Is Booffi World Buffet in Dunfermline any good?

All-you-can-eat buffets do strange things to me, I was reminded, at Booffi World Buffet, Dunfermline.

Maybe the sight of so much food sends my brain into overdrive, or perhaps the endless rows of serving trays act like a kind of silver-tinted glasses.

Whatever the cause, I can’t stop myself from fantasising about what’s lurking under those metal lids, despite having been disappointed by numerous buffets in the past.

So, it was with high hopes that I headed to Dunfermline to find out whether Booffi World Buffet – which opened on Friday June 6 – was the buffet of my dreams or another one to quickly forget.

A warm, smoky welcome

I visit 10 days after the grand opening, and Booffi World Buffet is still bustling.

Groups of people dart inside before me, sidestepping the sluggish – no doubt overly-full patrons – who are leaving.

Caught up in the excitement, I stride past the foyer’s neon sign and take the stairs two at a time.

The foyer at Booffi World Buffet in Dunfermline, complete with a neon sign. — Booffi has a bright foyer. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson.

I’ve barely cleared the uppermost step when the smoke hits me – a meat-tinged fog that hangs over the entire room.

Once my eyes stop stinging, I see that the room is rammed. Customers’ conversations fill the air, almost drowning out the loud house music that thumps through the speakers.

I wait behind two sets of couples to be seated and am left standing for 15 minutes. During this time, I marvel at the restaurant’s staff.

The dining room and buffet at Booffi World Buffet. — The dining room is very spacious. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson.

Busy waiters slalom between customers. Others wipe down tables with terrifying efficiency.

The restaurant has been open for less than two weeks, and it looks like the team are already in-sync. Without their hard work, my wait could have easily doubled.

Chinese food at Booffi World Buffet

There are two approaches to eating at an all-you-can-eat buffet. One is to operate with a plan, selecting foods you know go well together. The second is to let yourself run wild, grabbing whatever takes your fancy.

For professionalism’s sake, I opt for the former.

As Booffi advertises three cuisines on its menu – Chinese, Indian and European – I decide to eat my food in three separate rounds.

The standout item from my Chinese round is the salt and chilli chips. They are large, fluffy and boast a considerable amount of spice.

A plate of Chinese food - including chips, spring rolls and chow mein - from Booffi World Buffet. — The buffet’s Chinese dishes were hit and miss. Image: Jacob Smith/DC Thomson.

Unfortunately, the meat dishes I try – sweet and sour chicken and beef and broccoli – demonstrate that Booffi World Buffet is plagued by the same issue that hamstrings most other buffets. The meat is dry.

Given that the food is stored at high temperatures for long periods, this is almost unavoidable. Still, I am slightly disappointed as I chew.

In contrast, the Chinese chicken curry I eat is packed with large triangles of essentially raw onion. The strong flavour mars what is an otherwise acceptable dish.

It is a relief to discover that both the chow mein and fried rice are neither over nor undercooked. Noodles and rice are firm and a joy to eat – a Goldilocks moment that adds some sheen to a hit-and-miss opening.

Curries galore at Dunfermline eatery

I tackle the Indian section next. As expected, there are numerous curries on offer.

I opt for the lamb bhuna, turkha dahl and saag aloo. I also take a gamble and help myself to a curry that is labelled simply as “South Indian”.

A serving counter at Booffi World Buffet. — Curries stretch nearly as far as the eye can see. Image: Jacob Smith/DC Thomson.

All told, it’s a mixed bag. The lamb bhuna is very salty and the turkha dahl bland.

The saag aloo, though, is a high point. The sauce is thick, and the potatoes are full of flavour – I suspect they were roasted before being added to the sauce.

A plate of Indian food, including several curries, garlic naan and rice. — I enjoyed the Indian food the most. Image: Jacob Smith/DC Thomson.

The South Indian is also a treat. It’s a tomatoey chicken curry that, unlike the others, offers a bit of heat.

My Indian course is rounded out by a chicken biryani. This dish is dominated by lemon – a welcome change of pace from the salty-sweet curries.

A European and Mexican hodgepodge

After consuming two plates of food, I am beginning to flag.

This – combined with my discovery that Booffi World Buffet also has a Mexican section – sees me abandon the original plan and put both European and Mexican food on one plate.

A plate full of Mexican and Italian food. — The Mexican and European mix was a strange experience. Image: Jacob Smith/DC Thomson.

I do not enjoy the lasagne. Its flavour reminds me of cheap tomato soup.

The Cajun chicken pasta, however, is much better. The pasta is well cooked, and the creamy sauce boasts some spice.

A tray of lasagne sitting on a counter at Booffi World Buffet. — The lasagne was a low point for me. Image: Jacob Smith/DC Thomson.

I end the European portion of my plate by half-heartedly tackling a flaccid slice of margherita pizza, wishing the whole while that I’d got another spoonful of Cajun pasta instead.

On the Mexican side, the black beans present a nice smokiness that marries well with some guacamole.

A mural of a Buddha alongside the slogan "I'm proud to announce I'm expecting a food baby." — The mural says everything you need to know. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Unfortunately, the Mexican beef I try tastes just like the lasagne filling.

Dessert – once more unto the breach

By this point, I am delirious.

The three plates of food seem to have hit my stomach all at once.

Driven on by what I can only assume is a sense of professional duty, I drag myself to the dessert section. Through blurry eyes I see a long queue at the Mr Whippy machine. There is another by the chocolate fountain.

A selection of cakes sitting in a fridge. — Booffi stocks many different desserts. Image: Jacob Smith/DC Thomson.

Bypassing both, I end up at the fruit and cake fridge.

In my stupor I make a ridiculous selection: a single piece of melon, a cake ball and what I thought was crumble topping.

After trying the crumble, however, I’m forced to admit that I have no idea what I’m eating. I head back to the fridge, but there’s no label on the dish.

I run a hand across my perspiring forehead and wonder what I’ve done to offend the buffet gods.

Heading home with lasting memories

Unable to take another bite, I look around the restaurant one last time. Again, I am struck by how hard the staff are working.

Thanks to them, the restaurant has remained spotless and ordered throughout service. This is no mean feat given the number of children experiencing first-class sugar highs.