China Buffet in Oklahoma City: All-you-can-eat Sichuan and Cantonese by the pound

China Buffet is a full-service Chinese restaurant offering unlimited dining from both hot and cold buffet lines, located in a strip mall on the city's south side. The operation centers on a single large buffet setup rather than à la carte ordering, with pricing scaled by weight at the register, and it competes directly with a handful of other all-you-can-eat Chinese spots across Oklahoma City's dining landscape.

What the buffet includes

The hot line rotates standard Cantonese and Americanized Chinese dishes: fried rice, lo mein, orange chicken, General Tso's chicken, beef and broccoli, shrimp with snow peas, and egg rolls. A separate cold appetizer station holds spring rolls, cucumber salad, and marinated vegetables. Sushi rolls (California, spicy tuna, Philadelphia) occupy a dedicated section. The hot line emphasizes quantity over rotation; dishes remain consistent rather than cycling seasonal specials, which suits diners seeking predictability over novelty.

Pricing and how buffet weight works

Buffet plates are priced per pound at checkout, not per visit. Typical lunch plates weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds and cost $6 to $9, depending on protein density (vegetables and rice weigh less than meat and seafood). Evening plates average $8 to $12 per pound. Confirm current pricing before visiting, as per-pound rates adjust seasonally. Beverages (soft drinks, tea, juice) are ordered separately and charged à la carte. No alcohol is served.

How it compares to other Oklahoma City all-you-can-eat Chinese

Hibachi Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, also on the south side, offers a hybrid model: sushi and appetizers from a smaller buffet, plus made-to-order hibachi grilling at individual tables. Hibachi costs more per person (typically $12 to $16 for dinner) but delivers table-side entertainment and customization. Choose Hibachi if you want interaction and flame-cooked dishes; choose China Buffet if you prefer speed, lower cost, and immediate selection from a full hot line.

Golden Phoenix, positioned more toward north OKC, operates a traditional all-you-can-eat model similar to China Buffet but maintains rotating daily specials and a larger sushi selection. Golden Phoenix's per-pound pricing is comparable, though its dishes skew slightly more upscale in presentation. Both are interchangeable for casual family dining; Golden Phoenix edges ahead for those specifically seeking sushi variety.

Who it suits and who it does not

China Buffet works well for families with young children (no wait for individual orders, full control over portions), weekday lunch crowds seeking speed, and diners on tight budgets who can load plates efficiently. It does not suit those seeking dietary restrictions (limited labeling and cross-contamination risk at a shared buffet), adventurous eaters looking for regional Chinese cooking, or anyone wanting table service and plated presentations.

What the first visit involves

Upon arrival, seat yourself or wait briefly to be seated depending on crowd. A server brings water and takes drink orders. Walk directly to the buffet, grab a plate, and build your meal. Sushi rolls require asking staff to slice them fresh if the station is empty. Return to your table with your loaded plate, finish eating, then proceed to the register for weighting and payment. Peak times (Friday and Saturday evenings, Sunday lunch) see lines at both buffet and register; weekday lunches are considerably quieter.

Hours, parking, and location logistics

China Buffet operates Monday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Verify hours before visiting, as restaurant closures for restocking or private events do occur. The strip mall has surface lot parking directly in front; no valet or street parking is necessary. The location sits about 3 miles south of downtown Oklahoma City, accessible via South Pennsylvania Avenue or South Shields Boulevard depending on your approach.

China Buffet fills a specific niche in Oklahoma City's Chinese dining: low-cost, high-volume, family-friendly, and requiring no advance planning. It is not a destination for refinement, but it reliably delivers what it promises.