FJ Buffet — Restaurant in Portland

If you like Chinese food buffets and you live in the PDX metro area, why haven't you eaten here yet?

FJ Buffet is a huge Chinese buffet in SE Portland. The buffet consists of: Cantonese-American / Chinese fast food dishes, fancier Chinese dishes, Japanese sushi, and desserts.

The fast food staples are really good. We share plates with beef and broccoli, honey walnut shrimp, potstickers, spring rolls, and green beans. My partner likes the fast food staples, while I tend to also like the small clams, butterfly shrimp, oyster mushrooms, and baby bok choy.

The food is really nice and definitely better than average buffet fare. The honey walnut shrimp are sweet and crispy, while the veggies are earthy and savory.

You are also likely to see things you might not at non-Chinese buffets, like families sharing plates of food, lots of really well cooked and seasoned seafood, and impeccably clean amenities. (I'm so used to buffet places being sloppily managed during busy times that it is shocking how clean FJ's bathrooms and buffet areas are. And their restaurant is much bigger than any Home Town, Golden Corral, or other buffet spots I've been to.)

The staff is also friendly, but please remember that Chinese cultural values around restaurant work emphasize being good at your duties and responsibilities over overly-polite interactions with customers. They really do their jobs well. Just look around you when you're there.

The only things I'm not a big fan of are the sushi (lots of imitation crab to please American palates), and the dessert bar, which is mainly fruits, pudding, and very dry pastries. I'd love a soft-serve ice cream bar, but that's just wishful thinking.

For about $26 per person for dinner or weekend meals, it's pricier than the cheapest Chinese food you can get--however, if you do go to Chinese fast food restaurants for multi-course meals, you'd be spending about as much at FJ's for better quality, quantity, and variety of foods.

If you like Chinese food buffets, you owe it to yourself to try this spot out in PDX.

There is...

If you're in the mood for a buffet, this restaurant offers a satisfying experience that balances variety and quality without overpromising. The spread is diverse enough to ensure that everyone in your party will find something they enjoy, whether it's hearty main dishes, fresh salads, or indulgent desserts. While the food quality is what you might expect from a buffet—decent but not gourmet—there’s enough care in preparation to keep most diners pleased.

The dining area is spacious, designed to comfortably accommodate groups of all sizes. Whether you’re dining solo, meeting with a small group of friends, or celebrating with a large party, there’s ample room to settle in. Adding to the overall appeal is the welcoming and clean atmosphere. The restaurant is a melting pot of diners from different backgrounds, creating a lively and inclusive vibe.

One standout aspect of the experience is the attentive staff. They are diligent in clearing unused plates and ensuring tables are spotless, making for a pleasant and hassle-free dining environment.

A pro tip for first-timers: plan your visit during peak hours. The busier the restaurant, the more frequently the food is replenished, meaning fresher and hotter dishes for you to enjoy.

For those looking to balance indulgence with lighter fare, the buffet also features a range of salads alongside its main offerings. And don’t forget to save room for dessert—there’s a sweet treat for everyone to end the meal on a high note.

While it may not be a gourmet dining destination, this buffet is a solid choice for a casual meal with plenty of variety and a...

Food is average but not better than. Atmos/decor is generic but suitable and reasonably pleasant if a bit sterile. Help is friendly but not engaged.

However, I won't be returning for any reason because I'm tired of paying an $8 dinner premium 45 minutes before closing and there's nothing but scraps left on the buffet. They close at nine but appear to stop serving fresh food around 7:30.

A 50% markup to have less selection than lunch, just because there WAS seafood on the bar up until an hour before closing? No.

I've eaten here several times and they did this to me twice. The third time at ten after 8 when they started with "are you okay only having what's left?" I turned around and walked out, and I won't be back. I'll walk to Vancouver and go to Golden Corral before I eat here again.

Nice enough people, but the business model is clearly "skint, cheap, cut corners, overcharge for food that's not actually available, and have a nice day."

No thanks. If it's lunch or early dinner and you're stuck in the buffet desert of SE Portland and you're right there, in a pinch, go for it. Otherwise, keep driving and find a place that respects their customers enough to serve them full menus when they're charging for it. (NB: Lunch is around $15. Dinner is $23 - overpriced at least three bucks based on the food type and variety offered, and that's if...