How to say "buffet" in Japanese

• ビュッフェCommon
  nounThe straightforward word for a buffet or self-service meal, covering spreads at hotels, banquets, and restaurants where guests serve themselves.
  ランチブッフェを二人ふたり、お願ねがいします。↗

  Two for the lunch buffet, please.
• 立食りっしょくCommon
  nounA stand-up meal: it covers 'buffet' when the emphasis is on guests eating while standing, as at a party or reception, rather than on the self-service arrangement itself.
  人数にんずうが多おおいですから、今日きょうは立食りっしょく形式けいしきにしたんです。↗

  There are a lot of people so today we've gone for buffet style.
• バイキングCommon
  nounAn abbreviation, it covers 'buffet' in the smorgasbord sense—an abundant, all-you-can-eat spread—and is a common word for buffet-style restaurant meals.
  朝食ちょうしょくはバイキング形式けいしきだって。↗

  Breakfast is a smorgasbord.

Use 「ビュッフェ」 for a buffet or self-service meal in general, 「バイキング」 for an abundant all-you-can-eat spread, and 立食 when the point is a stand-up meal at a party or reception.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ビュッフェbuffet
• 立食りっしょくstand-up meal
• バフェbuffet
• バイキングsmorgasbord