Some buffets save their best for the dessert table. This one in Happy Valley leads with the sea, offering crab legs on certain nights and a sushi spread so large it makes up about a third of everything on the line.
For Oregon diners who love seafood but hate ordering roll after roll at full price, that kind of math gets attention fast. The place has drawn more than 1,800 opinions online, and they range from loyal fans who call it the best in the state to skeptics who wanted more.
So what makes people keep lining up at 11 am sharp? The answer involves sushi, soups, a pho station, a two-hour clock, and a few smart timing tricks worth knowing before you grab a plate.
A Seafood Spot on SE 82nd Avenue
Every great buffet story starts with a parking lot, and this one starts on a busy stretch of SE 82nd Avenue. Kumi Buffet sits at 11358 SE 82nd Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086, in the southeast Portland metro area of Oregon, United States.
The restaurant is an all-you-can-eat buffet serving pan-Asian fare. Its official description keeps things simple: a relaxed place with pan-Asian favorites, sushi, and desserts.
That simple description undersells the seafood angle a bit. Crab legs show up at night and on holidays, and the sushi section is large enough to have its own fan club.
Neighbors along the strip include other shops and eateries, so the buffet blends into a familiar suburban setting. Nothing about the outside hints at the size of the spread waiting inside.
The location makes it an easy stop for people coming from Portland, Clackamas, Milwaukie, and the surrounding communities. Groups traveling through the region have also found it, including a visiting marching band in town to perform at the Grand Floral Parade.
Plenty of local diners treat it as their go-to celebration spot. Others arrive simply because the word sushi appears next to the words all you can eat.
Either way, the address is worth saving, because the real story begins once the doors open.
The Sushi Bar That Steals the Show
About one third of the buffet. That is the share of items devoted to sushi, and it explains why sushi comes up more than any other topic when people talk about this place.
Regulars count more than 20 different sushi items on the line. Some longtime fans say it is the largest selection they have ever found at an Asian buffet, period.
The lineup covers rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Raw fish earns frequent praise, and seared salmon nigiri gets a nod as long as it is eaten fresh and warm.
One fan who has tried plenty of conveyor belt sushi restaurants in town ranks this buffet’s sushi above them. A group of traveling sushi lovers left equally impressed.
Not every roll lands perfectly, of course. The Philly roll, for example, has drawn mixed feedback over the years.
The best strategy is timing. Arriving right at opening time gives the freshest pick of the sushi before the lunch rush picks it over.
For sushi fans on a budget, this section alone can justify the trip. Just pace yourself, since there are still crab legs and soups to come.
Crab Legs and the Seafood Lineup
Crab legs are the headliner, but they keep a schedule. They appear at night and on holidays, so a weekday lunch might not include them.
When they do show up, they earn compliments. A first-time American buffet diner who expected little left impressed, calling the crab legs good and fresh.
The seafood bench runs deep beyond crab. Shrimp in several styles, crawfish, mussels, steamed clams, whole prawns, and baked scallops on the half shell rotate through the line.
Crawfish has its own following, with dozens of mentions online. Even a harsh critic admitted the crawfish had the most flavor of anything on the line that day.
Halibut in black bean sauce, salt and pepper shrimp, and baked seafood also appear. Raw crab has been spotted too, along with calamari and black bean oysters.
Results vary by dish and by day. The baked scallop and spicy shrimp tend to win praise, while some baked items get a shrug.
A smart approach is a small sampling round first. Find your favorites, then go back for a proper second plate.
Soups, Pho, and the Hot Line
Six soups. That is how many one regular counted, which is a lot of ladles for a single buffet.
A pho station stands out among them and gets mentioned often. Fans have called the broth really good, and egg drop soup has been called spot on.
A soup of the day rotates through as well. The hot and sour soup looks impressive, though it has not pleased everyone.
Beyond the soup pots, the hot line covers a wide spread. Diners find fried rice, General Tso’s chicken, stir fried noodles and vegetables, and some dim sum items such as gyoza and shu mai.
Frog legs make an occasional appearance for the curious. Fried chicken also sits on the line for anyone craving something familiar.
The hot food draws the most mixed opinions in the whole building. Some dishes earn praise, while others are called dry or bland on a slow day.
That variety is the point of a buffet. A few small scoops let each diner find the dishes that click before committing to a full plate.
Carving Station Classics and Desserts
Not every plate here has to come from the ocean. The carving area has long been a draw, with prime rib earning nearly 30 mentions.
Fans have praised it as tender with a solid au jus. One practical tip floats around: skip the end piece if you can.
Lamb gets plenty of attention too. The bone-in rack of lamb had a loyal following, though one longtime regular notes it has since been removed from the line.
That same regular still praises the fettuccine Alfredo and calls the buffet the top choice in Oregon. Loyalty runs strong with some customers.
Then comes dessert, which has its own full section. Chocolate and tapioca pudding, ice cream, cakes, cream puffs, and fresh fruit all make appearances.
Fresh fruit tends to beat the canned options. Ice cream gets a thumbs up, while cream puffs are often described as dry.
Saving room is the classic buffet challenge here. With sushi, seafood, and a carving station competing for space, dessert sometimes becomes a bonus round.
Who Feels at Home Here
Big tables tell the story. Families, friend groups, and even a traveling marching band have made this buffet their meeting point.
Celebrations happen here too. One family marked a 45th wedding anniversary at the buffet, which says something about its role in local life.
The setting is casual and relaxed. Weekends and busy hours can get crowded and lively, so quiet dinners are easier at off-peak times.
Staff experiences vary. Attentive wait staff get regular mentions for clearing plates and refilling drinks, while other diners have found the welcome less warm.
Tables can sit fairly close together. Guests using crutches or mobility aids may want to request a roomier spot when seated.
Cleanliness opinions also differ by visit. Many call the dining room clean for a high-traffic space, though restrooms draw more criticism.
The best fit is a hungry group that enjoys variety and does not mind a busy room. Sushi lovers, seafood fans, and anyone who likes trying a little of everything will find the most to enjoy.
Hours, Costs, and Timing Tips
Mark your calendar carefully, because Wednesday is the one day the doors stay shut. Every other day, the buffet runs from 11 am to 9 pm.
Opening time is the golden hour. Regulars repeatedly recommend arriving right at 11 am for the freshest sushi and food.
There is a two-hour dining limit, which is plenty for most appetites. It also keeps tables turning during busy stretches.
Prices have shifted over the years. Recent visits put a single meal around $23 to $25, with a weekend rate of $22.99 noted on a Sunday.
Drinks cost extra, and that surprises some first-timers. Hot tea has been charged per cup, and sodas run about $3.
Two people have spent around $67 with drinks on a recent visit. Oregon has no sales tax, which helps the total a bit.
For crab legs, plan an evening or holiday trip. For the best sushi, go early.
For both, an early dinner on a non-Wednesday is a smart compromise.
Is the Trip Worth a Plate or Two
Opinions split like a crab shell at this buffet. The overall score sits at 3.8 stars across more than 1,800 voices, which suggests plenty of fans and a fair share of critics.
The strengths are clear. The sushi selection is huge, the seafood lineup is wide, and crab legs arrive on evenings and holidays.
The pho station and soups add variety. Prime rib and a full dessert section round out the meal.
The weak spots are clear too. Some hot dishes can be dry or bland, and drinks add to the bill.
Consistency seems to depend on timing. Arriving early, sampling small portions first, and focusing on the sushi and seafood tend to deliver the best results.
One out-of-state group summed up the appeal by calling it a strong upper middle tier buffet. That framing fits well.
For Oregon seafood lovers who want crab legs and a sushi bar bigger than most without a fancy price tag, this Happy Valley stop deserves a visit. Go hungry, go early, and let the sushi lead the way.
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