San Diego's Ultimate Seafood Buffet!
Every time I passed by Natsumi, I saw a long line outside. Today I finally decided to try it out~ and it totally lived up to the hype! Tucked away on Miramar Road, this Japanese buffet restaurant is like a happy planet where you can enjoy seafood freedom at an affordable price ๐ The lively atmosphere hit me as soon as I opened the door~ the place was packed with diners of all backgrounds: families enjoying meals together, groups of friends catching up, every table laden with full plates. A server quickly seated us, and before we even settled in, we caught the enticing aroma of grilled shrimp from the next table ๐ I headed straight for the seafood section! A glistening ice bed was piled with green conch, sweet shrimp, and Arctic surf clams, shimmering under the lights. I tried a piece of salmon sashimi~ its rich, buttery texture melted instantly on my tongue. The sushi section was even more impressive, offering a dizzying array of choices from classic California rolls to creative dragon fruit rolls~ over twenty varieties neatly arranged, making me want to try every single one ๐ฃ The hot food section held a lovely surprise! Though I came for the seafood, I was won over by the freshly prepared black pepper beef cubes~ tender meat with a seared exterior coated in savory sauce. I went back for two helpings! The sweet and sour pork, a kid favorite, was fried to crispy perfection with a gorgeous golden glaze. Thoughtfully, they also served fried rice and noodles, perfect staple choices for those craving familiar flavors ๐ฅข The best value-for-money section has to be the live grill station! A chef in a tall hat expertly grilled large prawns on the sizzling teppanyaki grill~ the sound was so satisfying. I lined up for freshly cooked garlic shrimp~ the plump meat carried a delightful charred aroma, and I even found myself sucking on the shells for extra flavor ๐จโ๐ณ During a mid-meal break, I explored the dessert section. Freshly cut watermelon and honeydew were refreshingly sweet, and the small cups of pudding wobbled invitingly. A spoonful of matcha pudding delivered a rich tea flavor that perfectly cut through the richness of the previous dishes ๐ฎ When the bill came, I was shocked that a meal for three adults and one child cost less than $100! As we left, rubbing our full bellies, the waiting area was still filled with eager faces. With this level of quality and affordability, it's no wonder this place remains a perennially popular hotspot in San Diego ๐ฏ ๐ Location Guide: 7040 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92121 Try visiting on weekdays for lunch to avoid the weekend crowds~ #SanDiegoEats #SeafoodBuffet #BestValue #FoodDiary #FamilyDining #JapaneseCuisine #FoodDiscovery