University Buffet

Ah, just what we needed, another Chinese buffet, right? Well, take the time to check this one out. Offering over 75 different options for both lunch and dinner, this buffet is the first of its kind in this convenient location. The restaurant boasts seating for 220 people in two different rooms. The space can cater to bigger parties as well, but should you need the whole restaurant, a reservations is needed.

Having been in the process of opening for over a year, manager Eric Kok and owner Jimmy Yeh have finally opened the doors their business vision and have kept them successfully open for two months now. “We wanted to offer our food to the population in this area,” shared Eric, “we wondered why there wasn’t one in this area.” The business speaks for itself: many people have already eaten there more than once, and around lunch and dinner time, the parking lot is often packed.

University Buffet offers the normal favorites of a Chinese hot bar, like chicken wings, cream cheese wontons, chicken skewers, egg foo young, and egg rolls. They also serve favorites such as Mongolian Beef, General Tso’s Chicken, lo mein, and fried rice, too. The big salad bar features two kinds of pasta salad, all kinds of fixings for a green salad, and a surprisingly big array of fresh fruits. Also, doesn’t miss dessert: it features six different kinds of, “real, not soft serve” ice cream (chocolate, strawberry, green tea, rainbow sherbet, cookies and cream, vanilla), and features toppings as well, like sprinkles, nuts, and chocolate sauce.

Also notable is the sushi bar: Eric Kok assures that their sushi bar uses all sushi grade fish, offering fresh fish and a few veggie rolls as well. “Our sushi chefs work on the spot,” he noted, “to have it included in the price already makes the meal worthwhile.”

Sunday is a special day: seafood buffet day. Although regular favorites are on hand to please guests who don’t necessarily enjoy seafood, the hot bar is decked out with fish (usually steamed whole salmon and flounder), snow crab, clams, frogs legs, piles of crawfish, and four different kinds of shrimp.

And still, if none of this sounds particularly for you, University Buffet offers a menu from which you can order from to eat-in or to take-out. The menu is extensive (over 100 items!) and features all of the favorites commonly found in most Chinese restaurants.

Having had a party of 25 people recently in the restaurant myself, I truly think University Buffet is accommodating to larger groups, which is nice as this is often how the Hmong community rolls. We went on special Seafood Sunday and my parents couldn’t get enough crawfish and my siblings feasted upon the coconut shrimp—a breaded and fried shrimp with delicious, creamy coconut sauce. I had a bunch of macaroni pasta salad myself, and some veggie sushi rolls, which were good. There were a lot of kids there and they all seemed to have left with satisfied bellies full of fried rice, chicken, and jello. Other favorites of mine included the Egg Drop and Hot and Sour Soups, complete with crispy wonton garnish.

A note on about the all Chinese service staff: it seems they are still taking some getting used to service. When we ordered what was called, “orange juice,” we received orange soda pop. Actual orange juice is available, but at $1.00 a glass, and receiving drinks took a long time. I also wish they had options for bubble tea or shakes, but the only things on the drink menu are water, sodas, tea, and orange juice. And don’t call early—chances are they won’t be there to answer until the doors open at 10:30 A.M.

However, when asked what sets University Buffet apart from other Chinese buffets, Eric casually yet confidently mentioned that the quality of food the guests receive, with the variety (especially with the sushi), is worth it. “The price for what you get is a great deal,” he stated, “this place has something for everyone.” And since business is booming, we can’t really disagree.

University Buffet

225 University Avenue W

St. Paul, MN 55103

*Price includes sushi bar, drink, and ice cream

Sunday Seafood Buffet: $11.99 all day

Lunch:

Adults - $8.49

Kids - $2.49-$6.49 (depending on age)

Dinner:

Adults - $11.99

Kids - $3.49-$6.49 (depending on age)

Review by Elizabeth Thao