Shinju Japanese Buffet — Restaurant in Kendall

Alright, this is a review for week day and weekend dinning. Prices are different for different days and times. First thing, if you are rushed DO NOT COME HERE. The lines goes inside, outside and sometimes down the sidewalk. Bribing staff does nothing to move things along. People sitting in lobby have nothing to do but eyeball new people who walk in and nothing to hear but the sound of people talking and eating across the room. They'll spot a line jumper and act about the same as a transit cop in NYC.

The wait time quoted was 15 minutes. This is a suggested wait time, it's more like 25-30. You get to see people waddle out and have trouble breathing. So relax, your number will be called. Pay attention, you could miss it and end up waiting some more.

The ambiance in no different than any other Chinese place, only this one is a buffet, so you get shown to your table, but you don't sit. You grab a plate and have at it. Sushi is good, not great. The fried rolls are cool or cold, not hot like in a traditional restaurant. Keep this in mind. Still, the variety is pretty good. Lots of raw and cooked options with the chefs right there bring out trays and so forth.

The hibachi section is good, and the cook is fast and diligent. Portions are good. Tipping is advised, but not mandatory. The line can grow and the going is slow. Bring patience.

The hot section is so/so. The broccoli beef in not edible (meat is rubber. Looks like steak, chews like rubber) the jumbo shrimp are boiled with shells and not de-vained. The fried potatoes are passable. The pork dumplings are decent. The fried rice, is also passable.

The dessert section is at own risk. The massive chocolate pudding always gives me hives just looking at it. I can't bring myself to serve myself. Some honey dew melon, some cheese cake in cups, etc. most is portioned out. I can't eat their ice cream, it just looks bad most times, like when you go to that one house that has way too much food jammed in freezer and stuff is half frozen. Anyway, I don't bother with ice cream or dessert. I go for sushi and some vegetables. Steamed string beans, the broccoli from the broccoli beef (not the beef) and sometimes red peppers from the pepper steak (the meat is rubber and bad. Bad quality. It's all fat and veins. Completely inedible.

The sushi I recommend. Don't order soda, it will fill you up and you will eat less. 2 people on a Saturday night, about $60 bucks without tip. Tip at least $10 bucks if your bill comes to this. People work there and are quite attentive.

Crowds are massive. People come to pig out, the focus is on quantity for most, for me, it's quality. I go for the expensive sushi (salmon, tuna, nigiri and on occasion, the vegetables) I can't say I eat till I explode, but I do eat a fair amount. Drink little water, and enjoy your food. No one rushes you out, everyone eats at their own pace.

Week day dinner is slightly less, but on average expect paying between $16-25 a person, depending on day and time. Expect crowds and noise. Small children will be lost here. This is a restaurant, and it doesn't have a child atmosphere, my opinion.

Clothing: some dress up, some dress down, it depends. No one is there looking at a person's clothing, although people do check people out. I guess it's human nature.

Staff: friendly and attentive. You get up for another portion and return to a clean and clear table. Be courteous to them, they put up with a lot.

Ambiance: food and drink galore. That's about it. It isn't a place for warm conversation. Forget that nonsense. This is strictly food and drink, with an emphasis on food.

Parking: basically you have the entire lot, other businesses are there but you have room and rows of parking to consider. Parking isn't an issue.

Cash or credit, no prob.

Food is plentiful and kept coming. The dishes are washed, sanitized and restocked as needed. The operation runs smooth. The bathroom is clean and decent, better than most others.

Wash your hands, be courteous, don't take all the food from a tray. Manners cost nothing and...

I've had good food and experiences here, but I recently had an experience here that had made me quite hesitant about going back or even recommending the restaurant to others.

My last dining experience here, I was out with my group and my SeRvIcE DoG (it's worth mentioning that my dog is undergoing his GCC training, so he behaves well indoors at the very least) and the restaurant initially denied me entry because of my animal. I politely said that I was allowed to have the animal because the animal was servicing me, but the front staff then asked me if I had an ID card for the dog. I have never had an establishment ask me this question about my service dog, so not only was I just a bit unprepared for this not legal question, I was a bit annoyed by it. At this point, I was willing to just leave and file a complaint against the restaurant, but one of my group members was annoyed at the treatment I received and had a slight discourse with the front staff. They called the manager, who the rectified the issue over the phone. We were then promptly seated, thankfully. Then the restaurant allowed us to enjoy our lunch without further interruption, but with one of the servers that had initially denied us entry standing by the wall and facing the table the entire time- which is something that I'd never had happen while eating at the same table other times I'd come here. To be brief, it was pretty uncomfortable. Being served by the same server definitely felt odd too. I'm left with the impression that the difference in my most recent experience was because of the dog, and it definitely rubbed me the wrong way. My dog made no interruptions, to the point where I think any other server wouldn't have been aware of my dog. I would have actually preferred being denied service at the restaurant instead of having such an uncomfortable experience. Again, the food, at least the buffet, is good quality for the price, but I wouldn't recommend going to this restaurant if you feel you will even slightly inconvenience the staff, especially with a situation like mine. I do not go to restaurants to feel self-conscious, so I couldn't...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Shinju Japanese Buffet, and it was truly an exceptional experience. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the well-lit and inviting atmosphere. The attention to detail at this buffet sets it apart from other sushi restaurants I have tried in the area.

One of the highlights was the incredible freshness and variety of the sushi. Each item was meticulously labeled, making it easy to navigate through the impressive selection. I appreciated that the sushi was continuously replenished by a dedicated staff member, ensuring there was always a fresh assortment available without any delays. This level of attention to detail is rare and contributed significantly to the overall experience.

The service at Shinju was equally remarkable. Our waitress was attentive and courteous, remembering every order with precision and always willing to listen. Her professionalism and friendly demeanor made the experience even more enjoyable, and I was happy to leave a generous tip in appreciation.

Beyond the sushi, the buffet featured a vast selection of other dishes, all prepared with the same level of care and quality. Not a single item disappointed, and the freshness of every dish was evident. For the price, the value is unbeatable, and I would confidently say that Shinju offers the best sushi experience in the area.

Additionally, parking was convenient, and the overall ambiance of the restaurant was perfect for a relaxed yet satisfying dining experience. If you're in the mood for high-quality sushi at a reasonable price, Shinju Japanese Buffet is undoubtedly the place to go. I will...