Budonoki

We came here for an early Valentine's Day dinner and it was well worth it!What we ordered and enjoyed:- yellowtail hamachi special: bold flavors and fun textures - chicken skewers: a must get!- pork naem: a must order! The chefs moms fermented pork recipe- Japanese sweet potato: a must order!- chicken wings- they gave this to us for free, very good- pressed salmon sushi: would skip this dish- yakisoba noodles: good for sharing, nothing super specialI can't wait to go back!

Doorbusted Budonoki this past weekend like it was a Best Buy on Black Friday 2006. Managed to get a table right when they opened to order copious amounts of delicious food for our small party.My favorite of the night was the Japanese sweet potato, a buttery and savory bite so good that we ordered another round. The spicy tuna hand rolls were just as good with incredibly crispy nori sheets to make your own rolls as big or as small as you want. The chef's salad was massive with a lovely lemony vinaigrette and a BOATLOAD of ham oh god.Negima skewers had tender delicious chicken and thick green onion. A nice size skewer too but definitely get at least 2 orders. Pork jowl was a bit smaller than I would have expected and wasn't the most flavorful but had a nice crisp with white sticky rice. Yakisoba I did not love tbh. Tasted like a Big Mac with the sauce on it. Not my favorite but everything else was delicious. Service was also wonderful here. Sat outside near the heat lamp which was perfect as inside felt a bit cramped. Can't wait to come back with my friends who like raw food to eat as much sushi and crudo as we can without getting mercury poisoning

Scallops - very good. Sauce had a little kickChicken wings - excellentSweet potato - excellentSeafood pancake - okay. Was a little soggy. Good flavors but kinda oddDaily special salmon roll - okay. Salmon was cooked which I didn't expectBudo gnochi - very good, kinda like a ddeokbokki. I can't taste truffle but the people that can said it was pretty lightYakisoba - okay. Smelled good but taste was just okay. Mushroom salad - goodPork jowl - very goodAgadashi tofu - very goodThey Valet but I found street parking on a Sunday at 5:30

Very hipster young crowd here haha. Food was very unique with its fusion presentation but all very tasty. It was quite busy on a Friday so I recommend making a reservation so you won't have to wait an hour. Staff were all very nice, ambience is great too. This is a great spot to hang out and catch up with friends while drinking and eating. Food is presented more family style so everyone can share. We did street parking which wasn't too hard for a standards.

Great restaurant with a lively ambiance. I was sat by the bar, and it's clearly a popular spot--every table was taken. The menu is small but well-curated, with dishes that really pack a punch in terms of flavor.I tried the budo gnocchi, seafood pancake, charred Japanese sweet potato (fantastic), dragon roll (limited item), and tsukune. Unfortunately, they were out of wings that day. Some dishes stood out more than others, but everything was well-executed. I initially expected more of a Japanese izakaya vibe, but it leaned heavily toward Thai fusion. Not a bad thing at all--I love Thai food--just not exactly what I had in mind.Service was friendly, and overall, I'd rate it a solid 4.5 stars. It was a bit on the pricier side for me, but the quality and flavors made it a great experience.

What a slay and she's here to stay!! Super cozy and ambient interior. You haveeeee to order the aburi salmon pressed sushi, I could have eaten like ten more. Curry in empanada style was interesting, not bad but could have done without. Gnocchi was so good omg, almost tasted like bacon? Loved it

We've only been here for their Monday special. I LOVE this concept because they are paying respect to the working class neighborhood by offereing something that's more affordable. (~10)We caught they day they did Japanese Curry and it was pretty good. Though to cut costs, they put the food in to go boxes instead of plates even though we were dining in. This was a bit odd since the atmosphere is quite nice, but we were eating out of Styrofoam with plastic utensils. Would love to try their main menu soon and other Monday specials since they change.

Big shoutout to Bell, the chef, and the Budonoki team for making our experience there a great one. Honestly, every dish we tried were all hits and no misses. We had a little bit of everything on the menu. My personal favorite had to have been the salmon collar with tom kha sauce. The theme of the restaurant being a mix of Asian cuisine with Thai flavors and influence took us all on a journey through a variety of flavors. Also, their soft serve is to die for! Sweet pandan and strawberry flavors reminded me of my childhood.The vibe of the restaurant was on point. Great spot for a date. Whoever was in charge of the playlist had great taste.

5 Stars:A Sublime Culinary Journey at BudonokiIn a city teeming with exceptional dining establishments, Budonoki distinguishes itself as a true gastronomic gem. This unassuming restaurant delivers an unforgettable culinary experience, expertly marrying impeccable service with inventive, expertly crafted dishes.From the moment we stepped through the doors, the service was top-notch, with a warm, attentive staff that anticipated our every need. The atmosphere, while understated, provided an intimate backdrop for the culinary fireworks that were to come.And then, the food. Each dish that emerged from the kitchen was a masterclass in flavor, technique, and presentation. Standouts included the Naem, with its delicate balance of spicy and sour notes; the Aburi Salmon, seared to perfection and boasting a satisfying crunch; and the pork jowls, which melted in our mouths like a tender, unctuous cloud.But the true pièce de résistance was the Budo Black truffle gnocchi. This sublime creation - at once earthy, rich, and indulgent - redefined our understanding of comfort food. Each bite was a masterful harmony of textures and flavors, with the truffle's deep, loamy notes elevating the dish to unprecedented heights.In short, Budonoki is a must-visit destination for any serious food enthusiast. With its unwavering commitment to quality, creativity, and customer satisfaction, this restaurant has earned its place among the culinary elite.Rating Breakdown:- Food: 5/5- Service: 5/5- Ambience: 5/5- Value: 5/5Recommendation: Budonoki is an absolute must-visit for foodies and anyone seeking a world-class dining experience. Be sure to reserve well in advance, as tables are likely to be in high demand.

Upon entering, the vibes are great, looks great, however it's a bit loud. Service was great, waiters are attentive. Not sure what the hype is about for the restaurant. It was simply alright. Overrated and overpriced.As for the food, it was fairly good. Not worth the price in my opinion. We ordered:Yellowtail sashimi special: 7/10 tasted delicious and buttery, texture was nice. Something felt like it was missing. For the price and taste id go elsewhere. Aburi salmon: 1000/10 absolutely best thing on the menu!! Sooo good & Melts in your mouth. It was spicy but delicious. Would go back and order five of these. Budo-Gnochii: 3/10 tasted like a glorified cheetoh puff. Unless you're into funk - then I recommend this plate. The mushrooms were good though. Steak frites: 6.7/10 steak was yummy. Peppercorn sauce was decent. The taste of the sauce was a bit overwhelming for the taste of the steak. For the price of the steak, I was expecting fresh fries, not frozen fries. Drinks:Girls night out: 9/10 based off the ingredients I thought the drink was going to be sweet. It was perfect! Tasted very fruity but not crazy sweet! Tokyo vice: 9/10 solid drink, came as a slushy. The whipped cream had a nutty flavor that complemented the drink perfectly.Overall experience 7/10. Don't think the hype is worth the experience. Save your money, For the fraction of the cost, I recommend Katsuya. They have amazing seafood quality, slightly bigger portions and not crazy expensive.