The 8 Best Chinese Buffets in Minneapolis St. Paul | Discover The Cities (2024)

Sometimes, you just want to stuff yourself on the cheap.

In the Twin Cities, there’s one classic way to do just that – a Chinese Buffet.

Sure, it might not be the most elegant dining experience. And you’ve gotta wonder just how on earth a place can have such a wide variety, anyway.

But now’s not the time to worry about these things. Because today, we’re highlighting the 8 best Chinese and Asian buffets around Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Map of the Best Asian & Chinese Buffets in the Twin Cities

All-Around Choice: Tokyo 23 Buffet

Hibachi. Sushi. Seafood. Ten buffet lines of entrees. Pizza, wings, and American fare. Pan-Asian favorites. Soups and hot pot.

If you’ve ever wanted to see it on a Chinese buffet line, chances are Tokyo 23 Buffet in West St. Paul stocks it. Our winner in the all-around category since they have by far the most extensive selection and quality for the best price.

Open until 10 PM on the weekends for late night.

• Address: 1201 S Robert Street #17, West St Paul, MN 55118
• Website: Tokyo 23

Best for Large Groups: U Garden Restaurant

It’s no secret that the Dinkytown and Stadium Village neighborhoods are stacked with great options for Asian fare. Some of our favorites for dim sum, hot pot, and Szechuan-style Chinese are all in this area of town.

It’s also the home of U Garden, our pick for the best buffet option if you’re planning to meet at the office or celebrate with a group. With a full menu plus a large lunch and dinner buffet, the staff here are used to managing weddings and special events. So expect a good selection and capacity to feed your entire crew.

• Address: 2725 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
• Website: U Garden Restaurant and Event Center

Best Hibachi-Style: Hibachi Buffet

One of the only Hibachi buffet options in the Twin Cities and the best in Minneapolis, Hibachi Buffet on Lake Street has been an all-you-can-eat mainstay for over a decade.

Located near the 35W interchange, the parking here is a bit confusing, but inside the bright red building, you’ll find a clean and comfortable dining area and buffet. The buffet and sushi selection are decent, but the hibachi grill master is what’s really worth the stop.

• Address: 111 E Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
• Website: Hibachi Buffet

For A No-Frills Lunch or Dinner: Ho Ho Gourmet

Sometimes the best reason to choose a Chinese buffet is just to grab a hot and ready meal with all the trusty favorites.

30-minute lunch break? No problem. Grabbing a last-minute dinner when no one feels like cooking? This is your place.

For when we’ve got no need for miles of buffet lines and no time to sample 100 different entree choices, choose Ho Ho Gourmet in the Battle Creek neighborhood of St. Paul. It serves all the basics (think wontons, fried rice, wings, General Tso’s) without all the fuss.

• Address: 1985 Old Hudson Road, St Paul, MN 55119
• Website: Ho Ho Gourmet

Best of the ‘Burbs: Teppanyaki Grill

While I don’t consider myself an aficionado of Chinese buffets, I do recognize a local favorite when I see one. Teppanyaki has been a Fridley go-to spot since they opened in 2015 and one of the spots locals heavily supported through the pandemic.

As soon as they opened back up for buffet dining, the parking lot held a steady stream of diners lining up to grab a plate of all-you-can-eat Pan American food, sushi, or a freshly made vegetable stir fry on the hibachi grill.

• Address: 268 57th Ave NE, Fridley, MN 55432
• Website: Teppanyaki Grill and Supreme Buffet

Best Hole-In-The-Wall Vibe: Panda Garden

All the quintessential Chinese buffet decor tucked in an unsuspecting strip mall location… Panda Garden on Lexington Avenue might just check all the boxes of your classic Chinese buffet.

The selection here has all the standards, the lunch special is one of the most affordable on this list, and you won’t be disappointed by the dessert bar.

• Address: 1706 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113
• Website: Panda Garden Buffet

Closest to Downtown: Great Moon Buffet

With the pandemic putting the breaks on buffet dining, many of the mainstay options near Downtown Minneapolis didn’t survive.

One of the few remaining options for locals and close to the Columbia Heights transit center, Great Moon Buffet has a good selection of favorites and always a few unexpected choices mixed in.

Not the fanciest, but it’s undoubtedly the most convenient and always has good reviews for friendly customer service.

• Address: 4029 NE Central Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55421
• Website: Great Moon Buffet

Over-the-Top, Kitschy Fun: Super Moon Buffet

Pull up to the Super Moon Buffet parking lot in St. Louis Park, and you’ll get a pretty good idea about the over-the-top extravagance inside.

Two giant concrete dragon statues greet visitors outside the restaurant, followed by a bubbling koi pond as soon as you walk in the front doors.

Extravagance follows right onto the menu here also, with 10+ lines of entrees and what feels like the largest salad bar in Minnesota. You’ll also find a made-to-order stir fry bar and an all-you-can-eat sushi counter.

Plus, Super Moon is known for Mongolian options alongside all the traditional buffet choices.

• Address: 6445 Wayzata Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55426
• Website: Super Moon Buffet