When I go to a restaurant I’m thinking, what is far from what I had last? What can I try to today that will leave me satisfied and give my tastebuds an adventure? For this visit, I was thinking that I needed something small. Buku, the global street foods restaurant, gave me three items that left me very satisfied.
Buku is a locally owned restaurant that is a very nice and casual spot that would wear your “good jeans” to. A place just right for a friendly business meeting, a date destination before karaoke or a dapper men’s night out type of place for conversation and before-sundown-photos. They also have vegetarian dishes and variations for many of their dishes.
As for my experience; this was my first time. The opening acts were pleasant thru and thru. The outside dining area with the simple black, white, red and glass decor was very comfortable and simply attractive. My server was a great small talker and even made the Sunday brunch sound so intriguing. So much so, that it seems I may have to make going there an event. You should ask for Kaylah the server, when you dine-in at Buku in Raleigh.
Most importantly what I ate set me up for a pleasant evening. If you are wanting to start small then here are three appetizers I recommend; these are light but in combination are filling and delicious enough to call it a dinner.
The Japanese Deviled Eggs are probably my least favorite however it was still very tasty. I think the best way to describe the taste is by calling it clean. None of the flavors really stand out but it was it would still quell your hunger if you opened your night’s meal with it. It was an appetizer so it served its purpose. What I like most about it was that it was a spin on deviled eggs, one of my favorite dishes. Using yuzu, shiso, togarashi (which is like paprika) for flavoring and coloring on the eggs made for a nice palette prep. Again, it did what an appetizer should.
The Caterpillar Roll was very hard to not call my favorite. It is a very nice combination of sweet and spicy mellowed out by the textures and flavors of avocado, rice, cucumber and shrimp. Mmmm Shrimp, the only only bug I’m really okay with eating. However, if they want to call this dish a caterpillar, then I guess I’m imaginatively eating caterpillars too. I’d recommend this item if you were going to dive into something big like a steak with light side items. All of the fused flavors will be quite satisfying in prep for something hearty. This dish could also be a light lunch meal too, so be hungry if you decide to add it to your culinary experience in one night.
This may have been the real MVP of my dinning experience. It’s a small portion but the flavor is so full, so delicious so simple but complete. That last line was bit poetic. I couldn’t better describe how satisfied I was with this dish. You already know that I love salty and sweet. This was ground pork (somewhat salty) and mango (sweet) and Thai chile (mild spice) and cilantro. Ugh, it was so good. It would make the perfect snack or maybe a party take out order with the sauce that its accompanied by. THAT SAUCE ON THE SIDE WAS AMAZING. So good I forgot what it was. SMH. Just stop in and order the Filipino Lumpia. So good, so crisp, so much pleasure for your taste buds.
I wasn’t full after all that but all it took was three to have me leaving the restaurant pleasantly satisfied willing to return.
Buku is located at 110 E Davie St in Raleigh NC. Check it out and tell them you read about it here.