Ruth's Buka

Amy Wu

There was only a couple tables but we had the chance to dine in. Although I think it's half a supermarket so alot of other customers were taking food to go as well. Egusi soup with chicken was flavorful and hot. Came end of day so there wasn't much okra soup left so it was slightly warm but I was able to get it mixed with Efo Riro soup and beef. Chicken tender literally fell off the bone and they gave large beef chunks. To me, definitely spicier than the egusi but pairs well with fufu and plantains help cut the spice. Water helps if you're trying to handle the spice. Or choose the rice plate, we got jollof rice, plantain, and a large turkey wing. Rice was smoky, plantain was sweet still had a slight crunch on it, turkey was yummy and had a tomato sauce with it if you're looking for something non spicy. Family owned, they had a younger girl working the front and she was sweet got us water bottles and utensils. With the older gentlemen checking up on us occasionally as well. Yummy food, came out very full and I could make another small meal with the leftovers.

Sonam Kumar

We ordered jellof rice. It was absolutely authentically made by Nigerian grandma’s recipe with smoky flavor in it. We couldn’t resist to buy a takeout after we had food right there. Highly recommended!

Arlei Ey

went with family because of the high reviews, and safe to say that we were NOT disappointed! the staff was super welcoming and we really appreciated Emmanuel for taking the time to explain their dishes to us since it was our first time ever. most importantly, the food was ✩ delicious, satiating, and very tasty! ✩ the portions were great and modestly priced as well. i will definitely be back and highly recommend it to all of my friends and family!

Eddie Will Ashley III

I had the jollof with beef, and wow, it was absolutely delicious! I'm definitely planning to go back. The rice was bursting with flavor and savory goodness, and the plantains were super sweet. Plus, the beef was incredibly tender.

kimberly tan

it’s been v difficult to find egusi and fufu in the bay area, was glad to find ruth’s and even more delighted after actually visiting and eating here. i got the egusi with generous amounts of stewed, mostly tender beef (you could also choose chicken or fish) and fufu ($25) my friend got the chicken and jollof rice plate with greens ($17, tho they have a lunch special for this i think around $10). i could have used an extra scoop of soup to go with all the beef, hehe. the fufu tasted like there was potato in it too. with drinks, tax and tip our bill came out to almost $85-90. pricey but i understand how foreign ingredients are costly, these dishes are time consuming to make and the cost of doing biz in the usa is wild. the food was really good, service nice and i love that they also sell african groceries! i’m excited to go back and eat again, plus grocery shop to try and make egusi at home. i also really enjoyed seeing so much community loving on and supporting this biz. someone even came straight off the plane from an intl flight to eat here. soul food for real 🤎

Briona Moss

Order jollof with plantain and fish and an order of moi moi. Jollof is smokey and savory. Very well seasoned. Fish was smacking a little spicy but be careful of the bones if you've never had whole pieces of fish. Plantain was cooked perfectly. Moi moi hot and a little spice. Also the owner was sweet and the vibe was like you're with family. I would like to try the egusi when my coins are up next time lol.

Onyinye O

Visiting from Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪 Got a recommendation from a family friend and it was so good! Got jellof rice to dine in (you get two pieces of chicken with the rice), okra soup, agege bread, etc for takeaway. I also wanted puff puff but it’s only available for the weekend. Highly recommend this place 💯 Lovely staff!

I had such a great experience here. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the hospitality really stood out. Emmanuel and his niece were incredibly kind, helpful, and genuinely funny, it felt like being welcomed by family. The food was amazing. It smelled so good through the bag that I couldn’t even wait to get home. I literally ate it in my car because I had to try it immediately and I ended up finishing it because it was that good. Fresh and so flavorful! This was one of those experiences where everything just hits: the food, the service, and the overall vibe. I’ll definitely be back and will be recommending this place to others.

I love the food, the atmosphere and the people. If you’re looking for authentic Nigerian food, this is the spot. Ruth Buka also caters for any occasion. Top tier, high-quality and would recommend to anyone visiting the Bay. there’s also a small grocery shop in the back if you need any traditional African ingredients for cooking. Also try the Zobo hibiscus drink, it’s absolutely delicious.

Best food I have eaten in a long time. It was almost addictive, so I went within two days to buy the same things. My favorite was moi moi and jollof rice. They had the collard greens that was delicious as well. Service is pretty quick. Ambience is OK. I got it to go and I enjoyed it at home.

.I didn't visit the restaurant, but for the African store and I was not disappointed. The owner was very nice and courteous I bought some fresh produce like African yam, plantain, beans and Ijebu garri. From the frozen segment I got ponmo, turkey wings, and got a maltina drink. The restaurant was busy, fresh meals wonderful customer service and the meals looked and smelt very delicious. I've found a new spot for African produce

Food was good, service was excellent. The taste of the jollof doesn’t leave you - so good!! Definitely a place to try out if you’re in San Francisco/Oakland area (or even farther away).

I went here with some friends and we all got something different. I got egusi soup and fufu. It was absolutely delicious. My friends all loved what they got. The seasonings and spices were perfect. The staff/owners were very nice and welcoming. It a small place with only three tables so don’t depend on a place to sit - plan on taking it to go. It is well worth the trip. The food was hot and stayed hot until we got to our destination. I meant to take some pics but was so excited to eat it I forgot. I’m already craving it and want to go back and try everything on the menu.

The egusi and fufu are excellent - egusi has a lot of flavor, spice and a nice kick. The family that runs the spot is also great: super friendly, outgoing and helpful. Highly recommend.

Ashu

The egusi and fufu are excellent - egusi has a lot of flavor, spice and a nice kick. The family that runs the spot is also great: super friendly, outgoing and helpful. Highly recommend.

Adegoke Toheeb

Food was good, service was excellent. The taste of the jollof doesn’t leave you - so good!! Definitely a place to try out if you’re in San Francisco/Oakland area (or even farther away).

Erica Onyekachi Nwankwo

I love the food, the atmosphere and the people. If you’re looking for authentic Nigerian food, this is the spot. Ruth Buka also caters for any occasion. Top tier, high-quality and would recommend to anyone visiting the Bay. there’s also a small grocery shop in the back if you need any traditional African ingredients for cooking. Also try the Zobo hibiscus drink, it’s absolutely delicious.

Kehinde Kuti

I had such a great experience here. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the hospitality really stood out. Emmanuel and his niece were incredibly kind, helpful, and genuinely funny, it felt like being welcomed by family. The food was amazing. It smelled so good through the bag that I couldn’t even wait to get home. I literally ate it in my car because I had to try it immediately and I ended up finishing it because it was that good. Fresh and so flavorful! This was one of those experiences where everything just hits: the food, the service, and the overall vibe. I’ll definitely be back and will be recommending this place to others.

Meena Saiprasad

Best food I have eaten in a long time. It was almost addictive, so I went within two days to buy the same things. My favorite was moi moi and jollof rice. They had the collard greens that was delicious as well. Service is pretty quick. Ambience is OK. I got it to go and I enjoyed it at home.

Jennaca Hajek

I went here with some friends and we all got something different. I got egusi soup and fufu. It was absolutely delicious. My friends all loved what they got. The seasonings and spices were perfect. The staff/owners were very nice and welcoming. It a small place with only three tables so don’t depend on a place to sit - plan on taking it to go. It is well worth the trip. The food was hot and stayed hot until we got to our destination. I meant to take some pics but was so excited to eat it I forgot. I’m already craving it and want to go back and try everything on the menu.

The food is awesome! I've never had Nigerian Ghana food before and it was awesome. The flavors oh my gosh where do I start. They're jollof rice on point colorful spicy I could eat that by itself. We got the jollof rice with vegetables and plantains which comes with your choice of protein for us it was chicken and beef. The vegetables is like fresh collard semi-cooked greens with spice. The plantains soft and sweet perfect to go with the spice of the dish. The beef was a little dry and tough although Good. The chicken fell off the bone and the flavors of the sauce permeated throughout the chicken in each bite. I did have a side dish of the goat for me it was a little too gamey and I've had gamey meats. The soups come with a protein of your choice fish chicken beef goat. We had chicken with our Egusi soup. It was warm and spicy and the fufu (sticky cassava that has been boiled and pounded) this would be like sticky mashed potato complemented the Egusi soup. On another trip we had the red snapper and that was well deeply fried. There are bones but if you like fish you will like it. Also had a bottle of the tropical rhythms fruit punch which was sweet and fruity. Also try the puff puff - similar to donut holes without the sugar. If you are messy eater ask for extra napkins. Did I mention the food is spicy... Ask for extra napkins LOL Sometimes expect a line and if there is a line be patient the food is worth it. And if you have any questions ask the people behind the counter they're Good at explaining the ingredients and making suggestions especially If It's your first time. Their bathroom clean and well decorated.

Bodhi Leibenguth

The food is awesome! I've never had Nigerian Ghana food before and it was awesome. The flavors oh my gosh where do I start. They're jollof rice on point colorful spicy I could eat that by itself. We got the jollof rice with vegetables and plantains which comes with your choice of protein for us it was chicken and beef. The vegetables is like fresh collard semi-cooked greens with spice. The plantains soft and sweet perfect to go with the spice of the dish. The beef was a little dry and tough although Good. The chicken fell off the bone and the flavors of the sauce permeated throughout the chicken in each bite. I did have a side dish of the goat for me it was a little too gamey and I've had gamey meats. The soups come with a protein of your choice fish chicken beef goat. We had chicken with our Egusi soup. It was warm and spicy and the fufu (sticky cassava that has been boiled and pounded) this would be like sticky mashed potato complemented the Egusi soup. On another trip we had the red snapper and that was well deeply fried. There are bones but if you like fish you will like it. Also had a bottle of the tropical rhythms fruit punch which was sweet and fruity. Also try the puff puff - similar to donut holes without the sugar. If you are messy eater ask for extra napkins. Did I mention the food is spicy... Ask for extra napkins LOL Sometimes expect a line and if there is a line be patient the food is worth it. And if you have any questions ask the people behind the counter they're Good at explaining the ingredients and making suggestions especially If It's your first time. Their bathroom clean and well decorated.

Tiffany Grey

The only problem with all of their food is, the spice. The spice is toooooooooooooooo much. A person will have a bleeding ulcer after eating it. I ordered Jollof rice, I can't enjoy the food due to the spice. I'll have to find another spot....... I ordered pepper soup and the soup was cold. Not cool! It was cold🥶.

BL D

First time trying African food! I had the meat pie and steak skewers. Would have probably been better if it were fresher but overall, a good experience. (I did come at the end of day). The customer service was good which is always a welcome for me to come back and try again.

⭐⭐ (2/5 stars) I am disappointed with this place. I paid $47 for two meals that felt all fat and no meat. The "chicken" dish actually had turkey, which wasn't even advertised. The flavor was nothing special and overall not worth the price. Skip this spot unless you want greasy, mislabeled food.

Omar Reggio

⭐⭐ (2/5 stars) I am disappointed with this place. I paid $47 for two meals that felt all fat and no meat. The "chicken" dish actually had turkey, which wasn't even advertised. The flavor was nothing special and overall not worth the price. Skip this spot unless you want greasy, mislabeled food.

The sad part is … I’ve been coming here for a long time, but this time it just wasn’t it. First, the service…. I may have not been able to hear the little girl all the way but I thought she said “sides?” With a little container in her hand. So I repeated it …. Sides? I just shook my head yes….. because at this point she has the container that I wanted … so I’m like …”yeah, that one. “ so then I ordered something else and she said the same thing … so again … I’m like “yeah, girl” . Noticed she sat down and then looked at her sister … like there was a problem, neither here nor there. Now the food, I got my food …. Maybe the end of the day for them… because we for sure got the scraps. Ate it, everything was good…. But now I have food poison. I’ve been in this bed and in the bathroom all day. Thank God it’s my day off, I will never step foot in this place again, and they should have someone check to make sure they are operating a clean and healthy place to serve food. It’s the simple fact that I paid dam near 40 dollars for some food I can not finish, because I am sick. Shame on you guys!!! Shame.

Shivon Sullivan

The sad part is … I’ve been coming here for a long time, but this time it just wasn’t it. First, the service…. I may have not been able to hear the little girl all the way but I thought she said “sides?” With a little container in her hand. So I repeated it …. Sides? I just shook my head yes….. because at this point she has the container that I wanted … so I’m like …”yeah, that one. “ so then I ordered something else and she said the same thing … so again … I’m like “yeah, girl” . Noticed she sat down and then looked at her sister … like there was a problem, neither here nor there. Now the food, I got my food …. Maybe the end of the day for them… because we for sure got the scraps. Ate it, everything was good…. But now I have food poison. I’ve been in this bed and in the bathroom all day. Thank God it’s my day off, I will never step foot in this place again, and they should have someone check to make sure they are operating a clean and healthy place to serve food. It’s the simple fact that I paid dam near 40 dollars for some food I can not finish, because I am sick. Shame on you guys!!! Shame.

I really wanted to like this place as I love African food but everything I had was absolutely disgusting. The jollof tasted burnt, the chicken was bland and the veggies lackluster. I hoped for better. I would say try somewhere else .

Danni

I really wanted to like this place as I love African food but everything I had was absolutely disgusting. The jollof tasted burnt, the chicken was bland and the veggies lackluster. I hoped for better. I would say try somewhere else .