Lao Ma Tou Hot Pot

Place to go if you want the best hotpot. Everything from their soup bases to their customer service to the pots they use is exquisite. Only complaint is they use bag tea in their beautiful pots rather than brew from leaves.

Another favorite hotpot just opened in Irvine, so I won't have to drive far anymore. This restaurant is still in its early stages, but everything has gone well so far. The food is delicious and fresh, and of high quality. All of the waiters and waitresses were extremely friendly and helpful. They kept cleaning the bar sauce to make it look clean and shiny, and they kept coming over to my table to check on the broth and make sure we had everything we needed. Keep it up, guys, and hopefully you'll all do the same in the future.

We came in on a weekday for lunch. Located in a strip mall on Barranca, parking can be quite difficult during certain hours since there are so many businesses in the area. Parking spaces can also be a bit tight for larger vehicles. Restaurant is nicely decorated with indoor dining areas, private rooms, as well as outdoor areas. With this type of hot pot, wear light clothing as it will make all your clothes smell like it afterwards. Staff is friendly and attentive. It's definitely pricey for the quality of food you get, but it was a fine experience. There's an open bar area to make dipping sauces and a variety of snacks from edamame, red bean paste balls, and desserts, but I think if you don't purchase the combo, it's an additional cost Food wise, they have a mix of combos or a ala carte items. We ended up getting the four person combo and rib eye ala carte. While the combo is a lot of food and variety, I find it lacking meat options. It's a mix of one choice of meat, veggies mix, mushroom mix, meatball variety, tofu, and an "appetizer" (we got crispy pork), fish plate, and a beef/egg plate. Also a pitcher of plum or orange juice and rice and/or noodles. It's a lot and definitely worth it if you're looking for a nice spread, but for someone like myself, I'd rather just plates of meats, veggie/mushroom plate, and the crispy pork to eat. Meat quality is good, not amazing. The broths are good, though I did find the bone broth lacking flavor a bit. The spicy broth, we got level 3 (1-5) and it was good. It's enough heat while not making you suffer. If you're hesistant, maybe go with a lower spice level or ask them to add more plain broth to it after. I love that mala spice so it's a good choice. It's one of those places I did enjoy. Would I come back often probably not, but I would come back as it's a pleasant dining experience.

Overall, it’s an excellent restaurant. I gave 4 stars because please be mindful of use of pronouns, for example, use sir or madam only when you’re certain of the customer’s gender, if unsure, use “you.” The food is of high quality, it’s an authentic hot pot restaurant.

Great hotpot. I love the flavor and quality of the meat. Quality alone, i prefer this over Hai Di Lao, Nice to meet you, or chubby cattle hot pot. Service is decently good. Nothing outstanding. Ambience: nice decoration but seating space is a-bit tight.