Amazing service! The two girls behind the counter were literally so sweet! The food is bomb! 10/10 recommend! read more

Ruth's Buka - Egusi soup and swallow. Jollof rice with plantain, chicken, and kale salad. - African Near Me - Oakland, California

My fiancé and I wanted to try Nigerian food both for the first time. We settled on Ruth's Buka finally and made the drive. It was absolutely worth it, we decided on the food we wanted before we even arrived but the staff was especially helpful. Gave us some recommendations and validated our order as perfect for first-timers. We will definitely be back! thank you read more

I always feel home here , they have 5star service if you wanna try west african food try Ruth's Buka

My son and I wanted to try Nigerian food for the first time, so we made the hour-long drive from Marin County to Ruth's Buka. It absolutely did not disappoint. We ordered the egusi with fufu and a jollof plate, and everything was incredibly fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. The service was warm and kind, the atmosphere was welcoming, and the whole experience was just fun. Since this was my first time trying Nigerian cuisine, I can't compare it to other Nigerian restaurants, but as a Korean, many of the flavors felt surprisingly familiar. The egusi even reminded me a bit of Korean soft tofu stew, and I especially loved the rich red sauces. Everything tasted authentic and thoughtfully prepared. One thing that really stood out was how healthy and nourishing the food felt. I left feeling energized rather than weighed down. Must be the power of the whole foods! The hour drive was completely worth it. I highly recommend Ruth's Buka to anyone looking to experience delicious Nigerian food for the first time, thank for making our experience a good one! 10 out of 10! read more

Ambiance - 5/5 From the outside, the restaurant looks pretty small and simple, but the moment you walk inside it feels like you entered a completely different world. It almost felt like I traveled to Nigeria for a moment. The space was surprisingly large, very clean, and had a welcoming atmosphere. One of the coolest parts was that there was even a small market inside, which added to the cultural experience and made the place feel more authentic. Customer Service - 4/5 You order at the front counter, so there isn't much traditional table service. The interaction was pretty straightforward and neutral. Nothing that stood out, but everything went smoothly and the staff handled the order well. Food - 4/5 Dish Ordered: Fufu with Nigerian Soup - 4/5 My first time trying Nigerian cuisine, and honestly it was a very pleasant experience. The fufu had a soft, chewy, potato-starch-like consistency that paired really well with the soup. At first, the flavor was good, but the more I kept eating, the more addictive it became. The spice builds up with a strong heat, but it doesn't overpower the flavor. It's the type of spice where every bite makes you want to go back for another one. The soup itself was rich and flavorful. It came with around three pieces of beef, but the meat was on the dry and tougher side. I think it's because it was cooked and soaked in the soup for a long time. Would I Order Again: Yes. A unique and comforting dish that I would definitely eat again. The flavor and spice were memorable, but the tougher beef and higher price point hold it back a little. Additional Comment: Overall, a great first experience with Nigerian food. It introduced me to a completely different flavor profile, and I can see why people love fufu with soup. The dish is oddly addicting and gets better the longer you eat it. The only downside is that it is a little expensive at around $25, but it was worth trying for the experience. read more

Ruth's Buka - African Near Me - Oakland, California

The food is authentic, delicious, and incredibly consistent--every visit tastes just as good as the last. What really sets this place apart is the service. Ruth and her family create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like more than just a customer. The hospitality is second to none, and it's always a pleasure stopping by. Whether you're craving jollof rice, soups, swallow, or classic Nigerian comfort food, Ruth's Buka delivers the real taste of home. Highly recommended for anyone looking for authentic Nigerian cuisine and genuine hospitality. read more

Yummy fufu and egusi. The egusi was super flavorful and pairs really well with the yam. I got half chicken and half beef because I came late so there was only 1 piece of chicken left, so come early if you want to get the protein of your choice. There are tables that you could sit down to eat and it's very interesting how they have their own market where you could buy groceries!!! It's quite pricey tho, around $28-$30 for me after taxes for a portion read more

Ruth's Buka - African Near Me - Oakland, California

For the longest time, I've wanted to try Nigerian food, especially fufu. We happened to be in the area and found this place, which is both a grocery store and a restaurant. The ambiance isn't very appealing, but I came for the food, not the decor. The gentleman who helped us was very kind. When I told him it was our first time trying Nigerian food, he took the time to explain the menu and make recommendations. We ordered the egusi soup with fufu, and it was absolutely delicious. The flavors were rich, comforting, and unlike anything I've had before. If you're curious about Nigerian food and don't mind a simple setting, I would definitely recommend giving this place a try. read more

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I tried Ruth's Buka almost a year ago at a friend's birthday and finally made it to the restaurant this past weekend. My friend and I tried to go two weeks earlier, but by the time we arrived, most of the food was sold out -- granted, it was near the end of the day. We were bummed, but we came back the following weekend and success -- so many options to choose from! We ordered the egusi soup (my favorite), fufu, jollof rice and plantain with chicken. The food was just as good as I remembered from a year ago, full of flavor and comforting. Emmanuel was so friendly and provided exceptional service the entire time we were there. I will definitely be back. 5 stars all around! read more

The food was very good! I enjoyed the authenticity of the environment. Manuel took our order, was very welcoming and attentive. We dined in and the tables were clean. There's a market in the restaurant as well. I'll be coming back. Pictured below; fufu, plantains, chicken, beef and goat egusi and efo riro. read more

Ruth's Buka - fufu, plantains, chicken, beef and goat egusi and efo riro. - African Near Me - Oakland, California

People here are wonderful and nice and food is so good and very affordable will for sure be coming back

The food was amazing! This was my first time trying Nigerian food and the food did not disappoint. I'd give the food a 9/10 everything was full of flavor. Service was decent, it's more of a grab and go family restaurant. Which mean the atmosphere is basic as well. I will definitely go back for food. read more

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This was so good! This is my second time ordering from them and I must say this is the BEST African food I have EVER tasted! The first time I ordered I got the jollof rice, chicken, vegetables,& plantain ( which usually I won't eat) I cleaned that plate too ! It shocked me that it was a little spicy but that's ok because the flavor was very much present! Even the pounded yam ( FUFU) was good! The first place I ordered I didn't want to eat the fufu ( it wasn't bad but it wasn't like this!) & their Egusi also didn't have as my much flavor! Even my bf liked the Egusi soup and chicken! He's super picky lol. Kinda mad I shared because this was so good! I do wish I got a little more Egusi but that might just be my greedy side talking lol read more

Ruth's Buka - Egusi soup, pounded yam, & chicken - African Near Me - Oakland, California

I love this place so much. If you've ever wanted to try Nigerian/West African cuisine, this is definitely the spot to hit up. Emmanuel is so kind and helpful, his positive energy is truly one of a kind. You can really tell that he and his staff are passionate about what they do and are incredibly hard working. The food is genuinely some of the most flavorful and authentic that the bay area has to offer. I had the Fufu and Egusi as well as the Ayamase (my favorite). I've also had the Jollof rice in the past. Each dish was seasoned and spiced perfectly. The Fufu was soft and perfectly cooked, it pairs well with the Egusi soup which is rich, slightly spicy and full of flavor. The Ayamase, a green pepper stew, was spicy in all the right ways with a bold peppery kick. I will be coming back every chance I get to try every thing on the menu. read more

Ruth's Buka - 10/10 - African Near Me - Oakland, California

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It was our first time having fufu and egusi and it was delicious. Also the girl that helped us was very nice. I recommend eveyone who have not tried West African cuisine to try it at Ruth's Buka. You will never be disappointed. read more

amazing and delicious fufu and egusi soup with chicken !! the first time i tried it was perfect and the staff are so friendly that i love to come back. since im allergic to seafood, i have to ask for mine to be made without crawfish, and they are always so kind and accomodating for me and make it per my request. thank you so much and i hope you stay in business forever !! :D read more

Ruth's Buka - Egusi Soup Fufu - African Near Me - Oakland, California

This place is amazing. Great food and great service. Great people. Try it!! Youll love it.

I finally got to come here to get takeout after thinking about it for literally years! It did not disappoint. The price point is on the high end but with that being said, there aren't too many options for this type of cuisine and I'm sure it takes quite some time to cook it and procure the ingredients, too. It is located on a street corner and after walking in, my daughter and I were warmly treated by Emmanuel. He was so lovely and helpful in recommending items. I definitely knew I wanted to try the egusi and fufu. The taste was right up my alley! I want to say the fufu was made from potatoes. The texture was wonderful, and I know it's not traditionally chewed but I enjoyed the texture and chewing it. It was more bouncy than I expected - like a cross between mashed potatoes and mochi. I asked for ogbono but there was okra soup which Emmanuel said was similar. He suggested I have it with the fish. Now this dish for me was very reminiscent of something in my own culture due to the dried/smoked fish and dried/smoked beef. For us, we typically keep those in separate dishes and also load them with chilies so I'm not sure if the flavor was for me since it was a mix of the two, however, I did enjoy eating the pieces of fish. I also wanted to try the cow skin because that's just something I really love, and I very much enjoyed the spicy and savory flavor of the sauce. It was perfectly tender as well. Emmanuel also suggested I try the akara which is a type of bean fritter, and I thought it was delicious. I just wish it was still crispy. He said it's not normally on the menu but that they made some this weekend. The vibe I felt inside was very comfortable and the dishes are served cafeteria style. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it! read more

Ruth's Buka - African Near Me - Oakland, California

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Made the drive all the way to Oakland because I've been dying to try fufu and egusi soup! After doing my research, we settled on coming to Ruth's Buka. It's a market that also has a deli, and we arrived a little after opening and barely missed the rush. The food was a bit pricey for the portion size, it was about $5 for the meat pie and $25 for the egusi soup. The flavors of the egusi soup were so cohesive and delicious though! This was my first time trying African food so I have nothing else to compare it to, but there was a lot of depth and nuttiness in the dish and the chicken was also super tender. I had to knock some points just because there is very limited seating and space as it is a very small corner store, and the meat pie had very little filling so I would probably not get it again. As the egusi soup was the focus, I recommend coming to try! read more

Ruth's Buka - Egusi Soup with chicken (comes with fufu), meat pie - African Near Me - Oakland, California

Finally got to try some Fufu and Egusi! I've been wanting to try this for soooo long! This restaurant is on the corner of a street, so parking is street. Usually, you'd park around the residential area. Service was great! We went during one of the busier hours since it's near dinner time, but we received great service! We got Jollof Rice & Plantain, Chicken plate and egusi soup and fufu! You do get one complimentary fufu for each order of egusi. The seasoning for both food was amazing. My friends and I enjoyed it a lot. My favorite was the plantains. Delicious. The chicken was tender , the beef was not as tender and was harder to chew. But the flavoring was still good. Overall, I really enjoyed the food and service from this restaurant. I would definitely recommend for people to go. 10/10 would come again! read more

Ruth's Buka - Jollof Rice and Plantain, Chicken Plate and Egusi Soup with fufu - African Near Me - Oakland, California

Service - they were very, very nice. Staff seemed happy to have you frequenting the business. Ambiance - it is a café/buffet style restaurant combined with a store. Food - I ordered the egusi and my daughter order the okra soup. We both added been to our food. We also order plantain (they give you a large portion) and the puffs. Sadly they did not have regular fufu, so we were given the wheat one, which is a brown yellow in color. I was disappointed but im down to try something new, so we gave it a shot. Food is served cafeteria style. Not my favorite way to dine, as i always find the food is often lukewarm, but we walked in and decided to give it a shot, especially considering we were in the Bay Area from Fairfield. Our total bill was $66 and some change. I don't feel like the soup portions were indicative of the cost, being that the egusis itself, was $25.00. The okra soup was very very spicy We like spicy but this was beyond our palate. It was very rich and savory in appearance, but the spiciness made it difficult to pick up on whether it was flavored well or not. We were not able to eat it. Sadly, the egusi did not stand out. It was bland, lacking in seasoning and left me unsatisfied. It was also lukewarm, but I like my food piping hot so it may be fine in temperature for others. The beef that we added to our soups was extremely tough and got painfully stuck between my teeth until I was able to pry it out. It also had no flavor to it. Perhaps if they had marinated it and let it slow cook until it was tender... Wheat fufu had a texture that I couldn't get into. I would have preferred regular fufu, but they were out. Again the staff was extremely pleasant and for that, I give 4 stars. Three for the staff and 1 for the food. I met a gentleman there who said he loved just about everything they offered. We all have different palates. This just wasn't suitable for us. The puffs were good just cold, so when I get home I will toss them in the air fryer. read more

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The food was amazing, and the customer service was excellent. The whole family was incredibly kind and welcoming, which made my first visit such a great experience. I truly enjoyed my time here and will definitely be coming back! read more

Ruth's Buka - African Near Me - Oakland, California

We drove from Marin to try Nigerian food for the first time. As soon as we walked in we had a warm welcome by Emmanuel. He was so lovely. We had the egusi and fufu and jollof rice which were all delicious! It was such a nice experience over all. More people who own businesses could learn from this beautiful family. Please go and support and connect with them. read more

Ruth's Buka - Egusi and fufu - African Near Me - Oakland, California

I went to Ruth Buka around 7:ish PM and tried their fufu and egusi OMG, I am completely obsessed! From the moment we walked in, the vibe was warm and inviting, and the food did not disappoint. Every single yumminess was packed with flavor. I came with my sister and her boyfriend, and it was so fun sharing the dishes and trying everything together. The fufu was amazing soft, perfectly textured, and paired so well with the sauces. Honestly, I love everything I tried. You can tell they really put care into their food, and it shows in the taste. My sister is the only one in my family who likes trying new things with me (lol), and she absolutely loved it too, which made the experience even better. Service was friendly, the atmosphere was cozy, and the portions were generous. I'm definitely coming back soon to try more dishes this place is a hidden gem! If you love flavorful, authentic food and want to try something new, Ruth Buka is the spot. I can't recommend it enough! ( sorry forgot to show the fufu ‍) read more

Ruth's Buka - African Near Me - Oakland, California

Absolutely Delicious! Staff was Great, we felt very welcomed as it was our first time. Will be back Thank You! read more

Ruth's Buka - Absolutely delicious, we felt so welcomed by the staff as it was our first time. Thank You! Will be back! - African Near Me - Oakland, California

My best friend and I stopped by Ruth's Buka on April 11, 2026. It was a rainy day, and we were craving West African cuisine. The restaurant is tucked inside a small grocery market, with a tiny cafeteria-style dining area. We ordered egusi soup with fish, jollof rice, fufu, and plantains. The egusi soup was flavorful, hot, and smoky, with a texture and flavor reminiscent of bitter melon. The portions were generous, giving us plenty of leftovers for the next day. The staff were very kind and clearly passionate about what they serve. Definitely one of our new favorite spots. read more

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Went to pick up some Nigerian food today. It's located inside maybe a small grocery store? The service was nice. The food is out but nothing was labeled. I wasn't sure what all the dishes were. Some I knew but wasn't comfortable with saying what I thought it was because I could have been wrong. Everything I ordered. The chicken and beef were too dry for me. The rice was smokey tasting. read more

Ruth's Buka - My entire order - African Near Me - Oakland, California

Delicious with friendly service. Everything tasted fresh, high quality, and just like I remember from childhood. So glad we made the trip. read more

Ruth's Buka - Egusi Soup, fufu, plantain, jollof - African Near Me - Oakland, California

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A few months ago, a patient recommended Ruth's Buka for African food and told me to get Jollof rice. Took me a while and drove across the Bay but I got here and it was worth it. I got the Jollof rice, plantain, chicken, an order of the puff puff, and a side of plantains. The rice is not too spicy with a Smokey flavor. The chicken was juicy and paired well with the rice. The plantains were not too sweet and not too oily. The puff puff were the perfect appetizer for the meal. My only regret was I should have gotten more food. Emmanuel was very nice and accommodating and the place was clean and welcoming. I just wished it was much closer to where I lived but it is definitely worth the drive: read more

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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. read more

Ruth's Buka - Jollof, plantain and beef - African Near Me - Oakland, California

We had egusi and banga soups with fufu. The food was excellent. Highly recommended! Everyone working there was so nice. One of the most friendly businesses I've ever visited. read more

Ruth's Buka - Egusi - African Near Me - Oakland, California

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Had Egusi with some sauteed kale and pounded yam. Very delicious. Will definitely go again and try other e

Tried a bit of their beef, plantains, and jollof rice plate for an Afrobeats event and was pretty satisfied. The rice was spicy, but I thought the beef could be more tender. My absolute favorite were the plantains. They had a crispy caramelization on their edges that made them extra addicting. It was a bit pricey at close to $30, but I hear the portions are larger at their physical store. Everyone I've encountered said they were regulars there and everything is good. I'm inclined to believe them so far. read more

Ruth's Buka - Beef, plantains, and jollof rice - African Near Me - Oakland, California

First time trying Nigerian food, loved the Fufu and the Jollof Rice plate. It's a fair price (around $20-23 a plate) and it comes with a lot of food/sides. Very flavorful and seasoned, the fish was flaky and tender and very delicious. Also of the Jollof plates have the options of different choices of meat between chicken, beef, and fish, and i think the fish or chicken would be the best options. Would recommend either calling ahead to ask for their availability as they do tend to run out of certain dishes by the end of the day, or try to order earlier for lunch. We wanted to try the Egusi but they were out of it. You can order online easily for pick up, and the staff there are very friendly. We also tried to Okra soup and it was good but it does have tripe in it so just be aware since it's an acquired taste and it's not listed on the menu. Next time i really want to try the Egusi, but the side of fufu was amazing it was everything i thought it would be it's so soft and pillowly. I think overall the quality and amount of food is very good for the price read more

Ruth's Buka - Fufu - African Near Me - Oakland, California

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Wow so happy we found this spot! Owner is so welcoming and friendly! You can tell he really loves what he does and his customers. We got the jollof rice, plantain chicken plate & egusi soup with extra fufu! Food was sooo good! Really flavorful and has a perfect spice. We can't wait to go back and try more items on the menu:) read more

Ruth's Buka - African Near Me - Oakland, California

Great food. The server was friendly and there were so many good-tasting options! Will definitely by coming back here again! read more

Ruth's Buka - Jollof Rice, Egusi Soup, Meat Pie, Suya - African Near Me - Oakland, California

Very good service & food ! Full of flavor and spice . We got the egusi & okra soup with goat, veggies & jollof rice. read more

Ruth's Buka - African Near Me - Oakland, California

Tried Nigerian food for the first time and wow... I ordered the egusi soup with fufu and the ayamase with rice and both were absolutely delicious. Easily a 10/10. The flavors were so rich and layered. You can tell everything was cooked with real care and seasoning. The egusi with fufu was hearty and comforting, and the ayamase was incredibly flavorful. Fair warning though, it is SPICY. Think Serrano pepper level spicy. If you like heat and bold flavor, you will love it. First time trying these dishes and I am already looking forward to ordering them again. Service was excellent and everyone was so kind! read more

Emmanuel was so attentive and informative with serving C2's first time at Ruth's. Everything was 10/10 and so delicious, we will be back for more. Recommend enjoying the food while it's hot and fresh, but it is limited seating. We came on a Tuesday and they didn't have any puff puffs though. Overall will be coming back! read more

Ruth's Buka - Egusi Soup with Beef - African Near Me - Oakland, California

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Came to this delicious restaurant today with my sister, we had no idea that it was tucked away less than ten minutes from her house. We had the egusi soup, efe riro, fufu, meat pie, vegetables, and turkey wing. Both of the soups we had with the beef which was incredibly hearty. The depth of flavor in both the egusi soup and efe riro was wonderful. Incredibly savory, lots of umami and the texture of the fufu complemented the dishes well. My favorite between the two is probably the egusi but the efe riro I would definitely get again. Of our appetizers I loved the vegetables, so tasty yet so simple definitely get them to go with your meal! The meat pie was also yummy, I liked dipping it in the soups haha. Everyone at the restaurant was so kind, we got to meet Ruth and Emmanuel. Special shout out to Emmanuel for being so kind and excited for us while we enjoyed the food. Love that this is a family run establishment and they are the sweetest folks. The restaurant also has a small market in the back where you can purchase ingredients. The restaurant is cozy, welcoming and will absolutely be coming back. Every visit I do back home now, I'll be sure to stop here. Sending all of my friends to come try this place and maybe stop for a birthday dinner :) read more

Ruth's Buka - Egusi Soup, Efo Riro Soup, Meat Pie, Side Vegetables, Fufu, Turkey Wing - African Near Me - Oakland, California