BUSO Izakaya — Restaurant in East Nusa Tenggara

🍣 A Wonderful Japanese Dining Experience in Lubombaio 🇮🇩

✨ From the very beginning, the welcome was incredibly warm. The staff are attentive, kind, and follow you carefully throughout the entire meal, from helping you choose the dishes to making sure everything is perfect until the very end.

👨‍🍳 The open kitchen is a highlight: you can see the freshness of the ingredients and the meticulous care the chefs put into preparing each plate.

🍸 I started with a cocktail, the house signature mojito. It was perfectly balanced, refreshing, and absolutely delicious.

🍱 As for the food, the sushi is prepared using traditional methods. The fish is selected according to the season and the catch of the day, and the result is outstanding. The portions are just right, and the quality-price ratio couldn’t be better. I paid around €20 per person and left completely satisfied.

🥢 The real star of the evening, however, was the cold udon. It was probably the best dish of the entire meal. In fact, the best version of cold udon I’ve ever tried. Truly on par with authentic Japanese cuisine.

✅ Highly recommended for anyone in Lubombaio looking for a genuine Japanese dining experience with excellent service and...

I visited this restaurant for dinner and had a mostly positive experience. The only downside was the access; there’s just one way in, and you have to go through a fish market, which isn't the most convenient or pleasant route.

However, once you get inside, the restaurant has a fantastic view and a great ambience. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, though it was quite hot inside. I understand that Labuan Bajo itself tends to be hot, so it wasn’t a huge issue.

The service was exceptional – the staff was incredibly helpful and accommodating. I was welcomed with a cold oshiobori, which was a lovely touch and really refreshing.

I was excited to try the sashimi, but unfortunately, they were out of it that evening. Instead, I opted for the Goto Udon, and although it was different from the Goto Udon I’m used to, it was still incredibly delicious and refreshing.

Overall, despite the access and heat, I would still recommend this place for its excellent service, great food, and...

Disappointing Experience – Definitely Overrated

We decided to try Buso Izakaya after seeing some videos showcasing a beautiful Japanese robata grill and reading the many glowing reviews. With a 4.9 rating, our expectations were high.

Unfortunately, the reality didn’t match the hype. The place is expensive, and the food was underwhelming. We specifically ordered robata dishes, expecting them to be grilled over charcoal as advertised. Instead, they were simply blowtorched with a gas flame — a far cry from the authentic robata experience we were promised.

It felt misleading and left us quite disappointed. Given the price and the huge gap between the presentation and what’s actually served, I honestly think the 4.9 rating is...