Buffets In Thailand Look So Different From The Ones In America

In the U.S., buffets are where we can let our gluttony run wild thanks to the flat fee you’ll pay before loading up a plate or five. However, at hot pot buffets like the mookata-style restaurant Tom visited in Thailand and others in countries like South Korea and Saudi Arabia, you’ll have to pay up if your eyes are bigger than your stomach. The more uneaten food you have leftover after your meal, the higher the fee will be. In his TikTok video, Tom explains that he and his partner didn’t realize there was a food waste charge until after they’d filled up.

@tomfromtx

I’ve never been this lost in a restaurant #thailand #traveltok #culturalfood #buffet #tomfromtx #tomfromtexas

♬ original sound – Tom from Texas

Tom expresses how lost he was on his Thai buffet adventure, saying that he peeked at his neighbors but was still unsure where to start. The couple did their best to do as the locals do. Traditionally, Mookata grills have a dome in the center where fatty pork meat sizzles, surrounded by a moat of boiling water that cooks your veggies thoroughly. The last step is dipping your food into some suki sauce made from garlic, spicy chilis, bean curd, and a hint of sugar for a kick of authentic Thai flavors.