Massive Asian Buffet to Open in Former Sioux Falls Chuck E. Cheese

Ocean Buffet will feature sushi, hibachi, and international cuisine in 12,000-square-foot space

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A new Asian buffet restaurant called Ocean Buffet is set to open in the former Chuck E. Cheese location in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The massive 12,000-square-foot restaurant will feature a large sushi bar, hibachi grill, and a wide variety of international cuisine including pizza and American fare. Owner Amy Chen plans to open a similar concept in Fargo, North Dakota in April, with the Sioux Falls location potentially opening as soon as September 2026.

Why it matters

The opening of Ocean Buffet represents a significant shift in the Sioux Falls restaurant landscape, as the city sees the redevelopment of a former family entertainment venue into a large-scale, multi-cuisine buffet concept. This reflects broader trends of changing consumer dining preferences and the adaptability of restaurant operators to fill vacant commercial spaces.

The details

Ocean Buffet will be owned by Amy Chen, who operates 10 other restaurants, mostly in North Dakota and on the West Coast. The new Sioux Falls location will feature a large sushi bar with a dedicated sushi chef, a hibachi grill, and a wide variety of Asian and international cuisine options including pizza and American fare. At over 12,000 square feet, the restaurant will be a major anchor tenant in the former Chuck E. Cheese space, which closed nearly two years ago.

  • Ocean Buffet plans to open its Fargo, North Dakota location in April 2026.
  • The Sioux Falls, South Dakota location of Ocean Buffet is expected to open as soon as September 2026.

The players

Amy Chen

The owner of Ocean Buffet, who operates 10 other restaurants, mostly in North Dakota and on the West Coast.

Scott Blount

A broker with Lloyd Cos. who finalized the deal with Amy Chen to bring Ocean Buffet to the former Chuck E. Cheese space in Sioux Falls.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to have a big sushi bar, we'll hire a sushi chef to make the sushi in front of the customer and make it fresh and then also the hibachi, and we're going to do all kind of Asian food, pizza, kind of international (cuisine).”

— Amy Chen, Owner, Ocean Buffet (siouxfalls.business)

“It's a massive restaurant.”

— Scott Blount, Broker, Lloyd Cos. (siouxfalls.business)

What’s next

Ocean Buffet plans to open its Fargo, North Dakota location in April 2026, with the Sioux Falls, South Dakota location expected to open as soon as September 2026.

The takeaway

The opening of Ocean Buffet in the former Chuck E. Cheese space in Sioux Falls reflects the adaptability of the local restaurant industry to fill vacant commercial spaces and cater to evolving consumer dining preferences, with the new buffet concept offering a wide variety of international cuisine options under one roof.