Kamaʻāina can get 25% off at this revamped Waikīkī buffet

Good news — The Buffet at Hyatt at Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort and Spa brought back its popular kamaʻāina discount of 25% off on March 30. Meaning that, if you show your Hawaiʻi state ID, the dinner buffet is $63 instead of $84 per adult.

The Buffet at Hyatt’s dinner buffet is offered nightly from 5 to 9:30 p.m. (last seating at 9 p.m.). The buffet costs $84 per adult and $42 for children ages 6 to 12 (children ages 5 and under have free admission). Customers can also enjoy live music from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays.

So, what’s new at the buffet? (Remember, there’s a 90-minute time limit, so it’s best to strategize).

The buffet is known for offering both, local comfort food and popular Korean street foods. The buffet now has more island-style flavors; new offerings include lechon bao buns (Filipino-style roasted pork with pillowy bao buns), kaffir lime fried chicken (crispy fried chicken infused with aromatic kaffir lime, chili and fish sauce) and roasted Hawaiian kampachi with tamari ponzu. You’ll also find kalua pig with roasted Molokai sweet potato and toasted coconut, laulau with lomi Kamuela tomato relish, and sauteed garlic shrimp with Little Neck Clams.

The premium seafood selection — including steamed and chilled snow crab legs, fresh ‘ahi poke, oysters and sashimi — is always a highlight, and it’s one of my favorite parts of the buffet. Steamed crab legs is new; before, the buffet solely offered chilled crab legs.

The sushi station has expanded to offer assorted nigiri (shrimp, ‘ahi and hamachi) and California rolls, in addition to its popular made-to-order temaki rolls.

Pro tip: Be sure to try the salmon skin temaki handrolls; their crunchy texture is delightful.

The eatery’s signature carving station is another buffet highlight. Choose from rosemary and ‘Alaea salt-crusted prime rib, along with barbecue kalbi ribs and whole roasted kanpachi. Korean-forward offerings from the teppan station include Korean rice cakes, beef bulgogi and spicy takuan kimchi.

The cold buffet station has smorgasbord of offerings, ranging from pipikaula poke and housemade lomi salmon to assorted crudite with sundried ‘ulu hummus and build-your-own soba and somen salad.

Finally, dessert — which you should always save room for. The soft serve ice cream station, complete with toppings like hot fudge and mochi, along with the chocolate fountain, are buffet staples. You can find assorted fruits, brownies and sponge cake at the chocolate fountain.

Baked brie with guava jam is new to the dessert station, which also includes a rotating seasonal selection of sweets like tiramisu, coconut haupia, creme brulee and more. The cheesy addition was one of my favorites of the evening — the melted brie is encased in a puff pastry, and the guava jam in the center makes it a nice sweet-and-savory treat.  

CONTACT
The Buffet at Hyatt
Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort and Spa
2424 Kalākaua Ave., Honoluu
808-923-1234
hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/hnlrw-hyatt-regency-waikiki-beach-resort-and-spa/dining 
Instagram: @buffetathyatt
Open daily, 5-9:30 p.m.

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.