Culinary Connection

Zen Buffet Satisfies Every Appetite
By Kathy Highcove

Imagine that you've hosted a large family wedding, sent the happy couple off on their honeymoon, and finally collapsed into the nearest armchair. Not so fast. You're still responsible for a houseful of wedding guests: grandparents, aunts, uncles, babies, school aged teens - the whole range of family ages and stages. They don't plan to leave town until the next day, and you know the wedding cake is gone and they're hungry. How to feed this crowd of near and dear in the easiest way possible? Where to chow down so that a vegetarian and a dedicated meat eater, and the pickiest appetite in the tribe will find something to eat? Answer: Zen Buffet, the "all you can eat" restaurant featuring Asian cuisine.

My spouse and I recently dropped in at Zen Buffet at 21610 Victory Blvd in Woodland Hills. We were pleasantly surprised to view the great number of selections at the buffet stations. Long counters displayed innumerable containers of food choices: Alaskan Crab legs and sushi, roast beef and fried chicken, potatoes and rice, and every type of chopped fruit and salad fixings. The counters and glass panels that shielded the food from the browsing crowds looked exceptionally clean and sanitary. We also noted that hot foods steamed and simmered under heat lamps, and cold foods were appropriately chilled as they waited for our selection. Several cooks and waiters checked the containers regularly and refilled them when empty.

New to Zen Buffet, we found that the procedure for making a selection from the buffet sections was a simple task. After we were welcomed and seated at a table by a hostess, and received our drinks and silverware, we were set free to roam the seemingly endless buffet selections. At the first station we picked up large white dinner plates which filled quite quickly as we discovered many of our favorite foods.

My husband chose hot and sour soup, fried shrimp, dim sum, potato patties, and small strips of barbecued chicken. I also chose the soup, and then selected beef and broccoli, fish patties, chicken chow mein and cooked soy beans. We both returned another time for fresh fruit - cantaloupe, strawberries, pineapple, watermelon and two kinds of lychee fruit. We were pleased with the tangy flavor of the sweet and sour soup, and enjoyed sampling the variety of entrees and appetizers.

We learned that a large team of chefs dice and cook over 100 items for the daily menu, with emphasis on Japanese, Chinese and international dishes. The Zen kitchens prepare fresh sushi, sashimi, seafood, tepanyaki, barbeque, stir fry, salad bars and desserts. Zen buffet also offers special plates of any two items for the luncheon crowd. If a commuter needs to pick up an assortment of food and depart, Zen Buffet offers dinner and/or buffet-to-go, packed neatly in a box.

As the dinner hour progressed along the huge dining room area began to fill with families of every size and age group. We watched school aged children pick out sushi and rice rolls as their parents headed for the lobster and roast beef, and their fragile-looking grandma carefully picked out a pepperoni pizza slice to join her salad selection. We heard no complaints from anyone, all family members were too busy finding their preferences and balancing their plates. No reason to complain - for once. Soon the whole family reunited at a large table with their loaded plates.

For beverages patrons have a choice of beer, wine, iced tea, green tea, juices, coffee and milk for the youngest. Zen Buffet offers catering selections for private parties. The price of the buffet is greatly reduced for young children, aged two to ten.

There is truly no limit at Zen Buffet but an individual's capacity. A diner may fill as many plates with as many courses desired that particular meal. No wonder the place soon resounds with happy conversation. Next time you host a large crowd, a party or find yourself in charge of the annual office party, remember the convenience and menu selection of Zen Buffet.

Zen Buffet
21610 Victory Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
818-887-2688