Beyond Houston • Tokyo, Japan
Ginza Happo Tokyo: The Buffet That Made Me Fall in Love with Snow Crab
I went to Ginza Happo dreaming of a buffet with king crab and wagyu. What I didn’t expect was for the snow crab to steal the whole show. Between the crab, sushi and huge selection, this became the best buffet I’d experienced at that point.
What I ate
King crab versus snow crab
This was my first time trying king crab, and it didn’t quite live up to what I’d imagined. The piece I tried tasted a little salty, and I thought it was just okay.
The snow crab was a completely different story. The legs were huge, the texture was so good, and even the meat inside the body tasted delicious. I didn’t need sauce. I gave it 9/10 because it was a little watery; otherwise, I would have called it a ten. The claw meat was even better than the legs.
Sushi and sashimi
I kept going back for the fish. The tuna, salmon and scallops were excellent, and I was impressed by the quality for a buffet. I also appreciated having fresh wasabi available.
I tried grilling a scallop at our table with soy sauce and chili powder, but I preferred the raw scallop.
Spicy squid
The spicy squid caught my eye on the buffet, and I was glad I tried it. It was soft with just enough chew to make me want another bite, rather than being tough.
What didn’t work for me
The oysters were much too salty for my taste. I would skip those and put that room toward the snow crab and fish instead. Not every bite was a winner, even though I loved the overall meal.
Dessert
Near the end, I tried a dessert that looked like tiramisu and tasted like a truffle to me. It was so good that we went back for another piece.
How much was it?
I featured this as an approximately US$80 buffet in my October 2024 video. Alcoholic drinks were included during our visit, with beer, sake and other options available. Confirm the current plan, yen price, drink inclusions and dining time limit before reserving.
What would I order again?
The snow crab, tuna, salmon, raw scallops and spicy squid. I enjoyed this place so much that I wanted to return before we flew home. As a matter of fact, we did return one more time before flying back to Houston. The snow crab alone changed my mind about how good snow crab could be.
Restaurant details
Restaurant: Ginza Happo
Area: Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
Style: Seafood and grill buffet
Best for: A big seafood meal during a Tokyo trip
Use the map to find the restaurant and confirm its hours.