Mouthwatering Hot Pot in Oakland

Shabu King

★★★★☆ 4.3 (191) • $$

"Unlimited food is always going to be great. Place was pretty clean.They delivered the meats in a timely manner. The prices are not super pricey which I was surprised by."

Jong Ga House

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$$

"It was date night when we showed up for the first time at Jong Ga House (or more like "date afternoon" since I made the reservation for 2:00 PM). It doesn't seem like much from the outside and that's ok since we are very into "mom and pop" places. As we walked in and waited to be seated, a friendly server greeted us and walked us right in. Immediately brought in the menu with water. I guess we looked like we've been there before because the server asked if we were ready to order just as she returned with the nine servings of "banchan" (side dishes in Korean). It was perfect for us since we were already hungry and it was easy to choose from the items on the menu. We started off with the ribeye, spicy chicken and boneless barbecue ribs. Ufff! The chicken and ribs were delicious! The ribeye... could have been better. It was not as tender as I expected or as tender as the chicken and ribs. The portions are considerable and my wife and I were getting full. We ordered two more items, the pork belly (flavorful) and the shrimp (tender and just the right amount of salt (of course it was... we seasoned it.) I don't know if it was the owner but she came towards the end and was surprised that we didn't want to order more. lol. What can I say, we're not heavy eaters. Though, we can appreciate great food at a reasonable price and fast friendly service. Would we come back?? Definitely! For another date night and with the kids too. PS. Reservations are highly recommended, especially if you want to be seated at the grill station."

Happiness Hot Pot

★★★★★ 4.7 (142)

"My partner and I visited Happiness Hot Pot on a Friday evening. There was a parking lot, but most spaces belonged to residences, so parking can be a challenge (especially since there is an Orange Theory in the same plaza). In terms of wait, it was not bad at all and we got seated right away. The restaurant was not very busy when we visited.We ordered the mild version of the Spicy Beef Tallow soup base along with the non-Spicy Mushroom soup base. I really enjoyed the soup bases and thought that mild was a good level of spiciness (for my Cantonese stomach).The lamb and beef meat quality here was quite high. There was good marbling; and very easy chewing texture. The portions are quite small so you'll likely order more plates of meat than other hotpot restaurants. Sauce bar was pretty decent too and had most staples.I would skip ordering meat balls. We ordered the ball platter, but were quite unsatisfied by the portion size. Not worth the money considering that the balls were likely store bought.I enjoyed the meal, but probably won't come back due to the higher pricing compared to other hotpot places."

Goku Korean BBQ and Hot Pot

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

"This place offers a very standard hot pot and BBQ experience and doesn't stand out from the crowd at all! The iPad ordering system is unique, but our multiple orders were delayed, requiring us to shout for our server's attention. There had to be multiple orders since they don't allow more selections to come to your table at a time. Seated at table D-1 on a Sunday night (last night), we encountered a disinterested server who seemed indifferent to our needs. He was basically never checking his ipad at all.My soup was boiling away as I waited for veggies, and the tom yum refill was disappointingly flavorless. Overall, the atmosphere felt more like a canteen than a dining experience. Unfortunately, this was our first and last visit; there are far better hot pot options in the city."

Jiuding Flavor Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.5 (346) • $$

"There's a decent amount of seating. The service here was great and they consistently check up on you. There's also a sauce bar which was nice. This place is great for groups. This place is not AYCE, but you can definitely get full from the decent portion size. The price was reasonable as well.I got the spicy and beef tallow hot pot. Everything here was good quality from the soups to the vegetables to the meats.The ingredients were fresh and tasty. Definitely my favorite Chinese hot pot place in the area."

Tastee Steam Kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.9 (317) • $$$

"Tastee Steam Kitchen is a "tastee" one-stop-shop for steamed or cajun-style seafood, hot pot, skewers, dim sum, and sushi. I most often get the mini hot pot or AYCE hot pot and would recommend both. For the mini hot pots, the Szechuan Spicy Pot is my favorite, with plentiful pieces of fish and beef swimming in a spicy soup. The Satay Beef Pot has a garlicky and sweet broth and is good as well, although I don't care for the grainy taro.For AYCE, I would recommend the Hot & Spicy and Herbal Chicken soup bases. They're flavorful enough such that you really don't need a sauce, but I do appreciate their expansive sauce bar. The meat quality is decent, and while I do like the fatty melt-in-your-mouth prime beef, my favorite is the sole fillet with its buttery texture. The skewers here are also good enough to satisfy a craving. The chicken, beef, and lamb skewers were generally well-cooked and juicy, but I left wanting a bit more spice and char flavor. The restaurant's interior is quite large and surprisingly well-decorated, so it makes for a nicer, quieter spot in Chinatown to bring family / guests or even catch a game on their TVs. I do think they are understaffed at times, so you may need to proactively flag down waiters. Finally, be sure to check the signage and menus for their monthly food and drink specials!"

YGF Malatang & Hotpot

★★★★☆ 4.2 (75) • $$

"This place was so good !!! I love malatang and was so excited to come here for lunch . They have a lot more options here that I have not seen at other places like fish noodle ( fish cake noodle ) , cheese fish cake , a bunch of different tofu noodles / fried tofu , and a lot of other items that I have not seen before . I wish they offered the bone broth in extra spicy but they do have a sauce bar on the side to add your own sauce . They have two different dry pots here a chili oil dry pot or a peanut based dry pot . It's easy to end up getting a lot of food because I wanted to try everything so ended up with 1.47 lbs of food , it's $14.99 per lb. I think it's a good deal because I love all the variety ! Great place to come for malatang , super clean and a lot of variety !"

Tabu Shabu - San Jose

★★★★☆ 4.4 (363) • $$

"Came for the $16.99 lunch special (M-F, some broths are an up-charge) and honestly fairly happy. + Vegetable plate is slightly customizable. They let you substitute veggies for the others. No more wasting or needing to hand off unliked veggies to others in your group like mushrooms. + Meat marbling looks pretty nice for the price+ Service is great. Kenny, who I believe was our host/server was pretty on top of ensuring everything was going smoothly. Water check ups and lowering our heat (since its not customer controlled) without needing us to flag him down. + Menu/inclusions, most shabu places I know, either give you rice or ramen, so its nice to get both here- Not really a fan of limited broth choices, only 2 options are free and the other two have an up-charge. If they pick up Shabuway's curry tonkotsu I think I'd have no downsides. Nonetheless, very limited downsides but overall a great lunch option with their special. Service is great as the seating arrangement guarantees you can be seen when you need help."

Legend Hotpot & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.5 (312) • $$$

"This place is an experience. This is our 3rd year celebrating our wedding anniversary at this restaurant. I like all the variety of ingredients you can place in your bowl as well as they offer a wide selection of hotpot broths. Fun place to eat."

The Yakitori Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (469) • $$

"The Yakitori Bar is a hidden gem that offers a wide variety of meats and veggies. We came here for dinner on a Wednesday night at 9pm, and it was pretty packed! We were able to grab a table without waiting, which was nice. We ordered the beef tongue, king oyster mushroom, chicken thighs, and chicken hearts. For some of the meats there's a salt or sauce option, I would say definitely go with the sauce if you want a flavor marinade with a great depth of flavor and go with the salt if you want to taste the natural flavors of the meat. The best bite of the meal was the king oyster mushrooms because of the sauce, bonito flakes on top, and the texture. It was so good. After eating all of our items, we ordered 2 more! My close second would be the chicken hearts. I feel like some yakitori places are super overpriced, but The Yakitori bar has high-quality items, so I thought the price was reasonable. We also ordered the calamansi soju drink and it was so delish!! if you want something refreshing that leans sour, definitely get this drink. Also, when we walked in, it felt like we were transported to Japan because the decor and restaurant set up was very reminiscent of yakitori bars we've been to while traveling. I would happily come back to the Yakitori bar time and time again. Every item was so good and I look forward to trying other items on the menu."

Mala Town

★★★★★ 4.6 (523) • $$

"BRING BACK TOM YUM SOUP BROTH. As frequenters who actually completed 3 loyalty cards between 2 people we ask nicely please, bring back tom yum soup. The new sukiyaki broth that replaced it is too sweet and the sweet and sour tomato broth gave me a horrible acid reflux. After they removed tom yum we tried it a couple more times but even the variety of the ingredients decreased. Sadly, we won't be coming back anytime soon. Maybe maybe maybe"

Zhangliang Malatang

★★★★★ 4.8 (490) • $$

"With the propagation of hot pot restaurants in the Eastbay Zhangliang Malatang is the newest one. Located on Fallon Road in Dublin it's just one of two in that retail center. ZLM is a pick your ingredients and pay by weight. The ingredient choices are plentiful stacked orderly. There are about 5 broths to choose from. Just a normal size bowl after weighing comes out to be average $20 to $25 which would almost get you AYCE at the other hot pot restaurants in the area. We've been to ZLM a couple times and they still have some improvements to their service to be made. ie. They close in the afternoon but because they wanted to leave 40 min early they asked if I could take out. I refused and they relented. (Minus Star) Parking is hard in the busy center at peak hours."

Oc Lau Nuong Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (154) • $$

"A good OC place with reasonable prices! Escargot was really good quality and not slimey. Would return!"

Taichi Pot Shabu Shabu

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$$

"I was in a party of 7 and we had a 7PM reservation on a Sunday. Unfortunately that day the yelp reservation system glitched so we had to wait for 45 minutes. After they told us to get ready, we had to wait even more since they were not actually ready. We waited for over an hour in total - by the time we started eating, it was already 8:40. We split our party in two to sit in two separate tables to make everything quicker.The staff was very nice to us since they knew we had to wait for such a long time. They offered to let us order three broths. However, the kitchen wasn't fully in sync so the person who took our order told us that we only got two broths. I didn't care and we ended up getting a mala broth and a garlic tonkotsu broth. I like how they have sauces tableside so we don't need to get out of our seats. The food was pretty decent and had good flavor. I especially liked the mala broth. We went with the ultra menu and mostly ordered wagyu and lamb to get our money's worth. Both cuts of meat were good. The broth refill is just pouring hot water into the soup so it does get a bit diluted.We thought that they were going to stop serving us at 9:20 since they close on 9:30 on Sundays but they were aware of our situation and kept serving us. We stayed 20 minutes past closing and I appreciate the staff for staying a bit later to deal with us. The owner stopped by to chat with us and he was very nice. He was made aware of our situation and apologized. Even though our interaction was brief it was clear that he is passionate about this restaurant. He talked us into getting one last plate of meat even though I was full and also gave us some mochi ice cream.Even though my experience was very atypical and I was very tempted to give a lower review due to the wait time, the quality of the food and the lengths the staff went to ensure that we were happy justify a 5/5."

Shancheng Lameizi Hot Pot

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (128) • $$$

"The place is beautiful, it reminds of ancient China days. I love it!! The service is spot on, they are super attentive, friendly, and easy going.We ordered more, but we started eating I forgot to take more photos. We also got Kobe, prawns, and combination mushrooms. I like Seapot too. It's definitely different, this is not all you can eat. Seapot is modern looking. You don't get some of the exotic stuff that you would find at Seapot. For examples brain, pork blood, I believe I saw pigs ears, and chicken feet too. I don't eat those particular parts of animals. If you're someone that enjoys that, this spot is for you. This is our second time there. I will definitely come back, that's how much I enjoyed it. The food was fresh and impeccable."

Bacogai

★★★★☆ 4.4 (338)

"First I would like to start off with the service! As soon as we walked in, we were immediately greeted by the staff. First impressions are huge! As soon as we get seated, the table is set to perfection. 10/10We put in our order, I can't remember the names of our dishes but I will provide pictures for you.We had the salad with duck in it. I honestly would go back just for the salad alone. It had that a really nice bite to it. The shallots added so much flavor, and you know when you get a salad and sometimes they over dress it? Well that was not the case, it was dressed and definitely impressed. Had a squeeze of lime for that extra zing to it. Perfect! We also had the hotpot, and let me tell you! The soup base was flavorful. It didn't need anything. It had that sweet and sour taste to it, and the fact that you get to add extra little sides in it made it so good! Kayla our wonderful staff member told us to add bean curd, and that little bean curd soaked up all the flavor , and as soon as you put it in your mouth, the flavor bomb kicked in! So good The other item we ordered was a beef stir fry with rice noodle and lettuce, I am a big meat eater. The beef alone was epic, it was savory, and the rice noodles that comes with it was really good. It came with a dipping sauce, and just like the bean curd, the rice noodles packed all that flavor! This is definitely a restaurant you have to try. The whole setting of the restaurant was beautiful, from the cuttlery to the food it was amazing! Definitely a date night, a go to in alameda, a fun dinner with the family. I can't wait to come back to try other things on the menu. I'm sure they won't miss - (this means that they aren't going to fail for you people who don't know what that means)."

Mala Town

★★★★★ 4.5 (267) • $$

"Do not be like me and come here after a long day of not eating because you'll end up packing down a bowl for 2 meals! But also be like me if you don't mind delicious leftovers.The selection variety for the bowls here are great: they'll have most of the classic hot pot options with some few extra goodies I haven't seen elsewhere where and enjoy such as the fish tofu with cheese and mochi nuggets! With mild spice on the signature beef bone broth I could def feel a little numbing in my mouth but it's so flavorful.Their bottled drink selections were refreshing if you want a fun flavored drink like grape or pomegranate tea. Alternatively, they offer drinks on the side that are free next to the sauce bar.I'm already looking forward to my next time eating here! Definitely come with friends to bet on how much food each person will end up paying for based on the weight of their bowl."

Ben Ben Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (38)

"So I am torn between a three and a four, on one hand, I do like the fact that the hotpot is very homey, like how we used to do it when I was a kid. But on the other hand, some things should not be put in the hotpot. Pro: Self-service Sauce BarQuality of sliced meat (beef, lamb and pork belly)Personal pots that heat up quickly.Con: Everything is self-served (bowls, water, etc).Some cuts and veggies are not hot pot choices (cubbed steak, iceberg lettuce)Limited choices and no description in the app for phone ordering.For the price ($28 for AYCE) and service, it is nice but there isn't any interior redo from the previous restaurant. The tables (6 top) are a little weird, as some have 6 burners but only 4 chairs. I wish there were other veggies like bok choy, chrysanthemum leaves (crown daisy/tong hao), more mushroom choices, and fishballs with roe. Also, some apps would be nice. I did like the sliced Beef #1, lamb, and pork belly, but there were cuts like cubed beef that were tough after cooking. The veggie plate had thinly sliced lotus root which I liked but I can't stand cooked iceberg lettuce. It is a very Chinese thing, but I rather have many other cooked veggies."

One Pot Shabu Shabu - Cupertino

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$$

"We ordered the Kobe meat and a kurobuta shoulder and scallops. The pork shoulder was delicious. The broth is the house special. I come back specifically for this broth soy milk + miso. I have been to other hot pot but non had this broth combination. Yummy. Next time I will get a bigger portion of the pork shoulder."

Shabuya - Milpitas

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"I'm obsessed with Shabuya! The soup is absolutely delicious and the perfect comfort food. I've tried a few different combinations, but my go-to is mixing the spicy miso and tonkotsu - it's a game changer!The meat is always super fresh and the quality is top notch. But what really sets Shabuya apart is the service. The staff is always friendly, attentive, and accommodating.I've been to Shabuya multiple times and I've never been disappointed. If you're a fan of hot pot or just looking for a new spot to try, I highly recommend giving Shabuya a shot. You won't regret it!"

NICE 2 MEET U 那年遇见

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (65)

"I like their sauce bar. It stood out to me the most. Maybe it's because they have the most appetizers compared to other hotpot places I've been to. There's a menu for ordering ingredients, but the majority of ingredients are self-serve. You'd have to go to the fridge to pick them out yourself. They have signs for pricing right in the center for easy reference. Since it's not AYCE, it does get pricey, but it's comparable to other similar restaurants. Servers were very fast and helpful though. They kept the same interior as the old hotpot place that was here previously, so the ambiance was pretty nice."

Cape 7 Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (124) • $$

"To the point: this place is great.There are a number of reasons for this. First, the food is fairly good, but keep in mind the menu is vast here. From Chinese BBQ to all-day breakfast and sandwiches, there's something for everyone, but the quality across the menu can vary. My wife had the BBQ and I had the club sandwich, both were stellar. My wife, who is very picky when it comes to "authentic" Chinese food, was extremely satisfied with the taste and quality. The service was also quite warm and attentive. Our waitress was so friendly and worked with us to find the items on the menu we'd love.The place is big, and there's plenty of space. Not too loud either so it's easy to have a conversation. I thought it was nice they had three televisions showing various programs appropriate for different ages.Overall, I'd say give this place a chance. I can see where the more negative reviews are coming from, but honestly my experience couldn't be any further from that. I certainly intend to return."

YGF Malatang

★★★★☆ 4.3 (415) • $$

"This place was so yummy!! I was in the mood for some noodles without something as heavy as soup with it, and this honestly hit the spot!! I got the Dry Mix and it was soo good. They had such a wide variety of ingredients to choose from + a sauce making station! This is also super good for meals where you don't want to interact with anyone!!"

Long Men Bay Hotpot

★★★★★ 4.6 (20)

"Saw this place was on soft opening while strolling through Vietnamtown. Quick search shows they already have a location in Newark with good reviews. Once you're seated, you order through QR code and scroll through their menu. Menu is pretty long, including 6 different broths to choose from, some very unique meat pieces, assortment of skewers (also for the hot pot), and some house special snacks. (Unique meats included duck blood, goose intestine, pork brain, beef stomach). Some of the menu has Chinese characters, so we had to google translate that it was spice levels for the broth. It costs $2.98 per person for access to the sauce bar. Sauce bar is covered with sliding screens, which I thought was nice to keep it a little more tidy. The sides we grabbed were some pickled veggies and even some cold clams, which we grabbed a lot of. There was also chicken feet. My favorite to see at the hot pot sauce bar is the mushroom sauce.We got the Spicy Butter Broth and Mushroom soup bases. The meats were nicely cut and not frozen. I think I would probably get a different broth than mushroom because eating the spicy was too overpowering for my palette. I did not like the liver skewers and I would probably not order the skewers again. All other meats were delicious. I just wish they had a sweet soy at the service bar (there's sugar but it's really not the same). I don't think I liked the Marbled beef. I would get the beef short rib. We didn't want to stray for any expensive meats today, but maybe we'll try it next time. There were fruits and some jellies for end of meal, but we were too full to get it. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Service was very fast, though we were only one of two tables dining that evening. The restaurant itself feels very new and clean. Pricing is fairly reasonable, though I hate to say about $100 is normal for two people now. Service - 5 / Ambiance - 5 / Food - 4 / Price - 4"

Shabu Time

★★★★★ 4.6 (643) • $$

"Perfect non-AYCE shabu shabu in the heart of Japantown, San Jose. Nice little place with friend and attentive service. The food is good, the meats and the veggies are fresh. We opted for the medium size of meat and that was plenty. I come up and get my tattoo at the shop a block up and been wanting to try Shabu Time for a while now. May have to stop in again when I fly up from LA for my next session."

Haidilao

★★★★★ 4.6 • $$$

"This is my 5 year-old's absolute favorite place -- and trust me, he doesn't let me forget it. Every time we drive by, he's already plotting our next visit. Not that he eats much here (let's be honest, hotpot isn't exactly 5-year-old cuisine), but with free kids' meals that include chicken nuggets, an adorable rabbit-shaped bao, yakult drink, and a toy, Haidilao has figured out the perfect way to win over both kids and their paying parents. Their family-friendly approach clearly works because I'm here spending way more than I intended while my kid walks out grinning with his new toy, he's thrilled, and I'm already a silver member (yes, they got me).Now let's talk about the real star of the show: the service. Haidilao's customer service is on another level. From the moment you check in on their iPad to the time you leave, it's like you're being pampered at a five-star hotel, not a hotpot restaurant. While you wait, there's an array of snacks, hot tea, and even small toys to keep everyone happy (today, it was a pinwheel toy). Once seated, they offer aprons, phone screen wipe, and an iPad for ordering which is quick and seamless. The soup bases are the heart of the meal, and Haidilao doesn't disappoint. My absolute favorite is the Chongqing Spicy Beef Tallow -- it's a fiery, numbing mala experience that's packed with immense chili flavor. Fair warning, though: it's pretty oily, so if you want a similar but less oily experience, the regular Spicy Beef Tallow is a good alternative (though it's also less spicy, but it does have mala). For something more mellow, the Spicy Pork Bone Broth is an easy winner. It's comforting, clear, and flavorful enough to sip directly, unlike the Chongqing option, which is more about the heat than the broth itself.The food itself is fresh and high quality, with some veggies and meat variety that changes with the season, and the customizable dipping sauces are where you can really tailor the experience. My go-to sauce recipe is inspired by Dooby on YouTube, and it's packed with tangy, bold flavors:- 1 scoop of peanut sauce- 1 scoop of fermented soybeans- 1 scoop of green onions- 1 scoop of cilantro- 1 scoop of minced garlic- 1 scoop of homemade soy sauce- Double the soy sauce with black vinegar (8 teaspoons, roughly)- Finally, add a little spicy soup base directly into the mix.Haidilao is not just a meal -- it's an event. And the fact that they're open until 2 am? Huge win for those of us looking for a late-night spot when everything else closes by 8 or 9. Whether it's a family outing, a date night, or just a craving for exceptional hotpot, Haidilao delivers every time."

MiMi's Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.7 (206) • $$

"Food? Excellent quality and a great value! My partner had the sizzling short rib rice, and I had the sizzling eel rice. Both were taste sensations! The server was a very sweet, soft spoken young woman who advised us to not touch the cast iron bowl and to mix in the house made sauce into the rice. Even after 20 minutes, the cast iron was still hot which gave the rice on the bottom a crispy, chewy texture that we loved. The short ribs were Hawaiian style. The eel melted in my mouth. Other folks were having fried noodles, sashimi, a tower of cucumber slices, ramen, and all of it was beautifully presented. The menu is only available by QR code. It is somewhat limited in comparison with other Asian restaurants. I like that they stick with the sizzling dishes, pressed sushi, noodles and soups. Do what you do best! They do! It's delicious! Interestingly, they don't have hot tea. It was a crisp day, and I really would have enjoyed a cup of genmaicha. However, they serve a beautiful carafe of water with lemon slices. Service? The servers, and bus boy were obviously young family members. Nevertheless, they were friendly, efficient, and professional.Ambiance? This is a family friendly place ringing with the joyous giggles and screams of children, all of whom are well behaved! The decor is kind of in the style of a classy day care, but it's totally appropriate for this family eatery. We live in Salinas, and came up to drop off a car at Carvana. I searched for restaurants in Blossom Valley, and came up with MiMi's. What a find! We'll definitely come here again!"

Shabuway Japanese Style Hot Pot

★★★★☆ 3.5 (723) • $$

"This place is so good and the meat quality is amazing. Staff is on point and gets things done. Super duper love this place. The hubs, Skye and Matthew and I love this place more than other hot pots because of quality."

Haidilao

★★★★★ 4.6 • $$$

"This is my 5 year-old's absolute favorite place -- and trust me, he doesn't let me forget it. Every time we drive by, he's already plotting our next visit. Not that he eats much here (let's be honest, hotpot isn't exactly 5-year-old cuisine), but with free kids' meals that include chicken nuggets, an adorable rabbit-shaped bao, yakult drink, and a toy, Haidilao has figured out the perfect way to win over both kids and their paying parents. Their family-friendly approach clearly works because I'm here spending way more than I intended while my kid walks out grinning with his new toy, he's thrilled, and I'm already a silver member (yes, they got me).Now let's talk about the real star of the show: the service. Haidilao's customer service is on another level. From the moment you check in on their iPad to the time you leave, it's like you're being pampered at a five-star hotel, not a hotpot restaurant. While you wait, there's an array of snacks, hot tea, and even small toys to keep everyone happy (today, it was a pinwheel toy). Once seated, they offer aprons, phone screen wipe, and an iPad for ordering which is quick and seamless. The soup bases are the heart of the meal, and Haidilao doesn't disappoint. My absolute favorite is the Chongqing Spicy Beef Tallow -- it's a fiery, numbing mala experience that's packed with immense chili flavor. Fair warning, though: it's pretty oily, so if you want a similar but less oily experience, the regular Spicy Beef Tallow is a good alternative (though it's also less spicy, but it does have mala). For something more mellow, the Spicy Pork Bone Broth is an easy winner. It's comforting, clear, and flavorful enough to sip directly, unlike the Chongqing option, which is more about the heat than the broth itself.The food itself is fresh and high quality, with some veggies and meat variety that changes with the season, and the customizable dipping sauces are where you can really tailor the experience. My go-to sauce recipe is inspired by Dooby on YouTube, and it's packed with tangy, bold flavors:- 1 scoop of peanut sauce- 1 scoop of fermented soybeans- 1 scoop of green onions- 1 scoop of cilantro- 1 scoop of minced garlic- 1 scoop of homemade soy sauce- Double the soy sauce with black vinegar (8 teaspoons, roughly)- Finally, add a little spicy soup base directly into the mix.Haidilao is not just a meal -- it's an event. And the fact that they're open until 2 am? Huge win for those of us looking for a late-night spot when everything else closes by 8 or 9. Whether it's a family outing, a date night, or just a craving for exceptional hotpot, Haidilao delivers every time."

Old Street Chengpan Malatang

★★★★★ 4.6 (114) • $$

"We have been Malatang fans ever since we used to frequent Bow1 in Newark (RIP). Had been meaning to check out old street for some time and finally made it out during lunch today! Both our bowls were $20 and it was a lot of food! It is a solid spot, but I was not blown away. Pros - large portion- quality of meat (thin beef!)- good spice on the spicier options- sauce bar- easy to customize - friendly serviceCons- no photos on app for ordering and some items are named super similar- flavor of broth could be stronger - soup was not piping hot, but rice cakes and a few other items were overcooked"

Hancook

★★★★☆ 4.2 (935) • $$

"bossam was good but priceysides were ok. fish cake has gluten unfortunately just fyi, but tasty. weird service and cold from the door being open"

Hotpot Nation 鍋天下

★★★★☆ 3.9 (140)

"As we've been meaning to try Hotpot Nation for awhile now, my wife brought me here last night to celebrate my birthday. They have a Yelp Waitlist, but as we arrived early around 5:30pm, there was still plenty of available seating and no wait necessary. Service was very friendly and helpful, and our waitress made sure to run us through how to order. She recommended ordering the soup base first, which I highly recommend to everyone while you're deciding the rest of your order. As the base does take a bit to heat up.We opted for the House Special Colagen Pork Marrow Broth, which was VERY rich and flavorful. Highly recommend this one if you're uncertain which to choose. The charge the soup by the number of people at the table, even though everyone is just sharing one pot. They have several platter combos to choose from, which are much more economical than choosing individually. We opted for the meatball platter, which had a nice mixture of different protein types within. And ordered several meat and veggie plates separately to supplement. All of the ingredients were very fresh, and tasted great! And the sauce station had a nice, diverse amount of sauce options and condiments to mix and match from. At the end of your meal, you can even ask for a take-out container to take home the delicious broth!The place did start to fill up quickly as we progressed through dinner, so it is recommended to come early."

Customize MaLaTang

★★★★☆ 3.8 (72) • $$

"Gem of a spot. Good food, fun atmosphere, very friendly and self-aware server boys.Tong your own ingredients and it's $14.99/lb for three customizabowl (haha see what I did) options:- Malatang (spicy beef bone soup)- Malabang (sweet and spicy peanut sauce)- Dry potI'd recommend the malabang and dry pot for more flavors over just the spicy pain in your mouth.Do order other things off the menu, especially the cumin chicken! You're basically sucking on bones for this dish but the flavors make you appreciate what a beautiful world it is.A bit pricey. Would come back if I find a sugar-mala-daddy."

Kung Fu Mala

★★★★☆ 4.3 (8)

"I had a good dinner trying a new Malatang place with my friends here! We came on a rainy night, and luckily did not have to wait long before we were seated. We got to choose whether we wanted to have entrees, or make our own malatang bowls. We chose the latter, and this place had a decent amount of options. There were lots of veggies, and they seemed relatively fresh. They also had noodles and some seafood. To get extra beef or lamb, you would have to pay extra. I chose to have a soup base with 0.5 spice.About fifteen minutes later, our food came out sequentially. The broth was spicy for only being 0.5!! Definitely should have chosen 0 spice. The service was fine, and the place itself was big with lots of TVs showcasing mukbangs and K-pop MVs. I am glad I was able to try out Kung Fu Mala!"

Happy Lamb Hot Pot

★★★★☆ 3.9 (745) • $$

"This is our favorite hot pot place!! My favorite things are the crawfish mini lobster along with the best ice cream ever. The fatty beef is also delicious.I come here often but tonight I was celebrating my dad's birthday and went here. Oh my gosh, the best birthday dinner ever because they play music and sing for you and have these fancy light board to make the birthday person feel extra special!! The staff was waving the board around too hahahaha!!The manager is amazing, he's always checking in and making sure everything is good, listens to feedback and so professional!!! Exceptional food, experience, and service!! The staffs are all kind and nice!! 都是小帥哥和小美女 :)Come here!!! Especially if u have a birthday!!"