Fifty Years Of Vikings In Japan

[Mulboyne]

[IkemenTommy]

Oh... you mean all-you-can eat buffet.

[Adhesive]

Cool, I always wondered about the word's origins.

Speaking of buffets, am I the only one who's absolutely grossed out by them? Very few dishes can sit around in chafing dishes for hours without suffering complete degredation of quality. I guess the only buffet I can tolerate is an Indian one, where the curry actually benifits from sitting around. The worse ones in the world are the American style ones that are grazed on by fat people. Full of nothing but fried meat, pasta and desserts.

[IkemenTommy]

The worse ones in the world are the American style ones that are grazed on by fat people. Full of nothing but fried meat, pasta and desserts.

You mean like Sizzler?

[xenomorph42]

Cool, I always wondered about the word's origins.

Speaking of buffets, am I the only one who's absolutely grossed out by them? Very few dishes can sit around in chafing dishes for hours without suffering complete degredation of quality. I guess the only buffet I can tolerate is an Indian one, where the curry actually benefits from sitting around. The worse ones in the world are the American style ones that are grazed on by fat people. Full of nothing but fried meat, pasta and desserts.

Don't you mean, "in your opinion?":rolleyes:

Actually, that's not quite try, it depends on where you, apparently you haven't been to some really high-class buffets. Yea, there are the crappy buffets you wouldn't even take your dog too, but then again on the flip-side, I have been to crappy Japanese Iranian and also Indian buffets, it's a matter of preference, in my opinion, it just depends, hell, I love food and I don't give a darn if I`m on Venus, if they have chow that is rockin'....hey, I'm there!

[TennoChinko]

All-you-can eat buffets -- courtesy of bento.com:

http://www.bento.com/r-buff.html

[SIZE="6"]Buffet Restaurants[/SIZE]
When you're in the mood to throw dietary caution to the winds, Tokyo has plenty of choices. Here's a sampling of some of the better buffet and "Viking" restaurants. (Note that some of these all-you-can-eat restaurants don't have an actual buffet, they simply bring unlimited quantities of food to your table.) Weekend buffet brunches are listed separately in the Tokyo Food Page Brunch guide.

Mo Mo Paradise (Ikebukuro - Shabu-shabu). 5950-4129
All-you-can-eat shabu-shabu and sukiyaki specials for Y1500 (90-minute limit), Y1000 at lunchtime.
Minami-Ikebukuro 1-21-2, Humax Pavilion 8F. Open 11:30am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Fan (Shinjuku - Misc. Southeast Asian). 3341-6820
Inexpensive and spicy Asian-styled dishes in a lively, student-dominated atmosphere. The Asian buffet lunch is Y950; filling dinners start at Y2300, with a la carte items from Y400.
Shinjuku 3-34-1, B1F. Open 11:30-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Kushiya Monogatari (Nishi-Shinjuku - Kushiage). 5321-6166
Straight from Osaka, this popular national chain offers all-you-can-eat kushi-age - deep-fried grilled fish, meat and vegetables on skewers. Every table is furnished with its own deep-fryer, so you choose what you like from the refrigerated cabinets and then cook it up for yourself. Y2500 covers two hours of deep-fry fun; all-you-can-drink beer and cocktail deals are also available. Lunch served on weekends.
Nishi-Shinjuku 1-3-1, Sunflower Bldg 5F. Open 4-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Sizzler (Nishi-Shinjuku - American). 3342-5814
Still one of Tokyo's best salad bars, with plenty of options for vegetarians.
Nishi-Shinjuku 2-1-1, Mitsui Bldg. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

New York Grill (Nishi-Shinjuku - International). 5323-3458
The cuisine here is modern American, a bit more European-influenced rather than purely Pacific Rim. For Y5,800 the spectacular Sunday/holiday brunch includes a glass of champagne, your choice of main dish, plus selections from the appetizer and dessert buffet. The Y4,200 weekday lunch is similar, but without the champagne.
Nishi-Shinjuku 3-7-1-2, Park Hyatt Tokyo 52F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Spice Heaven (Nishi-Shinjuku - Indian). 5322-4571
There's a curry buffet at lunchtime with several different selections.
Nishi-Shinjuku 3-7-1, Shinjuku Park Tower B1F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Crayon House (Omotesando - Japanese/health food). 3406-6409
The basement of Crayon House has an organic vegetable shop and two separate natural-food restaurants: "Hiroba", serving Japanese food, and "Home", with French cuisine. "Hiroba" offers an interesting buffet lunch for Y1,200.
Kita-Aoyama 3-8-15. (walk down Omotesando towards Harajuku, turn left at the Hanae Mori Building and walk one block) Open 11am-9pm (LO) daily.

Barbacoa Grill (Omotesando - Brazilian). 3796-0571
Brazilian-style all-you-can-eat churrasco grilled beef and other meats; dinner is Y4000, weekday lunch Y2480.
Jingumae 4-3-24 B1F. Open 11:30am-3pm, 5:30-11pm (LO 10) daily.

Kinka Hanten (Gaienmae - Dim sum). 3479-4967
A wide selection of freshly made dim sum is available all day long; there's also a big a la carte menu plus assorted dinners and all-you-can-eat specials. The room won't win any interior decorating awards, but the cooking is solid, the service pleasant and professional.
Minami-Aoyama 3-1-30, Sumitomo Seimei Bldg., B1F. Open 11am-10pm daily.

Dessert Okoku (Shibuya - Cafe). 5457-7755
All the cake you can eat! The dessert buffet is Y1480, with a 90-minute time limit.
Jinnan 1-17-5, Mulberry 1F. Open 11am-8:30pm (LO) daily.

Tucano's (Shibuya - Brazilian). 5784-2661
A huge, festive dining room serving all-you-can-eat grilled churrasco beef, pork and chicken, plus a salad buffet, for Y4000 (Y2900 at lunchtime). Dogenzaka 2-23-12, Shibuya Fhontis Bldg B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-11pm (LO) daily.

Terrace (Westin Hotel) (Ebisu - International). 5423-7778
Brunch served Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, noon-4pm. Y5500 per person.[feedback]
Meguro-ku, Mita 1-4-1, Westin Hotel 1F. Open 6:30am-11:30pm daily.

Kumbira (Ebisu - Nepalese). 3719-6115
Nepalese and Tibetan curries, noodles and Tandoori-style dishes. The restaurant is tucked into a back alley a few blocks from Ebisu station, and is divided into several small, cozy rooms spread out over several levels. At lunchtime there's an all-you-can eat buffet for Y1,200.
Ebisu-Minami 1-9-11. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO) daily.

French Kitchen (Roppongi - French). 4333-8888
This flagship restaurant of the Grand Hyatt bills itself as a French brasserie, with a very spacious setting and a dramatic open kitchen. Their all-day service includes breakfast and a popular brunch on weekends. The Y2200 weekday lunch buffet is also worth checking out.
Roppongi Hills, Grand Hyatt 2F. Open 7am-11pm daily.

Stockholm (Akasaka - Swedish). 3509-1677
Pickled herring and much more - their awe-inspiring smorgasbord is a real adventure in dining, so come with a hearty appetite. They also have an impressive selection of eight distinctive aquavits. Lunch 3,150, dinner Y6,090; there's also an a la carte menu and weekend dinner specials.
Nagatacho 2-14-3, Akasaka Tokyu Plaza 1F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-11pm (LO 9:30-10) daily.

Hina (Ginza 2-chome) (Ginza - Sushi). 3562-0351
All-you-can-eat sushi for Y4,300; sushi plus sashimi platter Y4,800. Lunch starts at Y950.
Ginza 2-6-5, 2F. (two doors to the right of Meijiya) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5-11pm daily.

Siam, The (Ginza - Thai). 3572-4101
Thai. The luncheon buffet is very reasonably priced, but come early for the best selection.
Ginza 5-8-17, World Town Bldg 8F. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-9:30pm(LO) daily.

Raj Mahal (Ginza - Indian). 5568-8080
The weekend buffet lunch is recommended.
Ginza 8-8-5, Taiyo Bldg. 4F. Open 11:30am-11pm daily.

No no Budo (Marunouchi - Japanese). 3215-7320
This cafeteria-style "natural foods buffet" is a real bargain at Y2400 per person, which includes organic fruit juices and fresh-brewed espresso as well as a big selection of Japanese home-style dishes.
Marunouchi 2-7-3, Tokyo Bldg Tokia 3F. Open 11am-3, 5:30-9:30pm (LO) daily.

Mango Tree (Marunouchi - Thai). 5224-5489
A rarity in Tokyo - a fancy, upmarket Thai restaurant with a skyscraper view. The buffet lunch is Y2500.
Marunouchi 2-4-1, Marunouchi Bldg. 35F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Sizzler (Suidobashi - American). 5840-7331
The impressive salad bar is the main draw here.
Koraku 1-3-61, Tokyo Dome Hotel 2F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Daichi no Okurimono (Ueno - Japanese). 3836-2640
The sprawling, mostly Japanese "natural foods" buffet here is Y3600 at dinnertime and Y1800 at lunch, with cheaper prices for kids. They also have an all-you-can-drink plan that includes draft beer, shochu sours and over 100 kinds of plum wine.
Ueno 1-20-11, Suzunoya Bldg 4F. Open 11am-4, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Erawan (Harumi - Thai). 5144-8251
Buffet lunch is Y1000 per person.
Harumi 1-8-16, Triton Square 3F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Barbacoa Steakhouse (Daiba - Steak house). 3599-4071
The "terrace grill" serves up all-you-can-eat grilled chicken, pork, sausages and beef steak, plus side dishes, for Y2500 (with a 90-minute limit). They also offer an open beer bar for Y2100 (also 90 minutes). You can also order Australian and Japanese steaks a la carte.
Daiba 1-7-1, Mediage 5F. Open 11am-2, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.

Sizzler (Daiba - American). 3599-4534
The all-you-can-eat salad bar is surprisingly varied, and still one of the better ones in town.
Daiba 1-7-1, Aqua City 5F. Open 11:30am-10pm daily.

Kushiya Monogatari (Kichijoji - Kushiage). 0422-28-7735
Good, all-you-can-eat kushiage from this very popular Osaka-based chain. Pick your own skewers of fish, meat and vegetables from the counter and deep-fry them yourself at your table. Y2500 for two hours. There are also inexpensive all-you-can-drink plans to go with your meal.
Kichijoji Honcho 1-11-30, Daiya Palace Kichijoji 2F. Open 4-11pm daily.

Shamaim (Ekoda - Israeli). 3948-5333
An Israeli restaurant and pub, one minute from Ekoda south exit. They serve falafel, humus, salads, stuffed pastries and soups, plus shish kebab and one or two other meat dishes. 50 seats; reservations recommended. The all-you-can-eat special is Y2,000. Open noon-midnight Saturdays and Sundays.
Sakaecho 4-11, Art Bldg 2F. Open 5-11pm (LO). Closed Mondays.

Mo Mo Paradise (Jiyugaoka - Shabu-shabu). 5701-4129
That's "mo mo" as in the sound a cow makes. All-you-can-eat shabu-shabu and sukiyaki specials for Y1500 (90-minute limit), Y1000 at lunchtime. There's also an all-you-can-eat-and-drink deal for Y3500.
Jiyugaoka 2-12-17, Jiyugaoka Sports Plaza B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Sizzler (Yokohama Minato-mirai - American). 045-222-5316
One of the best (well, one of the only) salad bars in the neighborhood.
Minato-mirai 2-2-1-2, Landmark Plaza 3F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Scandia (Yokohama Nihon-Odori - Danish). 045-201-2262
This well-regarded Danish restaurant has been here since the 1960s, and they serve a good assortment of marinated herring and other seafood dishes, steak tartar and other Scandinavian specialties. Dinner and drinks run around Y8000 per person, or you can go all out and try the all-you-can-eat smorgasbord for Y9000 per person. No lunch on Sundays.
Kaigandori 1-1, Yokohama Boeki Kyokai Bldg 2F. Open 11am-11pm (LO) daily.

Updated 2008/07

[Adhesive]

Don't you mean, "in your opinion?":rolleyes:

Yeah, that's exactly what I meant. Good call, you hit the nail on the head with that right there. I'll start including said disclaimer in all my comments that start with "Am I the only one..."