First thought on this topic is we don’t really do AYCE, though the complimentary East/West breakfasts buffets at many Asian hotels are a nice prelude to a day of real eating.
Then, an outstanding seafood feast in Chengdu popped into mind. Fittingly, restaurant is named Seafood Feast. This was in December 2019, weeks before the world changed as we know it. Can’t wait for China to reopen again, so much more to explore. and EAT.
Copy from post in December 2019. Seafood Feast. Chengdu, Sichuan.
Seafood Feast Restaurant served up one of our most memorable and delicious dining experiences, ever. An upscale AYCE seafood buffet venue. Optional table service in private booths with additional special items, for a slight up charge. Here, our orders are prepared ala minute. The all you care to drink wine selection is also supposedly better.
First course was a dramatic Sashimi tower with Lobster, Prawns, Salmon and a couple of other fish. Dished out on an ice sculpture with cascading dry ice fog. A second platter with Langostino, Octopus, Oysters.
Geoduck, our favorite. We scarfed 4 orders. Live Uni. Clams so fresh, they were throbbing.
Buddha Jumping over the Wall, a “special” item. First time for me. Delicious!!! Rich broth with a mini Sea Cucumber, Shark Fin and other surely costly ingredients.
Another special, warm Papaya with Bird’s Nest. Wife had a Hasma Coconut concoction. Hasma is the dried tissue from a certain part of a frog that I won’t get into. 
Weird but tasty.
Fois Gras on Toast. Grilled Steak. Pan Fried Venison Tongue!! Deep Fried Chicken Knees.
Each diner has choice of Hot Pot broth. Tom Yum for she, more subtle Mushroom for me. Fish Maw? Four orders please. To start.
An ice mountain of hot pot fixin’s. Abalone(live), Prawns(three types), Lobster Tail, Alaskan King Crab and a Korean Crab.
Fantastic service! A server shelled the prawns tableside. Lovely.
Steak Tartare. Sea Cucumber. Scallop Sashimi topped w/Ikara. Toro.
Never had Starfish before, never understood how/why eat Starfish. Our server gave me a lesson. Dip in hot broth for 3 minutes. Carve open and scoop out roe. Fun, done it, no mas.
The buffet is huge, every option looked super fresh. The buffet line is beautiful with am almost bewildering amount of choices. I’m not a fan of AYCE at all. I tagged along cause the wife is a raw SEAFOOD LOVER. We are loving Chengdu, and Seafood Feast will be a strong enticement for a quick revisit.
Btw, this meal, all in including drinks, tax and serve. USD$150. For the both of us.
