Chinese buffet at a party

[BrilliantBetty]

Once restrictions end we are having a party. Various things to celebrate.

It will be family and close friends, timings approx 7-11pm. About 40-50 people. A friend's band will play for a bit.

Instead of getting stressed out with organising the food and putting it all out myself I wanted to get it catered in some way.

The local deli does a lovely spread but I found their quote expensive. A friend had an Indian curry buffet a few years ago and it worked well!

DH has suggested Chinese food. His favourite.
I have looked in to the cost and it is actually a fairly 'cheap' option, making it doable for us. They even provide plates and cutlery and dish up/serve.

But is it a bit weird to be offered a Chinese buffet at a party? AIBU to think it's not quite right for a party in a hall...
or maybe it's a great idea?!

I genuinely cannot imagine a better buffet!

Fucksake, OP, I was just off to bed and my stomach's growling for spring rolls now.
I wouldn't mind a few samosas instead, mind.

Chinese buffet sounds delicious.
Maybe see if they can do it yum cha style and get little plates delivered to each table?

When we go to Yum cha my preschooler eats her weight in rice and then mango pancakes while the rest of us eat everything but the chicken feet.

Well I love Indian as well so either would suit me, but if I had to choose then it’d be Chinese.

Yanbu as long as you have LOADS of spring rolls.
You didn’t say if you have people with dietary requirements but I’m vegan and find Chinese actually easier than a lot of other cuisines. With Indian food you always have to check if they cook with oil or ghee and a lot of veggie sounding Thai dishes might have sneaky fish sauce, for example.

Do not underestimate the amount of sweet and sour you will need. If my family are anything to go by, people will clear it out.

I can’t stop thinking about how good this will be Op!

I now have a craving for dim sum in the middle of the night, and I squarely blame you, OP! 😂

I would love a Chinese buffet and my kids love it as well. We prefer Chinese but eat both.

I really hope we are all invited!

I have fond memories of a party 10 years ago that had a Chinese buffet and a free bar sounds amazing!

I hate Chinese food so would struggle but that's my issue. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting the food in from elsewhere.

I'd love it but I do know a lot of (crazy) people who don't like Chinese food.

What's the age range of guests? I would love this, my 80 year old parents not.

I'd pick Indian over Chinese, but I'd also be totally happy with a Chinese buffet and prefer either over sandwiches and sausage rolls type food.

My husband would love this.

I’d hate it as a. vegan and b. don’t like Chinese very much, plus I’d be frightened to take my peanut allergic kid.

I would prefer Chinese to anything else

Love a buffet and either sound great.

A lovely change from a sit down meal.

Definitely a meat free option would be helpful.

Oh we did this for a joint teen birthday party a few years ago. Restaurant brought all the food, dishes, utensils and warming stuff to the house before.

It went down a treat with all age groups, was a ridiculously affordable option (even compared to ordering in pizzas) and the restaurant provided some trays to put used dirty dishes in so they took everything away and no cleaning up to do. Would happily do again!

A chinese buffet and a free bar ..... now you're talking.

Sounds great better than soggy sandwiches and cheaply sausage rolls. I’d love to go to a party that had a Chinese buffet!

OP I'm in the bath right now, it's 9am and I want to come to your Chinese buffet!!!!

I'm so doing that at my next party 😉

What's the age range of guests? I would love this, my 80 year old parents not
My 80 year old parents eat Chinese food at every opportunity and would think this was the best party ever

Sounds amazing! I'd be thrilled if I went to a party that had a chinese buffet. Especially if dim sum are involved.

It actually makes me want to throw a party and I can't believe I've never thought of this idea before!!

Cold buffet food v hot Chinese tasty things ?

That, my friend, is a no-brainer. Anything else, now you've thought of it, would be a disservice 😆