Viking Buffet Day (Baikingu no Hi)

What Is Viking Buffet Day?

August 1 is "Viking Buffet Day," established in 2008 by the Imperial Hotel, Ltd. It commemorates August 1, 1958, when the Imperial Hotel opened a new restaurant called the "Imperial Viking." This restaurant is the reason all-you-can-eat buffets came to be called "Viking" (baikingu) in Japan.

The Origins at the Imperial Hotel

The Japanese name "Viking" for buffets involves Nordic cuisine and a film that was showing at the time.

• Rooted in the Nordic "smörgåsbord": The idea is said to have come from Tetsuzo Inumaru of the Imperial Hotel, who experienced the smörgåsbord — a spread of dishes from which guests help themselves — in Northern Europe. Nobuo Murakami, who later became the hotel's head chef, was also involved in developing the menu.
• A name chosen by staff: Because "smörgåsbord" was hard to say and unfamiliar to Japanese people, a new name was solicited from hotel staff. "Viking" was chosen, reportedly inspired by the association of Northern Europe with Vikings and by the hearty feast scene in the film "The Vikings," then showing at a cinema near the hotel.

The Novelty of Self-Service

At the time, high-end hotel restaurants typically offered full table service. Letting guests serve themselves felt fresh, and the word "Viking" later spread throughout Japan as the term for all-you-can-eat buffet dining.

Fun Facts About Buffets

• What "smörgåsbord" means: The Swedish word is said to derive from a table of bread and butter. It refers to the Nordic custom of welcoming guests with a wide array of dishes, from appetizers to hot food.
• "Buffet" vs. "Viking": "Buffet" is a French word that originally meant a sideboard for displaying food. Saying "Viking" outside Japan won't convey the idea of all-you-can-eat — it's a uniquely Japanese usage.
• "Getting your money's worth": With fixed-price buffets, people tend to overeat trying to recoup what they paid — a well-known psychological tendency.
• Tackling food waste: Leftovers from taking too much are a common issue at buffets, and more restaurants now encourage guests to take only what they can finish.
• 2008 was the 50th anniversary: Viking Buffet Day was established in 2008, exactly 50 years after the Imperial Viking opened.

Tips for Enjoying Viking Buffet Day

• Enjoy a hotel lunch buffet or a nearby all-you-can-eat restaurant.
• Instead of piling your plate high, take amounts you can finish over several trips.
• Include vegetables and seasonal dishes for a colorful plate.
• Share the story of how the name "Viking" came about as a conversation starter at the table.

Bringing the Joy of Choosing to the Table

August 1 is a day to look back on the birth of the buffet, which brought the joy of "choosing for yourself" to Japanese dining. The Imperial Hotel's idea of adapting Nordic food culture has become a familiar part of everyday dining in Japan. Today, why not choose your favorite dishes — just as much as you can finish — and enjoy them at a relaxed pace?