I have eaten at a lot of buffets across Indiana, and honestly, most of them start to blur together after a while. But Journey Oriental Buffet on the northeast side of Indianapolis is different in a way that genuinely surprised me.
The sheer size of the spread stopped me in my tracks the first time I walked in. Over 100 items, fresh sushi, all-you-can-eat crab legs on Fridays, prime rib, seafood boil, and desserts that actually taste good.
If you have been sleeping on this place, it is time to wake up. Whether you are a local Indy resident or someone making the drive from Fort Wayne, Bloomington, or even across state lines, Journey Oriental Buffet is absolutely worth your time and appetite.
An Unbelievable Spread of Over 100 Menu Items
Walking up to the buffet line at Journey Oriental Buffet for the first time feels a little overwhelming in the best possible way. The sheer number of choices stretches across what feels like an entire wall of food.
We are talking well over 100 items on any given day, covering everything from sushi rolls and crab legs to ribs, steak, roasted duck, seafood noodles, shrimp prepared in multiple styles, soups, salads, and a full dessert section.
One reviewer put it simply: the amount of food you can choose from is endless. That is not an exaggeration.
You could visit Journey five times and still discover something new each visit. The kitchen rotates dishes throughout service, keeping the line fresh and the options rotating.
For families with picky eaters, this place is a lifesaver. Kids who refuse seafood can load up on chicken skewers, fried rice, or pasta while the adults go straight for the crab legs.
The variety genuinely covers every taste preference without feeling like a compromise. Lunch pricing is especially friendly, running around $15 per person as of late 2025, making it one of the best value meals in the Indianapolis metro area.
That combination of quantity, quality, and price is hard to beat anywhere in Indiana.
All-You-Can-Eat Crab Legs That Keep People Coming Back
Friday nights at Journey Oriental Buffet, located at 7155 E 96th St, have a reputation around Indianapolis for one very specific reason: all-you-can-eat crab legs. Reviewers consistently mention this as the highlight of their visit, and it is easy to understand why.
Crab legs at a buffet price point, with unlimited refills, is genuinely rare in Indiana.
One five-star reviewer wrote that they were thrilled to discover the crab legs on a Friday visit, and that the quality held up across the board alongside the sushi and fruit. Another enthusiastic guest described making a one-hour drive specifically for this experience and calling it completely worth it.
That kind of loyalty says a lot about what Journey is doing right.
The key is timing. Arriving early, ideally when the doors open at 5 PM for dinner or at 11 AM for lunch, ensures you get the freshest batch.
Some reviewers noted that crab legs ran out later in the evening without being replenished, so getting there early pays off. Saturday and Sunday lunch service also runs until 3:30 PM, giving weekend visitors a bit more flexibility.
If you love seafood and have not made the trip to 7155 E 96th St in Indianapolis yet, a Friday dinner with unlimited crab legs is the perfect introduction to why this buffet has earned over 5,900 reviews and a 4.1-star rating.
Sushi That Actually Holds Its Own
Not every buffet can pull off decent sushi. Many places use it as a filler item that sits under a sneeze guard looking sad and dry.
Journey Oriental Buffet takes a noticeably different approach. Multiple reviewers specifically called out the sushi as being on point, and that is a meaningful detail when you consider how many other food options are competing for attention at this buffet.
The rolls are made fresh and rotated regularly throughout service. You will find classic options alongside more creative combinations, giving both sushi beginners and experienced fans something to enjoy.
The rice texture and fish quality consistently receive praise in reviews, which is a good sign for a buffet setting where freshness can sometimes be inconsistent.
Pairing the sushi with the other seafood options at Journey creates a genuinely satisfying meal. Start with a couple of sushi rolls, move to the crab legs and shrimp, then circle back for more rolls before hitting the dessert station.
It is the kind of meal that makes you slow down and actually enjoy the process of eating rather than rushing through. For Indianapolis residents who have been looking for a reliable sushi option that does not require a separate reservation at a standalone Japanese restaurant, Journey delivers a solid experience at a fraction of the typical cost.
A Dining Room With Atmosphere Worth Noticing
Most people do not expect much from a buffet when it comes to ambiance. The assumption is that you are trading atmosphere for quantity.
Journey Oriental Buffet quietly challenges that assumption with a dining room that genuinely feels welcoming rather than purely functional.
Reviewers describe the decor as calming, beautiful, and inviting, with a quirky mix of modern and retro elements that give the space its own personality. Booth seating is available throughout, and the restaurant is large enough that even on busy Friday nights, the noise level stays manageable.
One reviewer specifically noted that despite a packed house, the place never felt too loud, which is a real achievement for a restaurant this size.
The restaurant also offers a private room option for groups, which has been used for birthday parties and larger gatherings. One review described a group that kept growing in size and praised the staff for seamlessly adding chairs and managing separate bills without missing a beat.
That kind of flexibility for group dining is genuinely useful in Indianapolis, where finding a space that can accommodate a last-minute growing party is not always easy. The atmosphere at Journey is not trying to be a fine dining experience.
It is comfortable, relaxed, and pleasant, which is exactly what you want when you are settling in for a long, satisfying meal with people you enjoy spending time with.
Protein Options Beyond Seafood for Every Appetite
Seafood gets top billing at Journey Oriental Buffet, and rightfully so. But what makes this place genuinely great for groups is that the non-seafood options are just as thoughtfully prepared.
The ribs are a recurring star in reviews, with multiple guests describing them as melt-in-your-mouth tender. The chicken on a stick gets consistent praise for being juicy rather than dry, which is harder to achieve on a buffet than most people realize.
Prime rib appears on the dinner menu, and steak shows up even at lunch, which one reviewer enthusiastically pointed out as a standout detail. Getting a fresh-cut steak at an all-you-can-eat lunch for around $15 is the kind of value that makes Indianapolis food lovers talk.
The kitchen also prepares ham, seafood noodles, spaghetti, and a ramen soup that the staff will cook to order, adding a made-to-order element that elevates the experience above a standard buffet.
Vegetables and greens are well represented too, with one reviewer specifically noting their strong presence on the buffet line. That balance between hearty proteins and lighter options makes Journey a place where you can eat exactly as much or as little as you want without feeling like the menu is pushing you in one direction.
It is a genuinely inclusive spread that works for big eaters and lighter appetites alike.
A Location That Makes It Easy to Explore Indianapolis
Journey Oriental Buffet sits at 7155 E 96th St in Indianapolis, placing it in one of the city’s most accessible and well-connected corners on the northeast side. Getting there from most parts of the metro is straightforward, and the surrounding area gives you plenty of reasons to make a full day out of the trip.
Geist Reservoir Park, located at 11701 Olio Rd in Fishers, is just a short drive away and offers a beautiful waterfront setting for a walk before or after your meal. Conner Prairie Interactive History Park at 13400 Allisonville Rd in Fishers is another excellent nearby destination, especially for families with kids who want something educational and engaging.
For coffee before the buffet opens, Hubbard and Cravens Coffee at 8901 E 96th St in Indianapolis is practically around the corner and serves a solid cup.
If you are making the trip from out of town, the Castleton Square Mall area nearby offers shopping and additional dining options to round out the visit. Coming from Muncie, Lafayette, or even Louisville, the drive to this part of Indianapolis is manageable and well worth it when a meal at Journey is waiting at the end.
The location genuinely rewards the trip for out-of-state visitors and Hoosiers alike who want a memorable meal without overcomplicating the logistics.
Service That Turns a Good Meal Into a Great Memory
Service at a buffet is often an afterthought. You grab your own food, refill your own plate, and the staff mainly clears dishes.
Journey Oriental Buffet operates differently, and the reviews make that clear. Multiple guests name specific servers by name, which tells you something real about the quality of attention being paid to each table.
One reviewer praised their server Emma for being friendly and checking in regularly throughout a Valentine’s Day dinner. Another described a group visit where the staff added chairs as the party grew, managed separate bills without complaint, and sent the group off with a warm thank-you from the hostess.
That level of attentiveness is not standard buffet behavior. It reflects a genuine hospitality culture that the best staff members at Journey clearly take seriously.
For birthday celebrations, Journey is a popular choice in Indianapolis, and the reviews reflect that. Families return year after year for birthdays specifically because the combination of food variety and attentive service makes the occasion feel special without the stress of a prix fixe menu or reservation pressure.
The restaurant does not take reservations, which means arriving early during peak times is smart. Dinner service begins at 5 PM, and getting there at opening ensures fresh food, first pick of seating, and the full attention of a staff that genuinely seems to enjoy taking care of its guests.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
