Osaka’s Lunch Buffet Is an Attractive Option for Sushi Lovers on a Budget

For sushi purists, the concept of the sushi buffet is considered somewhere between questionable at best and appalling at worst. The thought is on tier with gas station sushi. But today, we’re going against our intuition – our gut feelings –  and with a straight face, recommending a sushi buffet.

For $27.99, during lunch hours (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.), you can immerse yourself in everything Addison’s Osaka Sushi & Grill (formerly Tokyo One) has to offer – and they have a heck of a lot to offer. The selection is so vast it borders on overwhelming. Dinner rates are considerably higher, so we suggest coming for lunch. The buffet price climbs 15 bucks to $42.99 if you come during the dinner window, which starts at 5:30. And heads up: A promo running through Jan. 31 will trim $2 off the lunch price, and $3 off dinner. Just show them the promo on Osaka’s website.

Osaka is a well-oiled operation. It’s clean, the customer service is exemplary and the AYCE (all you can eat) sushi offerings are more than respectable. Occupying a former Red Lobster, the place is spacious with ample, dimly lit seating areas and a dark wood theme throughout. Japanese instrumental music plays softly in the background to set the mood.

Sushi and sashimi are, of course, Osaka’s main draw. Salmon, tuna, yellowtail, albacore, unagi (eel), mackerel, salmon roe and octopus are just some of the sushi and sashimi offerings you’ll find here. Sushi rolls range from volcano to shrimp tempura to New York crunch rolls – with a bunch in between. (We counted 20 different rolls in all.)

In addition to the sushi and sashimi, Osaka also offers hibachi. New York strip steaks, fried rice and noodles, Korean fried chicken, lamb chops, grilled salmon and white fish are all for the taking. And let us not forget the Korean barbecue short ribs, which we would have eaten a mountain of (ditto the baked mussels) if it weren’t for the abundance of other options we had to save room for. There’s also a ramen noodle bar, a hot pot station and several cold salad options

The dessert bar is fun, too. Our table spent a good half-hour sampling and exploring Osaka’s desserts. The red bean ice cream and green tea ice cream were killers.

Yes, it’s buffet sushi. And, no, comparing Osaka to higher-end sushi establishments isn’t fair (or realistic). But you’re also not dropping $20-plus on a single sushi roll, either (a California roll at Nobu Dallas is $22). For the rest of us looking for more affordable sushi options to satisfy a sushi fix, Osaka checks all the boxes.

Osaka Sushi & Grill, 4350 Belt Line Road, Addison. Lunch, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily