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A cute little restaurant! The wagyu salt bread was AMAZING! So much flavor to the meats! Had a little drink water station. Our coffees were also yummy! I got the black sesame and the basic latte! Both were on ice with oat milk! This place would definitely be a cute brunch or lunch area. You could also study here too, but the music was a little loud so I wouldn't say it would be super ideal to study long hours if you prefer a quiet place.
Lovely atmosphere and vibes for a date night. We opted for the $89 tasting menu, which included 5 small dishes and a dessert. Everything was delicious and well seasoned. The flank steak galbijjim was so tender and flavorful, which paired nicely with rice and banchan. Desserts and drinks were tasty as well. We would definitely revisit, but the à la carte menu may be a better value for the price. Service was fantastic, and everything was thoroughly explained.
Had a really wonderful dinner at Buoy before going to the symphony! Would recommend that combo for a very delicious and classy night :) I actually first tried Buoy around when it opened just as a cafe. I really like their expansion into dinner! Super smart move, especially because the interior is perfect for that nighttime vibe. The menu is lovely with a mix of curation and diversity. Here's what my friend and I got. Golden Toast: I had heard from friends that this was a must-get. I wouldn't say you need need to get it lol, but it's good and fun!! It's a super tiny piece of incredibly decadent toast. You've got fish, roe, uni, and gold leaf on super buttery bread. It's a very fun bite to ring in the night! Salt Bread: You can add salt bread as a side!! This is huge for me personally because I've been seeing the salt bread trend, and I wanted to try it without having to wait in line or feel like I'm missing out on a cooler flavor. It's really solid here. The bread comes out hot with a lovely crispy bottom and fluffy interior, slightly sweet with some crunchy salt. If you know you like salt bread or have been wanting to try, Buoy is great for that! Truffle Honey Butter Baby Potatoes: Yummy potato dish! Nothing to write home about, but definitely an enjoyable dish. Cucumber Perilla Salad: It's cucumber salad, y'all. There is actually only so much you can do, but they did what they did and it was good. Absolutely a more interesting cucumber salad. Wagyu Charcoal Grilled Galbijjim Steak: I actually wasn't in love with this. I think when I see the word galbi, I expect classic galbi, with the grilled parts and all, but this was much more like steak. I also didn't find this to be the best value in terms of portion and size. I do think this is good if you want steak, but if you want galbi, I believe they have a true galbi dish! Chili Jjamppong Sundubu (not pictured): Gigantic soup. Nothing to write home about but yummy and, again, gigantic. Really good for sharing! Salt Bread Churro Bites: My friend got these for her dessert and enjoyed them! I don't recall trying them, but they look bomb and make complete sense as a concept for this Korean fusion spot! Black Sesame Brownie Cup: Really impressed by this dessert. It's GF, and yet the brownie bites were moist and dense. The surprise bits of mochi were a great addition. They were just having fun adding the brulee top. Would recommend for sure. End-to-end, it was a great dinner experience! Loved the vibe, mix of options, and actual good dessert. Check it out!
Came here with friends to try out their Thirsty Thursdays ($20 per person for bottomless drinks)! The food was pretty good - I really liked the salt bread and it was probably the best salt bread I've had! The potatoes were just okay, but still tasty! I also liked all the drinks we had as well - there is a good array of nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks. The service lacked a bit - we had to wait quite a while to be seated (probably half an hour past our reservation and we got there early, so we waited quite a bit longer). They had also run out of a few drinks on the menu by the time we ordered. Nevertheless, the ambiance was quite lovely! I liked the movies they projected as well as the decor they had. It felt pretty modern.
Was super excited to try this spot out but was disappointed. Maybe it was an off day and I need to give it another chance. Black sesame latte - super milky and had very little black sesame flavor. It had specks of black sesame but flavor was not coming through. I even tried mixing it up. Toasted coconut latte - it tasted like a normal latte with sweetener because the coconut did not come through at all. Salt bread - it was very dense and doughy but the flavor was good. It didn't taste close to the salt bread we had in Seoul.
Visited Buoy for a quick lunch recently and it was a good experience. First off, the exterior is unassuming and simple. Once you walk in, you notice the front counter area and a fairly spacious seating area with multiple tables where people are working, chatting, or hanging out. The cafe was busier than expected but we were able to sit down in the corner with a nice couch and arm chairs. I liked the overall atmosphere, it was aesthetically pleasing in terms of design and decor and with a modern/ contemporary vibe. My friend and I both opted to order sandwiches, the Ribeye Salt Bread Sando and the Egg Salt Bread Sando, which were tasty and filling. I liked the egg version, as it had a nice texture and a bit of sriracha mayo to enhance the flavor. I didn't get a chance to try the ribeye version since I was too full, but I enjoyed the dining experience. My friend also had a matcha latte with cream top which she thoroughly enjoyed. I'll definitely have to return to try an iced coffee in the near future. The truffle honey butter potatoes were a nice addition and had a slight sweetness and crunch. I will say pricing for our meal was a bit steep, as with the two sandwiches and a side and one drink, it was almost $50. Portions were adequate and we had some leftovers. Customer service was friendly and efficient. Although, they did seem a bit understaffed. You do need to bus your own table and I didn't notice any signage on that, but likely missed it. Worth visiting if you want to visit a cute cafe with a chill vibe.
I've been here for their cafe during the day and recently came for dinner. I didn't love their coffee or matcha. They both tasted pretty watered down to me, but dinner was a hit! We shared the truffle honey butter potatoes, wagyu yukhwe, chili jjamppong sundubu, buoy saambap, and the minari bossam between 5 people. It was a good amount for us. -The potatoes were really good. -I love yukhwe and everyone really liked it too. -The jjamppong was too spicy for me, but good for everyone else. -The saambap was interesting. I don't love perilla and it was basically topped and showered with perilla, so you got the taste with every bite. -The bossam was good and it really was thinly sliced. I think this for me was where I felt the most disconnect from how the dish is traditionally prepared. We got the strawberry matcha bingsu for dessert and it was really good. Tasted fresh and not too sweet. Their cocktails were also pretty good. I got the black tiger and it really doesn't taste like alcohol at all, just coffee.
came here to get some work done and it's such a beautiful space. i probably wouldn't recommend it as a work spot though because the wifi was incredibly slow and the music was really loud. i ended up asking if they could turn it down lol, but to be fair i also forgot my noise-cancelling headphones, so that's on me. food-wise, this was my first time trying salt bread and it definitely lived up to the hype. i got the egg sando and the bread was soft with a nice chew, the egg was super fluffy, and the sriracha mayo gave it the perfect little kick. the regular iced latte was fine too--nothing particularly memorable, but it got the job done. overall, i'd definitely come back for the food and the atmosphere, just probably not if i needed to get work done.
A friend of ours DJ'd here on a Sunday and we thought the vibe was so cool inside. Sometimes it's so hard to go out a night in your 30s (lol) so a coffee shop with good music is the move. The workers were super sweet and helpful - they recommended the iced black sesame einspanner which I got but I ordered with oat milk, and it was sooo good. Super flavorful and not watery at all. We also ordered the salt bread and omg... so fresh. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. We got the gochujang butter and ube spread to go with it, and both paired perfectly with the bread. Highly recommend trying it! They also open for dinner at night which I'd love to come back for.
A Korean cafe that has delicious savory and sweet bites, perfect for your work at home needs and mid-morning pick-me-up! I came to Buoy to work from home on a Tuesday afternoon, and there were a good number of tables still available. After you go in and place your order at the counter, if you notate that you are eating here, they will give you a number to put on your table, and they will deliver it to you in your chosen planting spot :). The interior of the place is very cute and modern, and surprisingly very spacious. Bonus: There is a bathroom for customers. I ordered an iced tea unsweetened and a black sesame brownie and my friend ordered a black sesame latte with a ribeye sando. Here are my thoughts: * Black sesame brownie: Absolutely delicious and worth coming here just to try this. I am not going to lie, when I first got the brownie I was a bit confused because I thought it would look like the photos on yelp, but it came in a glass cup with a brûlée on top. That to say, this was so delicious and might be my favorite sweet of the year? The black sesame was so pronounced, toasty, and balanced well with the sweet and smoky brûlée topping and has nice textural chew from the mochi bits. * Ribeye salt bread: This was great and also surprised me! The bread was nice and buttery, and the ribeye was very tender. The saltiness of the bread matched well with the meaty flavors of the beef. * Black sesame latte: Unfortunately, I did not taste much black sesame in the drink itself, and it was a bit on the plainer side. Even though this is their signature drink, most people get, I might recommend to skip it. Overall, I would come back, and I am eager to try more bites!
Food: - Wagyu Galbi: it was very flavorful and tender. i really liked the potatoes it came with as well. - Minari Bossom: loved the pork belly but the side of kimchi was not my favorite. i love kimchi but this particular one had quite the bitter aftertaste. - Beef Tartare: so flavorful that we ate it up quickly! Happy Hour: - Their soju based drinks were very yummy but the service at the bar was very slow considering how many workers there are. They only have one primary designated bartender which felt a bit intentional. Ambiance: - The dark lit room and mini lamps were very aesthetic. Overall, it was very a expensive dinner but I had a great experience.
Salt breads were tasty but lacked the crispy, airy texture that I expected from a salt bread. I did go at 2pm so perhaps it was just old. Service was quick and the interior aesthetic was nice. Would recommend for brunch with the girlies or date night!
cafe by day, dinner/bar? by night (need to check out the night vibes cause it is such a great vibey space). like it during the day as a work space and to get things done while eat yummy food :) salt bread + matcha combo was exactly what I needed to fuel up but later in the work day/ lunch, got a beef bowl too that was filling. like the fusion/modern twist to all!
This place is underrated. Everytime I visit, they add more to their menu. Like the steak salt bread. Wow that was pretty darn good and unique. The egg salt bread was fire too. Drinks are also very good and not too sweet. Awesome service and the decor is pretty amazing inside. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Minh,…
My review is for the dinner tasting menu. At $89/person you get a full course Korean inspired meal. Each dish was fresh, light and had hit the tongue palate in all the right spots. Beef tartare was light and perfectly seasoned. The main galbijjim steak with rice and chimichurri was buttery soft with hint of sweet aftertaste . My friends and I could not stop eating! We were a larger group of 9 and the host did so well explaining each dish. She even gave tips on how to get the photos ! Atmosphere inside at night was modern and trendy. I can imagine it as a good date spot as well. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Amica,…
The drinks are really good and fairly priced. Salt bread left me much to be desired. I loved the matcha einspanner -- not as pretty as the pictures but the taste was great and held me up for a day in SF. We also got the egg sando salt bread. Egg was perfect, bread wasn't very salty to me and the texture was more dense than fluffy (expected of salt bread) and was $12 which was kinda crazy. The other salt bread with matcha raspberry was $7.5, comparable to Tano but had a different sauce. Parking for $2 per hour on the street. Service was friendly! They heated it up without asking and the inside is really clean and chill. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Rose,…
A cute little restaurant! The wagyu salt bread was AMAZING! So much flavor to the meats! Had a little drink water station. Our coffees were also yummy! I got the black sesame and the basic latte! Both were on ice with oat milk! This place would definitely be a cute brunch or lunch area. You could also study here too, but the music was a little loud so I wouldn't say it would be super ideal to study long hours if you prefer a quiet place. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Nhu,…
Lovely atmosphere and vibes for a date night. We opted for the $89 tasting menu, which included 5 small dishes and a dessert. Everything was delicious and well seasoned. The flank steak galbijjim was so tender and flavorful, which paired nicely with rice and banchan. Desserts and drinks were tasty as well. We would definitely revisit, but the à la carte menu may be a better value for the price. Service was fantastic, and everything was thoroughly explained. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Gary,…
Had a really wonderful dinner at Buoy before going to the symphony! Would recommend that combo for a very delicious and classy night :) I actually first tried Buoy around when it opened just as a cafe. I really like their expansion into dinner! Super smart move, especially because the interior is perfect for that nighttime vibe. The menu is lovely with a mix of curation and diversity. Here's what my friend and I got. Golden Toast: I had heard from friends that this was a must-get. I wouldn't say you need need to get it lol, but it's good and fun!! It's a super tiny piece of incredibly decadent toast. You've got fish, roe, uni, and gold leaf on super buttery bread. It's a very fun bite to ring in the night! Salt Bread: You can add salt bread as a side!! This is huge for me personally because I've been seeing the salt bread trend, and I wanted to try it without having to wait in line or feel like I'm missing out on a cooler flavor. It's really solid here. The bread comes out hot with a lovely crispy bottom and fluffy interior, slightly sweet with some crunchy salt. If you know you like salt bread or have been wanting to try, Buoy is great for that! Truffle Honey Butter Baby Potatoes: Yummy potato dish! Nothing to write home about, but definitely an enjoyable dish. Cucumber Perilla Salad: It's cucumber salad, y'all. There is actually only so much you can do, but they did what they did and it was good. Absolutely a more interesting cucumber salad. Wagyu Charcoal Grilled Galbijjim Steak: I actually wasn't in love with this. I think when I see the word galbi, I expect classic galbi, with the grilled parts and all, but this was much more like steak. I also didn't find this to be the best value in terms of portion and size. I do think this is good if you want steak, but if you want galbi, I believe they have a true galbi dish! Chili Jjamppong Sundubu (not pictured): Gigantic soup. Nothing to write home about but yummy and, again, gigantic. Really good for sharing! Salt Bread Churro Bites: My friend got these for her dessert and enjoyed them! I don't recall trying them, but they look bomb and make complete sense as a concept for this Korean fusion spot! Black Sesame Brownie Cup: Really impressed by this dessert. It's GF, and yet the brownie bites were moist and dense. The surprise bits of mochi were a great addition. They were just having fun adding the brulee top. Would recommend for sure. End-to-end, it was a great dinner experience! Loved the vibe, mix of options, and actual good dessert. Check it out! read more
3 months ago
Came here with friends to try out their Thirsty Thursdays ($20 per person for bottomless drinks)! The food was pretty good - I really liked the salt bread and it was probably the best salt bread I've had! The potatoes were just okay, but still tasty! I also liked all the drinks we had as well - there is a good array of nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks. The service lacked a bit - we had to wait quite a while to be seated (probably half an hour past our reservation and we got there early, so we waited quite a bit longer). They had also run out of a few drinks on the menu by the time we ordered. Nevertheless, the ambiance was quite lovely! I liked the movies they projected as well as the decor they had. It felt pretty modern. read more
Was super excited to try this spot out but was disappointed. Maybe it was an off day and I need to give it another chance. Black sesame latte - super milky and had very little black sesame flavor. It had specks of black sesame but flavor was not coming through. I even tried mixing it up. Toasted coconut latte - it tasted like a normal latte with sweetener because the coconut did not come through at all. Salt bread - it was very dense and doughy but the flavor was good. It didn't taste close to the salt bread we had in Seoul. read more
Visited Buoy for a quick lunch recently and it was a good experience. First off, the exterior is unassuming and simple. Once you walk in, you notice the front counter area and a fairly spacious seating area with multiple tables where people are working, chatting, or hanging out. The cafe was busier than expected but we were able to sit down in the corner with a nice couch and arm chairs. I liked the overall atmosphere, it was aesthetically pleasing in terms of design and decor and with a modern/ contemporary vibe. My friend and I both opted to order sandwiches, the Ribeye Salt Bread Sando and the Egg Salt Bread Sando, which were tasty and filling. I liked the egg version, as it had a nice texture and a bit of sriracha mayo to enhance the flavor. I didn't get a chance to try the ribeye version since I was too full, but I enjoyed the dining experience. My friend also had a matcha latte with cream top which she thoroughly enjoyed. I'll definitely have to return to try an iced coffee in the near future. The truffle honey butter potatoes were a nice addition and had a slight sweetness and crunch. I will say pricing for our meal was a bit steep, as with the two sandwiches and a side and one drink, it was almost $50. Portions were adequate and we had some leftovers. Customer service was friendly and efficient. Although, they did seem a bit understaffed. You do need to bus your own table and I didn't notice any signage on that, but likely missed it. Worth visiting if you want to visit a cute cafe with a chill vibe. read more
I've been here for their cafe during the day and recently came for dinner. I didn't love their coffee or matcha. They both tasted pretty watered down to me, but dinner was a hit! We shared the truffle honey butter potatoes, wagyu yukhwe, chili jjamppong sundubu, buoy saambap, and the minari bossam between 5 people. It was a good amount for us. -The potatoes were really good. -I love yukhwe and everyone really liked it too. -The jjamppong was too spicy for me, but good for everyone else. -The saambap was interesting. I don't love perilla and it was basically topped and showered with perilla, so you got the taste with every bite. -The bossam was good and it really was thinly sliced. I think this for me was where I felt the most disconnect from how the dish is traditionally prepared. We got the strawberry matcha bingsu for dessert and it was really good. Tasted fresh and not too sweet. Their cocktails were also pretty good. I got the black tiger and it really doesn't taste like alcohol at all, just coffee. read more
came here to get some work done and it's such a beautiful space. i probably wouldn't recommend it as a work spot though because the wifi was incredibly slow and the music was really loud. i ended up asking if they could turn it down lol, but to be fair i also forgot my noise-cancelling headphones, so that's on me. food-wise, this was my first time trying salt bread and it definitely lived up to the hype. i got the egg sando and the bread was soft with a nice chew, the egg was super fluffy, and the sriracha mayo gave it the perfect little kick. the regular iced latte was fine too--nothing particularly memorable, but it got the job done. overall, i'd definitely come back for the food and the atmosphere, just probably not if i needed to get work done. read more
5 months ago
A friend of ours DJ'd here on a Sunday and we thought the vibe was so cool inside. Sometimes it's so hard to go out a night in your 30s (lol) so a coffee shop with good music is the move. The workers were super sweet and helpful - they recommended the iced black sesame einspanner which I got but I ordered with oat milk, and it was sooo good. Super flavorful and not watery at all. We also ordered the salt bread and omg... so fresh. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. We got the gochujang butter and ube spread to go with it, and both paired perfectly with the bread. Highly recommend trying it! They also open for dinner at night which I'd love to come back for. read more
A Korean cafe that has delicious savory and sweet bites, perfect for your work at home needs and mid-morning pick-me-up! I came to Buoy to work from home on a Tuesday afternoon, and there were a good number of tables still available. After you go in and place your order at the counter, if you notate that you are eating here, they will give you a number to put on your table, and they will deliver it to you in your chosen planting spot :). The interior of the place is very cute and modern, and surprisingly very spacious. Bonus: There is a bathroom for customers. I ordered an iced tea unsweetened and a black sesame brownie and my friend ordered a black sesame latte with a ribeye sando. Here are my thoughts: * Black sesame brownie: Absolutely delicious and worth coming here just to try this. I am not going to lie, when I first got the brownie I was a bit confused because I thought it would look like the photos on yelp, but it came in a glass cup with a brûlée on top. That to say, this was so delicious and might be my favorite sweet of the year? The black sesame was so pronounced, toasty, and balanced well with the sweet and smoky brûlée topping and has nice textural chew from the mochi bits. * Ribeye salt bread: This was great and also surprised me! The bread was nice and buttery, and the ribeye was very tender. The saltiness of the bread matched well with the meaty flavors of the beef. * Black sesame latte: Unfortunately, I did not taste much black sesame in the drink itself, and it was a bit on the plainer side. Even though this is their signature drink, most people get, I might recommend to skip it. Overall, I would come back, and I am eager to try more bites! read more
Food: - Wagyu Galbi: it was very flavorful and tender. i really liked the potatoes it came with as well. - Minari Bossom: loved the pork belly but the side of kimchi was not my favorite. i love kimchi but this particular one had quite the bitter aftertaste. - Beef Tartare: so flavorful that we ate it up quickly! Happy Hour: - Their soju based drinks were very yummy but the service at the bar was very slow considering how many workers there are. They only have one primary designated bartender which felt a bit intentional. Ambiance: - The dark lit room and mini lamps were very aesthetic. Overall, it was very a expensive dinner but I had a great experience. read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Vivian,…
Salt breads were tasty but lacked the crispy, airy texture that I expected from a salt bread. I did go at 2pm so perhaps it was just old. Service was quick and the interior aesthetic was nice. Would recommend for brunch with the girlies or date night! read more
cafe by day, dinner/bar? by night (need to check out the night vibes cause it is such a great vibey space). like it during the day as a work space and to get things done while eat yummy food :) salt bread + matcha combo was exactly what I needed to fuel up but later in the work day/ lunch, got a beef bowl too that was filling. like the fusion/modern twist to all! read more
Business owner information
Esther K.
Hi Avery,…
3 months ago
first time here. nice place with great light and ambiance. feel very comfortable here. order at the front and then they will give you a number and serve the order to your selected table and seats. for the taste: * matcha einspanner: the matcha itself is actually ok for me, but the cream is good ~ a bit cheesy but blended perfectly... * wagyu galbi sando: the salt bread is soft and yummy. the wagyu is juicy, tender, and soft with great taste of galbi sauce. a recommended menu that you have to try!!! * tofu rice bowl: they fried the tofu and eggplant and sprinkle them with parmesan cheese and they are so so good. the vegetables on top of rice and mix them with umami sauce ~ make me cannot stop eating. another recommended rice bowl mostly for vegans... prices are ok ~ must try this korean cafe!!! read more
I visited Buoy cafe on a Friday afternoon and tried their black sesame einspanner and plain salt bread. I was really impressed with my drink - it was delicious! I requested it to be light sweet which was perfect. Their salt bread is also wonderful with a crispy exterior and soft chewy inside. I also spent some time working at the cafe - they have plenty of tables, outlets and WiFi which is great to see! read more
Was pretty busy Friday afternoon, but able to grab a table. The WiFi was a little slow but I appreciate the work-friendly spot for meetings. Spot is so unassuming you'd miss it if you weren't really looking for it. Or even if you are looking for it. Super cute inside though. Order at the bar and they'll bring your order over. They had a pretty good lunch menu! Black sesame einspanner with espresso - could have been more strongly sesame, liked that it wasn't too sweet, although the sweet cream top was a treat Rib eye salt bread sando - maybe the rice flour texture is different but I didn't get the flavor and crust I was looking for in the salt bread. The beef was perfectly cooked though! Kinda small, snack size Octopus rice bowl - sizable portion, lots of good flavors and textures, honestly more octopus than I expected and veggies not just rice. Would absolutely come back for this. I'd read some reviews about unfriendly or sad? staff but I had a great experience with bar staff who helped guide me and make recommendations since it was my first visit. read more
this cafe is pretty large with tons of seating. a bit hard to find if you're not paying attention. music isn't too loud but a nice seating vibe. MAKE SURE TO ASK TO WARM THE SALT BREAD. so crunchy crispy, but the butter inside is cold so needs to be warmed. still delicious nonetheless. i've never had a better black sesame einspanner, and i've tried a decent amt. it's delicious. a bit small for 7-8$ imo. it's like 10 sips. staff is sosososososos nice. the barista is amazing w recommendations and im happy with my order. a very modern looking cafe and great for ambiance/wfh/chill hangouts. i just wish it was a lil bit cheaper :( read more
came for the happy hour deal. very pleased. unlimited soju cocktails for $20/person for 1.5hrs. drinks sooooo good. like very good. had two cuz I came late but already felt a buzz. would come again and earlier. service was terrific. they let us stay for a decent amount of time, despite coming in on the later end. liked the dimly lit vibes. really want to try their pastries sometime. read more
Ok this sandwich was insanelyyyyy good. I am docking points because this was just way too a small a portion for the price for me. I'm thinking the waygu is quite expensive, and I think with it? I just want more! The soup was very light, not bad but I like a richer broth. Drink was fine, wish there was a stronger coconut or pandan flavor, maybe it comes through more when served hot. read more
Such a lovely cafe! The vibes here are great for enjoying a refreshment, catching up with a friend, or doing some light work. They do offer wifi and comfy seating. Love the drinks so far and I had really amazing service from the barista Ida. I love a black sesame latte, and this place does not disappoint. The flavor is sweet, nutty, and creamy. The einspanner is yummy as well, but for some reason it was smaller than the regular latte. I'd definitely come back to try more snack/food items and recommend checking out this spot. read more
Very chic Korean inspired cafe in the Hayes Valley neighborhood! I would say that Tano at Paper Son Coffee has a better texture to it (the crunchy exterior and flaky interior just cannot be beat), the salt bread here was a tad chewy. I ordered both the galbi salt bread sando and the brisket BLT salt bread sando. The galbi salt bread sando was great, the galbi was incredibly tender and had this almost smoky flavor to it. The brisket BLT was a tad disappointing. Both the bacon and brisket were incredibly chewy and the brisket was difficult to get your teeth through. If you have time, definitely try to dine in and enjoy the ambiance in Buoy. I was on the go so I took my order to go and had it at my office instead. Both salt bread sandos had a lot of mayonnaise inside, I would recommend asking them to go light on it. I'm normally not one to comment on service, especially for a to go order. I went through other reviews just to make sure that I wasn't hallucinating. This is not a common issue of mine, but I got the impression that the people at the front who helped me were not happy to be there. The girl giving my order was curt and ignored me after I smiled, thanked her, and said I hoped she'd have a nice day. I got up immediately as they said my name, so it wasn't that I was keeping them waiting. For an interaction that only lasts a few seconds, it was just enough to leave a slightly negative impression. read more
Interior was nice and dim, not the ideal place for a bday dinner but for casual is fine. The menu didn't have much options so we ordered two plates of everything. We came here to celebrate a friends birthday which was a party of 9. I was still hungry after our meal and it was quite small inside too. Food taste was ok. read more
I came here for dinner with my friend and had an overall okay experience. The first thing I noticed was the beautiful interior. It is modern yet cozy - perfect for a date night or a special event. In terms of food, we shared the Truffle Honey Butter Baby Potatoes, Yuzu Carpaccio, Buoy Ssambap, and the Galbijjim Steak. To varying degrees, the dishes pay tribute to Korean cuisine. The potatoes (although the least "Korean" of the dishes we ordered) was a good start to the meal. The presentation of the yuzu carpaccio (see photo) was unexpected but fun - the fish is underneath a half tomato (also, it's not your typical carpaccio in that the fish is cut into smaller pieces). My one complaint is that the yuzu dressing was a bit viscous and strong, which overpowered the fish. The Buoy Ssambap was light and flavors were delicate, and I liked how they served it with the soybean paste. Finally, the Galbijjim steak was tender and well cooked, but the flavors were not particularly Korean to me (didn't have your typical Galbijjim flavor profile). I thought the prices were quite steep for the food - the portions are very small, and the flavors are good but not phenomenal or particularly unique. I wish they committed a little more strongly to Korean flavors (with exception to the Ssambap, the remaining dishes were not particularly Korean). Service was professional, efficient, and friendly. Overall, I'm glad I gave them a try, but I'm not sure I'll be back (or at least not for dinner). read more
My friend and I came to Buoy on a Sunday right when they opened and thank goodness we did because by noon, the place was packed! We brought our laptops to do some work, and it was the perfect place. The vibes were immaculate, music was fire and the drinks were phenomenal. I got the Ssuk Einspanner (mugwort) and my friend got the Black Sesame Latte with a shot of espresso. Both drinks were so delicious and I wish we would've tried some of their food, but I'll be back for it! read more
This place has been on my list for awhile and finally got the time to stop by. We went on a weekday and it was not super packed. Burrata Salad: Super fresh, each bite was so refreshing. Burrata was really creamy but not overly creamy when bitten with some of the seasonal fruits. Truffle Honey Potatoes: Super crispy, was not expecting that when i saw honey. I did not taste any truffle however but the potatoes itself was still good. Golden Toast: Really nice bite to it. Toast was extra crispy from frying and added texture to the raw fish and avocado in each bite. Yuzu Carpaccio: This one was really strange to me as it was put inside a tomato. Personally did not think that the pairing was great but it was cool to slice it open. Fish was a little fishy (I forgot what the fish of the day was). Yukwhe: This is similar but not like traditional. It leans more steak tartare as it is cubed and not ground/smashed which is my preference. Flavors were realy good, good balance between citrus and savory elements. The nori chips were a nice touch. I would prefer a better chip to tartare ratio (more chips). Galbi Crunch: This one was unique, galbi typically is known for the bone but this was pretty boneless. Each piece of meat was crusted but I felt that it was too crusty and wished that the meat shined a little more. Bc of the over crusting, the dish felt a little dry. Sundubu: This was really flavorful. Spice wasn't the main element but it shined along with the savory elements of the broth that typically gets overshadowed by the spice. Personally, I wished there was bigger tofu bits that did not get broken up but overall a really good soup dish. Brisket was a nice touch as well for some added protein. Overall, probably one of my fave restaurants that I tried in 2025. I would recommend and see myself coming back. read more
10 months ago
My wife and I made a point to visit Buoy on a weekend cafe date, which we were both excited about. We might have set our expectations too high though because we thought our experience was just okay. We got there about half an hour after they had opened so there were a couple of people already seated but no line. Walking in, we noticed that their menu at the front had a lot of items taped out. One of those items was the ssuk latte. My wife was disappointed since that's what interested her in Buoy in the first place. But they had a lot of other options so we went with the matcha and black sesame lattes. We also ordered the red bean roll cake and the ssuk tiramisu. However, after sitting down, the person who took our order came by to tell us that red bean actually wasn't available. Another menu item they needed to tape over. So we had to go with the raspberry. So at this point, we hadn't even tasted anything, but our visit had already been soured twice. The drinks came out first, and they were fine. Good tasting lattes with the cream on top. The raspberry roll cake came out shortly after. It looked appetizing but wasn't quite what we were expecting. The roll itself was stiff, not soft, and the cream would split away from it. I think the issue was that the whole thing was kept cold, which makes sense, but that didn't allow the cake to soften. We enjoyed each other's company while sipping on our drinks and eating bits of the roll cake, only to realize that the last treat still hadn't come out yet. It was only after almost 45 minutes had passed did they bring out the ssuk tiramisu... The worker who brought it out did apologize for the wait. In any case, the tiramisu had a lot of flavor, from the ssuk, to the cream, to the injeolmi powder on top. But the whole thing didnt mix well. The ssuk bits weren't sweet at all, while the whipped cream soaked ladyfingers were very very very sweet. It was an interesting bite, but not worth the wait. So it's safe to say that our experience could have been better. Even at the day's opening, Buoy was obviously not prepared with their menu, both in terms of what they planned to serve and the prep time for what they did serve. read more
Ordered a wagyu galbi sando for $16 and received a completely empty salt bread roll. No wagyu. No filling. Nothing. My order was ready within 10 seconds of placing it -- which as management later confirmed, should not have happened. The bread looked nothing like the photos on Yelp. I questioned the employee at the counter directly and she confirmed it was correct. I trusted that and took it home only to find out I was right to be skeptical. I left a voicemail at 3:11pm, sent an email with photos and my receipt, and heard back from Esther in management within hours. She acknowledged the mistake, took accountability, and issued a full refund same day. The staff execution was a real failure. The management response was not. read more
4 months ago
Visited on a Saturday night and grabbed seats at the bar. Parking was surprisingly easy right outside, which is always a bonus in the city. The interior has a really cool atmosphere, and the staff were friendly and attentive without being over the top. The American Korean food was the highlight -- creative, flavorful, and just the right mix of both cuisines. Everything we had hit the mark. Will definitely be back. Highly recommend! read more
I finally got to try this place! there were a lot of korean inspired drinks (corn, black sesame, banana etc) and some food as well (sando, salt bread etc). The black sesame latte is quite sweet but the strawberry matcha latte was not, thus my pick would be the strawberry matcha latte! I also got the salt bread and it was good because it's very buttery in the middle but not enough salt imo. I would get it again. The space is also pretty hip, gives me korean cafe vibes, however really dark (but maybe that's the vibe they're going for). I want to come back and try some of their other drinks / foods. read more
Came here for a post lunch coffee and loved the variety they had here! I got the coconut pandan matcha and my sister got the latte einspanner. Both were really good, strong coffee flavor and not too milky. The only thing was my drink was a bit too sweet so I'd probably ask for less sweet next time. They also have a bunch of pastries available so definitely want to try them next time. read more
Summary: Okay cafe lunch options served by (seemingly) unhappy staff Details: My IG algorithm has been inundating my feed with bakery influencers these past few months, especially with the salt bread craze lately. Buoy popped up enough times on my radar that I finally made a point to go try them out, and, well... I can't speak to their more extensive dinner offerings, but their lunch options were more akin to your typical cafe-style sandwich/soups/salad menu. I was mostly there to try their salt breads, of which I tried the egg salad and black sesame, which were both... fine? If you've had Tano salt bread, these don't come remotely close: small, far less rich, and missing out on the crustier exterior, though they did have the fluffy interior. All in all, somewhat reminiscent of the milk bread pastries I'd get at a place like Sheng Kee. The soup of the day that I got was actually far more enjoyable than the salt breads, which was sorta a bummer. And while I'm not usually one to comment on service (because I don't really care too much unless it's glaringly good/bad), Buoy's staff seemed unhappy enough to be noticeable, which is not something I've encountered anywhere else in recent memory. While this didn't really affect the quality of service, it was a weird vibe seeing a business full of people who didn't seem like they wanted to be there. Though, to be fair, they were also dealing with some ongoing issues with broken machinery, so it's possibly this was entirely just due to stress. The space itself is a vibe though, and enough that I wanted to call it out: while a little out of a place for a daytime cafe, the dark, sleek interior design really lends itself to a nice bar or dinner date spot. Accessibility: Spacious interior, with a number of accessible table options, and then less accessible counter and couch seating. The tables were actually all taken when we went so I made do with the eye-level bar seating. read more
I love their salt bread ~ it's light but buttery, lightly salty, has a crispy buttery bottom, & nice chew! But it's a little pricey as a plain one is $5.50 & kinda small, I can easily inhale it lol...but so far I've only had the salt breads at Croissante in south bay & like this one much more. I've also tried two of their salt bread sandos (ham+cheese, and the bblt bacon brisket lettuce tomato), they go around $15 each, both were tasty as well; the bblt was heftier & I was pretty full after eating that one. I love mugwort (have had it in desserts etc) and their mugwort (ssuk) latte here was a little light for me + on the creamy side (which some will love), but I may get it again. Service was ok; both times I went during lunch & the servers looked understaffed, stressed, not in a good mood. Hope they get more team support. read more
Before heading home after visiting the street food festival, I had to quickly swing by to the big cozy atmosphere in what's considered a Korean themed café. Other than the pleasant customer service, I would definitely like how they made drinks out of their own cultural ingredients once I have another chance to visit. My first drink from Buoy was Ssuk Latte (aka mugwort green tea latte). A different shade of green invoked a brand new taste compared to Uji matcha green tea. Tasted like toasted mushrooms in every sip with a less bitter aftertaste; would definitely like to see if they have matcha green tea straight from the Jeju Islands. The theme of today's story is for everyone courageous enough to try what's new for one's palate. As I continue to write reviews of each places I visited, I'll starting to lose what makes my reviews interesting. Therefore, I'm looking to seek better opportunities to get into new places that's far and wide throughout the Bay Area, less I wait until another hot new business shows up in my big city. Glad I set foot at Buoy before closing early. read more
Didn't try too much food, but got some delicious salt bread and yummy drinks. Got the black sesame latte with a shot of espresso, the yuzu brownie, and the short rib salt bread. I don't typically like citrus desserts but the yuzu brownie was a nice surprise. It was decadent but the yuzu really brought the flavors back down. I was on the hunt for a good black sesame latte and this one is a top contender. The short rib salt bread was delicious and I would get it again, super flavorful! After trying some of the smaller dishes, I would love to come back and try some of the mains! read more
I just can't stop talking about BUOY!! I love this place. I love to stop in and grab a coffee and a salt bread while I'm at work. Their service is fast and friendly. Their Toasted Coconut latte is my favorite latte ever (and I drink a lot of coffee!!). Please check it out--you won't be disappointed. read more
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22 Franklin St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Hayes Valley, Civic Center
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(415) 416-9409
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https://www.thebuoysf.com
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