BUBU is an asian-infusion concept from TAG Restaurant Group and Chef Troy Guard, that focuses primarily on flavorful bowl based meals that are healthy, and heavy on locally-sourced toppings. I stopped by the Larimer location recently (Lowry supposedly has a larger menu) and found myself standing in front of a menu board where I was told to pick my bowl theme, which was essentially a collection of pre-selected ingredients. I was then asked for my rice/noodle/salad as a bowl base preference, and then asked to select my protein, and then I was done. I did have the option of creating my own bowl from scratch, but as this was my first visit and I had a tight timeline, I followed the prescribed steps of lunch creation. The result was quite good.
I selected the Thai bowl theme, some white rice and shrimp (tofu was also an option), and in just a few minutes my meal was brought out to me. Despite the pedigree, I had tempered my expectations as soon as I saw the ordering process, and the plastic help-yourself silverware nearby. But I found myself happily surprised. My bowl was very good. The ingredients blended together very well, the portion size was perfect, and it was flavorful vs. bland/boring. The Thai dressing actually had some decent kick to it. I’ll definitely visit bubu again.
Of note – Having gotten a more expensive protein and a drink other than water, this lunch ended up being a bit more pricey than I’d like, even given the going lunch rates in the LoDo area. The chicken and tofu options look to be $4 cheaper than the shrimp selection, so it may be possible to keep it closer to a $10 meal with a less expensive protein and water. Also, if you visit the Larimer location, be aware that its located in the underground shops area of the Square, and that its probably a good idea to keep your dining party fairly small as the dining areas are tight.
Location: visit bubu in Larimer Square or Lowry; see website