The Buoy

Was visiting family in SF and suddenly really craved Korean food—so glad I ended up here! The place totally reminded me of trendy spots back in Korea. Super clean and stylish, but still cozy. We got two kinds of mocktails (both were so good), and shared the jjambbong pasta, yukhoe, and galbi crunch. Literally scraped the plates clean—everything was delicious. I’d been missing spicy Korean noodles lately, and that jjambbong pasta seriously hit the spot. Flavorful, just the right amount of spice. Will definitely be back next time I’m in town!

Oh, I really wanted to like the dinner service here. The places were reasonable, and the food looked good. But the quality of cooking was simply not there. The summer tuna dish had three thin slices of tuna with tasteless watermelon and citrus foam. It begged for something sweet and salty mixed with it. The spicy noodles were fine, but the pork was dry and overcooked, and the pasta was obviously boxed pasta that had no texture or bite. And the most egregious was the braised short ribs, the Galbijim. You would expect it to fall off the bone, but instead, it was tight to it and really tough to chew and eat. To me it meant it needed several more hours braising. The flavors were fine but it was severely lacking in cooking skill. Luckily, we only spent $65 a person for these three dishes and a drink, so it wasn’t a complete rip off. But, it is not a good Korean restaurant.

This Korean bakery completed exceeded our expectations! The butter salt bread was perfectly warm, crispy on outside and lightly chewy. The matcha chestnut roll was light, not too sweet and the matcha flavor was really present. I really enjoyed the matcha einspanner. The sesame latte and brownie are on the sweeter side (still tasty). The location isn’t the best (off Market) and the place itself had a bit of a cold atmosphere but clean. There are plenty of tables indoor and no wait. Overall, I can’t wait to come back and try other things!

A perfect brunch. The kimchi panini and French toast were both delicious, and the sesame mochi was amazing too. I missed the salt bread again since it only comes out after 10, but hopefully next time! The kind service made the experience even better. Looking forward to trying their dinner menu as well!

Excited to experience The Buoy’s new chapter as a Korean bar and restaurant! I tried every dish on the menu except the Galbijjim, saving that one for next time 😌 Great vibe, friendly service, and bold Korean flavors in creative tapas style—loved it!❤️ It was so hard to pick my favorite menu. My top picks: ✔️Halibut Crudo ✔️Yukhoe ✔️Galbi Crunch ✔️Charred Brisket & Perilla Pasta ✔️ Soju Einspanner — Cocktail

Came here for dinner and it did not disappoint. We had the burrata salad, spicy tuna crisps, galbi crunch, chili pasta, and galbijim — and every dish was packed with flavor. Each one was unique, delicious, and beautifully prepared. Can’t wait to come back and try more!

TLDR: high end atmosphere but service and food does not match the high end they are going for, it’s only for IG, not for real people Walked in and looked at the items for a few minutes and was not greeted. When I stood at the register, someone finally turned around and say “hey” in a not so inviting way. Took my order gruffly, interrupted me after I ordered my drink to say anything else, before I even had time to order food. Ordered for here and sat at the bar. The raspberry roll was put down in front of me but then they put my coffee all the way on the other end of the bar and I had to get up and go get it. Why would one be here and one item put there? Also other people’s were put on a nice board and mine was not. As for the food, the raspberry cake was old. The cake itself was not very soft and there was way too much cream, I got sick of eating it and had to take some out. The black sesame latte was nothing special as well. Would not come back. $8 for a slice of roll cake is pretty expensive as well.

Everything tasted amazing and the vibes of the cafe are immaculate. Service was also great. Black sesame latte was super nutty and you can really taste the black sesame. 8/10 Both pastries were amazing. Black sesame mochi brownie is super unique. 10/10. Salt bread is salty, buttery goodness. 9/10.

Love this cafe so much! The interior is so quaint, lots of seating and work area. I am OBSESSED with their drinks, I love their suk einspanner -- mugwort flavored drink. It is a mix of nuttiness and herbal matcha flavored drink, would highly recommend trying if you like matcha! Their paninis and pastries are all top tier, lots of Korean inspired flavors here!!

The atmosphere is great! Bright and clean. Service is also nice! The staffs are very friendly :)

Yummy coffee and delicious chai. Beautiful cafe to work in. The pastries and the food are also very good.

Updated with more photos, including half of the charming alcove. :) (I couldn't get a photo of the other half since there were people sitting there who probably didn't want to be in a photo posted online.) The Ssuk and Black Sesame Einspanner are soooo good. They both had a nice, strong flavor and thick cream on top. The raspberry and red bean roll cakes were delicious too.

The cafe itself is such a very cute cafe to work at, hang and it's very spacious. I rlly wish that this cafe opens up a bit longer than 3pm though:(. Food was yummy too! Everyone is friendly and was very welcome. Would definitely come back

Interesting menu, kinda pricey, mid service Menu was intriguing with Korean inspired drinks and desserts. Two drinks and a cake came out to $30. Good seating for studying or coffee dates. Mostly self service, workers didn't not really seem to care for the customer experience. Order came out separately in parts although the cafe didn't seem too busy. Unsure if I'll return for another try

Had this spot on my list of cafes to check out for a while, and was excited to finally drop in on a Saturday afternoon! First take, the space looks lovely and loved how easily you can ease in with a laptop for a couple hours of work - some cafes you feel a bit awkward about pulling out your laptop. However, admittedly I was not very impressed by the service itself. It took a few intentional checks with the staff to make sure that we got our drinks (originally, they only put out one drink out of the two we ordered, and did not even bother to check on the roll cake we had also purchased). Almost felt like I was being the inconvenience by being there to the staff. Perhaps just caught them on an off day? Would give Buoy another visit in the future to try out other items on their menu and if I need to get a bit of work in, but would aim to keep my touch points with the staff to be as minimal as possible.

Heard good things about this place but had a hard time finding it due to the relatively lowkey exterior. The interior, however, is nice and spacious, with a relatively warm ambiance with ample seating and okay service. I had initially gone in for a drink, but decided to get a sesame brownie to take home. Unfortunately it became a little mushy (and some of it got on my hand while I was taking the BART home in spite of the sealing), but the taste was alright. I'm glad I was able to get this photo of it before the frosting got smeared around the side. Overall, it was an alright experience. The coffee was okay, nothing particularly memorable, and the brownie had a sweet taste that still maintained its sesame flavor. It might've been a little sweet for my taste, but I'm sure their other desserts, which are more akin to the kind of sweets I usually gravitate towards, will be better.

Came here to try the lattes and roll cakes on a Sunday morning and saw that they were sold out of their scones and matcha roll cake already. I ended up getting a an iced latte einspanner with the raspberry roll cake and my friend got the black sesame latte. The lattes were great and I enjoyed the einspanner. The black sesame latte isn't by default caffeinated but you can add a shot of espresso. In general both were a bit sweet for my liking but overall pretty good. The roll cake is made from rice flour making them gluten free. The cake is pretty light and it's filled with a cream cheese mixture. Overall it was good and not too sweet but I wish the cake was fluffier along with the filling. The space is nice and welcoming. There were plenty of people sitting with laptops at the tables so if you can find a spot it's pretty good to work at.

I had The Buoy bookmarked for a while and was excited to finally try them! However, maybe my expectations were too high, but I was honestly disappointed with my experience. I came in on a Friday afternoon and ordered the Matcha Roll Cake. I think the cake slice was on the more expensive side; it didn't feel super worth it to me. The cake itself also was just okay. I could taste the matcha, but the overall flavor was super subtle, and I didn't love the texture of the cake or cream. I think both could have been lighter and fluffier. The environment had a lot of tables and I saw a lot of people studying, but it didn't feel very warm or charming--if anything, it felt more dreary. Overall, I think there are much better dessert spots in SF, and I wouldn't prioritize The Buoy over other options.

TLDR: The upscale Korean cafe I didn't know I needed. The black sesame brownie and Ssuk Tiramisu here are standout and unique desserts, and I'd get them again in a heartbeat. The space is honestly really cute with both a casual lounge area and plenty of tables + "coffee bar" seating for studying or catching up with friends. They're known for their desserts and specialty drinks, but they also have 3 types of paninis and 3 types of onigiris if you're looking for real food. ------ FOOD: 1. Black Sesame Brownie (5/5) - The black sesame flavor is super strong here which is hard to come by in desserts and so nostalgic for me. The mochi balls in the brownie are a welcome surprise. The brownie itself is quite small though. 2. Ssuk Tiramisu (5/5) - This was delicious and the tiramisu part of the dessert was done perfectly. This was my first time trying ssuk in a cake and it gave the perfect, subtle herbal taste to add a twist to a classic. 3. Kimchi Panini (4.5/5) - Very complex flavor profile and made fresh which was great. Also comes with either a side of salad or chips. So much going on in this but somehow it worked really well, though the sandwich itself is quite messy so get napkins. 4. Black Cocoa Cookie (3.5/5) - I thought I'd like it more but it was a little too grainy and nutty for my liking and the melted marshmallow didn't quite work with the cookie, though it was delicious on its own. 5. Match Roll (3/5) - Didn't love the cake part of the roll because it wasn't as soft and pillowy as I was expecting it to be (had more of a bite than I was expecting?). I'm not a huge matcha fan but I actually didn't mind the matcha flavor of the cream in this. ------ ENVIRONMENT / AMBIANCE: Lots of seating options here bucketed in 3 types: 1) Casual lounge seating in arm chairs in a super cute library-type space at the front of the shop; lots of light and perfect for catching up with friends over a coffee or specialty drink 2) "Bar" seating at the coffee bar and dessert-assembly space near where you order; you get to watch someone decorate the various desserts throughout the day; tall chairs at a wide counter so multiple people can sit along the space 3) Table seating at round tables lining the interior wall of the shop; people were working here and catching up with friends over food / desserts There's some very convenient street parking right outside the shop as well as parking along the nearby streets.

The Buoy is a small, Korean cafe based in Hayes. In terms of the space and the vibes of the cafe, it does a great job. It has high ceilings (probably a reflection of the fact that it's in a new luxury building) and it has this massive bar with great lighting. It feels sleek in that particular way. I will say, it seemed clear that they were training new people when I went and I got the black sesame latte which tastes... off? It doesn't have a particularly nutty flavor and it tastes a bit artificial which feels like kind of a red flag to me, but the pastries seem really good (which I didn't get any of). The eispanner's also seem potentially good but I also didn't get those. I will say, in terms of a cafe to work out of during the day, it fits the exact bill. There's a fair amount of seating, free wifi, and a ton of space so if this is the spot that you're looking for.

Nice cafe in Hayes valley. It's chill and spacious and really clean. It has a nice vibe and great for coffee/pastries and desserts. It can be a little confusing when you walk in if no one is near the bar on where to order, but the service was great. Greeted once I walked towards the bar. The bar area is where you order when you walk in. The vegan garlic bun was paired perfectly with an iced latte. Lots of nice options to choose from their menu.

I was looking for a sweet treat in SF and came across this place. The matcha cream cake was excellent. Not too sweet but also not too bitter. It was soft and creamy in just the right way. Def recommend Also seems like a good place to study! There's a ton of seating and it's a well lit quiet spot.

This Korean inspired cafe is a new SF gem for my partner and I. We have been obsessed with ordering the Suuk latte (hot, with no caffeine) and Einspanner Latte. I've had a number of Einspanner lattes, and I find that this is probably the best Einspanner latte I've had in the Bay Area - 10/10 for both. The matcha rollcake is also pretty good, probably 7/10. Interior is also incredibly cute. There is plenty of booth/paired table seating, a bar of seats next to the baristas, and separate couch seating on the right. Fair warning, it does get pretty busy - so seats might be hard to come by depending on when you come in. We've seen a couple of dogs inside, so it seems pet friendly - but don't quote me on that. There are also plenty of folks WFH here (Free WiFi). Buoy is one of our official favorites/go-to's in the Bay Area!

Buoy is a Korean inspired cafe that shares the same space as another Korean inspired spot, Jang. The space has a very minimial clean look. Got an Einspanner Latte and a Black Sesame Brownie. The latte was really nice and not too sweet. The brownie had bits of mochi in it which I'm not too sure that it contributes positively to the taste and texture. Also, not sure if the brownie is also made with rice flour but the texture is not brownie-like at all, which isn't a positive or negative for me, just different.

Sushi Jang的地盘 白天时段售卖韩式甜品、咖啡和茶 以至于取餐的时候要像在餐厅那样签小费账单 真的很不习惯 工作日客流量稀稀拉拉 偶遇外网美食博主探店 各类甜品摆满了一桌子 Flat White 【平白】 好典型的韩式咖啡... 浓缩淡、稀、酸、苦 集合了所有难喝的元素 却和Pacific咖啡大师燕麦奶意外地融合 Raspberry Cupcake 【覆盆子纸杯蛋糕】 竟然还不错！蛋糕体同时具备柔软与厚实，用调配的覆盆子奶油奶酪来代替打发奶油，口感更绵密、更浓郁，味道酸中带甜，整体清新自然 Fig Jam Scone 【无花果酱司康饼】 质地瓷实，甚至完全感受不到有醒发过的痕迹，活脱脱一个烤面粉团子，但吃起来却有点软烂，不油腻，也不会噎嗓子 甜度控制得可真好啊，无花果干提供了柔和的甜，又巧妙地运用椰丝作为点缀，经过烤制后又香又脆

I've been wanting to try this Korean-inspired cafe for so long and finally got to this weekend. WOW. It's gorgeous inside, the interior decor has a mix of minimalist with antique, and music is at an appropriate level. Staff isn't overly-friendly though, kind of just there to answer questions without that inviting aura honestly, but this can be overlooked. This cafe hits all the right boxes - free wifi, lots of seating, cute sectioned off area with comfortable seating for socializing, great drinks, amazing pastries. The only downside is the same downside for every business in Hayes which is just parking but never an issue on Sundays. I need to just bring special attention to their black sesame brownie because it's the best thing I've eaten in a long time. Very similar to a small cookie business (Christine's Cookies) Oreo black sesame cookie but with a really nice subtlety sweet black sesame frosting. I want everyone to try this and thank me later. Raspberry einspanner was a miss unfortunately, just too bitter but everything else we tried was pretty good (matcha roll cake, black sesame latte) Excited to try more~

Was very much looking forward to trying this place. Sorry to say I was somewhat disappointed. The cafe is a cute, dimly lit place with plenty of 2 people seating and free wifi. A good place to get work done if you can snag a seat. The menu is notable for the ssuk einspanner and rice flour roll cakes. The texture of the cake is light and springy, but the size and quality of the cake is notably lower than many of the pictures on yelp. There are also chestnuts at the base of the matcha cake which was a nice surprise. A bit smaller and messier than I would expect for an almost $9 slice of cake.

This place is so close to where I work, I can't believe I've never noticed it. Located on Franklin, you won't really notice this place driving by, but the cross street would be lily, right across from Nakama Sushi. What caught my eye about this place were their roll cakes. At the time, they had matcha, red bean, and a red velvet roll cake sold by the slice. I was a little bummed they didn't have any black sesame treats, but I'll just have to return for that someday. If you want a whole roll cake, you will need to place an order in advance for pick up. Treats are made from organic Korean rice flour and natural food coloring. Desserts are not too sweet either, which is the ultimate Asian person's approval LOL I have not tried their lattes yet, so I will update my review when I do. The café itself is very spacious, with lots of room for people to work, study, or just enjoying a quick coffee date. the interior design is such a vibeee. So aesthetically pleasing, giving boujee boutique hotel. They have a small intimate area with couches and plush lounge chairs. The service was a little slow for orders to-go, but the staff were very nice and I know they get super busy. all in all, great experience. I might have to schedule a couple of in person meetings here some time!

Food: this is where this cafe shined. I thoroughly enjoyed the gooey cheese and crispy texture of the kimchi sandwich. I would come back solely to order this. The raspberry and yuzu spritzes were refreshing and delicious, not overly sweet or sour. The matcha roll cake was fluffy and had a delicious thick cream on top. The s'mores cookie was hard as a rock, I wouldn't get it again. Nice concept though. All in all it took about 20 mins for the sandwich to come out but it was worth the wait. Service: order at the front and have your name called for pick up when your food is ready. I thought it was a little odd that I waited at the front counter for about 15 minutes before even being acknowledged or welcomed. Ambiance: It's a cozy, quiet cafe with plenty of seating and folks working on their laptops. There's also a cute little library nook with comfortable seating and space enough for two groups of 4. Be mindful that there is only one bathroom, though.

I coworked at this dessert/coffee/drink shop with some friends on a Friday afternoon. The atmosphere was really lively and I loved all the decorations (the alcohol bottles and vinyl records). There's also plenty of seating and outlets. Unfortunately, I wasn't too impressed with what I ordered: the Raspberry Omija-Berry Fritz. It was a bit too sour and not in a good way like sour candy or some fruits. I tried my friend's Raspberry Einspanner, which I also did not like. I couldn't taste the coffee over the raspberry. Maybe I just need to try something not raspberry-flavored next time. I really appreciate how everything is gluten-free and how much care went into creating a space that is both comfy and functional. I just wish the drinks were tastier!

This is such a cute Korean dessert spot in town dedicated to serving up yummy gluten free pastries and drinks. I've been craving scones this fall, and their fig jam scone topped with crispy coconut hit the spot. I also enjoyed their black sesame latte with oat milk. The café is pretty spacious, and there's free WiFi ftw, so it's perfect for getting a bit of work done.

I absolutely LOVE me a Korean cafe. After living in LA for a short while, I came to sorely miss Korean cafes after moving to SF. Buoy fulfills this craving and then some! Their ssuk einspänner is perfect with a creamy foam and nice, rich base drink. The matcha raspberry is a delectable treat for those with a sweet tooth, no holding back on the sugar here! I came in on a Friday midday with no line. My drink was made quickly and there was plentiful seating. Moving forward, this will definitely be in my cafe rotation.

Went at around 1:00 PM on a Saturday and it was packed. After waiting 15ish minutes at a bar seat, a table with outlets opened up and I was able to move there. The ssuk einspanner (3.5/5) had a really subtle earthy taste and it wasn't really for me. Not bad but it wasn't to my liking. I might try the latte einspanner next time. The green tea roll cake (4.5/5) was really delectable and I would come back just to eat it again. Unlike a lot of other roll cakes, the cake part is almost like mochi. Not sure if it's made of mochi but as someone who isn't the biggest fan of mochi, this cake had just the right amount of bounce and chew. Best part is it's not dry at all which typically is the case for other roll cakes. The whipped cream on top and the green tea cream inside were very light, not too sweet, and very creamy. Points docked off for the nuts inside which I'm not a fan of and could've preferred it without. Would definitely come back to try the paninis. Wish they could close later as it's a great study spot.

Great place to work! Lots of creative asian-inspired drinks & desserts -- I got their black sesame latte which had a subtle black sesame flavor (stronger coffee) but still pretty good! Service is quick, plenty of seating, and pretty spacious in general. However, the cafe does close at 3pm so better for early morning work/study or catch ups.

I came recently on a weekday morning to get some work done. It's a pretty new and spacious environment, so you get lots of room to work on with plenty of space between you and the next person. Great place to get some work done. I got the jujube chai latte, and this was pretty disappointing. The jujube flavor was extremely light, to the point where the dusting of cinnamon was the main secondary flavor. The milk drowned out everything, and it just tasted like warm slightly flavored milk. Didn't get any of the chai flavor, so really not sure if this was even tea at all. I wish I had tried some of the desserts, but the drinks here really need some work!

I was tagging along with a friend who was cafe hopping & I tried a bit of the matcha roll cake which was tasty! I loved the walnuts in it & if there's one thing I'd suggest, it would be to make it moister. It's a little on the dry side, so you'd need to have a drink with it. I was so surprised that it was so spacious, and I'd love to spend more time here on another visit.

Drinks, good! Ambiance, good! Service, a little slow, but very kind staff. Food (baked goods) not great. Some things we wanted to try were gone on the day we went/none of the items we saw on Instagram/Tiktok posts were available/on the menu? They also sold out of an item we ordered...after we ordered it (lol). Best thing would be the kimchi onion jam panini, all the baked goods were very dry or too cold (frozen from being in the fridge). Have hope that they improve with them.

I ordered the garlic bread and it was very sweet omg. Not what I was expecting // wanting at all. There was an overload of butter too which made it taste super heavy. Inside it looked like a dinner place, with a ton of seating. I wish their display had more of the menu items that they offered bc i couldn't really tell if it was a bakery or a lunch place or a brunch place? A comprehensive menu would really make it easier to understand the vibes of the place.

I recently tried Buoy during lunch. I got their Maitake Mushroom Panini and the Pineapple Chamomile Cooler. Both delicious. Also the interior of the restaurant is beautiful. I brought the fig scone and the pumpkin cupcake home for the hubby. I tasted them both but somehow these gluten free sweets do not agree with me. I got a slight heart burn from them. Service was friendly. I would come back for the drinks and to enjoy the space. Located on Franklin St. between Oak St. and Market St. (Outside can be a bit crazy sometimes. Last time I walked by, a huge mattress was dump near their door so I had to step out into traffic to walk to the restaurant. Unfortunately, typical in this part of SF.)

Buoy has Instagram pretty desserts but I didn't really like any of the things we tried. The gluten-free roll cakes were dry and dense, with the matcha flavor being marginally better than the red bean. The matcha raspberry jam cookie (gf) was very chalky and the ssuk latte had a strong herbal flavor that reminded me of Chinese medicine. I was also surprised to see how dark and dreary it was inside - they keep the blinds shut even during the day. Not an ideal setting for enjoying coffee and desserts.

Tried Kimchi Panini + Black Sesame Brownie. Would definitely come back for those. Actually pretty excited to try other menus like the matcha tiramisu. Forgot to take photo before I finished the brownie. Sorry.

I really wanted to like this place, but maybe I just didn't order the right thing. A friend mentioned Buoy to me and I've been intrigued ever since. I saw the ssuk (mugwort) drinks and wanted to try one since it's something different. I just went to Korea a few weeks ago (granted, it was during the Chuseok holiday so everything was basically closed) and asked around about a ssuk latte. However, no one knew what I was talking about, so I left defeated with no option but to try it back in the States. We came here on a random weekday afternoon and between the option of a standard ssuk latte vs ssuk einspanner, we decided to get the latter as recommended ($6.50). Before actually purchasing the drink, the cashier warned us that it would be an acquired taste and had us smell the ssuk to see if we'd like it. It reminded me of matcha, so I figured the least I could do was try the drink. Plus, this is coming from a girl who LOVES natto. I know all about acquired tastes. Be sure to mix the drink well! I didn't because I wanted to see how it would taste without the cream and got a bitter mouthful. Once I mixed everything altogether, I found that the ssuk flavor itself was really light and the drink wasn't too sweet (a win!). The reason for the average rating was that I found the drink boring. The more I sipped on it, the less I wanted to drink it. It's better with food, but still nothing to rave about. Maybe I'm missing the point? I was curious about the pastries, but saw a tiny fruit fly in the display. As a personal rule of thumb, flies in pastry case = automatic no. I know it's not something easy to control, but my inner sanitary freak can't shake it.

Located near the less appealing area of San Francisco's City Hall is a beautiful Asian inspired cafe for you to be immersed in. Buoy is a rare gem in this city that offers a mix of quiet, escapism, good coffee, and nice treats. They have unique coffee and beverages to try, and the sweetness of their desserts make a great compliment to the blends of coffees that they use! If you're looking for a chill hangout, place to study, or just relaxation at a cafe in SF, I would definitely recommend.

I had a feeling that this cafe was going to be overhyped, but I was hoping to be proven wrong, especially with how kind the staff are! My friend and I shared the Ssuk latte, einspanner, matcha roll cake, and black cocoa cookie. I have had Ssuk also known as Mugwort before in pastries, which I enjoyed, but never in latte form so I knew it was a risk to try. Overall I will have to agree with another review that the taste was similar to chinese herbal medicine or even to me specifically, if you were to taste tiger balm. Maybe because its more concentrated vs. in a pastry there is cake or pastry to balance it out? With this being a korean cafe, I had expected their einspanner to be similar to the ones I had in Korea, but unfortunately it was not. The latte was watery and bitter and the cream did not have the thickness you would expect for an einspanner. The coffee used here is equator coffee which I do like, so maybe I had a one off drink. The matcha roll cake as all other reviewers mentioned was pretty dry, but I did enjoy the matcha cream and chesnut pieces inside. I think my favorite item amongst what we shared was the black cocoa cookie. The taste reminded me a bit of oreo pizookie. In terms of the space - the space is huge and perfect to work from home, they do have free wifi, not sure about outlets(I did not see any). It is a bit dark inside, but I think that is the aesthetic for this cafe. One thing to note that I hope is a one off because it was a slightly warm day- there were a cluster of flies inside the cafe , mainly where you order. I was also swatting flies while I was eating, which surprised me because the space is so big so you would think it is well ventilated enough to avoid this problem. I hope this can be resolved as this is not normally an issue at other cafes that are even smaller and warmer. Overall I appreciate the uniqueness in flavors but I do think as other reviewers mentioned, they do need work. I feel that people come to this cafe to just try the unique flavors once or to work from home due to the large open space of this cafe.

Buoy had me at Ssuk Latte. Ssuk is an herb called mugwort which has a myriad of health benefits including: - Relieving stress - Boosting energy - Improving sleep - Easing female disorders Y'all going to have to make gallon jugs of this STAT! Opening on 8/9/24, Buoy is a new Korean Dessert Café serving baked goods, tea, and coffee in the former Le Fantastique space. It's from the owner behind Rice Flour (Korean roll cakes). Rice Flour also has pop-ups up in Sushi Hakko in The Marina. Buoy shares a space with Jang (Korean-Japanese Resto) which is only open for dinner. Open for take out and dine-in. No outdoor seating. M E N U Healthy Korean Rice Flour Desserts + Baked Goods (gluten-free): Roll cakes, scones, cupcakes, tiramisu, and cookies (single serving $4.5-$12). For drinks: Tea (no matcha), coffee, and Korean trending drinks like einspänner (Vienna coffee w/ whipped cream) and ssuk (mugwort) latte. Soy and oat milk available for a surcharge. D R I N K * Ssuk [Mugwort] Latte, caffeine free ($6): https://tinyurl.com/ynfmv4m6 I've had Korean rice cakes (Dduk) made with mugwort but this is the first time I've had it in latte form. I don't think they even offer ssuk latte in the Santa Clara area yet. Pretty latte art. Lowkey reminds me of a light matcha latte with an earthy milky creaminess and grassy, herbal undertones. B A K E D G O O D S / D E S S E R T * Matcha Roll Cake (Slice-$8, Half Roll-$26, Whole Roll-$42): https://tinyurl.com/muya7r9w - Whole cakes require a pre-order The Swiss style roll cake is made with a pillowy soft plain and matcha checkered chiffon cake filled with matcha infused whipped cream and a thin layer of matcha ganache. The mildly sweet flavor perfectly balances the earthy, bitter, and savory notes of the matcha. A very light dessert but deliciously satisfying...if you're into AZN style cakes. Even if you eat several slices, it won't put you in a diabetic coma the way American cakes can. To nitpick, there could have been more whipped cream filling as there was an air pocket. * Ssuk [Mugwort] Cookie ($4.50) The levain-style cookie was thiccc and crunchy with an earthy nutty flavor similar to black sesame without the grittiness. Lightly sweetened. Crowned with a roasted macadamia nut for a rich, buttery bite. S E R V I C E Super sweet owner and staff. A M B I A N C E Upscale, moody, and minimalist with a large counter, 8 tables tops, and a lounge area in the front. P A R K I N G Metered street parking is not too challenging. Overall, if you're looking for healthy and unique Korean trending drinks and desserts in the city, def hit up Buoy!

Stylish new Korean-style cafe in Hayes Valley. It is very spacious inside -- plenty of tables to work and hang out. Very beautifully decorated (kind of reminds me of a bistro or wine bar tbh). The girl at the cashier wasn't the friendliest; we tried asking for recommendations but she said everything was good. I also didn't love my black sesame latte because the black sesame flavor wasn't the strongest. But the pastries were good!

I found this on Yelp Hot and New and had to stop by! At the corner of Franklin and Market (I walked 30 minutes here but it's a public transit and biking hub. I will also bike next time probably), Buoy provides a vibey oasis. It feels like a lounge with records and sake bottles as decor. There's a bar area and plenty of lush comfy seating, including some more private nooks and corners and crannies. The bathroom is very clean. I enjoyed my slice of matcha roll cake and einsplanner. Both were rich but not overwhelming. The cake was moist. They offer a wide range of baked goods and caffeinated drinks. I'm excited to come back for their panini and scone and cupcakes, all made in-house! Service and ambiance are so good. Lots of people camp out and work here and have meetings. The clientele seems to skew Asian millennial. I can't wait to see them take off in popularity.

Having tried Einspanner in Korea, I was looking for a spot in the Bay Area that serves this. Came across Buoy tucked away off Hayes. The spot was very nice inside, with table as well as counter seating. Both drinks were great. If you hadn't tried an Einspanner yet, the cream top gives the coffee drink an extra boost of deliciousness. The black sesame also came through (some versions don't have a strong black sesame flavor or are overpowered by the coffee). I didn't eat anything this time, but there are definitely some items I'd try the next time I'm back.

While there's room for improvement in their flavors, I overall enjoyed my experience here and loved the space. There are lots of tables to catch up with friends or do work/study with free wifi. We were lucky to snag the cozy couch area on the side. With pretty presentations, the matcha and red bean roll cakes were one of the main reasons why we came, and they didn't disappoint! The matcha was strong, and the red bean was delightful! You don't see mugwort often around here, so I'm so glad I got to try the ssuk latte although it was a tad too sweet for my liking. In the category of "probably wouldn't get again," certain flavors were either lacking or overpowering. The orange Einspanner was pretty but tasted of all orange and little coffee. On the other hand, the black sesame flavor was basically absent in the black sesame latte, and the flavor of the cream unfortunately dominated the ssuk tiramisu.

I've been wanting to try this place for months!! So excited to finally make time to come and share this review. (: VIBES: So pretty inside. Part of me wants to gatekeep bc it's such a nice vibe! Surprisingly busy on a Sunday morning/afternoon for young people and families alike. There's a lovely semi-separated seating area by the front window as well with couches, coffee tables, and outlets! The decor of the shelves that provide a partial divider to the space includes records and eclectic-looking books. Super vibey and fresh without feeling like it's trying too hard or too "clean." SERVICE/AMENITIES: You order at the counter and seat yourself. Typical cafe fare. WiFi is free and PW is visible at the front counter which is a godsend for ppl like me who have to study or do remote work! FOOD: Ssuk latte: yummy! I prefer a stronger tea but the flavor is there. I'll ask for extra ssuk next time. Ssuk tiramisu: the ssuk flavor isn't strong enough for me personally and gets overpowered by the cream. eh. Toasted coconut latte: just tastes like a sweet coffee latte. No trace of coconut flavor. Very smooth and delicious tho. Matcha raspberry cookie: absolutely not. cookie was like a hard shortbread consistency and you could taste the salt and flour. Yikes. Matcha cake roll: favorite thing I ordered!!!! Perfectly matcha. The matcha cream filling with chestnuts is awesome and the right amount of matcha, just have to be mindful of larger chestnut bits that throw off the balance. The sponge cake was a bit dense which made it hard to cut, but the dryness of the cake was well balanced with the moisture of the matcha cream filling. 8/10 on a good day Tuna nigiri: on the smaller side and definitely mayo heavy, but pretty yummy. Not worth $3.75 tho Denkatsu nigiri: flavor is good but I feel like there's could be a better vegetarian option (that has protein) than tempura bits. def less mayo than the tuna. not for me but I can see someone liking this. Also not worth $3.75. OVERALL: I hope this place brings more exposure to ssuk! I first tried ssuk gelato in Korea and fell in love with the flavor, and I know many people will too. The place isn't perfect, but it's an opportunity to try something new! Excited to try their other desserts and see what new things they'll offer on their menu in the future (:

This place is huge and gorgeous. There's so much unexpected space, and there's a more private area where it's pure elegance. The service was great. He was informative and let me know what's available and what's next and how long I'd need to wait etc. I ended up getting the red bean roll to go in order to eat at the park, and it was baked perfectly. The flavors were there but still relatively subtle. It was the right amount of sweet. And it was supremely moist and creamy. I especially loved the mochi pieces inside.

Came in today around 10am - was amazed by the space this cafe has. It's so open and peaceful - at least for now! Great cafe to work in! Staff were super friendly and asked how we learned about them, offered suggestions and explained the menu. My coworker and I ended up ordering a few pastries and drinks: Ssuk Einspanner Black sesame latte Pumpkin cupcake Fig jam scone Never had Ssuk before and it was so interesting! A little herbal, a little floral, but the right amount of sweet with the Einspanner cream. The pastries were also amazing - I'm a sucker for pumpkin and loved my cupcake. We watched staff cutting up roll cake and they offered us a complimentary slice - so sweet! Loved the mochi in the red bean cream, it added such a fun texture. Can't wait to try more drinks and their lunch menu - highly recommend for the friendly staff, ambience and delicious menu!

Was recommended these roll cakes by a friend and was happy to find such unique desserts and drinks in the area!! Def one of the few legitimate Korean inspired cafes entering the Bay Area (other than this I can only think of gu eum in Saratoga), and it's been hyped. There is ample seating inside, and pretty fitting to work/study. Staff were super friendly and the roll cakes/desserts are put together and finalized in front of the bar! There was huGe line around 1pm on a Saturday, but our order did not take too long compared to the amount of ppl. Matcha roll cake was truly not too sweet! and the cream was super light. I'm a matcha addict so I could've done w even greater intensity in the matcha cream. The actual bread is slightly more dense and drier than your usual roll cake, but this may be the trade off we must make to get a GF roll cake. Presentation was so freaking beautiful...but we had to do what had to be done. We also got the pineapple espresso tonic which was pretty unique - a good try if you're willing to try something new. We were in a random cafe hopping schedule and so I unfortunately had to save my stomach, but def wanna come back next time to get the ssuk latte and maybe even work a bit. SOLID location in the Hayes. it's hot and new:)

Food: - Ssuk Latte: perfect for a rainy day in SF. They framed it as like their take on a matcha latte in the sense that mugwort is slightly grassy. The latte was more mild (I probably would have preferred the flavor to be stronger), but you could taste the grassiness, herbiness, and even some nuttiness/earthiness which I really enjoyed - Red bean roll cake: my favorite part was by far the cream especially the bits of mochi in the cream which was sooooo good. The red bean flavor was strong and not too sweet. The cake part was your typical geniose/chiffon sponge cake but what's special about it is it's gluten free. The slice is on the slightly smaller side for 8 but still just enough to leave you satisfied. Just being frank here: Always love seeing more bakeries open up in the Hayes area. Possibly because I'm biased and love Korean/Asian pastries and flavors, but definitely worth at least a try if you're ever in the Hayes area! I'll have to visit again to try the black sesame latte and other pastries.

Saw the Buoy on social media and was so excited for a Korean cafe to open up with unique flavors! I got there on a Sunday at 10:30am, and they had already sold out of a lot of their pastries I wanted to try. I appreciated the ample amount of seating and space inside! I ended up getting: - Iced Black Sesame Latte (5/5): so good! Not a heavy sesame flavor, and the espresso was flavorful. - Kimchi Onion Panini (5/5): this was delicious! Cooked kimchi, cheese, bacon, etc grilled to perfection with a dressed side salad too. - Sweet Pumpkin Cupcake (2/5): was sadly not a fan of this one. It was $6 for a cupcake, and the cake itself was extremely dry and crumbly, when I was expecting a more mochi texture with the rice flour base. The scoop of pumpkin on top was also a bit thick and overwhelming for the cake texture. Since they opened, it seemed like the operations were also getting figured out. The line moved very slowly, but I'm looking forward to coming back and trying their other drinks and food! Good luck Buoy :)

What a lovely oasis. It's in a new building. Inside reminds me of an upscale bar/boutique. Cute cubby hole in front like a private room. So unique. Upscale coffee hangout. Got red bean roll, matcha raspberry cookie (very matcha), and coconut scone. Gave away to friend. They said it was good. Just very cool place. Everything was a perfection.

I wasn't a huge fan of the mushroom panini, it was smothered in Mustard which I didn't know and they gave me chips instead of the salad. I would come back to try the lattes but I'll skip out on the savory options, maybe to give the onigiris a chance. Overall, it's a nice space with some room to study or chill out in the cafe.