Kwando Buffet — Restaurant in Chico

Love Kwando's for lunch. So let's start with the cons as usual: There is no alcohol served. I'm not sure what the reason for this is but I assume the liquor license is a bit too expensive for the generally good prices. Fried rather than steamed potstickers. This is likely to save time and because steamed potstickers would dry out on the steam table too quickly. The time before last I visited about an hour before closing and many items were already getting stale and others had been removed. I get that it's a buffet and this is necessary to avoid food waste, but it wasn't wonderful. Still, minor issue and an understandable one. Lackluster climate control. Again, this is to fake money and keep prices down but it made eating at 1PM while it was 105 outside a bit less enjoyable.

Okay, so those are the quibbles. What's good?

Four types of dining in one package. If you've never been, you really need to go. Fresh-made sushi is the star of the show if you're looking to get your money's worth. It's made right there in-house with a huge bowl of very strong horseradish "wasabi". Great variety including sashimi and even raw options like tuna. Second is the dim sum. Dim sum is the way Chinese buffet works when you're in actual Chinatown and it's fantastic to see it. They do a great job, and if you're looking for some pork buns, they have plenty! Third is the Mongolian style grill. Now, if you're used to Hulas, you might not be satisfied. They use more ramen style noodles than the Shanghai noodles at Hulas and the meat is unfrozen and in bigger chunks rather than thin slices. I admit I have yet to try this, but it's a cool addition. Good selection including shrimp!

Finally, the Chinese food. Everything is done in a fantastic way and it's standard American Chinese food. Don't expect staples like foil wrapped chicken or as mentioned before, steamed and seared potstickers because they just take too long, but the crab rangoons are perfect, the sweet and sour chicken is great, and of course, you're gonna want to try the broccoli beef. There are also options for fussy kids like chicken nuggets, but I never bother. They're probably good but I'm there for the Asian food! The staff is professional even if they're not particularly personable. This is to be expected and I'd be suspicious if they were super friendly, honestly! The sushi is very well done. At least as good as a grocery store of but better since it's not frozen. Be sure to tip the sushi chef on the opposite side of where it's served. Once you figure out where everything is, you pretty much have all the sauces and condiments you need! The price is very reasonable especially at lunch. When even Jack in the Box costs over $20 for two people eating very small meals, $18 a person for all you can eat is a steal. The koi are in great shape and always love to show off. Just don't be a dullard and try to pet them, please.

Overall a great place to eat if you're really hungry. Be sure to try new things while you're here because they're good...

Kwando Buffet wins hands down compared to a higher rated buffet yet gets less stars. Why wins? A few good reasons: seafood is readily available, and many dishes very tasty. Meats are not frozen and basically taste as they should. Selection is plentiful for the price. Kwando also serves Chinese selections, I was mildly surprised as to how agreeable was their Hot and Sour Soup, one of three varieties. The Hibachi section surprised me with their selection, specially fresh eggs? Yummy indeed! Desserts variety an added plus but perhaps plain offerings, including the serve yourself soft ice cream, whether the real variety or not, will find plenty of takers. Place clean, efficient staff continuously on the job. Water lacking, stick to drinks, which may be extra? If included, how can any crowd go wrong. I even enjoy fresh octopus grilled to perfection, and fresh mussels. Tasty! Sushi, which we did not partake, constantly being made. Quite an array of options, that’s for sure. At least 4 Stars 🌟!

Returned 7 days after my first visit, compulsive behavior? Perhaps. The sad thing about it is that this second time, food no longer seemed as well prepared as the first time. Still the place is very busy as is not a place that lacks servings of food. This place is for the voracious appetites that keep going back and forth, not for the gourmet insistent. Food a plenty! I just thought this second visit would be as good as perceived was the first time. My enthusiasm was diminished but quantities remain the same. 3 Stars.

Word to the wise. Big difference between lunch and dinner, yet price is the same. Case in point: wanted to find Duck 🦆 as it is a rare place that offers it. Turns out is only served on the weekends, and particularly at dinner time. Today the lunch was considerably less appealing, of what I’m sure the dinner will be, but seems like Saturday and Sunday are the big winners in the end. At best 3 Stars. 7-29-2025 Okey I give in, fair is fair, Kwando Buffet may lack several things but freshness, amount, variety, value, service etc, are not part of it. On weekends it even offers duck meat, which most of the times is prepared nicely ant that for some this offering is a definite plus, and no, I’m not talking about those people that have ducks as pets, or resent the idea of having duck meat for dinner, but chicken or turkey is just fine. Food moves, crowds consume it and is an endless cycle till closing time. Seniors partake of a discount, and everyone leaves...

Kwando's...the last bastion of hope left in Chico for an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet!! Arrived at 1155am, and planned to maximize my time. I plated my ingredients for the hibachi, handed it over to the cook, then went for the sushi. Grabbed 8 different pieces of rolls (want something they don't have, they will MAKE it custom for you), then went to the lines...which were full and empty of people. I grabbed: Jalepeno chicken, Orange chicken, Coconut shrimp, General Tzaos chicken, Buttery Seafood medley, and simple stir-fry. By the time I headed to my seat, the hibachi was done, consisting of: Lemon grass chicken, pot stickers, ginger, garlic, pineapple, Crab, red onion, broccoli, and 3 flank steaks. I stayed for 1 hour, even enjoying a simple bowl of ice cream for dessert. The flavors were magnificent, the food was piping hot and plentiful, and I hadn't touched upon 65% of what was available (NO soups, salads, or fruits.) I left extremely satisfied and full. The last picture is the total I paid...LESS than $17 total. Extremely clean food bars, soups bars, and dessert bar. I'm saving the last star for when they have better deserts, as most were a little dry. WAY BETTER than Hulas Chinese BBQ, cheaper too!! Get here on Friday for the Crab Legs & Frog legs, and shrimp for the hibachi at the dinner buffet. Update... as of 6/9/22, I went back on a Thursday night to find they added a few pans of Louisiana Creole dishes, and for that I awarded the last star for this establishment. Creole, potatoes, corn, crawfish, etc... spices were spot-on and delicious. The perfect addition to an already...