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I don't really go to Pentagon Row but I'd say the food selection is interesting here. So I'm here with a group of friends and we see Bun'd up close by. We were surprised that it's actually two places in one; the front is for Bun'd Up and the other is for Noonchi which is another Korean Street Food/Bar area. I was so intrigued by both places that I decided to check out both places. This review is just purely for what I got from Bun'd Up. Walking in, there's merch and instant noodles and many open seats that are really colorful. I went here on a Tuesday night so I guess it was just really slow that night. There's a kiosk where you can order your food and after deciding on what I want, I decided to get the pick 2 bun option. I think it's like 2 for 10 bucks which wasn't bad but kind of pricy. I mean I'm in Arlington so everything will add up at some point... I picked the Braised Pork Belly Bun and the Spicy Fried Chicken Bun. The Braised Pork Belly Bun had pineapple kimchi, scallions, and cilantro lime mayo. Very interesting taste as I didn't really taste the kimchi at all but everything else did come to my taste buds. It was still good none less. The Spicy Fried Chicken Bun was good too. Gochujang glazed fried chicken with coleslaw and scallions makes for a very simple yet effective bun and I can't really complain. Both were delicious and it did keep me from getting hungry so it did it's job. Would I come back here? Maybe but I think Noonchi was the better pick out of the two. Either way with how you have to walk into Bun'd Up to get to Noonchi I actually have no choice. Check it out if you like a spin on Bao Buns!
Bun'd Up is in a cute little area with an open grassy area and lots of other restaurants. It was empty when we walked around 1:30pm on a Friday. No one really gave us direction on where/how to order despite seeing us walk in but I noticed a QR code on the table saying you could order. We sat in the patio so we could talk easier (the music was a tad loud inside). I had the 2 buns & fries special and a side of the Brussels sprouts. I wish I could have swapped the fries for the Brussel sprouts. The Brussels were good, but they have a ton so maybe split with someone. The buns were good too. I will say, this was very filling. I wasn't even hungry for dinner.
This is a cute little spot located in a trendy food court. There is garage parking available within a reasonable walking distance and there are a few metered spots as well. The restaurant has a decent sized dining area with a bunch of tables and a very nice outdoor patio with seating as well. I saw a large area that looks like it could be used for banquets or private events located in the back of the restaurant. You will find a television in the restaurant that was playing some weird cartoon while I was there, and they also have neo-soul music playing throughout. The restaurant serves food that comes in gao bao buns. They also make them in the burger variety. They are kind of like tapas in a gao bao bun. It is very unique, and I am here for it. They also sell ice cream, some adult beverages, and have drinks in a cooler there. They guy working the counter was friendly enough, but I will admit, I only had limited interaction with him. Be sure to check out their daily specials. I ordered a spicy fried chicken and a spicy pork belly bun. It took about 7 minutes for them to prepare, and they were fresh, hot and delicious. I did not think that they would fill me up, but they did. They were very flavorful and tasty. I really enjoyed my meal here. I was not here very long, in and out. I highly recommend checking this place out. It seems like a neat place and has a unique/exotic menu full of very tasty items. I hope to make it back here soon.
Location is convenient and around a bunch of other options. We went for lunch and they had their doors open for the summer day. It was a little odd that there was no one out front. But we ordered at the kiosk and our food came out. We got one of their lunch specials: 2 buns, French fries and a drink, and another 2 buns. Miso chicken, sweet soy fried chicken, pork belly, and tofu. Buns were soft and they were filled generously with some veggies. I think I could've used less of the sauce, since it made it a little messy and could've made it soggy if we didn't eat it right away. Our favorite was the sweet soy fried chicken. Tofu was second, since it was lightly friend. Their fries were also good, crispy and freshly fried. There were a lot of bigger tables to eat at. And inside was interesting, they sell other items and snacks on the side as well.
Overall, food was great but had an odd experience, likely due to how early I arrived. Read summary below: Came here on Friday around 11:15am and had an okay experience. Firstly, the restaurant opens at 11am, so I know I was a bit early. It was a very rainy morning and I was running some errands so I wanted to stop here and dine-in for an early lunch. Upon walking in it appeared there was somebody in the back kitchen but no other staff monitoring the front dining area. I went straight to the order counter and begin putting in my order into their kiosk, however, the screen kept freezing then would start at the beginning. I messed around on it for about 10 mins before somebody came out to help but I just ended up using a QR code once I realized they were on the countertops facing the side of the restaurant. As I was doing all of this to order, I realized how hot it was inside, almost as if the AC broke. It also looked as if they were doing renovations of some sort so right away I kind of figured I wouldn't be dining in. Got my order through and waited about 15 minutes. As I was waiting and starting to sweat I was getting attacked by a few mosquitos on my legs. I moved a few times then decided to just wait outside in the sprinkling rain so I could get fresh air and not get a bunch of bites. I felt the wait time was fine but there was just straight silence in the main dining room (no music, no TV sounds) so it felt pretty long and awkward. Once I got my food, I left. Ate when I got back home and was pretty satisfied. Wish I actually ordered more since they had a lot of great options. I'll likely come here again so hopefully I can dine-in in the future.
Specializes in Gua Bao. Each one is $5, unless you order three, and you get $1 discount. I tried out their Bulgogi, Spicy Fried Chicken, and Fried Shrimp. They can be slightly messy as they're like a taco with sauce and other toppings on each one. I particularly liked the Bulgogi and Fried Shrimp the best. Pretty good spot to grab a quick snack.
DO NOT EAT HERE! I just got to DC and was looking for something quick to eat to hold me over until my dinner tonight. Wrong decision! I ordered the 3 bun special off of DoorDash. One mushroom, one beef bulgogi, and one fried chicken. The buns were old and dry, the chicken was old and hard as a rock and the mushroom bun had the most DISGUSTINGGGGG clump of hair in my bun. It was long that I thought it was a rat tail. I'm quite literally gaggin right now. I've never experienced anything like this before. This place is filthy and disgusting.
Cute place in Pentagon Row. I think this used to be a Spanish or Italian restaurant before the pandemic. I came on a Monday evening where I was the only dine-in customer although I did see several pickup orders. Ordering is at the counter. Had the vegan dumplings and a mushroom bao. The food was not exceptional based on similar dishes at other restaurants. They have free play video games which is a plus.
In the area? Check this place out! Great deal and tasty Asian food! 3 baos for $13! What a steal for the DMV area. I came here for dinner, before I went to the speakeasy, Sparrow Room, in the Pentagon Row area. I had ordered the pork belly, friend shrimp, and beef bulgolgi. Loved how flavorful the porky belly and beef bulgolgi baos were. I would probably switch the fried shrimp to a different bao. It had a crunch and did taste like shrimp; however, it was uneventful.
I love this place and the flavor of the buns. They're fun and delicious and I think it's worth a try if you're in the area. Just be prepared to need more food later because it won't fill you up. The down side: the chairs aren't friendly to anyone who has hips or isn't super skinny. But they sure are a cute aesthetic. $13 for three bao buns isn't bad, but they don't fill you up and I'd hope $13 dollars would go a little bit farther than as an appetizer. What we got: Soy fried chicken - 5* fat-freaking-tastic Spicy fried chicken - 4* nice flavor, the chicken was a bit tough Mushroom - 4* I do not like mushrooms so this rating/review comes from my partner. It was really yummy but mostly just mushroom. Pork belly - 3* nothing spectacular Bulgogi - 4.5* it's got a little kick to it and boy is it tasty!
Bun'd Up is located in Pentagon city right next to Mimi's ice cream. No reservations needed. It's a pretty casual spot that gives off takeout vibes but there are plenty of seats inside. You order on toastab and they bring out the food. Utensils and water cups are in the back of the restaurant. We got the cucumber salad, bulgogi bowl, bao bun, and loaded tots (additional add on you want meat on top). They also have a happy hour menu with discounts on some shared bites. The food was good but the bulgogi was not as flavorful or spicy as I had hoped. I'd recommend it for a casual hang out (and you can get dessert afterwards right next door!)
This spot was on the list and we were in the area so stopped in. Takeout was the only option as they are renovating. My last visit to Pentagon Row was in the summer-a great atmosphere given the shops, restaurants and the outdoor square/grassy area. A different feel as It was a cold January day & the Ice Skaters were out enjoying the rink. Wasn't planning on ordering an appetizer but the Loaded Tater Tots sounded too good and they didn't disappoint. Pork Belly, Scallions and the Crab Rangoon Dip was a revelation. Excellent! Got the "Choose 3 Buns"-unfortunately they were out of fried chicken (spicy, sweet soy) so we got Bulgogi, Shrimp & Pork Belly. All three were tasty with Bulgogi and Pork belly as the favorites. Prices are also reasonable. Service was friendly and order was ready when promised. Would've been good for them to post (on their site) they are renovating this location. Will be back to try the chicken and see the results of the Reno. Don't miss the Loaded Tots!
6 years ago
I ordered takeout from here last night. The signage to see where the takeout orders were was a little confusing, it's in a corner of the restaurant, not by the door. I got the 3 for $13 bao buns and the tater tots with miso ranch. The tater tots were good, but they didn't taste any different than normal tater tots. The ranch had a slight miso taste, but there wasn't much per serving. However, for 4 dollars, you get quite a bit of tater tots, so I appreciated that. I got the two fried chicken buns and the pork belly bun. They were all good, but the sweet fried chicken bun really stood out. In the future I would forgo the pork belly bun for more of the sweet fried chicken buns. read more
4 years ago
Great option for a cheaper eat. They've got a large assortment of open faced buns including specialty versions like soft shell crab. Loved the optionality to pick and choose. You can also get any flavor in a rice bowl option. My partner and I opted for the 3 buns for $13 deal and tried the bulgogi, spicy fried chicken, miso chicken, sweet soy fried chicken, and the mushroom. We also got the fish sauce sprouts (Brussel sprouts) which was DELICIOUS. Sounds weird but it really works. read more
7 years ago
Initial Impression: the buns are so much smaller than expected. About the size of a palm. I got the fried shrimp(+$0.50) and pork belly buns for around $10. They were both delicious! The shrimp was crunchy on the outside and the shrimp sizes were substantial so you can get a nice full bite. The fried onions sprinkled on top also added a lot of texture which elevated the taste. The shrimp aftertaste is light. won't feel heavy after eating. The pork belly was amazing and I liked it more than the shrimp just based off personal preference. But the bun for the pork belly got quite soggy so it was hard to hold and eat. Final Verdict: I really liked it and I highly recommend! If you're hungry definitely get 3 buns because they're small. read more
3 years ago
Holy smokes! This place. I wanted a small and quick bite before heading over the Mount Vernon and I'm so glad we ended up at this place. The bulgogi and fried chicken baos were freaking amazing. It's been almost a month and I'm still thinking about it! read more
4 years ago
So good!!!! Was on a roadtrip to pick up a couch and this was a great place to stop. Didn't realize it was a bar too(?) which is sick. The bao buns were excellent and I wanted to eat a million of them thanks read more
Food was very delicious, and the restaurant it's self was nice and clean. The restrooms were stocked and clean, and the employees were friendly. The food was fresh and cooked to order. Would definitely go back there again. Portions are big and we had left overs left. Drinks are only bottled or cans. read more
5 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
The food here was pretty decent. If I'm ever in the area then I would definitely stop by again. It's a real small place in a shopping center that is still being built. The food came out nice and hot, The bulgogi was seasoned very well, but it was a little chewy. I would definitely come back and get the tots!! read more
4.5 stars. This Pentagon Row shop (first on the right if you're coming from the mall/parking garage) is clearly still working out the kinks, but it has a lot going for it. The shop specialized in hand buns and rice bowls. I opted for the three bun sampler with Korean beef, mushroom, and spicy fried chicken buns. The Korean beef was flavorful and i appreciated the contrast of the crispy pickles. The mushroom was a little bland - it mostly tasted like, well, mushrooms, and had only one texture. The spicy fried chicken was my favorite. The chicken was genuinely crispy and the sauce was complex and spicy. There's plenty of seating available in the large space. We waited a bit longer for our food than I expect for a place where you order at the counter, but it was all really tasty, so I'd definitely come back if I was in the area. read more
4 years ago
This place is sooo good. They have 3 for $13 bao buns, and PLEASE get the loaded tater tots. This place is so good I got a punch card that's how much I plan to come back. I also heard they have a speakeasy in the back, but I haven't been. read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
This place was amazing! I got the bulgogi, pork belly, and shrimp bao buns. The shrimp was my favorite, but they were all delicious. I also got the tatertots with rangoon dip and pork belly - So good. I will definitely be returning and trying more things from their menu! read more
Visit this place if your in DC! The Buns were delicious and the fried chicken was excellent! The cucumber salad was also great. The food arrived hot and I was full just eating half of the meal! I definitely will order from this place when I visit Washington again. read more
4 years ago
The food here is so good!! They make it FRESH so each bite is a taste explosion. I make sure I come here any time I'm in the area and have time. There's also a speakeasy bar in the back with a different menu I've heard but the food in the front is so good I honestly haven't been able to try the speakeasy yet lol. read more
5 years ago
I like this place slot. It is in walking distance from me and I enjoyed the outside dining. Hands down the fried chicken bao buns are the best. Brussels sprouts are ok too. I didn't care much for the crab Rangoon dip. read more
4 years ago
Wow, anything you order here is amazing! The staff were super friendly and helpful. If you are in the area, I would check it out. read more
I love bund up! The main reason I chose to shop at this outlet mall. There buns are DELICIOUS, with such a fluffy bao. Just imagine a taco, but the shell is a bread, soft inside and out. You're able to choose filling: bulgogi (marinated meat), crispy pork or crunchy fried chicken. I also got the chili oil brussel sprouts which were LARGE. They tasted so good, with many different flavors read more
Stopped here for a quick bite to eat after a conference. I've been to the Sparrow Room, so I knew I'd like the food here since I enjoyed that the last time. The chicken nuggets were fantastic. I loved the sauce that came with it. Not too spicy and had a good kick. I went with three buns for my main meal. I did a bulgogi, shrimp, and chicken. The bulgogi ended up being my least favorite of the three. It was salty and didn't taste fresh, but it wasn't terrible. The buns were cooked perfectly and the toppings on each bun were delicious as well. Everything paired well with the meat. We also ordered a pork bao bun and it was delicious. We had to order a new one because someone was playing ping pong behind us and the ball flew from the table into our food dish that the bun was in. The staff was super nice and understanding about replacing it, but maybe move the tables so they're not near the ping pong game? Haha. I love the interior design of this place. The neon signs and wall lined with soju and other snacks give it the perfect aesthetic. It's quiet in here, and the service is top notch. You can't go wrong by visiting this place. I've never had a bad meal here and look forward to returning to this little spot the next time I'm on this side of town. read more
6 years ago
Another update to my original review because the food is so delicious. Try this place. It is excellent! Must try bulgogi, spicy chicken, and pork belly buns. read more
4 years ago
Delicious! Had the pork belly Bao bun, Brussels and a beer - tasty lil lunch. My sister had the 3 Bun Deal trio and was happy! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
6 years ago
Service was fantastic and food tasted amazing! The fish sauce Brussels were absolutely delicious! We were all highly impressed. Definitely check this place out! read more
5 years ago
Thank God there is only 5 choices of Bao to choose from because all of them are amazing. We came here for a mid morning snack the last time we came into DC and I've been thinking about them ever since. The restaurant is kinda dark but very open to the outdoors. With covid it isn't the most inviting atmosphere but we aren't eating in anyways so it doesn't matter so much. There were a couple benches right outside with umbrellas so if you want to eat there, you have that option. We ordered all the choices but one of their bao menu and everything was amazing! I don't know if the short rib or the chicken was my favorite...they were equally matched. My favorite part was the fact that they make their steamed buns in house (I just find that to be more than impressive). The tots, I thought was a special made with rice but it wasn't so I was a tad bid disappointed but over all, I would definitely come back here in heart beat. read more
4 years ago
Delicious Baos!! I tried more than what I am posting but all of them are delicious! This is my third time visiting this place! Place is very nice to just hangout and service is great! Clean place and easy to order! Their bundles are great!! I tried about five to Six of the baos now and when I go always ordering mushroom after first time. I don't know what it is it's just SO good!! Their tater tots are so crispy!! You have to try their Brussels sprouts!! I normally don't like that veggie but the way they cook here I was keep munching on it! Staffs are friendly as well!! I have to say it's good for lunch dinner and even snack!! read more
The bao buns were light and airy, not overly chewy which is good! I had the chicken, pork belly, and bulgogi. The pork was my favorite although the pineapple was unexpected, followed by the bulgogi and then the chicken third. Overall a solid choice if you are looking for some good bao! read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
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5 years ago
Phenomenal delivery for a guy stuck in a hotel room. Highly recommend! Probably got too much food! Next time I'd just get the Spicy Fried Chicken - it was great! read more
4 years ago
Great food, service, and interior. We got baos, tater tots, and the brussel sprouts. Ordering from a QR code was annoying, but otherwise would recommend this place. read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
Everything was amazing! I got the Korean fried chicken rice bowl in spicy, great flavor and crispy chicken, and a huge portion. I also tried the fried shrimp bao, the flavor of the shrimp was really good and the bao buns were perfect. My husband tried the pork belly and Korean beef and loved both. Everything was extremely fresh, we came for lunch and the food came in no time. The staff was all very friendly and told us they would be extending their menu and hours soon. This is a great addition to the restaurants in pentagon row. If you like Korean food, this is a must try read more
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1201 S Joyce St
Arlington, VA 22202
Pentagon City
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https://www.bundup.com
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