Hong Kong Buffet — Restaurant in Van Wert

Well it's been a hot minute since I've had the pleasure of experiencing "Asian Inspired Cuisine" that does not end. The Hong Kong buffet in Van Wert fulfills the promise of keeping the pans full of food and it's...probably close to what is required by the Board of Health regarding temperature?

The variety of food available was impressive considering this place is located in Van Wert. The Crab Rangoon, what I find to be among the most common staple food associated with these style of buffets left a lot to be desired. Kind of rubbery, and bland. Not a difficult dish to master considering it comes in frozen and gets deep fried, but hey we're all on our journey to success right? The remainder of my nutritional ingestion included some BBQ chicken, and what looked like pepper chicken but was definitely not pepper chicken. Lo Mein desperately needed some flavor, luckily they have soy sauce on the table. The fried donuts topped off the end of my "oriental dining experience" and they were actually spot on. Crispy on the outside and a soft warm interior.

The atmosphere was also typical to what you would find in similar far east advertised dining. Lots of gold gilding and even more red to help dial back that fact that you're eating, "exotic food" in America. The paper lanterns, faux red marble countertops, and the brass heat lamps and glass supports are not enough to convince most. Maybe a mural with a large fish or Chinese Junk or Dhow would really reign in the imagination to suppress the analytical side of your brain and make the illusion of dining in the footsteps of Magellan. Where it lacks in luster Hong Kong delivers on cleanliness. The countertops, tables, floors, windows, the hot bar, and overall restaurant appeared to be on par with Applebee's level of sanitation and neatness.

The drink and table service was exactly what I have typically come to expect at establishments such as this and that is on par with the speed and accuracy of Chick-fil-A. They waste no time refilling your drink and dirty plates are magically removed once you've reigned in another glutinous haul from the hot tables. One of my dining compatriots fell to the misfortune of not receiving a fortune inside his fortune cookie (pun intended). This was rectified at the pay counter and his new fortune was ironically, you will experience extra luck in your endeavors.

Your mileage may vary but my visit was just prior to peak lunch hours on a Sunday and I would be surprised if they rolled out a different red carpet for a different dining crowd on other days of the week.

My review may seem a little cutting but I would go back as the service was great, the restaurant was clean, the food was not worse than expected, and the price was spot on. I can safely say that if you are in the mood for a Chinese Buffett and you're in the Van Wert area then my limited experience with Hong Kong Buffet and my absolute lack of personally knowing your preferences or standards that you...

The staff is very friendly at Hong Kong Buffet and definitely added a nice feature to the place. The food it really depends on what you are trying to get here. They do have pizza, which is great for younger kids who may not like Asian type of food. The downside is the pizza on the bottom on the pieces I did have and my son had were doughy. The fried rice was somewhat bland, but it worked out great as it made it easier to season the rice how I wanted it. The egg drop soup was spot on and easily the best dish I had at the restaurant.

The General Tsao's chicken was a little bit on the grisly side, but it was not overly spiced. The Lo Mein was good and tasty. As far as the selection on the buffet it was decent, I have been at some places that have a lot more food, but then others that were even more limited.

The dessert bar is lacking. The pudding cups (not sure what they are to be honest) was good. The ice cream was not that bad. However, they had a cream puff that I would recommend not trying. The cream is good, but the pastry part is lacking IMO and not that tasty.

Overall, the Hong Kong Buffett is not that bad of a location to eat at it and it is friendly, but make sure you keep an eye on the food that you are picking up as some of it is good, but others...

Don’t do it, don’t do it……. This place is not for the weak of heart. I don’t know what I was eating at this place tonight but it was not beef or chicken. The meat labeled beef and chicken were stringy, gamey, and slimy. The mushrooms and the potatoes were the only thing I could eat that didn’t taste weird. I have tried this place multiple times, and every time I come back it gets worse. I will never return again.(Bible) And, for the love of God, I hope you don’t have to use the restroom, hot mess express!!!! And no, I didn’t take pictures of the food because why would I? It was gross. I don’t need to ruin your day by looking at that. I just took a photo after we left $31. I don’t think so. I implore you To save your money and take the extra Time to visit the Chinese buffet in...