique + memorable I've had in the last year at least! My recs: golden toast + clams (you MUST add on the octopus and abalone).
Christopher
The Buoy was intriguing. As soon as you walk in, the space is very welcoming with a warm ambiance. The service was great throughout the night and the drinks were unique, yet excellent. The menu was limited and the food has opportunity to improve. But, the soup was delicious and the restaurant overall was great.
Esther
Buoy is the place to be if you're looking for an elevated yet homey Korean cuisine! Every dish was thoughtful and creative, with all the ingredients shining in their own ways and traditional flavors paired in ways I had never imagined. The portions were extremely generous, and everything was perfect for sharing. We started off our meal with the Yuzu Carpaccio. The raw fish was fresh, marinated in yuzu dressing. We also ordered the Chili Jjamppong Sundubu, which had an enjoyable spice level with silken tofu, vegetables, and plenty of brisket. For our mains, we really enjoyed the Charcoal Grilled Galbijjim Steak, which came with a fun twist on chimichurri sauce and potatoes. The Minari Bossam was another unique standout, with thin pork belly slices and fresh minari, as well as ssamjang and housemade kimchi on the side. The cocktails were also very refreshing to enjoy with the dishes! Finally, the service was so attentive from the moment we walked in. The ambiance was very warm, and the servers took careful time to explain each dish and how best to enjoy it. Buoy's team, especially Celeste (!!!), really elevated our dinner experience and made me want to come back without a doubt!
Jin
I used to really love this place but the girl at the register(morning shift, tall with curly hair) has been consistently rude.
I came in yesterday morning not realizing they now open at 11. she gave me a look and snapped that they weren’t open yet.
I came back today. It was loud so I didn’t hear her(the same girl) call my name right away and when I picked up my order she gave me the same look and said she’d called my name “so many times”. Jesus it’s been about 30 secs!!
This is not the end. I ordered their signature salt bread to go. It took 15 min to toast and came out completely burnt, just brown all over.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Peter
Fantastic bar and lounge. The drinks are unique, the dishes are creative and delicious, and the service is top notch.
Jeee Kim
This is a really cozy, luxury cafe. Black sesame is my favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jacob Ahana-Laba
I was called a slur by the korean owner (I heard them whispering about me), staff is treated poorly especially those that aren’t korean.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Russ
First time having Korean cuisine. Was very good. Ate in lounge seating. Very comfortable but I prefer tables. Mocktails were great.
Lovely modern Korean restaurant. Inventive dishes without straying too far. Attentive service, nice ambiance, solid value.
Rebecca Tu
Tried the salt breads, matcha, coconut latte, and octopus rice dish. Very good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emma Peng
Best for pastry and coffee dates
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelle
The service is beyond top notch. I wish all restaurant servers were as personable and professional as Buoy. They really helped guide our order for 5 people. We had the seasonal burrata salad, which was just okay. The honey butter baby potatoes were out of this world. The golden toast was definitely a star and I personally could have eaten six of them! The soy glazed fish collar was a special and special it was. Super yummy. The chili jjamppong sundubu was spicy for my delicate palate, but still outstanding. The silken tofu really stood out. The buoy ssambap was a real delight and simply amazing. I'm soooooo glad our server recommended this dish. The charcoal grilled balbijjim steak was good, but I eat a lot of steak and prefer a more simple preparation. That said, if you like it glazed, you will love their version. The absolute best dish was the minari bossam. What a revelation of a dish. We had been and wine so, I can't really comment on the cocktails, but one in our party really liked a mocktail, sorry, but I can't remember which one. The beer and wine selection are not even remotely extensive, which makes it super easy to choose and both choices went great with the food. One minor point of contention - they charged 20% dining fee and I have no idea if the money goes to the staff or into the pocket of the owners. Personally, I despise these type of junk fees. To me, pay your staff a living wage. I do not mind paying higher prices for excellent food prepared and served by people who are not forced into poverty wages. BUT if you are going to charge 20%, say it up front and say why you are charging it. While allowed by law, it is not mandatory so, if it's your choice, tell us why. This way we know without a doubt if we still need to pay another 20% for gratuity. The burden on us as diners is obnoxious. I did write to the restaurant to get clarity. UPDATE: I head back, they keep the 20% so, you have to leave 40% extra if you want the staff to have gratuity.
Ashley
Great spot! The portions were perfect for family style with 5 people. I even brought some home because we were so stuffed. I plan to revisit soon with my man on date night.
Delicious food! Excellent cocktails. And fantastic service. A bit pricey, but we will come again! Quite amazing!
Amazing, underrated spot and easily my new go-to for pre-theater dining (walkable to civic center performance venues). The food was some of the tastiest and most unique + memorable I've had in the last year at least! My recs: golden toast + clams (you MUST add on the octopus and abalone).
The Buoy was intriguing. As soon as you walk in, the space is very welcoming with a warm ambiance. The service was great throughout the night and the drinks were unique, yet excellent. The menu was limited and the food has opportunity to improve. But, the soup was delicious and the restaurant overall was great.
Buoy is the place to be if you're looking for an elevated yet homey Korean cuisine! Every dish was thoughtful and creative, with all the ingredients shining in their own ways and traditional flavors paired in ways I had never imagined. The portions were extremely generous, and everything was perfect for sharing. We started off our meal with the Yuzu Carpaccio. The raw fish was fresh, marinated in yuzu dressing. We also ordered the Chili Jjamppong Sundubu, which had an enjoyable spice level with silken tofu, vegetables, and plenty of brisket. For our mains, we really enjoyed the Charcoal Grilled Galbijjim Steak, which came with a fun twist on chimichurri sauce and potatoes. The Minari Bossam was another unique standout, with thin pork belly slices and fresh minari, as well as ssamjang and housemade kimchi on the side. The cocktails were also very refreshing to enjoy with the dishes! Finally, the service was so attentive from the moment we walked in. The ambiance was very warm, and the servers took careful time to explain each dish and how best to enjoy it. Buoy's team, especially Celeste (!!!), really elevated our dinner experience and made me want to come back without a doubt!
I used to really love this place but the girl at the register(morning shift, tall with curly hair) has been consistently rude.
I came in yesterday morning not realizing they now open at 11. she gave me a look and snapped that they weren’t open yet.
I came back today. It was loud so I didn’t hear her(the same girl) call my name right away and when I picked up my order she gave me the same look and said she’d called my name “so many times”. Jesus it’s been about 30 secs!!
This is not the end. I ordered their signature salt bread to go. It took 15 min to toast and came out completely burnt, just brown all over.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Fantastic bar and lounge. The drinks are unique, the dishes are creative and delicious, and the service is top notch.
This is a really cozy, luxury cafe. Black sesame is my favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was called a slur by the korean owner (I heard them whispering about me), staff is treated poorly especially those that aren’t korean.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
First time having Korean cuisine. Was very good. Ate in lounge seating. Very comfortable but I prefer tables. Mocktails were great.
Beautify place. Awful WiFi. I hate WiFi here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Lovely modern Korean restaurant. Inventive dishes without straying too far. Attentive service, nice ambiance, solid value.
Tried the salt breads, matcha, coconut latte, and octopus rice dish. Very good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best for pastry and coffee dates
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The service is beyond top notch. I wish all restaurant servers were as personable and professional as Buoy. They really helped guide our order for 5 people. We had the seasonal burrata salad, which was just okay. The honey butter baby potatoes were out of this world. The golden toast was definitely a star and I personally could have eaten six of them! The soy glazed fish collar was a special and special it was. Super yummy. The chili jjamppong sundubu was spicy for my delicate palate, but still outstanding. The silken tofu really stood out. The buoy ssambap was a real delight and simply amazing. I'm soooooo glad our server recommended this dish. The charcoal grilled balbijjim steak was good, but I eat a lot of steak and prefer a more simple preparation. That said, if you like it glazed, you will love their version. The absolute best dish was the minari bossam. What a revelation of a dish. We had been and wine so, I can't really comment on the cocktails, but one in our party really liked a mocktail, sorry, but I can't remember which one. The beer and wine selection are not even remotely extensive, which makes it super easy to choose and both choices went great with the food. One minor point of contention - they charged 20% dining fee and I have no idea if the money goes to the staff or into the pocket of the owners. Personally, I despise these type of junk fees. To me, pay your staff a living wage. I do not mind paying higher prices for excellent food prepared and served by people who are not forced into poverty wages. BUT if you are going to charge 20%, say it up front and say why you are charging it. While allowed by law, it is not mandatory so, if it's your choice, tell us why. This way we know without a doubt if we still need to pay another 20% for gratuity. The burden on us as diners is obnoxious. I did write to the restaurant to get clarity. UPDATE: I head back, they keep the 20% so, you have to leave 40% extra if you want the staff to have gratuity.
Great spot! The portions were perfect for family style with 5 people. I even brought some home because we were so stuffed. I plan to revisit soon with my man on date night.
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