Last week I got the chance to eat lunch at the Hana Buffet, a new restaurant on South Tacoma Way and 54th. Hana advertises itself as the best in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese food, and I would agree with them on the first two. My advice is to come early to Hana Buffet - they open at 11am - because the sushi will be fresh and in abundant supply. The range of raw and cooked sushi was excellent for a buffet, especially at this price, and there is a whole section dedicated just to sushi. In another section, Hana offers some traditional favorites from Korea and China, duly americanized. The bulgogi (Korean BBQ) is excellent, there are a variety of good soups, and the seafood is good, but I tried a couple chicken dishes that were a bit tough. The desserts were average but adequate, unless you like jello (they have every color). Lunch will run you about $8 not including tip, and does include tea at your table.
The bottom line is this...If you love sushi, Hana is a steal. If your tastes are a little more mainline/mainland, you may be satisfied but not ecstatic. A sushi man myself, I give Hana 4 out of 5 chopsticks.
Jonathan Sansgaard
Pastor of Hope Lutheran
South Tacoma