Some families plan their whole weekend around one question: which buffet has crab legs tonight? Across Missouri, from Kansas City to Springfield to the St. Louis suburbs, a handful of all-you-can-eat spots have figured out the winning trio of snow crab, fresh sushi and a hibachi grill where your plate gets cooked while you wait.
These seven buffets each bring something a little different to the table, whether it is a Saturday seafood spread, a pho station, a koi pond or a local take on cashew chicken. Grab your stretchy pants and save this list for the next time the whole crew is hungry.
1. Asian Buffet, Kansas City, MO
Weekend crab legs are the headline at this Northland favorite on NW Barry Road, but the weekday lineup gives plenty of reasons to stop in too. On Saturdays and Sundays, the buffet adds crab legs, fried shrimp and barbecue ribs to the usual spread.
The everyday options cover a lot of ground. Sushi rolls like the California roll share space with sesame chicken, shrimp lo mein, crawfish and a seafood combination, plus roast beef for anyone who wants a break from Asian dishes.
A grill station rounds things out, with food cooked right in front of you. That setup is a big reason the place works for picky eaters, since everyone can build a plate their own way.
I like this stop because the details seem to matter here. Dishes get restocked quickly, the areas around the food counters stay clean and bright, and staff are assigned to sections so empty plates disappear fast.
Vegetarians are covered with a full meatless menu that includes broccoli in garlic sauce. High chairs are available, the parking lot is free and roomy, and the doors are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
Plan around Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons if you want a calmer meal, since those are the busiest stretches. The restaurant also accepts reservations, which is handy for birthday groups.
2. Joy Wok Super Buffet and Hibachi, Kansas City, MO
Kimchi at a Chinese buffet is not something you see every day, and that small surprise says a lot about how wide the menu runs at Joy Wok. The Wornall Road spot mixes classic buffet comfort food with a few unexpected picks.
Weekends are when the spread really stretches out. The weekend special brings all-you-can-eat steak, crab legs, sushi, hot and cold shrimp, crawfish, chicken and ribs alongside the regular Chinese dishes.
The crab legs have a reputation for staying moist and full of flavor, which is not always a given at a buffet. Pair them with a few sushi rolls and you have the exact combo this list is built around.
Save room for the end of the meal. The dessert selection is one of the stronger ones on this list, and there is a salad bar if you want something lighter before you go back for round two.
Hours run later than most buffets in town. Joy Wok is open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Monday through Thursday and until 10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, so late dinners are an option.
Saturday afternoon into evening draws the biggest crowds. Weeknights after dinner rush tend to be quiet, and free parking makes it an easy stop for South Kansas City families.
3. Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet, Manchester, MO
Size is the story at this Manchester buffet. Rows of stations stretch across a spacious dining room, and the sheer number of choices is the first thing most families notice.
Seafood fans get a long list to work through. Crab legs, frog legs, mussels, fish, crawfish, calamari and oysters have all appeared on the line, along with sushi and a big range of Chinese and American dishes.
Head to the back for the hibachi grill. A popular move here is grabbing grilled food cooked to order and then loading up on crab legs from the buffet to go with it.
Families with little ones get a few perks. There is a kids’ menu, high chairs are available, and the restaurant is set up well for groups, with a private dining room for bigger gatherings.
The hours are a bit different from the others on this list. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and close at 8:30 p.m. every day, so this is a better pick for lunch or an early dinner.
Sunday afternoon and Saturday evening are the busiest times. Weekday lunches are much calmer, and the free parking lot usually has plenty of room.
4. Dynasty Buffet Sushi & Hibachi, High Ridge, MO
Jefferson County families do not have to drive into St. Louis for a crab leg night. Dynasty sits in Dillon Plaza in High Ridge and brings the full buffet trio to a quieter corner of the region.
The hibachi bar is the standout. It is one of the most talked-about parts of the restaurant, and the sushi bar has an in-house chef rolling pieces fresh.
Crab legs show up on select days, and butter shrimp and a dish called Seafood Delight add more seafood to the mix. Expect a higher price on crab leg days like Sunday, since the upgrade costs extra.
A practical tip: crab legs tend to go fast here. Arriving earlier in the meal gives you the best shot at a full tray.
The dining room leans casual and calm, which makes it an easy fit for families with younger kids. High chairs are available, and there is a salad bar for anyone wanting a lighter plate.
Remember the schedule before you head out. Dynasty is closed Mondays and open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday through Sunday, with Friday and Saturday evenings drawing the biggest crowds.
5. Asian King Buffet, Springfield, MO
Fun fact for out-of-towners: Springfield is the hometown of Springfield-style cashew chicken, the crispy fried chicken smothered in brown sauce and cashews. Asian King keeps that local favorite on the buffet, which makes it a fitting first stop for visitors.
The rest of the lineup is wide and well organized. Egg drop soup, hot and sour soup, shrimp lo mein, pepper steak with onions and Chinese donuts all make appearances.
Sushi is a strong point, and the Mongolian grill lets you pick your own ingredients to have cooked on the spot. It is a nice way to keep the meal fresh after a few trips through the line.
Crab legs work a little differently here. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can add crab legs to your buffet by the pound for an extra charge, and Friday nights bring seafood like frog legs too.
Families will appreciate the changing tables and high chairs. There is also a full vegan menu, a solid tea selection and curbside pickup if you would rather eat at home.
Weekday hours run 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., with Friday and Saturday stretching to 9:45 p.m. Sunday afternoon and Saturday are the busiest times, so aim for a weeknight if you want an easy table.
6. China Garden, Columbia, MO
A koi pond greets diners at China Garden, and the ornate decor makes this sprawling Clark Lane restaurant feel like more of an outing than a quick bite. Kids tend to make a beeline for the fish before they ever grab a plate.
Saturday evening is the big event. That is when the seafood buffet rolls out all-you-can-eat snow crab legs, oysters, mussels, jumbo shrimp and frog legs, with the crab kept filled and cooked just right.
A mini sushi bar and a hibachi station join the lineup too. Put all of that together and it checks every box in this article’s headline in one visit.
The regular menu holds its own the rest of the week. Crab rangoons, orange chicken, house special beef, large combination fried rice and steamed crab legs are all part of the offerings.
Groups have options here. There is a private dining room and catering service, which makes it a go-to for birthdays, team dinners and Mizzou families in town for the weekend.
China Garden keeps some of the longest hours on this list, open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Saturday evening is the busiest time, so arrive early if the crab legs are your main goal.
7. Golden Apple Buffet, St Charles, MO
Pho at a buffet? Golden Apple makes it happen, with a pho station that sets this St. Charles spot apart from every other stop on the list.
The Vietnamese dishes go beyond soup, too. They sit alongside a sushi section, a hibachi grill and plenty of classic fried comfort foods, all included in the buffet price.
Seafood is where the variety really shows. Salt and pepper shrimp, crab legs, mussels, oysters and clams have all been part of the spread, so adventurous eaters have plenty to explore.
Finish with a stop at the dessert bar. Desserts are one of the things this buffet is known for, and it is an easy way to win over the kids at the end of the meal.
Budget a little more for this one. Prices run about $20 to $30 per person, which is higher than the others here, but the extra stations help explain the difference.
Reservations are not accepted, so timing matters. Weekend afternoons into evenings get busy, while weekday lunches and dinners are usually calmer.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days, with Friday and Saturday open until 9:30 p.m. Free parking makes it simple to pull in off Mexico Road.
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