バイキング
baikingu[ba̠ikʲĩŋɡɯ̟]
The Japanese phrase for buffet is バイキング (baikingu). Wiktionary also lists バイキング料理 (baikingu ryōri).
Meaning: food (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| バイキング | baikingu | [ba̠ikʲĩŋɡɯ̟] (narrow) |
| バイキング料理 | baikingu ryōri | [ba̠ikʲĩŋɡɯ̟ ɾʲo̞ːɾʲi] (narrow) |
The term バイキング is specifically used to describe the style of eating where you serve yourself from a variety of dishes, often in a hotel or restaurant setting.
How do you pronounce it?
baikingu
When do people say it?
In Japan, the word for a buffet-style meal is often バイキング (viking) rather than the loanword bufē (buffet).
Did you know?
- The term バイキング became popular because the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo opened a restaurant called 'Viking' to introduce the concept of a smorgasbord to Japan.
- The term バイキング is a 'wasei-eigo' word, meaning it is English-based vocabulary created in Japan that would be misunderstood by native English speakers.
- Despite the word 'Viking' sounding aggressive in English, in Japanese, it evokes a sense of abundance and the joy of choosing many different foods.
Examples in context
- 私たちは今夜ビュッフェに行きます。We are going to a buffet tonight.
- このレストランは食べ放題のビュッフェを提供しています。This restaurant offers an all you can eat buffet.
- 友達とバイキングに行くのが好きです。I like going to buffets with my friends.
- このカフェはビュッフェスタイルのランチがおすすめです。This cafe offers a recommended buffet-style lunch.
- このレストランはバイキングです。Kono resutoran wa baikingu desu.This restaurant is a buffet.
- ランチのバイキングに行きます。Ranchi no baikingu ni ikimasu.I am going to a lunch buffet.
- バイキングの料理はとても美味しいです。Baikingu no ryouri wa totemo oishii desu.The buffet food is very delicious.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding where to eat dinner.
- 大翔 Hiroto夕食はどこで食べたい？Yūshoku wa doko de tabetai?Where do you want to eat dinner?
- 結衣 Yuiたくさん食べたいから、バイキングがいいな。Takusan tabetai kara, baikingu ga ii na.I want to eat a lot, so a buffet would be good.
- 大翔 Hirotoいい考えだね。近くにいい店があるよ。Ii kangae da ne. Chikaku ni ii mise ga aru yo.That's a good idea. There is a good place nearby.
- 結衣 Yuiわかった。じゃあ、そこにしよう！Wakatta. Jaa, soko ni shiyō!Got it. Let's go there then!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “buffet” translations and entries バイキング, バイキング料理, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries バイキング, バイキング料理, CC BY-SA 4.0.
