Raw Salmon Sushi & Raw Salmon Sashimi

A new Japanese / Chinese Buffet called Osaka has opened behind the Dayton Mall and the Food Adventures Crew has the scoop after a few visits. The newly remodeled building formerly housed Max & Erma’s for decades, and most recently Hazel Grill. The place is basically a buffet, yet they are trying to distinguish themselves by doing a few things differently.

One attraction at Osaka, is the “Conveyor Belt of Sushi.” Now, this is not the typical conveyor belt sushi at restaurants that winds its way around the dining area and is priced based on color of the plate you pick up. No, this is just a side attraction and part of the “All You Can Eat” concept.

But this concept is a bit different at Osaka Sushi and Hibachi Buffet.

Owner/ Manager John Weng of Osaka Buffet

Gone are the metal steam pans, replaced by large family style, white serving dishes. Each dish looks more appetizing. Owner/Manager John Weng told us that this allows for a smaller quantity on each dish, in the hopes that no buffet item sits too long. Beyond that, this buffet is similar to the ones you have seen in the past, although this one seems a little cleaner.

We have visited Osaka four times since it opened, and have tried virtually every menu item. Here are the Food Adventure findings…

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Osaka Sushi & Hibachi Buffet is located at 8901 Kingsridge Dr.

— Buffet prices are as follows: Lunch = $8.95, Dinner = $14.95

— Not a fan of “All you can eat?,” that’s ok ladies, you can order from a full Sushi, Japanese and Chinese Menu.

— Hours are: Monday – Saturday 10:30am – 10pm, Sundays 10:30am – 9:30pm

Prawns on the Buffet

— Buffet highlights include:

A sushi conveyor belt with plates of 2-3 pieces of sushi

A raw hibachi bar and grill, where you mix your ingredients and a hibachi cook stir fry’s your mixture with your choice of sauce.

Appetizer area and Main Entree bars

Soup, Fruit and Dessert areas

With dozens of menu items, what are the best eats? From Duck to Crab Sushi, we sort through it all and give you our patented MUST EATS !

MUST EATS:

— THE SALMON SASHIMI: Scope out the conveyor belt for the pieces of raw, sliced salmon with no rice. These slices are fresh and melt in your mouth. Absolutely the best item on the conveyor belt of love.

Spicy Crab sushi with Flying Fish roe on top

— THE HIBACHI RAW BAR & GRILL: Take advantage of your own mini-Mongolian Grill. Whatever your concoction of meats and veggies, may we suggest you ask for your mixture to be cooked in the Brown Hibachi Sauce. It is absolutely delicious.

— SPICY CRAB SUSHI with FISH ROE on TOP: These are easy to spot, because they have colorful fish eggs sprinkled on top of the sushi roll in colors of green,black or orange.

— THE CRAB ANGLE: These huge, triangular deep fried snacks are STUFFED with crab and cream cheese. The result is a big, filling couple of bites of cheesy goodness.

— THE DUNGENESS CRAB: Hardshell crabs, cut in half and separated at the leg joints. The leg joints are then battered and stir fried with a brown sauce. The result is a crab crackin’, shell suckin’ good time.

— CHEESEY MUSSELS: Baked Mussels in the shell, covered with creamy cheese mixture. Perfect description would be “they’re heavenly.”

— RAW OYSTERS: Rarely seen on buffets in Dayton, take advantage when you see these bad boys laying out on ice.

Honorable Mention: The Crab Nigiri Sushi was huge and delicious. Also, the Fried Shrimp are nothing short of addicting.

The Conveyor Belt of Sushi runs the entire time, replacing and adding plates constantly.

So there you have the lowdown on Osaka Sushi and Hibachi Buffet, the newest buffet in town. Smaller plates, less waste, fresher food

is their philosophy. They have some great items, we are fans and hope the restaurant takes hold for a long time.

Osaka is a perfect place to push your pallet comfort zone. Try new things from crawfish to frog legs. Come out to Kingsridge Drive by the Dayton Mall and experience your own little Food Adventure. P.S., the conveyor belt doesn’t work if you sit or stand on it … just kidding, but don’t try it anyway…

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In the meantime, browse the photos below from our visits to Osaka Sushi and Hibachi Buffet.