China King Buffet Menu with Prices is what you need before you walk in hungry and leave guessing what your bill will be. China King Buffet rotates its hot bar throughout service hours, so your dining cost buys access to a constantly changing selection. Most locations run a standard pricing model, but your final total depends on the day of the week and the time you arrive. Let’s break down what you will pay, what you can eat, and how to get the best value from your visit.
China King Buffet Menu With Prices
The buffet price is simple: you pay one flat rate for the food bar, and drinks are extra. You do not pay per plate or per item. This makes it easy to budget your meal, but you need to know the exact rates before you sit down. Below is the typical price range you will see at most China King Buffet locations across the country.
Standard Lunch And Dinner Pricing
- Lunch (Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM): $9.99 to $11.99 per adult
- Dinner (Monday to Thursday, 3:00 PM – Close): $13.99 to $15.99 per adult
- Friday Dinner (3:00 PM – Close): $15.99 to $17.99 per adult
- Saturday and Sunday All Day: $15.99 to $18.99 per adult
- Children (Ages 4-10): $6.99 to $8.99 depending on height or age policy
- Children (Under 3): Free with a paying adult
Seniors usually get a discount of about 10% to 15% off the regular adult price. You should ask your server about the senior rate because it is not always posted on the door. The price difference between lunch and dinner is often because dinner includes seafood items like crab legs and fried shrimp.
Drink And Beverage Costs
Your buffet price does not include drinks. You will pay separately for sodas, tea, coffee, or juice. A standard soft drink refill cup costs between $2.99 and $3.99. Hot tea and coffee are usually cheaper, around $1.99. Some locations offer a self-serve drink station where you pay once and refill as many times as you want. Water is always free, but you have to ask for a cup if it is not on the table.
What Is On The Hot Bar At Lunch
The lunch spread is smaller than dinner, but it still covers the basics. You will find the classic American-Chinese dishes that most people expect. The food is rotated frequently, so you might see different items if you go back for a second plate.
Core Lunch Dishes You Can Expect
- General Tso’s Chicken (spicy, sweet, crispy)
- Sweet and Sour Chicken with the red sauce on the side
- Pepper Chicken and Onion
- Beef with Broccoli in a brown garlic sauce
- Shrimp with Lobster Sauce
- Vegetable Lo Mein or Chow Mein
- Steamed White Rice and Fried Rice
- Egg Rolls, Crab Rangoon, and Fried Wontons
- Soup station with Hot and Sour Soup and Egg Drop Soup
The lunch menu does not usually include the expensive proteins. You will rarely see crab legs or peel-and-eat shrimp at the weekday lunch bar. If you see a sign that says “Lunch Special,” it means the kitchen is serving the smaller portions of the dinner recipes.
Salad And Cold Items
Do not skip the cold section. Most buffets have a small salad bar with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and dressings. You will also find cold noodles, seaweed salad, and sometimes fresh fruit like oranges or watermelon. The cold section is usually at the far left or right end of the buffet line.
What Is On The Hot Bar At Dinner
Dinner is where the buffet gets serious. The kitchen brings out the premium items that are not available during lunch hours. The dinner price is higher because the food cost is higher.
Premium Dinner Selections
- Snow Crab Legs (usually available Friday through Sunday)
- Steamed Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce
- Peel-and-Eat Shrimp
- Mussels or Clams in Black Bean Sauce
- Salmon Steak or Baked Fish
- BBQ Pork Ribs
- Roast Pork or Roast Duck
- Sauteed Shrimp with Vegetables
The crab legs are the main reason people pay the dinner price. They are often placed in a separate steamer tray near the end of the line. You should go early for dinner if you want the first batch, because the crab legs run out fast and the staff may take 15 minutes to refill the tray.
Made-To-Order Station
Some larger locations have a Mongolian grill or a hibachi station. You pick your raw meat, vegetables, and sauce from a cold display, hand the bowl to the cook, and they stir-fry it in front of you. This service is included in your buffet price, but you should tip the cook a dollar or two if they do a good job. The grill line can get long during peak hours, so go right when the dinner service starts.
Dessert And Fruit Selection
The dessert bar is small but functional. You will find standard American desserts and a few Chinese options. Do not expect gourmet pastries.
Typical Dessert Offerings
- Fresh Fruit (cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple)
- Cookies (chocolate chip or sugar)
- Small Cakes or Brownies
- Pudding Cups (chocolate or vanilla)
- Ice Cream Machine (vanilla or swirl)
- Fried Banana or Fried Apple
The ice cream machine is a favorite for kids. It is self-serve, so you can make your own cone or bowl. The fried bananas are usually near the hot food section, not the dessert bar, so look around before you assume they are not available.
How To Get The Best Value
You want to maximize what you eat for the price you pay. There is a smart way to approach the buffet line that helps you avoid getting full on cheap items.
Step-By-Step Buffet Strategy
- Walk the entire line first before you grab a plate. See what is available and where the premium items are located.
- Start with a small bowl of soup to warm up your stomach, but do not fill up on it.
- Take a small portion of the expensive proteins first, like crab legs or shrimp, because they may not be refilled quickly.
- Skip the fried rice and lo mein on your first plate. These are filler carbs that will make you full fast.
- Go for the vegetables and lean meats next.
- Finish with a small dessert plate, not a mountain of sweets.
If you go on a weekday lunch, you should focus on the chicken dishes and the beef with broccoli. If you go on a weekend dinner, you should prioritize the seafood and the ribs. This way, you get the most dollar value from your single plate.
When To Go For The Freshest Food
The food is freshest right when the buffet opens for lunch or dinner. The kitchen brings out new trays at the start of service. If you go in the middle of a rush, you might find trays that have been sitting out for a while. The best time is 11:15 AM for lunch or 3:15 PM for dinner, just after the line has been set up.
Location And Price Variations
Not every China King Buffet charges the same price. The rates depend on the city, the rent of the building, and the local cost of food. A location in a big city like New York or Los Angeles will be more expensive than one in a small town in Ohio. You should call ahead to confirm the current price, because the management sometimes changes rates during holidays.
Holiday And Weekend Surcharges
Expect a price increase on major holidays like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and New Year’s Day. The buffet may add a $2 to $5 surcharge per adult on these days. The food selection is usually larger, but you will pay for it. If you want to avoid the surcharge, go on a regular Tuesday or Wednesday instead.
Takeout And To-Go Options
If you do not want to eat in the restaurant, you can order takeout. Most China King Buffet locations have a separate takeout menu with a la carte items. You do not pay the buffet price for takeout. Instead, you order specific dishes like General Tso’s Chicken or Shrimp Fried Rice from the kitchen menu.
Takeout Pricing Structure
- Lunch Combo (includes entree, fried rice, and egg roll): $7.99 to $9.99
- Dinner Combo (larger portion, includes soup): $10.99 to $13.99
- Family Meal (for 3-4 people, includes 2 entrees, 1 large rice, 4 egg rolls): $29.99 to $39.99
- Side of Fried Rice or Lo Mein: $3.99 to $5.99
If you want to fill a takeout box from the buffet line, you have to pay the regular buffet price for the box. You cannot pay the lunch price and take a dinner-sized box home. The staff will weigh or visually inspect your box, and they may charge you extra if it is overfilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does China King Buffet have a senior discount?
Yes, most locations offer a senior discount of 10% to 15% off the regular adult price. You need to ask the cashier or server, because the discount is not always advertised. The age requirement is usually 60 or 65 years old.
Are crab legs included in the dinner price?
Yes, snow crab legs are included in the dinner price on most nights, especially Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, they are not available during weekday lunch. The dinner price is higher because of these premium seafood items.
Can I take food home from the buffet?
No, you cannot take food from the buffet line to go unless you pay for a takeout box. The restaurant charges you the buffet price for the box, and the box is usually smaller than a standard plate. Leftovers from your plate are also not allowed to be boxed.
Is the price the same for children and adults?
No, children pay a lower price. Kids under 3 are free, children ages 4 to 10 pay a reduced rate, and children over 10 usually pay the full adult price. Some locations use a height-based policy instead of an age-based policy, so check with the staff.
Do they accept credit cards?
Yes, most China King Buffet locations accept credit cards, debit cards, and cash. Some smaller franchise locations may have a minimum purchase amount for card payments, like $10. It is safe to bring cash if you are only buying a drink or a small takeout order.
The China King Buffet menu with prices is straightforward once you understand the lunch and dinner split. You pay a flat fee for the hot bar, you avoid the expensive drinks, and you go at the right time to get the freshest food. The buffet is a good deal if you are hungry and want variety, but it is not a place for gourmet dining. Go in with the right expectations, walk the line first, and focus on the premium proteins to get your money’s worth. Check your local store’s posted prices before you sit down, because the rates can change without notice.