Hokkaido Seafood Buffet

Much more than seafood… Definitely not your ordinary buffet!

By Trish Imbrogno

When I was asked to do this review, I must say that I was hesitant.  I don’t each much seafood, and buffets tend to freak me out.  I’m a very picky eater, and things that live in water don’t top my list of things I would eat.  I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to eat to actually complete the review.  But, much to my surprise, I was SO happy I agreed to cover Hokkaido Seafood Buffet.

Located on Browns Hill Road, between Squirrel Hill and the Waterfront, Hokkaido is much more than a seafood buffet.  The place was spotless and filled with hip furniture and bright lighting fixtures – like someplace you would find downtown in the Cultural District.  I couldn’t believe that I had walked into a buffet!  I was much more at ease, but I still had to tackle the seafood obstacle.  Good thing the rest of our staff loves seafood!

Once again, I was thankful I agreed to writing the review!  The buffet had everything from fresh fruit, pizza, and ice cream to octopus salad, whole steamed crabs, crab legs, shrimp, mussels, fish ball soup, chicken feet and everything in between.  If you don’t like seafood at all, you will definitely leave this buffet completely satisfied and still would not have tried everything they have to offer! Plus, if you like seafood, then this place is a seafood paradise!  Added bonus, the restaurant is BYOB, and there is no corking fee.

The buffet consists of a complete sushi bar – California rolls, vegetable rolls, red snapper sashimi, and salmon skin rolls are only a few of your nearly 25 options – and that’s just the sushi!  The rest of the Nightwire staff sampled most of the sushi and they all agreed that it was fresh, well presented and delicious!  There is also a self-carving section with Italian sausage and roasted beef tenderloin, and six soup options.  For the less adventurous, they have chicken noodle and Asian basics like wonton.

If you still think there is nothing for you to eat, stop by the Hibachi bar for your choice of steak, chicken, fish or shrimp.  You load your plate with your selection of raw veggies and meat, hand it off to the Hibachi chef, who will amaze you with his culinary and cooking skills and in a few minutes, you have a freshly cooked meal! I could have spent the whole night eating right here.  I chose chicken with green peppers, broccoli and snow peas, that were prepared to perfection and simply delicious.  I went on…. and sampled crab legs.

As mentioned, I have a limited affinity for seafood, but crab legs is one of the things that tops the list of things I’ll “pick” in my pickiness.  And, Hokkaido’s were amazing — easy to shell and very tender and meaty.  I’m not quite sure where I put so many of them, but somehow I had a huge plate of shells!  The salmon was also well beyond what I thought I would find on a buffet – so much so, I had a second plate.

Somehow I found room for dessert.  I have a very big sweet tooth, so with my limited stomach space left, I had a hard choice for my sweet ending.  Chocolate and tapioca pudding, Jell-O, chocolate brownies, pair candied marshmallows, and fresh fruit including mango, kiwi, oranges, grapes, honeydew and more!  There are also seven varieties of ice cream – with my favorites cookies and cream and mint chip.

Hokkaido is more of an “Asian” buffet than a seafood buffet. I was completely impressed by the atmosphere and even more delighted with the selection and presentation.  With a lunch price of a mere $8.99 and dinner at only $16.99, it’s more than worth the money.  Bring a bottle of wine or select from sodas on the menu and plan to leave completely satisfied!  If you haven’t been to Hoikkaido you are really missing this truly affordable awesome dining experience!  We highly recommend you try Hoikkaido and as always be sure and tell them your friends from Nightwire sent you!

For a complete list of menu items, directions and more visit www.hokkaidopittsburgh.com.  Hoikkaido Seafood Buffet is open daily for Lunch: $8.99 Mon-Fri 11am-3:30pm – Sat Brunch: $12.99 (11am-3:30pm)

Sunday & Holidays: $16.99 all day.  Dinner $16.99

Mon-Thurs: 3:30-10pm –

Fri & Sat: 3:30-10:30pm

Sun: 11am-10pm

4598 Browns Hill Rd
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15217
(412) 421-1422