Buboy specializes in authentic Filipino comfort food defined by deep, savory flavor profiles and traditional preparation techniques. The menu centers on heart-warming soups and slow-cooked classics that emphasize the rich heritage of the archipelago. Every dish showcases a deliberate balance of acidity, saltiness, and sweetness characteristic of the region. Patrons encounter a straightforward culinary environment focused entirely on the execution of these time-honored recipes. The kitchen maintains rigorous standards for quality, ensuring that every bowl of broth and portion of meat delivers a consistent experience. This establishment serves as a focused destination for those seeking genuine, unpretentious Filipino cooking served in a simple, practical setting. The culinary approach prioritizes depth of flavor over elaborate presentation, allowing the bold ingredients to define the character of every meal served within this space.
Buboy is widely celebrated as a cozy, hidden gem in Montreal that serves authentic and flavorful Filipino cuisine. Many patrons appreciate the delicious, comfort-food style dishes, particularly highlighting the crispy pork lechon, hearty bulalo, and savory pancit as standout menu items. The restaurant is frequently described as having a warm, homey atmosphere with friendly staff who take pride in their craft and provide welcoming service. While some guests suggest that finding the location inside the mall requires a bit of effort, the vibrant personality of the space and the high quality of the food make it a highly recommended destination for anyone looking to experience unique and passionate Filipino cooking.
I'd been seeing Buboy pop up on Instagram stories here & there, so it had been on my list for a while. Finally came with a friend to try it.
We ordered the Crab Rangoon, Miki Chicken & Pancit Can-Chon. The Miki Chicken was definitely the highlight for me. Creamy coconut chicken broth, fresh noodles & crispy chicken, comforting & full of flavour.
The Pancit Can-Chon surprised me with its strong citrus flavour. It almost felt like eating orange peel at times, which personally wasn't for me. Same with the Crab Rangoon. I realized I'm probably just not a fan of the crab & cream cheese combination.
I actually left thinking I might simply have ordered the wrong dishes for my taste. I would have loved a little more guidance on what to choose, or maybe I should have asked more questions.
The place itself is cute, casual & has a lot of personality. I'd come back, but next time I'm asking them what I absolutely need to try before ordering.
I visited twice on the same Montreal trip, which I think says something. Either about Buboy's potential, or my own optimism. Possibly both.
First visit, I ordered the bulalo. At Buboy they serve it with noodles, which is their prerogative. I asked for rice on the side because I'm Filipino, & also the grandchild of a rice farmer, so this is something I take personally. The rice was dry enough that not even the bulalo broth could rescue it, which is a sentence I genuinely did not expect to write about a Filipino restaurant. The beef in the bulalo was also quite lean, which made me reconsider whether the noodles would have even helped. The broth itself was decent. I could see the vision. I just couldn't fully live in it.
The music situation: the staff were changing songs constantly, which is a pet peeve of mine both as a customer & as someone who has worked in food service.'Folded' by Kehlani came on. They changed it immediately. I am not over this.
Second visit, different friend, different order. I got the tinapa fried rice, which was genuinely good. I also paid extra for an additional egg, somewhere in the $2-3 range, & received half an egg. So I paid to complete the egg that came with the dish.
Buboy has real ideas. The menu has personality. Our friends who live in Montreal love it, & I wanted to love it too. I just think the execution stumbles on the things that should be the easiest to get right. Rice. Beef. The egg math (I know there's eggflation, but still.)
I'll probably try the ube crinkle cookie next time I'm in town. There will probably be a next time.
Apr 18, 2026
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A steaming Filipino bowl of Bulalo: rich, clear bone broth layered with deep beef flavor, tender shank falling off the bone, sweet corn, soft cabbage, & fresh noodles soaking it all in. Comforting, honest, & deeply satisfying.
Between sips & bites, we drifted through conversations about Montreal, travels across Asia, geopolitics, & cinema, the world feeling both vast & right there at the table. 🍲🌏
We tried the Kamayan Christmas dinner special-a collaboration with Dobe & Andy-& wow. If you're a meat lover, this will absolutely blow your socks off. The spread was loaded with BBQ pork, crispy pork, chicken, duck skewers, veggies, cream cheese & crab dumplings, plus a generous portion of fried rice packed with even more meat.
Reservations are required since it's a group-style meal, & it's well worth planning ahead. Other standouts for us were the coconut soup with crispy pork & the bone broth-both comforting & deeply flavorful.
Buboy is truly a rare gem in Montreal. Huge thanks to Chef Eric for consistently offering such unique, delicious dishes at prices that remain accessible.
I'd go there just for their bone broth! It's crazy good & he puts a lot of care into making it great! Great vibe! The food is really unique there, never tasted anything quite like what i had. Not vegetarian friendly
The best bulalo house in Montreal! This restaurant serves such comforting food, reminds me of my Filipino parents' cooking. My all time favourite dishes are: Bulalo Steak, Loco-Gang, & their Corned Beef Silog (made in house 😉). Also, the broth is to die for!! Not only is it super tasty & comforting, but it's good for the skin 😋 Lastly, the staff is super friendly & the ambiance is just so chill & nice. A solid 10/10
Buboy is a GEM. The absolutely delicious oxtail kare kare, all the beef dishes, the CRAB RANGOON & the best damn bone broth out there - the food is just amazing. Even the desserts! Just all around a great time & you feel good after eating. You feel the love & care through the food.
I ordered their vegetarian noodle soup & it was absolutely delicious! Tangy with just the right amount of heat! The broth was rich & savoury without being greasy & the portion was generous & packed with veggies! The service was lovely & the atmosphere is really relaxed & friendly. Can't wait to go back!
