China Lights - Oriental Cuisine

My review of China Lights Restaurant is my 3rd of three reviews for Mongolian BBQ/Chinese buffets.  While China Lights does not offer a Mongolian BBQ, I am including it in the series because of it's vast buffet.

There is a menu at China Lights, but I have never looked at it.  There is no need to look at a menu when there is such a large buffet with such a huge selection.  There is sushi, kimchi, soup, seafood, and all of the Chinese dishes you would expect in this buffet.  It is vast, and all encompassing.  If you don't see something that appeals to you, just wait!  The staff is constantly bringing out new dishes and refreshing the selection.  They even have a decent selection of desserts...including soft serve ice cream!

I am not suggesting that China Lights offers the best versions of the dishes offered in their buffet, but I have not been disappointed by any of their offerings.  Sometimes quantity and selection is important.  When you are in this situation, go to China Lights!

China Lights:

Address - 9220 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage and 12110 Business Blvd, Eagle River

Phone - 907.522.5888 (Anchorage) and 907.694.8060 (Eagle River)

Website - www.chinalightsak.com

Overall Recommendation:  I have only ever been to the Anchorage location, but I have to say that it is the best buffet featuring Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dishes.  You can't find a larger selection and variety than China Lights.

VIP Restaurant - Korean

As a swim coach I have families with kinds of different ethnic backgrounds.  I have had a Korean family on my team who eats at the VIP once a week, and they rave about it.  Recently I took my wife and we gave it a try.

banchan

The ambience is pretty generic, but the service was fast and friendly.  We had not really had Korean before, so my wife tried the bibimbap while I tried a spicy squid and vegetable dish.  We were both very pleased with the meal.  To be honest, I was sweating through mine, but it was a pleasant heat that I got from the food.

The dinner came with an array of banchan, which is a variety of small dishes with vegetables, pickles, etc.  I would pick from the banchan and augment a bite of my squid dish.  With so many choices, it was like getting a different palate sensation with each bite.

Bibimbap

The bibimbap (mixed meal) came in a bowl with vegetables, an egg, and beef.  You literally mix it together yourself and go to town!  My wife loved it!  There are a variety of bibimbap to choose from, and I can't imagine any of them are bad.

Both of use were both stuffed afterward, but without much guilt.  Most of the meal is vegetables, and pretty healthy.  Not to bad for someone who is watching what they eat.



VIP Restaurant:

Address - 555 W Northern Lights Blvd, #105, Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone - 907.279.7549

Overall Recommendation:  When Korean families I know rave about the authenticity of the food, I know it must be good.  I think it is a stand out for ethnic food in Anchorage.  Be adventurous and give it a try.