Todai (restaurant)

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Todai (from 灯台, tōdai, meaning "lighthouse") is a Japanese all you can eat buffet restaurant. It specializes in sushi and seafood.

The first Todai branch was founded in 1985 in Southern California. There are a total of 25 Todai restaurants worldwide, the majority of which are in California, though branch locations exist throughout the United States. It has three overseas locations, in South Korea, China and Hong Kong.

Some Todai restaurants also participate in the Entertainment Club in Southern California, allowing diners to enjoy discounts while dining out. Birthdays are also widely celebrated here with waitstaff and managers wielding lively tamborines.

[edit] Foods

Todai separates its foods into four categories: sushi, hot entrees, salads and desserts. The menu is rotated at times and the dishes available can vary from day to day.

Sushi is the main focus of Todai with 3 different types available, Gunkan, Nigiri. and Roll. There are no less than 40 different types, such as shrimp or tuna.

The hot foods section consists mainly of entrees such as tempura, fried calamari and teriyaki. Also in this category are rice and noodle dishes, such as fried rice or yakisoba, respectively. Non-Japanese foods, such as Korean galbi and Chinese gyoza are also part of the hot foods menu. Some Todai have Teppanyaki stations, along with lobster tail which is usually limited to 1 per customer.

Though Japanese cuisine isn't particularly noted for salads, a variety of salads ranging from Asian coleslaw to eggplant salad to pasta salad are available as well.

Todai's dessert bar features Crème brûlée, tarts, puffs, cakes, and made-to-order Crêpe station. Beverages such as soda, tea, beer, wine and sake round out the menu.

[edit] See also

Japanese cuisine

Todai is also known for having lobsters during dinner time. Each Todai restaurant varies, however, on the number of lobsters diners can obtain. Some are known to have the lobsters available at the buffet line during scheduled times, while other Todai restaurants, servers will bring one lobster each per table. Be warned, though, that the lobsters normally aren't nearly as big as the lobsters showin in Todai commercials. Also, they are partially stuffed with what appears to be crab meat as well.