My First Experience at a Japanese Restaurant in Vienna’s 21st District
Sometimes, curiosity and hunger lead us to discover something new! One day, while walking along my usual route in Vienna’s 21st District, I felt like trying Japanese food. Since the restaurant was conveniently located along my way, I decided to step inside and give it a try.
As I settled at my table, a young staff member approached me. Perhaps noticing that I looked a little unfamiliar with the place, he greeted me in my native Filipino dialect and asked if it was my first time dining there. I smiled and admitted that it was. He then patiently explained how the restaurant’s all-you-can-eat system worked.
Unlike the Chinese all-you-can-eat restaurants I had visited before, this place had a different ordering system. I could choose my preferred appetizers and dips, while soups and salad greens were available at the food counters for me to serve myself.
For drinks, main courses, and desserts, however, I had to place my orders using a tablet provided by the restaurant. Each table had its own number, and here came the interesting part: a robot delivered the food directly to our tables! It was quite fascinating to watch technology become part of the dining experience. The price was €16.99 per person, excluding drinks. It´s cheaper compared with the Chinese-style all-you-can-eat restaurants I had visited in the past; it seemed like a much more affordable option. Of course, one can order from the A La Carte Menu but they will cost more.
Small Portions, Big Surprise!
So far, everything sounded promising. The best part was that I could order as many plates of a particular dish as I wanted, without paying extra. I decided to try several dishes: crispy duck, beef with broccoli, spring rolls, sautéed bok choy, and a dumpling. I was looking forward to enjoying a little bit of everything.
Then the robot arrived, carrying my orders. And guess what? I was astonished when I saw the portions!WHAT?! The servings were so tiny that they reminded me of children's portions! I couldn't help but wonder whether I had accidentally ordered from a children's menu. Lol!😂
Of course, there was no need to panic. I could simply order more of the same dishes without additional charges. Had I known beforehand how small the portions were, I would have ordered more from the beginning!
One of the restaurant's specialties was sushi, with a wide variety to choose from. Judging by the popularity of the place, I suspect that the sushi selection was one of its biggest attractions. Unfortunately, I don't eat seafood, so I left those tempting-looking selections for the other diners to enjoy.
Another thing I noticed was the rather limited selection of main courses, with only around six different dishes available. Nevertheless, I managed to enjoy my meal and saved some room for dessert. I finished with ice cream and a small piece of cake served as finger food.
Would I Return? All in all, it was an interesting experience, although not quite what I had expected. The affordable price, tablet ordering system, and robot food delivery made the restaurant different from the Chinese all-you-can-eat places I was familiar with. On the other hand, the tiny portions and limited choice of main courses left me a little disappointed.
I would probably consider this a one-time experience at this particular restaurant. However, I am not giving up on Japanese cuisine just yet! I would certainly like to try other Japanese restaurants in Vienna and see how their dining systems compare. After all, every new experience teaches us something, even when it comes with a little surprise on the side!
About the Chinese Restaurants I Have Visited
I have tried several Chinese all-you-can-eat restaurants in Vienna, and most of them follow a similar concept. They offer a wonderful variety of dishes, and for around €23 per person, plus drinks, I think the price is quite reasonable.
One of my favourites is a restaurant near my home where you can choose your own meat, poultry, and seafood. You select the ingredients and the sauce you want, and the chefs prepare them for you. Once your food is ready, a little robot, just like the one at the Japanese restaurant, brings it straight to your table! It is always fun to watch these clever little machines doing their job.
I have also tried another restaurant where customers can grill their own meat and vegetables right at the table. This gives the dining experience a different kind of enjoyment, as you get to prepare your food just the way you like it.
If you were to ask me which system I prefer, I would probably choose the Chinese style. I enjoy having the freedom to select different dishes and try a little bit of everything.
Have you tried both the Japanese and Chinese all-you-can-eat restaurant systems? I would love to hear your thoughts! Which one do you prefer, and why?
A Little Warning from My Own Experience! There is just one thing to remember when visiting a Chinese all-you-can-eat restaurant: it is very easy to eat more than you should! I can speak from personal experience. The food was delicious, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but afterward, my stomach felt as though it had been stretched to its limit. The problem was not the quality of the food; it was deliciously cooked... but simply the quantity I had eaten!
So, if you decide to try this kind of dining experience, my advice is to take your time, start with small portions, and listen to your stomach. You can always go back for more, after all! Enjoying good food is one of life's simple pleasures, but knowing when to stop is just as important!
Enjoy your evening! @mers
