AYCE in Encino!

[Galen]

For you AYCE fans, there's a new Japanese/Chinese buffet in Encino called Hokkaido Seafood Buffet that's been getting mostly 5 star review on Yelp! They have a weekday $9.99 lunch that supposed to be really good. I'm gonna check it out this week and will let you know. Here's the link to the reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/hokkaido-seaf...

[flylice2x]

This is the same people that have one in Long Beach off the 405 freeway. If you stay away from the low budget stuff it's ok like any AYCE. Actually a good deal for lunch.

[Galen]

The place looks amazing for a weekday $9.99 buffet place. The food was really good. They had steamed flounder today with roe intact which was real yummy. The food was replenished a lot. Real fresh. I hope they keep up the high standards with food and service. There's free parking to the left of the restaurant around the corner on Gloria Ave.

[Akitist]

We went there today for lunch. Considering the price it was pretty good. Much of it was standard steam-table Chinese buffet, though there was less of the veggie selection that some places have (granted it's advertised as a seafood place). Step up in quality versus other buffets, well worth the extra buck or so.

Surprising was the sushi and sashimi section, not the highest quality fish but quite fresh. Rolls were, um, rolls. Rice was uninspired, but not as lame as at some places. We need to go back to try the teppanyaki and some of the other dishes.

Overall the place impressed favorably, quite stylish, new and clean. Mme Akitist, a Japanese citizen, took exception to them calling it "Hokkaido", as it is only peripherally Japanese, and apparently Chinese-operated.

Note on the parking: two hours with validation.

[Galen]

Try to get there about 1:30ish after the lunch crowd thins. As massive as the space is, it packs up at 12.

[selfportrait93]

Went yesterday for lunch. I must say that the place was pretty impressive. Most of the long tables seat 8 so parties of less have to share. The staff was very attentive as they keep getting your dirty plates. Food assortment was plenty but the taste was so,so. My favorites were the steamed manila clams and the pickled ginger from the japanese section. There was a carving station for prime rib and sausage that was hardly manned. the teppan section had the longest line obviously because people had to wait for their meat and veggie to be cooked on the flattop. Hot food replenishment was fast since some of the ovens were right behind the food counter. Overall, very, very good value. And if you have kids, half price for those between 36" and 55".

[epop]

Hopefully height, not waistline. JK.

[Bob Brooks]

I've been there and it's a great value at weekday lunch. Food is much better than you'd expect it to be. Be warned it gets very crowded at lunch time, so go early if you can.

I've also tried their $16.99 weekend lunch and regular dinner price. It adds more sushi options and king crab legs. It's fine but I think the weekday lunch is a better value.,

[epop]

how are the crab legs? Are they really King or are they the regular Alaskan? (I prefer non-King).

[Bob Brooks]

They're on the smallish side. Rather difficult to eat as a result.

[epop]

darn. looking for a good AYCE crab legs place, like most cities have. Thx, Bob.

[westsidegal]

another 'sort-of' ayce option in encino is the array of salads served at the israeli restaurant Itzik Hagadol.
they serve about 10 or so little plates of different salads and as you consume the stuff they refill the plates for free.
imho, this place is worth the drive from playa del rey.