Seafood, local faves fill Aiea buffet line

Snow Crab is one of Makino Chaya’s most popular buffet items. A. CONSILLIO PHOTO

When it comes to all-you-can-eat buffets, Makino Chaya in Aiea has become an Island tradition for its great food, value and service. Locally owned and operated, the causal, family-friendly restaurant offers an extensive buffet menu of about 90 items, including many classic Japanese and American foods, as well as seafood and local dishes. There also is a Sushi Bar, Salad Bar, Dessert Bar, a la carte menu, newly added Pasta Bar and Teppanyaki Station where you can have your steak cooked to order.

Among the favorites is, of course, snow crab — which is available nightly and for weekend lunch — and sashimi (dinner only), featuring salmon, hamachi and ahi. “We get our fish from the fish auction every day,” shares general manager Chris Mitchell. “Then, our chef fillets it in our kitchen, and it’s served fresh to our customers.”

Salmon, hamachi and ahi sashimi L. TABUDLO PHOTO

Conveniently located in Westridge Shopping Center, across from Pearlridge Center, Makino Chaya also has become popular for special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries and graduation parties. The spacious restaurant can accommodate up to 300 guests, and there’s plenty of free parking.

The lunch buffet is $14.98 (Monday-Friday) or $19.98 (Saturday and Sunday), and dinner is $32.98. Children (12 years and under) get 50 percent off if they’re 4 to 5 feet tall, 75 percent off if they are 3 to 4 feet tall and a free meal if they’re under 3 feet. There also is a happy-hour buffet special priced at $19.98 (excludes a la carte menu) from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (coupons and discounts not valid during happy hour). Prices may vary on holidays. The restaurant also often offers birthday, military and senior discounts, as well as coupons on its website and in Dining Out (see page 7).