Downtown Burlingame just landed a new lunchtime obsession: Buri Buri, a build-your-own sushi box counter that spun out of a Bay Area food truck. The compact spot leans into a pick-and-mix setup, with customers filling a bento one piece at a time, and the rainbow-bright display all but begging for a quick photo before you dig in. The owners designed the small counter for fast, casual meals, not lingering dinners.
According to The Mercury News, Buri Buri opened its first brick-and-mortar in Burlingame in December and now runs out of a snug storefront at 1100 Howard Ave., Suite D. The counter is open daily from 10 AM to 7:30 PM, and the crew is still juggling a catering business and food truck alongside the new shop. Seating is deliberately limited, so most diners grab takeout or squeeze in a quick lunch at the few tables.
How the Build-Your-Own Box Works
The process is straightforward: pick a box size, then choose individual pieces from the refrigerated case to build a custom lineup. Pieces range from $2.35 to $3.25 each, and bento boxes typically run $16.95 to $19.95, according to SFGATE. Pressed sushi options include salmon, mackerel and spicy tuna, and staff members say they refresh popular picks frequently so the selection stays looking and tasting fresh.
Menu Highlights and Drinks
Signature bites rotate regularly, but standout items include the Scarlet Wave, a seared salmon and spicy tuna specialty, and a Kaisen Roll loaded with lobster and shrimp tempura, per Mountain View Voice. Drinks lean playful, from mango matcha lattes to a shiso orange yuzu-nade, with specialty beverages landing around $7.50. The owners say the lineup will keep shifting with weekly specials and seasonal changes.
Co-owner Anne Li told The Mercury News that the build-your-own setup came from a desire to offer flexibility while preserving the visual polish of Japanese cuisine. The founders plan to keep the catering arm and food truck running while the storefront concentrates on daytime crowds, and they may test izakaya-style evening service in the future, according to SFGATE. For now, expect a colorful grab-and-go spread and, at peak lunch hour, a line that moves almost as fast as the sushi.
