oChef » Bua 9 – Seattle » Bua 9 – Seattle – Reviews

Bua 9 - Reviews

5020 Rainier Ave S, 98118 Seattle
All reviews at a glance
479

Reviews

71.6%

Satisfaction

105

negative

31

neutral

343

positive

What people say about Bua 9

Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
kaira F.
Review date: 12/18/2025
10
Best Beef Pad See Ew in the Neighborhood!
My experience at this restaurant was exceptional, particularly with their beef pad see ew. I would describe it as my "death row meal" choice, which speaks volumes about its quality. The dish was rated 2 stars, and it was perfectly complemented by a thai iced tea. For sure, this is the best in the neighborhood. The service and atmosphere both received a perfect 5-star rating, indicating a truly enjoyable dining experience.
  • beef pad de ew9
  • thai iced tea9
  • best in the neighborhood10
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Short (6–15 min.)
Jacob D.
Review date: 11/11/2025
9
Delicious Thai Food, Worth the Wait
My experience at Bua 9 was a pleasant surprise after passing by for years. The order came out quickly and was graciously served. The staff and even fellow patrons were real nice, which speaks volumes about the atmosphere. It's true that it's hard to get bad Thai food in Seattle, but Bua 9's dishes were true to their intention and correctly spiced. The Panang curry with brown rice was delightful, and the Pad Kee Mao had perfectly cooked vegetables. The basil fried rice had the right wok hei, and the swimming rama was exceptional. I will definitely return soon and won't wait so long next time.
  • order9
  • service9
  • staff9
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Noise Level
  • Moderate
inga V.
Review date: 11/04/2025
9
Amazing Lunch with Big Portions!
My experience at the restaurant was amazing! I had the garlic garlic chicken and the angel eggplant, both from the lunch menu. The portions were big, and the food was delicious. I also enjoyed the spring rolls, which were also delicious!
  • garlic garlic chicken9
  • angel eggplant9
  • big portions8
Visit Type
  • Special Occasion
Group Type
  • Large Group
Group Size
  • Large Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Kai B.
Review date: 11/03/2025
10
Authentic Thai Gem with Generous Portions!
My experience at this restaurant was truly amazing. The food was incredibly authentic and they are not afraid of healthy portions. I celebrated my birthday here, and the service was impressive. The waiter paid full attention to the wants and needs of my 15 close friends and family. Don't wait, and say goodbye to all other Thai restaurants; you've found a gem 💎!
  • food10
  • service10
  • healthy portions9
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Regular Visit
Ethan J.
Review date: 10/12/2025
3
Disappointing Chicken Portion
My experience involved ordering the crispy chicken, but I found that over half of the "chicken" pieces were actually just chunks of batter. For $19, I received rice, broccoli, carrots, and what seemed to be about one breast's worth of meat. While the food tastes good when a decent portion is provided, I definitely felt ripped off with this order. My past experiences have been fine, though.
  • rice, broccoli, carrots6
  • crispy chicken2
  • portion3
  • meat3
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Noise Level
  • Quiet
Wellness A. F. G.
Review date: 10/11/2025
6
Mixed Experience at Bua 9 Thai
My partner ordered the Spicy Catfish Dinner and absolutely loved it — flavorful, bold, and cooked just right. I ordered the Pad Khee Mao (Drunken Noodles), hoping for something rich and balanced, but they weren’t quite “drunk” enough in flavor and left an odd aftertaste. When I politely shared my feedback, the response from the staff was surprisingly harsh. I was told, “You can’t just try something — you pay for it. ” It wasn’t about getting a free meal; it was about being heard. I love exploring food and would have gladly paid to try another dish. That lack of mindfulness and care changed the experience completely. I’ve had positive interactions with the owner in the past, and this has been a long-standing neighborhood spot. But this visit left me disappointed — especially when choosing to spend Black dollars locally and being met with dismissiveness. The restaurant itself has plenty of seating, hand sanitizer available, fans for warm days, and an open layout that’s clean and casual. It’s conveniently located and a decent choice when other places are closed late at night. Still, the service could improve by listening to customers with compassion and valuing feedback — that’s what turns a decent restaurant into a beloved neighborhood staple. No pictures necessary — just honesty and accountability. #ThaiFoodSeattle #Bua9Thai #SeattleEats #LocalGuide #BlackOwnedSupport #ColumbiaCity #RainierValley #ThaiCuisine #SupportLocal #FoodieFinds
  • Spicy Catfish Dinner9
  • open layout7
  • cleanliness8
  • Pad Khee Mao4
  • service2
  • staff2
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Juan L.
Review date: 09/15/2025
2
Disappointing Experience, Overpriced Food
My experience last night, 09/14/25, was quite disappointing. We were charged $80 for 4 plates, and honestly, only the wings were alright. The ramen tasted worse than Maruchan. Additionally, despite having a full hour to eat, it felt like they were trying to close early.
  • wings7
  • ramen2
  • 4 plates3
  • hour to eat3
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Giles A.
Review date: 09/09/2025
9
Delicious Pad Thai & Welcoming Owner
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. The Pad Thai was exceptionally good and had a great umami flavor. The owner was incredibly welcoming and nice, making the visit pleasant. They also offer a special on Wednesdays where you can get a dinner-sized Pad Thai for the price of a lunch-sized portion.
  • Pad Thai9
  • owner10
  • special on Wednesday8
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Erik O.
Review date: 08/23/2025
9
Amazing Garlic Noodles at Bua 9
I'm back in Seatown and highly recommend trying this Thai joint, Bua 9, in Columbia City. The open kitchen design lets you see that they have nothing to hide. I had the pleasure of enjoying the Garlic noodles with Chicken, which were amazing. The fresh, not frozen noodles were truly noticeable. If you get the chance, you have to stop into Bua 9!
  • open kitchen design8
  • Garlic noodles with Chicken10
  • fresh not frozen noodles9
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Noise Level
  • Quiet
wai S. V. C.
Review date: 08/17/2025
9
Authentic Thai Food, Great Value!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was incredibly authentic Thai, so good it made me fall in love with it. The price was reasonable too, offering great value. It's not a fancy place, but the genuine flavors and affordability make it highly recommended.
  • authentic Thai food10
  • price9
  • food10

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