A Pleasant Surprise at St. Louis’ New Buffet

St. Louis finally gets a new buffet spot! I dragged a friend to try Golden Apple today, not having high expectations, but was completely blown away by its "value for money" – the weeknight dinner is $19.99 per person, and with tax and tip included, it’s only around $25 per person. Yet here, you can enjoy everything from Americanized Chinese food to made-to-order Pho, and even DIY teppanyaki. Wouldn’t a la carte orders for these cost over $40 per person at other restaurants? After the meal, I patted my full stomach and thought: This is such a steal 💸! 🍽️ Highlights of the Buffet: From Freshly Blanched Pho to Teppanyaki, Every Bite "Gives Your Money’s Worth" All-You-Can-Eat Pho Station: Choose your own toppings, chef blanches fresh – the beef broth is so flavorful you’ll want to lick the spoon! The biggest surprise was actually the all-you-can-eat Pho! Unlike other buffets that only offer pre-made dishes, this place has a dedicated Pho station: the freezer is stocked with fresh beef slices, beef meatballs, bean sprouts, cilantro, limes, and various types of rice noodles. Just pile all the toppings you want onto a plate, hand it to the chef, and they’ll blanch the ingredients in boiling beef broth on the spot before serving it to you in a bowl with noodles and broth. Take a sip of the broth first, and you’ll nod in approval – it’s a richly simmered beef bone broth with no cloying MSG taste. Add two spoonfuls of fish sauce, squeeze half a lime, and sprinkle some bird’s eye chili; one bite warms you up to your stomach, and you won’t get tired of eating two bowls in a row 🍜. Usually, a single bowl of Pho costs $15 elsewhere, but here you can refill it infinitely – you’ve basically got "Pho freedom" in the bag! Made-to-Order Teppanyaki Station: DIY ingredients, chef cooks fresh – full of wok hei! The teppanyaki station really hits the spot for "food lovers"! You can pick beef, chicken, or shrimp from the ingredient area, then choose vegetables like green peppers, onions, or broccoli as toppings – you can even add rice cakes or noodles. Hand everything over to the teppanyaki chef, and you’ll see them stir-fry over high heat, with oil sizzling and wok hei wafting over instantly. Once cooked, it’s served in a tin container, still warm. I chose beef + onions + rice cakes, and the chef even asked, "Do you want black pepper sauce?" The stir-fried beef was so tender it didn’t get stuck in my teeth, and the rice cakes soaked up the sauce – it was even more delicious than teppanyaki at standalone restaurants 🔥! The key is "add as much as you want" – no need to worry about not having enough if you order a la carte. Who wouldn’t be impressed by this value? Solid Basic Options: Americanized Chinese Food + Ice Cream, Full of Satisfaction! Besides the signature stations, classic Americanized Chinese food isn’t left out either: General Tso’s Chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, evenly coated with sweet-tangy sauce; Orange Chicken bursts with juice in one bite; even Beef with Broccoli is great with rice – none of the "half-hearted buffet food" taste. The ice cream station is the best part! There are four flavors: orange, chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. Even though they’re artificial flavor and color varieties, they’re still incredibly tasty 🍦! The chocolate flavor is super rich, and the strawberry has a hint of tartness. I held a small paper cup and ate two cups of chocolate + one cup of strawberry in a row. My friend laughed and said, "You’re finishing the meal with ice cream like it’s a main course," but who can resist the joy of eating free ice cream to their heart’s content? 💡 Practical Tips: Timing: Weeknight dinners have fewer people and no waiting; weekends will probably be crowded. If you want a relaxed meal, it’s better to go on a weekday. Pho Hack: Grab extra beef slices when adding toppings – they’ll be more tender after cooking. Don’t forget to add lime and fish sauce; that’s the "soul" of the dish. Parking: There’s a designated parking lot in front of the restaurant – no need to fight for street parking, so driving here is super convenient. Appetite Tip: First, take a small amount of Americanized Chinese food to pad your stomach; save space for Pho and teppanyaki. Eat ice cream last, otherwise you’ll get too full to walk! If you want a buffet in St. Louis with "varied options, low cost, and satisfying portions," Golden Apple is definitely worth a try! For $25, you get made-to-order Pho + teppanyaki, and even can eat ice cream like a main course. The value is so good that I’m already thinking about my second visit～ #StLouis #StLouisFood #StLouisBuffet #FoodShare #ValueForMoneyBuffet