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 regarded as a hidden gem in Montreal, offering authentic and comforting Filipino cuisine that leaves many visitors impressed by the bold flavors and creative twists on traditional dishes. While the atmosphere is often described as cozy and welcoming, with many guests praising the friendly and helpful service, the restaurant is located in a small, tucked-away space that can be tricky to find. Experiences regarding consistency are mixed, as some patrons find the portion sizes and food temperatures to be variable, and others have noted occasional challenges with service flow or order accuracy. Despite these occasional inconsistencies, the majority of diners are enthusiastic about their meals, frequently highlighting the crab rangoon, pancit, and lechon as standout items, and many express a strong desire to return to explore more of the menu.
Portions for the Pancit Canton with Lechon Baboy is incredibly small. Good portion of pork but nearly non-existent noodles?? I actually don't understand being cheap on noodles when it's the cheapest element of the dish? At that point I think you're better off skipping the dish entirely & going to Dobe & Andy across & just ordering pork from there.
I am a Filipino & tried to help & support local business. I bought this as take home. I was disappointed the I only got 1/4 filled . This is only a small snack for a child. As you can see you can count the noodles you have served me.
The thought that the hype was good food is only ok. I tried to let you know on your Insta but got no response Sorry but not coming back to you.
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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I had the pancit & pork because I was craving noodles but didn't want to overeat in Chinatown. Perfect portion size for 1 plus the flavor is a change from other Asian restaurants!
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. 🍲🌏
I ordered lechon & crab rangoons to go & paid $2 extra to replace rice with noodles +the tip. Unfortunately, I was given rice instead of noodles, tried calling but the number is disconnected. Pretty disappointed since I was the only customer there.
If you like Crab Rangoon, Oxtail Kare-Kare & Bulalo Pares this is the place for you.
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I've had a bunch of Philippino style food before but here at @buboymtl it's like comfort & wholesome cooking had a baby. It's definitely on the heavy, put you in a coma, style vibe & I love it.
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Really nice traditional spot that has been serving up the NDG area of Montreal all summer & giving people a delicious take on amazing Philippino Cooking.
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They also have this amazing Cantaloupe Juice that is super refreshing & at times they even are known to do a collab or 2 with other great individuals like the master behind the Halo Halo Donut I had from @deuxbecs, really the master of donut making himself!
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If your in the area you guys are lucky because coming into the winter season, these guys are Gunna keep you feed & fat all winter long 😅.
Laing: Roast Pork Belly, Taro Leaves In Coconut Milk over Rice 🐷🍚🥥
Lechon kare kare : Roast Pork Belly, Peanut Butter Gravy over Rice 🐷🍚🥜
Pancit Canton : House Noodles , Toyomansi sauce ( soy-Calamansi) , Chili Jam , 6 minute egg 🐔🥚🍜
I have to honestly & say I love the new & improved menu at @buboymtl & especially the new location. It really fits them better & to have a set menu with a hand full of bangers is all they needed!
Its just simple comfort philipinos food done ohhh so well me & my buddy couldn't get over how delicious everything really was! If your going through Chinatown & you need a recommendation, go here!
Food tastes great. I do think the quantity can be slightly more, we left not fully feeling full. 2/3 of my bowl was rice which I couldn't possibly have finished so slightly more meat would be highly appreciated.
A small sanitary suggestion would to have the employee handling food to be wearing gloves. It's a sore sight to be seeing someone pulling on noodles with their bare hands for the next order as you're eating right in front of them.
Their Pancit Canton reminded me so much of the Lucky Me version of the dish. Very tasty & the homemade noodles were nice & chewy.
Also had the grilled octopus kinilaw, very refreshing & a good amount of octopus!
Went there at 11:30am (since their typical hours start at 11am), & they were still closed & were opening later at 12. So i wish they posted that on Instagram before hand. Also they could post their new menu online.
