We walked in around 7:30 pm on a Saturday night, as you can expect there was a long wait, but we put ourselves on the waitlist. Would highly recommend making a reservation if possible! Our party of 4 got seated around 9pm & it was definitely worth the wait! The ambience and decor is so nice! Our servers gave us great recommendations & brought out our food as soon as it was ready, gave us time to properly try out each dish. Every dish had their own Hot Joy twist, they were very tasty. Will definitely return! read more

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Nice spot here What I ordered was the brisket with egg noodles the portions were small but it was good regardless. I do not remember the drink might of been legends of the hidden temple or cocomo it was fantastic. Overall nice hangout spot with friends and family. read more

Hot Joy - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Food is amazing here. The theme looks so modern yet inviting. The service was great as well. We tried some drinks and plates and they were delicious but I can't recall the names. read more

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The ambiance & service was great. The food we ordered was YUCK except for the cucumber salad; it had refreshing taste. We ordered chili spicy noodles (literally that's all the noodles were flavored with- chili spicy oil) , ginger scallion noodles (it was a smash up of creamy Italian sauce & lots of onion flavor; it had a strong fishy taste) & refried rice w/brisket (too salty not enough veggies. ) We also got 'hot joy' pockets, a pastry filled with something orangey- it was nasty too. Pastry was crunchy: fried & golden. Looked good but not. Per waitress, Mgr tried to mk it right; they gave us a dessert - it was good not great & a $10 coupon for next time.. yeah right! We are Definitely not going back & not recommending it to anyone-- no pics read more

The atmosphere of Hot Joy is very unique! It was a great spot for a girls night dinner and hang out with friends. It's been on my list to try for a couple of years ever since a friend of mine recommended it. The spam fried rice and bao appetizers were delicious. The cocktails are fun but mostly sweet options. I wish they had some options that weren't so sweet. They also had a nice selection of mocktails so that was great. I would recommend it and will certainly return. read more

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I recently dined at Hot Joy and wanted to share my thoughts on the experience. The pork Dan Dan Noodle caught my attention with its beautiful presentation, and the first taste was quite enjoyable. However, as I continued eating, the heavy presence of Chinese Szechuan Spice became a bit overwhelming and dominated the flavors. It felt like there was too much reliance on the sauce, which made it difficult for me to finish the entire dish. Similarly, I ordered the Sichuan Tofu Steam Buns, and once again, the Szechuan spice was prominently used. While the initial bite was okay, I found the flavor to be too overpowering for my taste. Overall, while Hot Joy's dishes may appeal to those who appreciate intense and bold flavors, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I appreciate the effort put into the presentation and the potential behind the dishes, but personally, I found the reliance on Szechuan spice to be too much. The service however was great, we were attended to and the music and atmosphere was on spot even though a bit loud but it's fun! read more

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New location was no bueno. I understand they are trying to keep it new and fresh, but it wasnt imo. I am sad. Hopefully I am the only one that thinks this and they do well. Food was very greasy and heavy. Drinks were not appealing with the new menu. read more

Okay so I was so excited to try this place and I would say 3/5. Points for the aesthetic and environment of the place very cute! Loved the layout of it. The spam fried rice is good but other than that I can say much. The drink we got was ok, the rest of the other food was ok. Underwhelming given the was people hype it up. The service was great I will say that as well. read more

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Myself and my husband visited Hot Joy for dinner on a Saturday evening. This place is so cute and colourful; we were kind of annoyed that we were seated in the corner of the restaurant away from the rest of the customers/fun vibes so I feel like this made our experience a little duller than what we were looking for but regardless our experience was great. We shared twice fried wings, fried rice, and Dan Dan noodles. Everything was flavourful and clearly made fresh. Our waitress was also friendly and helpful explained the dishes and deals. It was also happy hour while we were there for all small and large dishes were half price so all three of our dishes plus 2 beers were only $37 which is crazy affordable! We'll definitely be returning. read more

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It has been a LONG time since I've been to Hot Joy and I'm glad we went. It is such a unique experience. The decor is so fun and dramatic. The food is inventive and delicious. Our server was pleasant even if we saw him infrequently. We had the scallion noodles, cornbread, wings, French onion fried rice (so creative), another dish I am forgetting, and dessert. Everything was amazing and full of flavor. The drinks were good too but took a long time to arrive. I haven't stopped talking about it and plan to return soon. read more

This place is a San Antonio staple. Food is unique. We always order the Spam Fried rice or the Lemon Pepper Curry wings. Also the pork buns! YUM. The ambiance is also unique. It's cute for a dinner date and loads of fun for day drinking with friends. Shout out to Kat! Humble server, friendly and understanding. She listened while we talked which is hard to come by now a days. TOTALLY RECOMMEND! read more

Hot Joy - Spam Fried Rice (Nearly Gone!) - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Trash I won't even lie. The shrimp fried rice has corn and okra in it and the chicken is trash. It was left bloody. Yuck

Amazing! Food was great the twice fried wings!, The hot pot excellent! The service intentional and the vibe was sexy but chill. If you are ever in the Broadway area and looking for a mid to late night date this is the spot! read more

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Having been a huge fan of the dishes I tried at the old location, we ventured out to the new one to give it a try. The atmosphere is much more open and bright and has a community feel (as apparent by the community style tables). Our server was an absolute delight and could not have been more kind and happy to tell us about all the dishes. As for the food- the Sichuan tofu buns were a highlight for me. The tofu was extra crispy and it definitely had that distinct Sichuan tingle. The Thai fried rice was not my favorite (but my girlfriend couldn't get enough, so that was more of a personal preference) the flavors of the herbs were really strong which isn't inherently bad but they seemed to clash a bit to me. The steamed garlic bok choy was nearly there on flavor but definitely needed the chili oil that is available on the table. Drinks were both great and everything came out quickly! We went for lunch so we definitely look forward to going back during dinner to check out more from the full menu. But be aware! The menu has changed a bit so it's possible that any favorites from the old location won't be available here! read more

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Hot joy is this cute Asian fusion joint with lovely decor and good vibes. Whenever I'm here with my friends, we order "O caption my caption" which is bartenders choice for drinks. So therefore, I never know what drinks I'm trying but nothing has disappointed yet! AS FOR FOOD...THE SPAM FRIED RICE IS BOMB, I REPEAT THE SPAM FRIED RICE IS BOMB!!! If you get anything here, you need to try this and a few drinks to top off your experience! read more

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Listen to me right now, if you have not had the divine pleasure of being served by Roger at Hot Joy, you have not truly lived. This man is not a server, no no no, this man is a culinary quarterback, the Tom Brady of servers. I'm talking precision, vision, and execution on a level that don't even make sense. Roger don't just bring you water, he deliver it like it's a championship pass in the 4th quarter.... crisp, cold, and right on time. You ask for extra napkins? My man got 'em folded and stacked like playbooks. And don't get me started on his cocktail recommendations. Roger don't just suggest drinks, he prophesies flavor. He looked at me, sized up my vibe, and dropped a cocktail recommendation so on-point it felt like he had access to my taste buds' birth certificate. Every sip was smooth, bold, and balanced like an MVP highlight reel. The man knew what I needed before I did, like a psychic bartender-slash-life coach in an Hawaiian shirt. Bottom line: Roger ain't working tables, he's making history. He is the goat!!! - Mo read more

Aria was wonderful made the experience so special for my friend's birthday, will definitely be coming back for the happy hour and request aria as my server read more

This place is not as awesome as it used to be. It's been about 3 years since I have eaten here. I used to crave the crab camel wings. They were just ok, this time. And the service had a lot to be desired. read more

The vibes are cute! i do feel it gives a more elegant vibe compared to older location mama. But trust it's still good, i would say it got a bit more expensive... but the Dinner menu is the best!!! the service was top tier even when super busy! this was my third time coming.... the late night menu doesn't seems worth it for the price.... read more

Hot Joy - sake - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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I really wanted to love their new menu, but it completely missed the mark--especially at such a high price. Not only has the menu changed entirely, but the prices have nearly doubled. Honestly, most of the food was disappointing. It feels like one of those places that got so popular, they lost sight of what made them great in the first place. That's exactly what seems to have happened here. Everything I loved they got rid of and now it's become very touristy. Ill just continue to enjoy the other local Asian restaurants in the area. read more

Hot and sour soup had a unique (good) taste. Portion sizes were good. Lots of art and decor.

Mikey and Miles served up our drinks just right on a hot summer evening after work. We couldn't ask for more! Try Miles Garden of Eden or the Mikey's Tiki Hut. Great service, awesome atmosphere. read more

Hot Joy - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Food was okay. Drinks were the highlight. A variety of craft cocktails and classic cocktails. They were delicious. They also have different deals everyday of the week which is a bonus. read more

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I loved EVERYTHING about this place! First the vibe is soooooo cool/unique/colorful/fun. Next our server was delightful and made great recommendations based on our preferences (I wish I could remember her name, but she covered the first booth on the left at 4pm on 12/7). Next it truly is the best damn happy hour as advertised 50% off! Get the Texas Sun drink - soooooo delicious! And the food was outstanding and the menu changes. The twice fried wings, Brussels sprouts and chicken fried steak fried rice was crazy good! Highly recommend if near downtown San Antonio!! read more

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Uhhhh yeah, this is the spot to be. Vibes are high, with cool tropical decor. Different spots in the restaurant give different vibes, but all are cool. The food was simply amazing. The plates were all beautiful but I am stilling thinking about the twice fried wings. Service was friendly and they made some great recs. Their shareable cocktail is STRONGGG and not for the weak, but definitely for those that are looking to have some fun. Give this spot a try if you're looking for good food with an equally cool ambiance! read more

Hot Joy - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Great ramen! Once they changed locations they stopped! Hoping they bring it back. Their wings are great as well! They have a deal on Wednesday's for them! I'm obsessed with their interior though. Feels like you're in little China town. read more

Hot Joy - Twice Fried Wings Lemon Pepper Curry - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Food is always good ! The limeade was very tart.. I was really looking forward to that tasting good. Service and vibes are always good ! It was my friends first time and she liked it alot! She talked about how different is was and how fun. She loved her wings and the tofu steam buns she said she could pass on that. Everything else was good I still recommend this place. read more

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The wings were great just wished there was more (it was advertised as a small plate) The beef bulgogi was a let down- there was way too much rice cakes and not enough beef. The rice canes were also incredibly difficult to chew and the caramelized sauce coating it just didn't balance well. I think this is a better spot for a small appetizer and drink not for an entree. read more

Hot Joy - Twice Fried Wings. They were our favorite- just a very small portion (it was listed as a small plate) and was about 5 wings. - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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You order family style. It would have been nice if they explained the food. The food was good but the brisket was so tough. We made reservations for my wife's birthday but unfortunately they never acknowledged her birthday. read more

Come here for the ambiance, stay for the tiki drinks, leave on the food. The food was the most disappointing part of the experience. Everything was overly salty and unbalanced, which shadowed the potential delicious flavors of the dishes. The noodles of the Stir fry beef noodles where made from dry noodle, and mine was undercooked. $20 for a sweet and sour fried chicken with broccoli and white rice (Sesame Chicken)? Appalling. read more

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Great happy hour menu with strong drinks. Get the painkiller or zombie frozen. Melt-in your moth meat sizzling on a platter was fun and super hot Tasty egg roll. The hot chili oil tub was not spicy, but maybe that was a blessing in disguise haha. The organization of the menu was great, including portion size. And you have to try the egg drop soup. I've never had anything like their Egg Drop soup on the lunch deal. It was screaming savory and chili oil was a good addition to it. Employees were nice and above & beyond for our vegetarian friend. The vibes were immaculate. A moody but simultaneously vibrant red design all over. Very aesthetic for photos. read more

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Let me tell you about this delightful restaurant/bar, walking distance if you are ready, from the Riverwalk. Sit at the bar so you can watch the talented and knowledgeable bartenders ply their craft. Note the many specials on the menu so when you come back a 2nd and 3rd time you can enjoy happy hour. The rum list here is significant, and while not an actual list, all rums are displayed on an oval shelf in the middle of the bar so you can walk around the bar and see for yourself what you would like to sample. Half-pours are available, a true gift to the rum-taster. The decor is a true treat - paper mache masks transform into light shades, there are several murals... truly a wonder to behold. The staff are friendly, tho also moving fast to accommodate the needs of their customers. recommend a visit, or five, to this delightful oasis. read more

Hot Joy - Just a small section of the decor - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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I've enjoyed Hot Joy on Alamo, even-though, it's a "hit-or-miss" joint, but the one on Broadway absolutely sucks. Overly crowded inside and the service is pitiful for outside. Food was trash!!!!!! We recognize your concept of "let's open up more locations and serve the locals trash" and we talk about it amongst ourselves. This is cheating the public and I will encourage all my family and friends to not support this scheme anymore. Yes, you owners have many fooled but not for long. read more

Went to celebrate a bday. It was so hot in there. Super uncomfortable. Unfortunately because of the building age and where we sat there was no relief, per server. Menu is unique. It's small, so Definitely not a kid friendly spot. Lots of different drinks to choose from. FYI: The Daiquiris look like a martini. I would go back to try their ramen. But probably take it to go! read more

Hot Joy - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Go for the drinks, skip the food* Positives: *The ambiance is really fun *The Drinks are why you should visit. (Doctor Funk in particular is very good) *Table space is awesome *Service was fast Negatives: *The food was not great. We ordered the Garlic Noodles and Beef Cheek Noodles "Large". It was not a larger portion to the non large item just an fyi. Both subpar on their own so we combined the two and tasted much better. Then we added some chili oil + soy sauce and improved it a little. Maybe they have better option, and hopefully next we get to them. *Service felt good at first then I think the waitress was overwhelmed and we felt a bit uneasy afterwards. read more

Hot Joy - The drinks which are really good - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

Instagramable! The food is Asian fusion. We order the garlic noodles, orange chicken, egg rolls and curry chicken wings and some cocktails. We enjoyed all the food except for the egg rolls. Food is well seasoned with fresh ingredients so that's really good. The egg roll was no different than eating at any Chinese restaurants, it's too bland unless you douse it with chili sauce. The cocktails we got was decent. The service was excellent. The food was served at the right temperature and our server was very attentive despite the restaurant being busy. The decor is different but way cool. We sat in one of the booths and gave us a little of privacy so people are looking over what you're eating lol. The hallway to the bathroom was decorated with red paper lanterns it doesn't look like it's the way to the bathroom which I thought was clever! Our photos came out really vibrant and unique. Overall, we ate very happy with our orders and definitely would come back again and try the other food they have on the menu. read more

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It was an alright experience at this location! My family enjoyed the spam fried rice so much; it was our favorite dish of the night! I tried the tofu buns myself, and they were very much just okay. My table also tried the brisket fried rice, sizzlin' beef bulgogi, sticky pork ribs, and twice-fried wings-- but all I can really say about them is that they were also very mediocre in my opinion, similar to my tofu buns. The service was good, and we enjoyed the decor and mood in the restaurant quite a bit! But would we come back? Eh... probably not unless we were really just in the mood for that delicious spam fried rice again. read more

Had an awesome time during happy hour! On Fridays, it runs from 12-6 pm and honestly it was fantastic. My husband got the frozen zombie and I had the Texas sun. Both drinks were the complete opposite of each other and I think that's amazing. One drink was very safe whilst the regular one was very heavy in spice and interesting. Both drinks were pleasing and crowd pleasers so bravo! FYI- they're $5! read more

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The food was delicious. The service was a bit slow. My daughter in law wasn't too happy with the slow service. But it was a nice experience for me. read more

First and foremost, the food is typically excellent. So excellent that I've been a return guests countless times. When it comes to their food, Hot Joy is most always a top option. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for their service or common kitchen practices. If you try this place you will be very happy with the Spam Fried Rice, green beans, or wings. They have also recently added the Birria Pancake to the menu and that has become of my favorites. The main issue with this establishment is the service and kitchen functions. They don't take reservations any day of the week which is a bit frustrating and makes it very difficult to plan a dinner there. Once seated your sever will immediately give two disclaimers: 1. It's a family style portions. 2. The food will come out as the kitchen makes it. The portions are hardly family style. Only their large options would be considered shareable, and for up to 2 people at most. And the kitchen bringing out food as it's made is ridiculous. The server will ask you if you'd like to start with an appetizer and that app could come out first, second, or even last. On more than one occasion my dinner-mates and I will each order our own dish and without exaggeration, those dishes have been brought to the table 30 minutes apart. If you ask your server about the wait time they will politely remind you of the original disclaimer. Having worked in the restaurant industry in multiple capacities (to included kitchen manager), sending out one table's food at the same time isn't very difficult. Here is a breakdown of my most recent dining experience. Simple part of 4. We ordered 2 apps, and each ordered our own dish. One app comes out. 15 minutes later second app comes out. 4 minutes later 2 of our dishes come out. 17 minutes later the third dish comes out. 5 minutes later the 4th. Then 10 minutes later when I asked about a missing part of my meal I reminded of the disclaimer. 10 more minutes go by and we asked for our checks and I asked for the remaining my dish boxed up to go. Please don't think I had one bad experience and wrote a nasty review; this is a consistent experience here. Again, I do want to shine light on their items that are consistently good, never a let down, and the only reasons my friends and I continue to return. Spam Fried Rice, Larb fried rice, twice fried wings, green beans, and the birria pancake. Additionally, I've only had great experiences with the bar. Great drinks and cocktails, usually really quick, and perfectly strong. Kudos to the bar! read more

Hot Joy - Larb Fried Rice - Asian Fusion Near Me - San Antonio, Texas