I seen this place on IG as the best Jamaican eats in Los Angeles. It was lunchtime so why not put that theory to the test. Nice vibe and clean establishment. This is not to say service was bad. It's to say to understand the culture. When you're going to eat food geared toward a specific culture. Don't expect them to have America's standard of customer service. Respect the culture is all I'm saying. In my opinion service was amazing, prompt and (Jamaican) culture friendly, straight forward. Please don't come for me. I love that they show you your plate of food before leaving with it. You can see if there's any discrepancy or missing items. Also makes you drive home faster, lol. Listen, I've gone to places that were hyped up and not good. I've gone overboard wanting to try this and that and spent, or should I say threw money away because of how lousy the food was. So I was cautious. I ordered something very basic and standard, which was a lunch special. I didn't ask what it was and I assume it's specific on certain days. This was a Thursday I was there. If I'm not mistaking it was jerk chicken. It was a fair amount of food for the price. Came with rice and peas, cabbage and plantain. I didn't set my expectations too high but, hopeful. Took my time driving hope and setting up my food and drink. When took that first bite of everything. I was mad I didn't get more. Also glad I didn't cause I would went into comatose. I will definitely be going back and trying some variety of items they offer. Definitely one of the best I've had. Sorry y'all I was too excited and didn't snap a picture.

The food here was absolutely amazing. The jerk chicken was hands down the best I have had in LA. Also the the fresh fruit punch they make was gas! The only thing is they are cash or Zelle only. But there is an atm in the lobby. 10/10 will try again!

So boom... I'm minding my business, driving down Crenshaw and Venice, right? Just vibing jaming to my 90s rap! Then hunger hits me like a brick. I'm at the light--red, of course--just sitting there, and I glance to my right like, "Oop, what's this? Jamaican food?" Say less. I bust that turn into the parking lot. Now, let me tell you, I ordered the oxtail dinner/not lunch but DINNER. Rice and peas. Potato salad. Feeling real good about my decision. I even asked for extra gravy because I'm not new to this--I know what gravy does to a plate. But here's the kicker: $2 for extra gravy. Okay, cool, fine--I guess gravy ain't free no more. Then I swapped cabbage for potato salad and tell me why that was ALSO $2 extra dollars. For potato salad. I should've gotten a potato and made it myself in the car, honestly. LOL Just playing. Anyway, I'm thinking, "Okay, the price is wild, but maybe the food finna change my life." And baby, the taste? 10 out of 10. No lies there. The flavor came through like a black gospel choir. But then... THEN. Get home and I opened my container, and the oxtails were looking real cute. Small! Like they didn't want to be seen. And the ones that weren't hiding? They were mostly FAT! No meat! Like, straight-up fat! I didn't pay $40 to sit there gnawing on chunks of seasoned fat. The couple that were actually meat? Chef's kiss! But the rest? Nah. Y'all was wrong for that. You did a sister wrong... Like, I can only imagine what the lunch special looks like--probably one oxtail and a dream. So yeah, food was fire, but y'all really gave me premium prices for appetizer portions and premium fat content. I'm giving y'all a 10 because the taste was there, but honestly? That was a petty 10. A mercy 10. Should've been an 7 or maybe a 8, respectfully. Do better. Yall need to zelle half my money. Oh and yall bring CASH or zelle.

Bouka's Jamaican Restaurant may not get much hype, but it's a hidden gem. I tried the Halal curry goat, and it was phenomenal--rich, flavorful, and incredibly tender. I truly appreciate them offering Halal options. Their beef patties were just as impressive--crispy on the outside, perfectly seasoned, and soft on the inside. This spot deserves way more recognition!

Bouka's is the best jerk I have had anywhere besides Jamaica! Service is attentive and fun. Beautifully transformed space. An asset to our city!