Buffet. The word either triggers a sense of incredible selection and endless sumptuousness or the thought of a terrifying line of dry, odiferous, unrecognizable items in steam trays. If buffet style is something you haven't given up on, give Osaka Buffet in Mandarin a try. It is located next to the Winn Dixie at San Jose Boulevard and Loretto Road, and offers a ridiculous selection of Chinese, Mongolian Barbecue, a selection of Sushi, and a steadily re-stocked tray full of all you can eat Snow Crab Legs. Basically, for around $17 for the dinner buffet, you can eat as much tasty Asian fare as you are capable of consuming.
While Osaka has changed it's style more than a few times in the past years (indicative of it still being listed as a Japanese restaurant by most websites), Osaka is currently running as a delicious Asian Buffet House with a variety of different cooking styles and foods. Sushi is hand-rolled at its own station, and you can make requests for rolls if you don't see something you like. The Mongolian Barbecue allows for the diner to be as creative as they would like, choosing meats and veggies to have grilled right in front of them. The Chinese selections are quite varied and have two full stations dedicated to them. Osaka also has a cold seafood station with oysters, peel and eat shrimp, and several types of salads. While eating these types of food at a buffet may seem strange at first, Osaka is usually so busy with its large customer base that the food is quickly gobbled up so everything is continually re-filled and fresh.
Some of my personal favorites at Osaka Buffet include the Garlic Shrimp, the Frog Legs, the Shrimp Dumplings, and of course the all you can eat Snow Crab Legs and warm butter. The Snow Crab Legs are the most popular item at Osaka and don't stay in the steamer for long. While this might mean a minute or two wait, it also allows the Crab Legs to stay tender and sweet instead of drying out. Osaka also happens to serve one of my favorite Chinese treats - steamed sweet buns. The bun itself is a soft little cloud of heaven and can come filled with sweet fruit jam, lotus filling, red bean paste, or custard. I like both the peach buns and red bean paste buns at Osaka, as they provide the perfect ending to my gluttony filled dining experience.
Osaka Buffet has a great selection and delicious food. If you enjoy an adventure or are just looking for somewhere to sample a variety of Asian dishes, Osaka is your spot. They are located at:
11701 San Jose Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL 32223-0756
(904) 886-7778
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