Translation guide
A meal where guests serve themselves from a variety of dishes, or a piece of furniture for storing dishes.
A meal where you serve yourself from a selection of dishes, often all-you-can-eat.
The most common term for a buffet-style meal in Japan, derived from 'Viking' (smorgasbord). Used for all-you-can-eat restaurants.
A piece of furniture with shelves or drawers for storing dishes, glasses, and table linens.
ホテルのバイキングで朝食を食べました。
I had breakfast at the hotel buffet.
From French 'buffet'. Often used for more upscale or hotel buffets, but less common than バイキング.
あのレストランはランチビュッフェが人気です。
That restaurant is popular for its lunch buffet.
Literally 'all-you-can-eat'. Often used for buffet-style meals, but can also refer to any all-you-can-eat offer, not necessarily self-service.
この店は焼き肉食べ放題があります。
This restaurant has all-you-can-eat yakiniku.
Means 'self-service', can describe a buffet setting but is broader and less specific to food.
このカフェはセルフサービスです。
This cafe is self-service.
General term for a cupboard or cabinet for storing dishes and tableware.
新しい食器棚を買いました。
I bought a new buffet (sideboard).
Loanword from English, specifically refers to a sideboard or buffet furniture piece.
ダイニングにサイドボードを置きたい。
I want to put a sideboard in the dining room.