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# Bentoful – Asian Fusion Buffet Restaurant in Seattle
Bentoful is a vibrant Asian fusion buffet restaurant located in Seattle, WA, offering a unique self-serve dining experience. Known for its diverse selection of fresh salads, warm dishes, and delectable Asian-inspired options, Bentoful has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Established with a vision to provide quick, healthy meals, this eatery emphasizes quality and variety, making it an ideal lunch spot for busy professionals and families. Review highlights often mention the friendly staff, the efficiency of the service, and the freshness of the food, contributing to its growing popularity in the Denny Triangle area.

## History
### The story of Bentoful
Bentoful was founded with the vision of creating a dining experience that combines convenience with quality. The founders aimed to offer a buffet-style restaurant where customers could enjoy a variety of healthy and delicious options without the long wait times typical of traditional sit-down restaurants. This concept was designed to cater to the fast-paced lifestyle of Seattle's residents, particularly in the bustling Denny Triangle neighborhood.

### Milestones and growth
- **Opening of the first location**: Bentoful opened its doors to the public, quickly gaining attention for its unique self-serve model.
- **Expansion**: Following the success of the initial location, Bentoful expanded to a second site in the South Lake Union area, further increasing its reach and customer base.
- **Menu diversification**: Over time, the menu has evolved to include a wider variety of dishes, appealing to a broader audience and accommodating dietary preferences.

### Cultural and local influence
Bentoful has embraced the cultural diversity of Seattle, incorporating various Asian cuisines into its offerings. This reflects the city's rich multicultural landscape, allowing customers to experience flavors from different regions. The restaurant has become a part of the local community, attracting a diverse clientele who appreciate the blend of traditional and modern culinary influences.

### Continuing the tradition
As Bentoful continues to grow, it remains committed to its founding principles of quality, variety, and customer satisfaction. The restaurant regularly updates its menu based on customer feedback and seasonal ingredients, ensuring that each visit offers something new and exciting. This dedication to continuous improvement helps maintain its status as a beloved dining destination in Seattle.

## Community
### Community involvement
Bentoful actively participates in community events and initiatives, fostering a sense of connection with local residents. The restaurant often collaborates with nearby businesses and organizations to support local causes, demonstrating its commitment to being a responsible and engaged member of the Seattle community.

### Community notion about the place
The community views Bentoful as a welcoming and friendly establishment, where everyone can enjoy a quick and satisfying meal. Many patrons appreciate the restaurant's focus on fresh ingredients and the ability to customize their meals according to personal preferences. This positive perception is reinforced by the attentive service provided by the staff, who are known for their friendliness and willingness to assist customers.

### Events and gatherings
Bentoful hosts various events and gatherings, particularly during local festivals and holidays. These occasions often feature special menu items, promotions, and activities that encourage community participation. The restaurant's cozy atmosphere makes it a popular choice for casual meet-ups and group lunches, further solidifying its role as a community hub.

## Offerings
### What Bentoful offers
Bentoful provides a unique dining experience centered around a self-serve buffet model, allowing customers to choose from a wide array of dishes. The restaurant's offerings include fresh salads, warm entrees, and a variety of Asian-inspired options, all priced by weight. This flexibility enables diners to create personalized meals that cater to their tastes and dietary needs.

### Dining and food experience
The dining experience at Bentoful is designed for efficiency and satisfaction. Customers can quickly assemble their plates from the extensive buffet, which features an assortment of fresh vegetables, proteins, and flavorful sauces. The emphasis on quality ingredients ensures that each dish is not only delicious but also nutritious, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious diners.

### Events and packages
While Bentoful primarily focuses on its buffet offerings, the restaurant occasionally introduces special events and promotions to enhance the dining experience. These may include themed nights, seasonal dishes, or discounts for large groups, encouraging customers to explore the menu further and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

### Facilities and features
- Self-serve buffet
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Friendly staff
- Frequent food replenishment
- Convenient location in Denny Triangle

## Pros and Cons
### Key insights from reviews
Reviews of Bentoful highlight a mix of positive experiences and some areas for improvement. Customers consistently praise the variety of food options and the freshness of the ingredients, while some express concerns about the pricing structure and seating limitations during peak hours.

### Compliments and strengths
Many diners commend Bentoful for its extensive selection of dishes, particularly the Asian-inspired items such as Korean fried chicken and yakisoba. The friendly and attentive staff also receive high marks for their service, contributing to a welcoming dining environment. Additionally, the self-serve model allows for quick meal assembly, making it an ideal choice for those on a tight schedule.

### Contrasts and notable mentions
Some reviews mention that while the food is generally good, certain items may not meet the expectations of diners looking for gourmet experiences. A few customers have noted that the quality can vary, with some dishes tasting more like pre-packaged meals. However, the overall consensus is that Bentoful offers a solid dining option for casual lunches.

### Summary evaluation
In summary, Bentoful stands out for its variety, freshness, and friendly service. While there are minor critiques regarding food quality and seating capacity, the restaurant's strengths in providing a quick and satisfying meal experience make it a popular choice among locals and visitors alike.

## Location & Nearby Attractions
Bentoful is conveniently located at 720 Olive Way, Ste 108, Seattle, WA 98101, in the heart of the Denny Triangle neighborhood. This area is known for its vibrant atmosphere, bustling streets, and proximity to various attractions, including the Seattle Convention Center and numerous shops and cafes. The restaurant's central location makes it an ideal stop for those exploring the city or attending events nearby, providing a quick and delicious meal option.

## FAQs
**What type of cuisine does Bentoful serve** Bentoful specializes in Asian fusion cuisine with a buffet-style dining experience.  
**Is there seating available at Bentoful** Yes, there are limited indoor and outdoor seating options available.  
**How is the food priced at Bentoful** The food is priced by weight, currently at $11.59 per pound.  
**Does Bentoful offer vegetarian options** Yes, Bentoful has a variety of vegetarian options available at the buffet.  
**Are there any special events at Bentoful** Occasionally, Bentoful hosts themed nights and promotions to enhance the dining experience.

## Visit Bentoful Today
Bentoful invites you to experience its diverse offerings, friendly atmosphere, and commitment to quality. With a rich history rooted in community engagement and a focus on fresh, delicious food, this Asian fusion buffet restaurant is perfect for a quick lunch or casual gathering. Come and discover why Bentoful has become a beloved dining destination in Seattle, where you can enjoy a meal that is as satisfying as it is flavorful.

ea1336d2-7770-42d4-91aa-d38c1d91cae3

You can't go wrong with this place! Especially the many variety and selections they have for a buffet. It is self-serve! The women that work here are super nice and friendly! They make sure to stock and refill certain food items once they're running low. FAIR WARNING: this place has the lunch rush!! It goes by pretty fast but expect to wait a bit before you get your to-go box. They have everything from salads and veggies, to fish like baked salmon and imitation crab to meats like meatballs and Korean fried chicken! You MUST try the Korean fried chicken -- it's SO good! They also have yakisoba, fried rice, fruits and even butterfly shrimp. You pay by the lb and currently, it's $11.59 per lb. Mine was about $18 altogether which isn't bad for lunch. When you pay by the lb, the ladies will ask if you need chopsticks or fork! They even supply a napkin and a menu to go! They have sparkling water and sodas to choose from as well as a water station. Truly recommend this place for lunch! Note that they don't have a lot of seating space-- they have some tables inside and a few wooden tables outside.

2faed31a-e53d-45fd-b9e5-73dd83fa9e3e

This is a self-serve buffet style pay by the pound place. They now have 2 locations - 1 in SLU and 1 in Denny Triangle area. The pricing is 11.59 per pound which is fair but if you are not careful, you will end up paying a lot, comparable to a nicer lunch option! The premium does come with variety, so you can be strategic (e.g., aim for proteins) if you care about maximizing value. Food here is decent, nothing spectacular, but the large variety can be appealing for trying a little bit of everything, and you don't need to wait for food to come out like you would for a sit down or even takeout restaurant.

a78ba610-9f0c-4e2a-adb5-caf67af91f0e

We needed a quick lunch spot with no wait and vegetarian options within walking distance. This spot met all the criteria. This spot is very small with limited seating. Most people were fixing to go plates. There are lots of salad bar options. I was able to make a really nice salad. They also have some Asian, protein, and fruit options. The staff was constantly replenishing the buffet options. The price is determined by weight. It's a cool spot for a quick lunch.

196b2b2c-9157-4595-b873-3951052031e0

Stayed in the area for a conference and discovered this gem on my last day for a quick lunch. I wish we had one of these where I live! What you can expect: salad bar options that were all fresh and frequently refilled, fresh fruit, and a good selection of warm items (even salmon) that mostly skewed Asian, not surprising given the name of the restaurant has "bento" in it. It is priced by the pound and you choose exactly what you want. A previous commenter who said that it tasted like microwaved food is tripping. Half the items were fresh, so that's ridiculous. It was as healthy as you fill up your plate to be.

98b491a0-028e-49bf-ad1f-47d21f2a7418

Efficient git-er-done salad bar style food options leaning Asian. I think it's around $10/lb or somesuch. Super friendly Asian mom cashier. Quality is similar to Whole Foods hot bar. A few small tables inside plus adjacent to public garden space, good for an efficient lunch during work.

8b88ce7d-87c5-49ca-8b00-599ad57de7d3

Amazing casual lunch spot for either quick grab-and-go or to sit in. Love being able to use a compostable plate (vs to-go box) and sit with colleagues to catch up. Don't be deterred by long lines -- it moves pretty fast and the staff is constantly refilling during lunch rush.

3630f81a-4a8b-4328-89b6-31dd912fe5c4

Seemed to me like a frozen-dinner smorgasbord. I stopped by at lunch during a conference at the convention center nearby and appreciated that there was no line. It's serve yourself style and the boxes they provide allow you to scoop a lot of food! It's all measured by the pound so the contained doesn't really matter unless you want to specifically separate out some items. They had a great array of foods thought it skewed toward either Asian or full out salad bar. The food looked really good but ended up being at the same level or under most frozen meals you can find at the grocery store. I appreciate how quick it was to order and the variety. This meal did what it needed to and it was good to know I could find quick food close to the conference center.

6b83756c-251a-4a08-b344-98bf35b25bcd

I happened to come across this place when I was doing some work at Mr. West. At first I poked my head in to see what it was all about and had to come back to try it. And I'm glad I did. Bentoful is kinda like the hot/salad bar at Whole Foods. You grab a plate or a container, grab whatever you want, and then at the end, they weight it and you pay by weight. As of today (4.25.23), they charge $9.99/lbs. Anyone who's been to a place like this knows the potential chaos that could ensue from "Oh I'll try a little bit of this... ooh one piece of that... couple scoops of this." Before you know it, you're plate is the weight of a small watermelon and you're laying $30 for lunch. But that's nothing wrong with the way they do business. But the food is so good. It feels fresh and tasty. I think clean taste, even the fried stuff, is how I'd describe it. So many different selections, from the salad bar with everything you could imagine for that 2000 calorie salad because you're "watching your weight" to freshly cut fruit to some classic Asian foods. My favorite is the fried shrimp and the Korean fried chicken. Then there is the easy to overlook dishes. There is this steamed cold tofu with dressing and a Korean style thinly sliced eggplant. They have such a class Korean taste that's comforting and refreshing. I'd definitely hit those up. Best part? The sweet couple that runs it are so nice. The lady at the register is so sweet. I came today at about 1:40pm (they close at 2pm) and so a lot of the offerings were running low. Given the business model here, it's tricky timing things and when you should cook more. But she came by and saw that some of the things had run out and brought fresh food out from the kitchen. I feel good eating this food. I feel good supporting this small business. And as long as you're smart and don't go overboard, this can easily be an affordable lunch in a otherwise increasingly unaffordable city--something "bentoful" in the heart of SLU.

dc8a96d2-987b-4086-95bf-049797f3d490

Overall pretty good. I got the dak galbi large bento and it was not too spicy but had good flavor.It was stir fried with some veggies and potato that matched well. The rice and yakisoba are pretty plain so maybe some sauce with it would be good. I liked the spring rolls since they were very crispy. The dumplings and broccoli are pretty good. A convenient place to get lunch.

ddfbfb08-7869-4bee-87fa-cdbe11963f9f

Not your typical salad/hot bar! All kinds of really tasty items that seemed super fresh. I loved the bok choy, kimchi, meatballs, and fried rice. Delicious fruit and so many little fried appetizers available as well! Cute area to dine in.

Discover Bentoful in Seattle for authentic dining experiences. Savor delicious cuisine in the heart of the city. Book your table now for a memorable meal.

Bentoful Restaurant in Seattle - Authentic Dining Experience

Seattle

Bentoful

Washington

Explore the full menu at Bentoful in Seattle, WA. Discover signature dishes, drinks & must-try items. Visit us at 720 Olive Way, Ste 108.

Bentoful Menu – Food & Drinks in Seattle, WA

Learn about Bentoful in Seattle, WA. A vibrant restaurant offering delicious cuisine, cozy ambiance, and excellent service. Located at 720 Olive Way.

About Bentoful, Seattle, WA

Opening hours for Bentoful, Seattle, WA. Find opening hours for Bentoful at 720 Olive Way, Ste 108 on our website.

Bentoful Menu Overview

Signature Dishes

Beverages and Pairings

Dietary Options

Chef Recommendations

Experience the Menu at Bentoful

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