U China Buffet

The food was cold and the service was terrible. It’s definitely a long way from being the best Chinese Buffet in Birmingham.

I have not tried the buffet here, as it seems very unpopular with other Unilocalers, but I can recommend the lunch take-​out. Don’t make a special trip, but if you’re in the area, it’s decent, cheap, hot food. Lunch specials are $ 4.99 and they give you a large amount of food for the price. I’ve had better, but I’ve certainly had worse!

Would have been nice if the food had been remotely fresh or event warm for that fact. Needed this but the waitresses couldn’t keep her phone in her pocket long enough to pay attention to our table. Guess facebook was too important. Another group had to even make them sweep and clean up their table Before they sat down. What a waste of money and time.

Someone needs to climb the pole to the sign where it advertises «Best Chinese food in Birmingham» and paint a big «X» over best and write ««WORST»… never again!!! Never!!!

Quick stop for food. When you leave, you won’t feel empty. The China Buffer is not as good as Mr Wang’s down the road in Wildwood, but hey, it’s really cheap andyou got many choices. The reason for my three stars instead of five is simply due to the bathrooms and the service. Although the staff is friendly, they sometimes seem preoccupied with other matters. If you’re thirsty, then you might want to bring yourself a little bottle to drink. The restaurant is clearly dated, but what keeps this place going is the fact that they have food in abundance and of-​course the low price. If I had to choose a good Chinese restaurant in the area, I’d rather go to the Great Wall of China just up the street or the Red Pearl. If you only have 3o minutes, then this is your ideal place to be in and out.

Unless you want to pay $ 9 for mediocre soft-​serve ice cream, I recommend going elsewhere because that is the only thing that’s edible here.
Right when you walk in, you will notice half the restaurant is pitch black because only one side is open for seating. That should have been our sign to turn around. However, we were then «greeted» by a young Asian kid who walked us 5 feet in the direction of tables before sitting down and grubbing on a plate full of banana pudding while folding napkins. No biggie, maybe the food will make up for it… or in retrospect maybe we will get dysentery.
Everything was luke warm, mislabeled, and very unappealing. It’s impossible to tell what anything is when you have garlic bread labeled as «chicken tacos.» Let’s just ignore the fact that both of those are options at a Chinese buffet to begin with. But So what… maybe mislabeling won’t bother you. I am willing to bet the cold chicken and warm fruit will though. The only thing that doesn’t make you lose your appetite here is the ice water and the soft serve ice cream machine. So if you are willing to spend $ 9 for soft-​serve ice cream and sink water, go right ahead. But if you actually want to eat dinner and not spend the night clutching your stomach in the fetal position, take your business elsewhere. Please.
Oh and by the way, I tried the banana pudding since the workers were eating it thinking «oh this must be the only thing worth eating here»…it tastes like they took pudding and poured banana flavored cough syrup on it.

I had a very strange experience at U China. I sat down and ate an assortment of different items all of which were really tasty. After I finished my 3^rd plate, I went to the bathroom to find an employee jacking his penis. He screamed as I screamed and ran out. He then came out of the bathroom and tried to explain (in broken English) that he was getting lobster sauce off his pants. I patted him on the back and consoled him. U china is a great place to eat for cheap. Also it’s not a bad place to masturbate.

Good. Some things mediocre such as – surprise – the kimchi. Some things really good, such as the black bean mussels. In fact, you’re unlikely to get better black bean mussels very often. Reasonable prices. Good enough service. Highly recommended for travelers who don’t go for the usual fast food. You’re seated quickly and can eat soon thereafter.

The best of for about 8 years? I dont think so. It was overcooked dried out, mislabeled and just not good. I will not hurry back here.

Claims to be voted the «Best Chinese Buffet» in Birmingham. I don’t know about that, but it’s ok as far Chinese buffets go. IMO they have more choices than Mr. Wang’s, but is probably a notch lower than Top China, at least on weekdays. They use a complete 3^rd set of chafing dishes for weekends so that might be something more special.
Again, no sushi, I guess in Jefferson county, it’s a regulatory thing? A huge salad bar, which is weird and impressive for a Chinese buffet. The wanton soup was nice, with actual real large wantons. The dumplings (more like they were trying for potstickers) were super el-​cheapo-​looking though.
Other notables: lots of rice. As in at least 3 different «kinds» of rice: The standard pork fried rice, almond butter rice, yeung chow fried rice. They also serve chow mei fun, but it was undercooked. Here’s a free cultural lesson: the abundance of rice and the dearth of dumplings suggests the chef originates from southern China.
Relatively cheap, $ 8 for weekday dinner with water.