Walking into Chen’s Buffet feels like stepping into a world where variety meets comfort, and hunger meets satisfaction in the most colorful way possible.
Located on Northwest 23rd Street in Oklahoma City, Chen’s Buffet has been serving up everything from familiar Chinese classics to fresh sushi rolls, creating a dining experience that really does live up to its rainbow promise.
Whether I am craving crispy egg rolls, steaming soup, or seafood piled high on my plate, the options never seem to run out. What I enjoy most is the freedom.
I can sample a little of everything without committing to just one dish or one flavor. The atmosphere stays relaxed and unpretentious, and the buffet lines keep moving with constant refills.
It is the kind of place where everyone at the table eats something different, leaves happy, and starts planning the next visit before the plates are cleared.
The Buffet Spread Brings Color and Choices to Every Table
Chen’s Buffet stands out for its impressive selection that spans multiple culinary traditions under one roof. The buffet stations stretch across the dining room, offering everything from classic Chinese dishes to Japanese sushi, creating a visual feast before the actual tasting begins.
Fresh salad bars sit alongside hot entrees, giving diners the freedom to mix and match according to their preferences.
The restaurant is located at 4537 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73127, making it easily accessible for both neighborhood regulars and those driving in from other parts of the city.
Staff members work throughout service hours to keep the buffet fresh and fully stocked, bringing out new trays as dishes run low.
This constant rotation helps ensure that food maintains its temperature and quality, which many guests appreciate during their visits.
Families find the variety particularly helpful since different members can choose completely different meals while still eating together. Kids might gravitate toward familiar favorites while adults explore more adventurous options, and everyone leaves satisfied without compromise.
Egg Drop Soup Warms the Soul Before the Main Event
Starting a meal at Chen’s Buffet with a bowl of egg drop soup has become a ritual for many regular customers. The golden broth arrives steaming hot, with delicate ribbons of egg suspended throughout, creating that signature silky texture that defines a well-made version of this classic.
Some diners add soy sauce to adjust the flavor to their personal taste, while others enjoy it exactly as served.
The soup station typically stays well-maintained throughout the day, with fresh batches replacing what gets served. This attention to the basics matters because egg drop soup often serves as the benchmark by which many guests judge a Chinese restaurant’s overall quality.
The warmth and comfort it provides set the tone for the rest of the meal, preparing taste buds for the variety ahead.
Beyond its role as an appetizer, the soup offers a light option for those who want to pace themselves through the buffet experience. Taking a break between heavier dishes with a small cup of broth can help diners enjoy more of what the restaurant offers without feeling overwhelmed too quickly.
Egg Rolls Deliver the Satisfying Crunch Everyone Craves
Among the many offerings at Chen’s Buffet, the egg rolls consistently earn praise from customers who return specifically for that crispy exterior and savory filling. These hand-held bundles arrive at the buffet freshly fried, with a golden-brown shell that shatters satisfyingly with each bite.
The vegetable filling inside provides a contrast in texture, offering something tender against the crunchy wrapper.
Many guests consider egg rolls an essential part of their buffet plate, often grabbing one or two during their first trip to the stations. The restaurant keeps them stocked throughout service hours, ensuring that early diners and late arrivals both have access to this popular item.
Some people dip them in sweet and sour sauce, while others prefer them plain to appreciate the seasoning in the filling itself.
The quality of egg rolls can vary dramatically between restaurants, but Chen’s Buffet has built a reputation for maintaining consistency in this department.
They represent comfort food at its finest, familiar enough to feel safe yet flavorful enough to remain interesting even after multiple visits to the same buffet.
Sushi Rolls Add a Fresh Japanese Touch to the Experience
Not every Chinese buffet ventures into Japanese territory, but Chen’s Buffet bridges both traditions by including a sushi station among its offerings. The rolls sit arranged on platters, displaying their colorful ingredients through the rice and seaweed wrapping.
California rolls, with their crab and avocado filling, appear alongside other varieties that rotate based on availability and preparation schedules.
Customers who enjoy sushi appreciate having this option available without needing to visit a separate restaurant afterward. The freshness of the sushi depends somewhat on timing, with peak hours typically offering the most recently prepared selections.
Those who visit during busier periods often find that the constant turnover keeps the sushi station well-stocked with fresh options.
Including sushi expands the buffet’s appeal beyond traditional Chinese food lovers, attracting diners who want variety in their Asian cuisine experience. The combination of cooked Chinese dishes and raw fish preparations gives the restaurant a broader identity, living up to its Pan-Asian description.
Some guests build entire meals around the sushi alone, while others treat it as one component of a more diverse plate.
The Spacious Dining Room Accommodates Families and Groups Comfortably
Chen’s Buffet provides a dining environment that prioritizes space and comfort over elaborate decoration. The modest interior features plenty of tables spread throughout the room, allowing families and groups to gather without feeling cramped against neighboring diners.
This spaciousness proves especially valuable during gatherings or celebrations when multiple people need to sit together comfortably.
The atmosphere remains relatively quiet compared to some restaurants, creating a relaxed environment where conversations can happen without shouting over background noise. Lighting stays functional rather than dramatic, keeping the focus on the food and the company rather than creating a particular ambiance.
Facilities remain clean and appropriately stocked, with staff members attending to tables and clearing dishes throughout the meal.
For parents dining with children, the layout offers enough room for kids to move between the buffet and the table without navigating tight spaces.
The casual setting removes some of the pressure that can come with fancier restaurants, allowing families to enjoy their meal without worrying about formal dining expectations.
This approachable atmosphere contributes to the restaurant’s reputation as a neighborhood spot where comfort matters more than pretense.
Service Balances Efficiency with a Relaxed Dining Pace
The service style at Chen’s Buffet follows the typical buffet model where servers focus primarily on drinks, clearing plates, and addressing specific requests rather than taking food orders.
This approach allows diners to control their own pacing, returning to the buffet stations as many times as they wish without waiting for a server to take their next order.
Tea and other beverages get refilled as needed, with servers checking tables periodically throughout the meal.
Some guests appreciate the less frequent server interaction, finding it creates a more relaxed meal where they can focus on their food and companions. Others who prefer more attentive service might find the approach too hands-off, though servers typically respond when called.
The rhythm of service seems designed to support the buffet experience rather than compete with it for attention.
During peak hours, the restaurant operates at 4537 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73127, from 11 AM to 9 PM daily, giving diners plenty of time to visit according to their schedules.
Those who arrive during less busy periods may find even more relaxed service, while weekend crowds might mean servers have more tables to manage simultaneously.
Pricing Reflects the All-You-Can-Eat Value with Some Considerations
Chen’s Buffet operates in the moderate price range, marked with two dollar signs on most review platforms, indicating it falls into affordable territory without being the cheapest option available.
The buffet price covers unlimited trips to all food stations, allowing diners to sample as much variety as they want during their visit.
Adults and children receive different pricing, though some guests have reported confusion about age cutoffs for child pricing.
One consideration that catches some diners by surprise involves beverage pricing, with fountain drinks costing nearly five dollars per cup according to recent reviews. This pricing structure means that families ordering multiple beverages can see their total bill increase significantly beyond the base buffet cost.
Choosing water instead keeps the overall expense more predictable and affordable.
The value proposition depends largely on appetite and variety preferences, with those who enjoy trying many different dishes getting more benefit from the unlimited format.
Someone who typically eats smaller portions might find a la carte ordering at other restaurants more economical, while big eaters and adventurous samplers often consider buffets worthwhile.
Recent price increases following a temporary closure have led some former regulars to reconsider their frequency of visits.
Despite the moderate pricing, many diners find the experience worth it because of the sheer variety and freshness offered at every station.
The unlimited access to dishes, from steaming entrees to crisp sushi rolls, makes it easy to tailor a meal to your appetite, whether you’re here for a light lunch or a full dinner adventure.
Each visit can feel different, as new dishes appear alongside staples that keep regulars coming back.
Families, groups, and solo diners alike benefit from the flexibility of the all-you-can-eat format. Guests can sample widely, mix familiar favorites with new flavors, and pace their meal according to personal preference.
This adaptability, combined with consistently fresh and well-stocked selections, ensures that Chen’s Buffet delivers an experience that feels both satisfying and approachable for everyone.
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