Buzz
Every day, we often hear phrases like 'going for a buffet treat.' So, what is a buffet? Gain a clear understanding of the buffet concept to know what this dining style is, the various types, and how to dine elegantly!
Here's a comprehensive piece by the PasGo Team about the buffet concept, classification, and identification of popular buffet styles in Vietnam.
What is Buffet?
Buffet (pronounced as búp phê) originates from the French term meaning 'self-select' or 'stand-up party.' In its simplest form, a buffet is a self-select dining style or a stand-up feast. When indulging in a buffet, diners can comfortably choose their favorite dishes.
Buffet operates on a per-meal (portion) business model. This means customers pay a fixed amount based on the number of people and can freely enjoy unlimited items listed in that meal's menu.
During buffet events, there are usually a plethora of dishes for you to choose from, ranging from dozens to hundreds, depending on the restaurant's scale or the buffet meal price you pay.
This buffet dining style is increasingly beloved worldwide for its comfort. Diners can enjoy their favorite foods, engage in conversations, and chat without constraints of space or seating arrangements.
Characteristic of buffet parties is the line counters for diners to choose their food
Origin of Buffet
In the 18th century, outdoor parties serving a large number of guests with pre-arranged tables of food began in France. Due to the convenience and comfort of this serving style, it spread to England and other European countries.
It wasn't until the mid-19th century that Americans were introduced to this Buffet style, thanks to the innovation of a Chinese restaurant opened in the United States. Americans quickly embraced this dining trend, making buffets particularly popular in the 1930s with many modern and diverse variations.
Since then, the buffet style has gained increasing popularity and widespread development worldwide, including Vietnam.
Common Types of Buffet
There are various criteria for classifying buffet types, and here are some primary ones:
1. Classification of buffet based on service style
This is a classification commonly applied worldwide. According to this approach, we can identify three main types of buffet styles:
- Sit-down Buffet: Typically seen in large-scale buffet events, the space includes counters with a self-select food option and areas for diners with pre-arranged seating and dining utensils. The variety of dishes in Sit-down buffets is extensive, ranging up to hundreds. Diners move to the counters to select food, sit at their tables, choose drinks, or can have table service for beverages.
- Standing Buffet:
This buffet style is dynamic, without arranged dining tables. As a result, diners choose food, use utensils directly in their hands, and have to serve their own drinks.
- Cocktail Buffet or Finger Buffet: This is a light buffet, primarily used in diplomatic gatherings. Servers bring food to each guest on large trays. Guests directly enjoy finger foods with their hands.
In Vietnam, the Sit-down buffet style is commonly favored in restaurant dining services. Standing buffet and Cocktail buffet are less common, mostly found at shareholder meetings, customer conferences, or scientific seminars...
Standing buffet is a highly popular style in Western parties
2. Some common buffet styles in Vietnam
Vietnamese people typically don't distinguish between Sit-down buffet, Standing buffet, or Cocktail buffet. Instead, they often refer to buffet restaurants using the following criteria:
a. Geographically, there are:
- Japanese Buffet
- Korean Buffet
- Singaporean Buffet
- Pan-Asian Buffet
- …
b. Based on preparation methods, there are:
- Hot Pot Buffet
- Grill Buffet
- Hot Pot & Grill Buffet (focus on grilling with hot pot as an accompanying or lesser option)
- Grill & Hot Pot Buffet (focus on hot pot with grilling as an accompanying or lesser option)
c. Based on distinctive dishes, there are:
- Seafood Buffet
- Lobster Buffet
- Snail Buffet
- Snack Buffet
- …
d. According to spatial styles, there are:
- Traditional Buffet
- Modern Buffet
- Royal Buffet
- Countryside Buffet
- Romantic Buffet
- …
e. Based on pricing, there are:
- 99K Buffet
- 119K Buffet
- 149K Buffet
- 199K Buffet
- Buffet under 200K
- …
Vietnam has various terms for different buffet types, but the majority are Sit-down buffets
So, is 'what is buffet' still a question for you? Understand the different buffet styles to choose a reputable dining place, or if you're considering investing in a buffet restaurant, gain a more comprehensive view of this unique business model.
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Kind regards,
