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.
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.
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.
A piece of furniture with shelves or drawers for storing dishes, glasses, and table linens.
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.
This restaurant has all-you-can-eat yakiniku.
Means 'self-service', can describe a buffet setting but is broader and less specific to food.
This cafe is self-service.
General term for a cupboard or cabinet for storing dishes and tableware.
I bought a new buffet (sideboard).
Loanword from English, specifically refers to a sideboard or buffet furniture piece.
I want to put a sideboard in the dining room.