I Went to a Japanese Buffet Restaurant

皆さん、こんにちは！

Minna-san Konnichiwa!

I enjoyed anime and the life portrayed in its stories, so even if I'm not a cosplayer or what, I always dream to go to Japan someday!

I am not an otaku and I can't even say straight Nihongo. I even almost flanked my Foreign Language course.

The gaijin in Japan dream is just too farfetched and is terribly expensive to run after, but daydreaming isn't bad at all. One time, I visited a Japanese restaurant alone.

If I can't fly to Japan, maybe splurging a bit on tabemono will bring me a step closer to my dream?

When visiting food spaces, you will have a hint if it's going to be a real deal. For street foods, if people are sacrificing time in long lines, it's a sure sign that is is worth the wait!

But on restaurants, just squint and look if foreigners are visiting it. If it's a Japanese restaurant, check if there are actual Japanese eating at that place, then it's another sign that it is quite authentic. Of course, you can just search available restaurants online and manually filter all ratings and reviews.

Just a reminder, be sure to call and inquire first to book for a reservation especially during peak hours.

When dining in a buffet, don't go on an overdrive eating this and that, or everything all at once. Have a plate of some and rest, then repeat until full. Finish with a few desserts and take only a few sips of a drink throughout the visit.

Don't buy in to soups, noodles, or rice, not even on sushi! Though you can have just a tiny serving to avoid feeling full immediately.

Here, I enjoyed classic Japanese selections and some other asian cusines including some Korean grilled meats.

If you don't know how to use the grill, don't worry, the waiters will do the hard work and will be assisting you from time to time. On some restaurants you can pick your choice meats and seafoods, but some will serve you your request.

You can catch up with your friends while flipping the grilled meat. If you don't have separate meat plates, cook together and serve your friends first. Lettuce leaves are available to wrap grilled meats and dip with the available sauces before eating.

The tiger prawn tempura is often served hot and fresh, so keep an eye on it as it one of the best sellers in Japanese restaurants. It's not just Ebi tempura at all, see if you can get veggie or fish tempura, for a twist.

You go to a buffet to feel full, so don't be shy to admit. Once you're 80% full, relax for a bit and start strolling on the dessert section.

Most desserts are mostly western cuisine, but you'll be lucky if you find mochi and the likes.

Loosening your buttons, is fine, just don't waste on food you cannot consume, else you'll end paying up more fees aside from price and additional taxes. Don't pick up the change, or better leave a tip to make a smile on the service crew!

I've been to many buffets, but a Japanese restaurant is still my go-to. Next time, I might bring you to a Ramen-ya, that you might also want to visit.

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Sometimes, I don't know why my old self went to places like this one—alone.

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