Best Asian/seafood buffet in San Gabriel Valley

[Unnamed Source]

I have guests coming into town and want to take them to a Asian style seafood buffet in the San Gabriel Valley area. I have heard there are some good ones, but I need some help please.

[TonyC]

"B"est (shuddering at the word) Asian? Is there any doubt? As of last night, it's Gen Korean BBQ on Main in Alhambra. By Jan 10, it'll probably be OO-Kook (since they have both baby squid and shrimp) on Rosemead.

If you actually mean "Chinese" owned, then I refuse to even bother answering.

[jasongg06]

thank you

[granadafan]

Tony, have you tried Gen Korean BBQ yet? Do you know what the cost is?

[TonyC]

Alhambra? No. Somebody has though: https://foursquare.com/v/gen-korean-b...

The other 2 branches are both doing $20 dinners. Should be "officially" open today, Saturday, despite the Eater piece. (oopsies).

[jasongg06]

yea it seems they went back and forth on which day they opened. I called the alhambra branch yesterday and the number was busy for hours. Not sure if it was busy because its unplugged or because someone was on the line... but yelp reviews indicated that it actually was not open.. and they seem to be doing the asian "hey friends! make a yelp acct to review my restaurant to rate it up!" thing

[ChefRoux]

F.Y.I.

World Buffet and Osaka have the same ownership and the same menus.

CR

[Chandavkl]

Unless the Osaka (Hacienda Heights) menu has changed in the last few weeks, the menu is entirely different from World Buffet (West Covina).

[hashbrn]

China Great Buffet
11860 Valley Blvd
El Monte, CA 91732
[phone]

After I walked out of San Gabriel ZEN Buffet, I came here!
A good choice.
So the food:
Good Sushi
Lots of meat choices
Plenty of salad stuff
Lots of veggies, cold Asparagus which was so good!
Salads as fresh greens, and romaine
Soups
Fresh Fruits and deserts
etc.

Good food, lots of it, and out the door price $7.86 (senior discount)

Try and come before busy lunch hour as can get crowed, however a large place with lots of seating, and a large parking lot!

I will be back!
I had a Sunday Lunch which was Outstanding also.

[Chandavkl]

Truth is none of the daily Asian buffets in the San Gabriel is terrific. Ipse is right in that Zen Buffet is the equivalent of Hometown Buffet, as is International Buffet in Montebello. World Buffet is a step above that, but so-so. Ditto for Gold Coast. The best of the bunch by far is West Coast Seafood in Hacienda Heights, 1655 S. Azusa Ave., and to show how tough times are, they've actually lowered their dinner price by $1.50.

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Hometown Buffet
8629 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Gold Coast Bar
8228 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

International Buffet
2323 Via Campo, Montebello, CA 90640

World Buffet
1003 S Glendora Ave, West Covina, CA 91790

[ipsedixit]

Based on your criteria, I would go to Todai (there's one in the Santa Anita mall in Arcadia).

[monku]

Don't think anyone's ever rec'd Todai on these boards.

[monku]

I'd go to World Buffet before going to Todai.

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World Buffet
1003 S Glendora Ave, West Covina, CA 91790

[Chandavkl]

Way downhill alert on World Buffet. While it always had a mixed clientele, it's now largely non-Asian despite its location in Hong Kong Plaza. Oh, and it looks like the guy running the place now is non-Asian. At this point, the best buffet bets seem to be the Monrovia location of Zen Buffet and the Hacienda Heights location of Osaka Seafood, though neither comes close to the departed West Coast Seafood, the predecessor of Osaka Seafood in Hacienda Heights.

[Chandavkl]

The Arcadia Todai is by far the best of the Todai's. However I'd take West Coast Seafood over Todai any day of the week, except if I had eaten at West Coast Seafood the day before.

[ipsedixit]

I'd take West Coast Seafood over Todai any day of the week, except if I had eaten at West Coast Seafood the day before.
________________________________________________

Great line. I have to remember that in the future.

I prefer Todai's hot entrees and dessert spread, but you're right about West Coast Seafood when it comes to sushi/sashimi, and the prepared salads.

[monku]

I've never been, but a Vietnamese friend swears by
Zen Buffet
5449 Rosemead Boulevard
San Gabriel, CA 91776-

[ipsedixit]

Judging by the crowds and lines at Zen, your Vietnamese friend is not alone.

But to me, Zen appeals to the lowest common denominator amongst the buffet crowd. It's like the Chinese/Japanese equivalent of Hometown Buffet.

[monku]

It's possible they're mostly Vietnamese.

[ipsedixit]

Actually, I would say a majority of the crowds at Zen are Hispanic, or Mexican-American.

[monku]

Maybe the OP is of Hispanic Descent?

[TonyC]

As is nearly every Asian buffet in the SGV perimeter.

International Buffet in Montebello, without the busloads of Chinamen, survives purely on Hispanic traffic.

[hashbrn]

If you have not experienced Super King, World Buffet, both $2.50 cheaper, and Zen Monrovia, you would know Zen San Gabriel sucks, not so clean, restrooms usually trashed, and a pepboys attitude and ambiance which is next door!