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ChinaTown Buffet

2.7 (131 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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CHINATOWN BUFFET ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Dessert
Lilee N.

I was hesitant at first, but this place is like a solid meal. It has everything you'd expect from a buffet. Came for lunch and if you had picky eaters, this would be a place to satisfy the most difficult of palettes. If you're looking to stay on the healthier side, they have sushi with a variety of fillings. There is also a bar with fresh vegetables and soup components you can give to the chef to either stir fry for you or make into soup. There's also plenty of protein to choose from at the other stations. Got a sweet tooth? There's a bar full of mini desserts as well as a soft serve machine. What can go wrong? Want to keep it fresh? Try the fresh fruits and yogurts or jello. Craving Americanized Chinese food? All your wishes from Panda are here (ok minus the orange chicken) for half the cost (it's not even $10 for lunch before tip). There are also some more traditional fare. Seating is ample and you can sit at a table or a booth. The servers come around often to check on you and to clear plates. Parking is easy. I was hesitant at first but because it looks low key outside. It is also no frills on the inside but the food was flavorful and I don't think there's any other place in town you can get this much food for such a small price. Don't expect anything fancy and if you understand it's a very casual setting for Asian fare... you'll come and leave very full.

Christopher A.

It was ok. Standard Chinese buffet. It was $16 though which seems a bit high. Service was ok.

a view of the buffet area
Miguel M.

Well I can't keep being delusional... As much as I backed this place up because I loved coming here growing up and it was a really good but now the food has gone downhill. Very greasy, and either too salty and no taste at all. It is however still very cheap and families can come eat a lot (Duh). The hibachi bar is alright, and another positive thing is that they constantly being out food so the food is also fresh. I'd say about half the food isn't Chinese either, it's American food tailored for kids which is ok, but if you're looking for Chinese food then it's definitely not for you. Overall, cheap food that taste ok. Obviously not authentic but it's still pretty decent. The people working and service is amazing but it sucks to see this buffet go downhill after so many delicious meals

Great place only huge selection buffet of American/Polynesian/Multi-cultural/favors. I enjoyed my time here.

Here's supposedly Hunan Beef, but maybe the owner wants to steal from customers and give them chicken.
Brian B.

This place is ok. The waiters and staff are excellent. But on this day, they lied. Because it's almost all gone, I wait for one of their best dishes to be refilled, which is Hunan Beef. A staff member looks at it and doesn't refill it. He then refills it with CHICKEN. One can only assume that because beef is more expensive than chicken, this place wanted to be CHEAP and give us chicken instead of beef. In fact almost every meat dish this day, during dinner, was chicken, and one of pork. Restaurant owners, take note that when youw ant to be cheap and rip people off, you get a bad review. If your label say Hunan Beef, make sure you're serving beef, not chicken. I won't be returning to this place. The waiters/waitresses are excellent, but the owner apparently is trying to steal from his customers.

Menu

On average the food is pretty good. Though the quality can vary quite a bit. My favorites are the pepper steak and the sushi

I wish my cookie had a fortune lol
Case H.

Doesn't look like much from the outside, however the full parking lot was encouraging! The staff was friendly and attentive. Everything on the buffet line was fresh, crispy and flavorful. The simple sushi options were quite tasty too. There was something for everyone.

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11 years ago

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10 years ago

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15 years ago

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13 years ago

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13 years ago

I came here many times. This is one of my fav chinese restaurant. Many varieties of food. Saturday's lunch deal was good.

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18 years ago

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10 years ago

terrible food ! if you care your money and time , dont even try ! i wish i did not stop by. terrible terrible food !!!

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9 years ago

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ChinaTown Buffet Reviews in Other Languages

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Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine - 9722. Lunch Pork Soy Sauce Noodle Soup ($6.95) - huge portion for the price!

Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine

4.2(572 reviews)
1.9 mi
•$$

The food is excellent, and the portion size always guarantees another meal the next day. The…read moreambience is quite nice, decorated in a style you would expect. They have hot tea that you help yourself too and no extra charge. The jasmine tea is quite good. You order what you like at the counter and Pay and when it's ready, you pick it up. Inside dining is quite fun whether you're with one other person or with a large group seated at the big round table with the lazy Susan. Give it a try and see what you think.

Foods so good here even after 10 years. Maybe we are older, the sauce for crispy tofu is a bit too…read moresweet, but the tofu was fried very well, and flavor overall is still really good. Both scallion oil and numb oil noodles are really good and good value too at $6 each. Flavors are on point. Luroufan special was also good $8 and they give quite a lot so easy to split among the kids. Meat is tender and not overly sweet. The scallion ginger fish fillet was probably the best, and they give a good chunky pieces of fish that is not breaded, but the way they cooked it. The meat trunks stayed together intact. The flavor is what you expect from traditionally steamed fish with soy sauce pour over at the end. Super pleased with the options. They have an interesting self serve utensils, takeout boxes and the tea is self serve too.

Photos
Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine
Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine - 595. Dry Tofu Skin Stew Pork Belly Pot 腐竹烧爆皮五花腩煲 ($27.95)

595. Dry Tofu Skin Stew Pork Belly Pot 腐竹烧爆皮五花腩煲 ($27.95)

Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine - 550. Stew Goat w Mala Sauce 麻辣草羊煲 ($28.99)

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550. Stew Goat w Mala Sauce 麻辣草羊煲 ($28.99)

Northern Cuisine - B1 Crispy Pork in Sweet & Sour Glaze 锅包肉 ($19.95)

Northern Cuisine

4.2(31 reviews)
2.2 mi

I've been wanting to try this place for awhile but it was always so busy! Finally was able to get a…read moretable and I now know why this place is always so packed. Everything was delicious, I've never had northern style Chinese food and its now my favorite. Totally worth the wait. The staff was attentive and service was quick. We had the crispy pork in sweet and sour glaze, salted egg yolk with Japanese tofu, tomato egg noodles and spicy green beans. We've been back many times as this is now our go-to place on campus during summer break while students are away.

Got some great authentic tasting Chinese food at this restaurant in Champaign. It has more…read moreAmericanized options if you would rather be safer. Northern Cuisine is popular with the Asian students because they're most of the people eating in there. Basically it shows it's good enough for them so it's good enough for everyone. The prices are pretty okay for portions. Came in and looked at the menu. It's certainly a big one. There's tons of meaty and plant friendly options to get and they get spicy. Felt like feeling a burn. It's about $15 for an entree which is okay because you get a lot. Also has more authentic options that get even crazier. I got the Mapo Tofu. A great thing is it's not a recipe that uses pork. This is soft tofu with a spicy ass sauce. Could have used a few vegetables in it. This was still pretty good though. Have to say it looking for authentic Chinese to come here. It's located on Green in the middle of the campus bars and restaurants. There's a few things for vegetarians.

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Northern Cuisine
Northern Cuisine - A1 Soft Tofu & Scallion Salad 小葱拌豆腐 ($7.95) - good!

A1 Soft Tofu & Scallion Salad 小葱拌豆腐 ($7.95) - good!

Northern Cuisine - E26 Spicy Lamb Neck Bone Dry Pot 干锅羊蝎子 ($22.95)

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E26 Spicy Lamb Neck Bone Dry Pot 干锅羊蝎子 ($22.95)

Rainbow Garden Champaign - Three Cup Chicken

Rainbow Garden Champaign

3.4(134 reviews)
2.6 mi
•$$

What an amazing find! My husband and I had been running errands around Champaign and were getting…read morehungry for dinner. We drove past this place and that, and eventually decided "Rainbow Garden" sounded worth doubling back for. And oh my goodness! First off: the service was PHENOMENAL! We were never rushed but never felt unattended. Our drinks were repeatedly refilled before they were empty. Our food came so much faster than we anticipated! Even paying was quick and easy. Second: the food was honestly some of the best we've ever had. the Pekin duck was nearly perfect (the skin could have been crispier) and the beef fried rice was possibly the best fried rice we've ever had. So flavorful, so full of meat, and the meat was tender and tasty! Third: the whole restaurant was very clean. The bathroom was a little dark, and there's an obstacle in the hallway that makes it not wheelchair accessible, but overall an excellent job. We will be back!

Nice family style restaurant and plenty of seating and tables big enough to fit 8 people! I've been…read morehere a couple of times with friends and the food is generally ok and leans more towards American and Korean style Chinese food. I think some dishes were too saucy (especially the veggies dishes) and salty My favorites are the three cup chicken (crispy!), Zhajiangmian (not pictured and more Korean style), the appreciating fish, a different spicy fish dish I forgot the name to.

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Rainbow Garden Champaign - Just finished lunch

Just finished lunch

Rainbow Garden Champaign - Rice noodles

Rice noodles

Rainbow Garden Champaign - C14. Szechuan Chicken

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C14. Szechuan Chicken

Peking Garden Restaurant - L5. Shrimp Lo Mein Lunch Special

Peking Garden Restaurant

3.8(123 reviews)
1.5 mi
•$$

Don't be fooled by the appearance of this place. I came here for the first time the other day and…read morekinda was taken aback by how it looked a little run down. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how their menu offered soooo many options. It was almost overwhelming because there were so many different entrees to choose from. If you're Korean, they also have a Korean menu too. Food was excellent! Wow we were all pleasantly surprised by how everything we ate was tasty. My favorite was probably their eggplant dish with a garlicky sauce. Omg I kept dreaming about that when I got home. The owners are really sweet people and they will try their best to accommodate to your interests. I highly recommend this Chinese restaurant in town. It is probably my favorite Chinese restaurant in all of C-U.

So upon entering this establishment, it looks like any other older Chinese food place. It's in an…read moreold building and needs updates, but it still works so they likely aren't going to do anything about it. The smell, like cleaning products and a succulent Chinese meal. We sit down and order some extraordinarily tasty food. I will say the spicy is not spicy, that being said there is a special authentic Chinese food menu. The service is amazing! The food was outstanding, my husband and I have agreed that this little unsuspecting place needs to be a staple in our household. Bonus: they are open on Thanksgiving!

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Peking Garden Restaurant - 1. Pot Stickers

1. Pot Stickers

Peking Garden Restaurant - West Lake Beef Soup

West Lake Beef Soup

Peking Garden Restaurant - 130. Chongqing Spicy Chicken

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130. Chongqing Spicy Chicken

Golden Wheat - Dry beef noodle soup

Golden Wheat

4.5(15 reviews)
2.3 mi

I was really pumped to try Golden Wheat because my friends raved that this is the #1 noodle place…read morein Champaign. The restaurant is operated by super friendly and nice Chinese owners. It appeared that they do not speak the best English, but we didn't have any trouble ordering as there was an English/Chinese menu printed out, which we used to point to the item that we wanted to order. What we got: Beijing style JaJangmyeon: I had Korean-styled jjajangmyeon, so I didn't know what to expect at first. The portion size is beyond generous and the amount of topping on the noodles was more than enough. The noodles were soft and chewy. The dish tasted like peanut noodles which I am not the greatest fan of, but my friend loved it! Spicy fatty beef slices noodles: this was really good! I am a big meat lover and the amount of meat that came with this dish made me really happy! The dish was not too spicy and well-balanced. I wish there was a bit more soup because it was just a lot of noodles, but I think this is supposed to be more noodles than soup because it was one of their 'mixed noodles' dish. Overall, it was a very hearty meal. The owners were super kind enough to give us a free bok choy+fish cake side dish which we enjoyed as well. Despite the communication barrier, the service was great and the owners are super sweet people. I will definitely be coming back!

Stopped by after a few friends recommended this place! The noodle soups are amazing. Here are a few…read moretips for non Chinese speaking customers like me. It took a little effort to order due to language BUT it was totally worth it! ORDERING The owner who was originally taking my order was so friendly but only spoke Chinese, so someone else had to step in and help me translate. I asked for the most popular noodle soups and he pointed to "dry beef noodle soup" and "pork shoulder noodle soup" so we ordered both. After you pick your dish he asks if you want spicy or non spicy. We got one of each. I personally liked the "spicy" version and thought it wasn't spicy at all! FOOD I ran into a friend there who knows the owner. He told me everything is made from scratch! Including the noodles. The broth was perfection. So fragrant, flavorful, well seasoned, and clean tasting. Meat was super tender (both beef and pork) and pretty much melted in our mouths. The "dry beef" in the name is totally misleading because there is nothing dry about the meat. ATMOSPHERE It seems like the restaurant kept most of the interior decor from PvP bakery so the aesthetic is pretty nice. Simple, clean, modern, minimal. It's sort of a self serve style in here so you have to get your own water. Just like most Asian restaurants. PACKAGING I ordered our meal to go but the restaurant IS also open for indoor seating. Our food was packed with care! The noodles and soup were packed in separate containers. I will add a note of caution while carrying the food. The hot soup warped the plastic container quite a bit so by the time I got home I noticed that the lid was just barely hanging on and on the brink of busting open. As long as it's held upright though it should not be an issue. Overall, if you're looking for a non frills place with good authentic Chinese food, this is the place to go! Price was pretty good too especially for how good the fooAbout $11 per noodle soup which is much cheaper than mid summer and golden harbor. We will definitely be back!

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Golden Wheat
Golden Wheat - The inside

The inside

Golden Wheat - Dried Beef Soup Noodle - Spicy (not spicy at all)

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Dried Beef Soup Noodle - Spicy (not spicy at all)

ChinaTown Buffet - chinese - Updated October 2026

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