Came here with a friend for the 1st time. It was fun and delicious. Staff was very helpful being our first time hot pot expirence. Would definitely recommend read more

A new(ish) hotpot restaurant in North Austin just east of the Domain. Most hotpot concepts that have opened in town have been all you can eat (AYCE) but Old Alley is strictly a-la-carte ordering which could be a more affordable option if you're not trying to bankrupt the casino. Located in the suburbs, there's sufficient free parking in the shopping center. The ambiance of the restaurant is great; they did a really good job "transporting" you to Chengdu - capital of Sichuan province, renowned for its spicy hotpot. Windows are tinted an interesting red to keep the interior very "vibey" and there are few restaurants in Austin that provide this level of fun ambiance. There's usually a wait time around peak dining hours; we had 7 tables ahead of us when we arrived although a lot of tables were also turning over so it only took about 30 minutes to seat three. Food quality is top-notch, typical of a-la-carte ordering places vs. AYCE which is more mid in quality. Keep in mind everything a-la-carte, including veggies and carbs. For those who are a bit order-shy, you can get the combo options which basically structure out a good portion of meat and fixins so you can dive right in. They have a fun little dessert and sauce bar that has some fruit (i.e. Asian dessert) and refreshing sweet "soups". The sauce bar is stocked with everything you'd expect from a hotpot restaurant. Overall really glad we have a place like Old Alley Hotpot in Austin. It's a good blend of authentic taste with fun vibes that expands what this city has to offer in terms of food. read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Sauce and Dessert Bar - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

I visited the restaurant with a party of three. We had a pretty wide selection of foods with our three-broth hot pot, including the wagyu beef and Kobe beef. Everything was delicious and the service was always prompt and polite. The decor in the restaurant is on-point; very hip little spot with bright neon lights and cool music. The food itself is fantastic, albeit pricy (it's hot pot, expect to spend ) There are other hot pot places in Austin that are slightly cheaper with a larger variety of foods. But if you want TOP QUALITY, this is the place to go. read more

Old Alley has quickly become my go to hotpot spot when I don't want to prepare my own hotpot at home. It's the best hotpot in Austin that I have tried so far. They have large and small tables for any party size but I recommend going with a group and enjoying fun conversation around the hotpot. I love the decor inside and they always have Chinese music playing in the background. Their broths are very flavorful and savory. I recommend getting one spicy and one non spicy flavors. Pork bone broth and classic beef tallow spicy broth (level 1 is enough to get the flavor) are my go to. They will keep topping up the broth as it gets evaporated/consumed through the meal! All the ingredients are ordered on an iPad and comes out super quickly. They have a large variety you can choose from, a lot of which are my go tos when I make hotpot at home and also some special items as well. Their combos for veggies, mushrooms and meats seem to be the best bang for your buck. I also recommend getting the sauce bar option not only for the unlimited sauces, but also for the dessert soups! Pro tip: you will leave smelling like broth so come on hair wash day and wear dark colored clothes that won't show any splashes of broth. read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Authentic hot pot experience where you order aka carte. We ordered the classic beef tallow spicy broth medium spice level. This was very favorable and prob the best hotpot broth I've tried in austin. We got the lamb and beef combo which included rib eye and lamb shoulder. The meats were very good. Additionally we ordered an extra plate of ribeye. The cut seemed different than the combo plate. Also got the mushroom combo which the enoki mushrooms were the best of. I would definitely go back again. Meal came out to $50-$60 a person read more

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I had heard amazing things about Old Alley Hotpot and I think it lived up to the hype! The food and hotpot experience is authentic and delicious, the interior is gorgeous, the workers are incredibly friendly and helpful, and the menu is expansive. FAST FACTS: * Parking - located in a strip center with a good size lot in front* Online ordering - available through their website for pickup (ASAP or schedule for later) * Join the waitlist using the tablet when you enter * A la carte (not AYCE) SERVICE - The workers are all super pleasant and friendly! We were greeted as soon as we walked in, they got us seated quickly, and checked on us throughout the meal to see if we needed anything. I arrived around 2:00 pm on a Saturday and had to wait about 10 minutes, although it was the weekend leading into Lunar New Year so they were probably busier than typical. You place your order on a tablet or using your phone but the staff can help you with anything you need. PRICING - The total was $71.42 after tax ($5.45) but before tip for a dual broth ($10.99), 2 self-service sauce and snacks ($1.99 each), homemade noodles ($3), spicy beef slices ($9), lamb leg slices ($11), cilantro meatballs ($9), dragon combo ($8), and mushroom combo ($9). I think the pricing is reasonable considering the food quality and experience. I definitely recommend adding on the self-service sauce and snacks which is the dipping bar located in the back of the restaurant. You'll find soups, fruit, and tons of sauces (soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin, sesame oil, herbs, etc.) to combine together the way you like! The items listed below were ordered for 2 people and it was the perfect amount! CLASSIC BEEF TALLOW SPICY BROTH (9/10) - The perfect spice level for what I wanted! It reminded me of the hotpot broth I had in Beijing. I'd order this again! MUSHROOM BROTH (6/10) - This one was okay but not overly flavorful. I'd pass on getting this again and would want to try a different broth choice next time. HOMEMADE NOODLES (8/10) - Great texture and helps fill you up for a low price. They soak in the broth and take on the flavor well. I'd order these again. SPICY BEEF SLICES (8/10) - You get about 8 slices of beef covered in spices. These definitely had a kick but were packed with flavor! The beef was nice and tender. Don't mix these in a non-spicy broth unless you're ready for it to become spicy too! I'd order these again if I was in the mood for spicy! LAMB LEG SLICES (9/10) - Delicious! As expected, it's cut super thin and cooks in the broth in just a few seconds. I'd order this again! CILANTRO MEATBALLS (9/10) - You get 10 meatballs. I loved the texture and flavor of these and felt like the pricing was reasonable. I'd order these again! DRAGON COMBO (8/10) - This includes thick potato, sliced radish, winter melon, and lotus root. I loved this combo and felt like you got a decent amount for the price. The winter melon wasn't my favorite but I LOVED the lotus root! I'd order this again. MUSHROOM COMBO (8/10) - These are great for a vegetable option that really takes on the flavor of the broth you put it in! I think $9 is a little pricy for what you get. I'd skip these next time. This was my first time at Old Alley Hotpot and I will definitely be back to try other broth flavors and some of the more unique dishes they offer! I think it's the perfect spot to take family or friends for an authentic hotpot experience. read more

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Pros: 1. Beautiful nostalgic atmosphere with intentional placement of utensils. 2. The man who greeted my table promptly was very kind. 3. A man from the kitchen came out to help me order the broth for the meat combo. Broths are a separate charge. 4. The kimchi this day was really good. A tangy fermented flavor, very slightly spicy but I am a spicy food lover. Also kimchi was slightly sweet. Cons: the menu set up is expensive when ordering a little here and there so it's better to buy large orders that pair better when going with a large party. 3. They charge for using the sauce buffet table. 4. Even if there are more than 4 empty tables I was stared down to leave by the women upon hitting my second hour of trying to eat all the food I ordered. 5. They o may have 1 meat combo as seen in my picture and 1 veggie combo that I did not order because of lack of visual appeal it's all leafy. 6.The shrimp was NOT deveined. I don't like to waste money so I ate it and tasted it very well. These shrimps did NOT starve by any means before being frozen. lol. 8/10 I would not come back for a second time, but at least visit once with more than 2 people. I would come back if the menu has more than 2 combo options. read more

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I came in from California and was really missing some authentic Asian food. Thankfully we came to this restaurant cause it really filled the hole in my foodie heart. This spot was on par with the authentic hotpot in the Bay Area and that is a high bar. This is à la cart but we spent the price of ayce and had more than enough left overs. Highly recommend if you're looking for an authentic Chinese hot pot experience. read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

We got the three soup Combo with chicken broth, tomato broth, spicy beef tallow broth, and two meat combo: beef and lamb. Ordered a side of vegan combo, mushroom combo, shrimp paste, and fish balls stuffed with salted sea duck egg yokes. (We also hot the tripe, but the texture is a bit much for me.) Don't forget to order the self serve sauce and snacks to add flavors to your meats and veggies. The plum juice is refreshing. The servers were attentive. Pretty much anytime we need something, someone was always nearby to take care of it. The interior design feels like you are in Asia. I've never been to China. Plenty of parking in the parking lot. Note. This is not unlimited buffet style. read more

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THE BIG: Super vibey and delicious hot pot place in Austin. The interior transports you into an ancient chinese building. Plenty of parking in the lot outside. THE BLACK AND WHITE: I came here with a few friends after a long day of mini golf at the Pitch. I never tried Old Alley however the friends swore by it that it is the best place in Austin. After having it, I can also confirm. For the hot pot setup, we got the dual broth, beef and lamb combo, beef tripe, fish balls, beef aorta, quail egg, pork intestine, spinach, mushroom combo, spicy beef slices, fish fillet, pork blood, and dried mountain jelly veggie. This might seem like alot (and it is) but we were able to house everything, all four of us. There was a dipping condiment bar that had everything you need to create your ideal dipping sauce. Mine is always some sort of sesame oil and then gochuchang. THE FINAL BAMBOO: This grand meal was around $155 for everything. I left very full and satisfied. I would definitely come here again to eat more items. read more

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It's cold! (40 Degrees as of this writing), so what would hit the spot? Hot Pot. Makes sense for the name. Atmosphere: Modern, bright, and a little buzzy once the burners get going. Tables are set up well for groups, and the room hums in that cozy way once the dinner rush hits. I Food: Hot pot here is à la carte, not AYCE--so you build your own lineup and it adds up based on what you pick. I did a split pot with spicy Sichuan (mala) and chicken. The mala has that numbing-tingly heat without nuking your palate; the chicken side is clean, slightly salty, and great for seafood and veg. Thin-cut beef swishes to tender in seconds, shrimp stayed snappy, and the assorted meatballs scratched that comfort itch. Sauce station leans classic--sesame, garlic, vinegar, chili--mix and keep tweaking as the broth develops. If you're used to unlimited places, the per-item model here feels more curated Service: Friendly and patient--good about walking first-timers through cook times so you don't turn ribeye into shreds or shrimp into rubber. Wrap-up: Solid Sichuan-style broths, a thoughtful à la carte setup, and staff who keep you on track. If you want hot pot that feels a step more intentional than the all-you-can-eat circuit, Old Alley's a worthy add to the rotation. read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Lamb - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I think this is the best hotpot in Austin for the price, service and atmosphere. When you walk inside the restaurant, you're transported to a village in China! It's not all you can eat, but both times I came I was stuffed at spending $30 a person. You can have an options of sharing different broths and they have a variety of meats and veggies available. Sauce bar with fruit, kimchi, rice crackers and desserts is always a plus. Highly recommend getting. I love the meat trays, mushrooms and fish balls. They also provide aprons to use while you eat and refill the broths frequently. There can be a long wait - so prep when you go during dinner time. read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Came here right around they opened on a Tuesday. Glad we came early as it got really packed! Family friendly. We ordered three broths and I was too weak for the spicy broth. My mouth got really "burnt" I should have known better. Please don't judge: we ordered pork blood, pork brain, pork intestines, beef tongue, beef rib eye, pork belly and mushrooms. You have to scan the QR code to order, they don't have menu. What's cool about it is if you're wihh th company, the QR code does recognize the order of everybody on the table. The sauce bar you have to pay I believe $2.99 and because of too much spice on the main menu, j enjoyed the sago and eight fortune dessert. They have fruits and the fish/shrimp crackers too. The ambience took me back to Hongkong. They do not offer military discount. Overall, it's an authentic Asian hotpot to go to! Next time we come I won't order the spicy soup! read more

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Old Alley Hot Pot is such a fun dining experience, especially if you're going with a group or celebrating a special occasion. The food options are fantastic. There's a great variety of broths, meats, veggies, and add-ons to customize your meal exactly how you want it. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful, and it's one of those meals where you can really take your time and enjoy trying a little bit of everything. The staff was kind and helpful, which made the experience smoother, especially if you're newer to hot pot. That said, the environment can get very loud and a bit overstimulating, especially during peak hours. It's definitely more of a lively, high-energy atmosphere than a relaxed dinner spot. Overall though, it was a really fun experience with great food, just be prepared for the noise level. I'd absolutely go back with friends! read more

Old Alley Hotpot was an unexpected treat! My husband and I are on a keto diet, so eating out isn't often worth it. However, here we can order just the meat we want, and customize it. We ordered their special with half lamb and half beef, and cooked it in mushroom broth and oil. It was flavorful enough that we didn't need to add spices from their condiment bar (available at an upcharge.) Service as attentive and the vibe was very "traditional (American) Asian restaurant." We got just the meat we wanted, and a fun experience! I hope to go back again! read more

This place completely changed my opinion on Chinese hot pot. Easily one of my favorite dining experiences of 2026 so far. We did two soup bases: pork bone broth and the classic beef tallow spicy broth (level 2). First of all, huge win that they keep topping off your broth when it gets low. We stuck with bone broth for the refills, which kept everything super rich and flavorful the whole time. Word of warning, the spice does not play here. Level 2 will have every orifice burning in the best way. Like you're questioning your life choices but also immediately going back for another bite. Both broths were genuinely delicious and held up the entire meal. We went a little feral on the iPad ordering system and tried a ton of things. Favorite meats were the ribeye, lamb leg, and cilantro meatballs. For veggies, we got a whole spread of greens, but the standout non-greens were the kabocha and the mushroom medley. And do not skip the fried tofu skin. It's this rolled tofu skin that soaks up broth like a sponge and ends up being one of the most flavorful bites on the table. For carbs, their handmade noodles are excellent. I also like ordering white rice so it can catch all the broth as I'm cooking the meat, which turns the rice into a reward at the end of each bite. The whole experience is super interactive and best enjoyed with a friends. And the vibe really pulls you in. It feels like stepping into mid-20th century Chengdu, with warm lighting, vintage details, and Chinese pop and hip hop playing in the background. It's cozy but lively at the same time. The staff were incredibly hospitable too. They were constantly checking in, helping us fish things out of the pot, and making sure nothing got lost in the broth. No noodle left behind! Overall, this is the kind of place where you come hungry, lose track of time, and leave wondering how you managed to eat that much. 10/10 would happily burn my mouth again. read more

We came on a Sunday, right when the restaurant opened for dinner service. I'd highly recommend arriving early, since their waitlist fills up really fast. There is plenty of room throughout the restaurant for groups, and a side table on the side of all the booth tables for your hotpot items that won't fit on the table. The sauce bar is located at the back of the restaurant, and there's a small waiting area in the front. As far as the food goes, this Hotpot spot is a la carte and not all you can eat. There is an ordering tablet at each table, and the server tells you to order all your items from it. First, you order your soup base or bases. We ordered 3 flavors (mushroom, mala, and chicken). From there, you order the sides you'd like to add to your hotpot. We may have been super hungry, so we over-ordered, not knowing what the portions would look like. We ordered the combination meats, which came with beef and lamb; the combination veggies and combination mushrooms; Lotus root; fortune fish cakes; and pork belly. When all the food arrived, it was more than the table could hold, so I put our pork belly off to the side. As for all the broths, they were super flavorful; the veggies, mushrooms, and all the meats were great as well. Additionally, if you want dipping sauce, you have to pay per person for access to the sauce bar. There are minimal service interactions unless you have any questions, and the only downside of coming in a big group is that the payment POS can only split the bill into 2 payments. When coming to this particular hotpot, wear clothes you're not too fond of, since the food smell can permeate your clothes and hair for a couple of hours after your dinner. I love the fact that Austin has been adding more hotpot restaurants around the City! read more

We visited Austin for the first time and wanted to explore some Chinese restaurants here. We did some research on the Red Note (a very popular Chinese social media app), and someone mentioned this is the best hotpot in town, so we Ubered all the way from downtown to try it. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from the start. The waitlist system makes zero sense. There is no differentiation between small, medium, or large parties. We saw two people sitting at a table that could easily fit six or more, which reduced efficiency and extended the wait time for no reason. When we asked the hostess for an ETA, she was incredibly dismissive and simply said she had no idea and that we would have to wait until others finished. My friend and I waited almost an hour before finally getting seated. We ordered two types of beef, shrimp paste, cilantro meatballs, some veggies, and plum juice. Both the ingredients and the broth were underwhelming. The dipping sauces, especially the satay and sesame ones, were so watery that it genuinely felt like they had been diluted to cut costs. For about $70 per person, this was absolutely overpriced. If this place opened in New York, they would be closed in a month. I feel sorry for the hot pot fans in Austin, you deserve better. read more

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This is the best hot pot spot in austin, texas and perhaps the whole the united states. Every time we've been in this space we've received treatment that goes above and beyond. We always feel so respected/taken care of and that's on top of the food being so delicious and high quality. Shoutout to the chefs and special shoutout to the shift lead Kevin. He's the gentleman with the Black glasses and the tiny microphone. Kevin excels at his job and always makes sure the service we receive is phenomenal. read more

Old Alley Hotpot - lamb and beef combo - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

It's so nice that we finally have hotpot options in Austin. I remember the times when the only option we had was the premium option of DipDipDip (RIP). Old Alley brings a new "flavor" of hotpot to Austin as they're more of a Sichuan style. We tried the three broth option and my personal favorite was the vegetable oil spicy broth. I thought I was going to enjoy the classic beef tallow spicy broth more but it ended up being a bit too gamey for me. I would recommend having the non-spicy pork bone broth for vegetables since vegetables tend to absorb a lot more of the spicy flavor if cooked in the spicy broth. My only gripe is the charge for access to the sauce bar. :( Make sure you finish off with some milk shaved ice! read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Milk Shaved Ice - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

OBSESSED!! So happy there is a quality hot pot place now in Austin !! Not only was the broth flavorful and the meats high quality, the ambiance was so amazing. It was well decorated and making it feel like you are in a cool alley while having hot pot. Be mindful of the spicy level. We do regularly eat spicy food but was warned that this place is spicier than normal so we went with "light spicy" which was already very spicy. We ordered a la carte for 2 people, but did not hold back. It ended up being comparable to AYCE at other places but realistically we were already so full. We waited about 5 min before we got seated and it was a Saturday and not too bad. We did go for a late lunch to avoid the rush. We went around 2 pm. I feel like this hot pot place is on the higher end. It does constitute overall higher prices, but you get what you pay for! read more

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This is the best hot pot I've tried in Austin. We went with two broths. The spicy Sichuan beef tallow and the golden chicken. The spicy broth had that numbing heat that's so addicting, and the chicken broth was a savory way to balance it out. The lamb and beef combo was plenty of food for the two of us. My favorite bite was cooking the noodles in the spicy broth, putting them in my bowl, and then pouring a little of the chicken broth over them. The service was also super fast. You order everything from a QR code at your table, and the staff was always proactive about refilling our broth before we even had to ask. I loved the atmosphere, too. The whole restaurant is decorated to look like you're in an alley, and it's clear they put a lot of attention into the details to create a really cool vibe. I can't recommend this place enough! We'll definitely be back. read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Deluxe Beef and Lamb Combo - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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The Austin hotpot scene is at an all time high! We are extremely lucky to have so many good options. Old alley has a unique approach of high quality a la carte pricing. There was a line when we arrived and when we left first advice is to get on the list early or be prepared for at least some wait. The food was extremely good if you enjoy Hotpot you will like this place. This is a order from your phone style place which isn't my favorite but the staff is extremely responsive and helpful. The restaurant has good decor and I enjoyed the layout more than most hotpot spots. It's a good spot and we will definitely be back read more

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Such a fun spot for a group - the broths are filled with flavor and everything you order also bursts with this flavor. We ordered the tomato broth, beef chili and a chicken-base. The tomato broth and beef chili would definitely recommend. The menu is extensive - overwhelmingly extensive, but we did a good job ordering from meats, seafood, and veggies. Surprisingly tasty was the fish fillet, we also enjoyed the various noodles that adopted the flavors of the broths well. There is a "sauces" bar where you can get kimchi and make your own sauces to also dip your selections in, which was a fun addition. Word to the wise - do not wear clothes that you mind getting smelly. Everything you wear will adopt the smell of hot pot very, very strongly. read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

As a Sichuan man (at least my parents are), I give my official seal of approval. As of writing, this place is the most authentic Sichuan style hotpot in Austin. The vibes are immaculate. In front of the door hangs gorgeous lanterns. Walking in, you are transported to a charming village style restaurant, with dilapidated brick walls acting as dividers between tables. Seating was quick for evening dinner Wednesday and food came quickly. We ordered the triple broth, which allowed us to choose three different flavors. They warned us that their spice levels are higher than usual, and they were right! We ordered mild, but it was perfect for us, and we have high spice tolerance. We ordered an assortment of meats and vegetables. For those more adventurous, you can try pig brain, I am not about that though. Service was excellent with constant attention to water refill and removing empty plates. We ordered a bit too much but the total came to about $40pp after tip. But you can probably be full spending $30-$35. read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Tried this new hotpot place in town and it did not disappoint! First off, the hostess was so sweet. There was about an hour wait and she updated us on the status the entire time. There's no reservations so make sure to come early or expect a bit of a wait. This is more of a traditional Sichuan hotpot restaurant and the menu and ambiance reflected that. The place was decorated like an old Chinese alleyway with windows and exposed bricks. They had a few selection of broths and you can choose between 1, 2, 3, or 9 broth combos. We tried 3 of them and they were all good. I loved how the spicy broth is made with beef tallow which made it more authentic. There was quite a bit of meat selection and we tried the beef, lamb combo for $25. Portions was quite generous but I thought the beef was too fatty. Sauce bar was a separate $3 charge and it includes sides such as kimchi and Chinese desserts which I thought was decent. Highlight of the meal was the $7 shaved ice/snow. It was so good but the portion for that was very small. All in all, we had a great meal will be back. This is definitely one of the better hotpot places in town. Not cheap but worth it IMO. read more

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Even before we taste the food vibes in the place with lively the weight for tables because the place was packed watching them bring the food to other patrons and all look so good. read more

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Reallllly tasty hotpot place. It's a la carte with no AYCE option. If you're looking for quantity this will come out more expensive than the AYCE options. We got the broth trio, prime angus beef, lamb, greens veggie combo, lotus root, and 2 sauce bar add ons (sauce bar also includes some kimchi, spicy radish, and little rice crackers + some desserts). The total came to around $80. The service was fine but not the most attentive. Busy wait of around 40 minutes on a Sunday night. Ambiance is the nicest of any hotpot place I have been to and they have decorated really nicely for the holidays. read more

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Opted for the mala, tomato and golden chicken broths. The golden chicken broth is not worth the additional $5 to be honest. This was the least favorite broth. The sauce bar is an additional fee which is a bummer. The meat quality was great as well as the vegetables and mushrooms. We split this amongst 3 people and we all left pretty full. I wish they offered soft serve or some kind of dessert other than the fruits! read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

I come to Old Alley Hot Pot from time to time, and it's still my favorite hot pot spot in Austin taste-wise. I highly recommend doing a split pot with the chicken broth (worth the $5 upcharge) and their spicy broth. Both are incredibly flavorful, but be warned the spicy broth is very spicy. I usually come during lunch, when it's quieter and more relaxed. Service is always top-notch and quick to get you whatever you need. The restaurant is clean with a unique interior design, and the pleasant aroma when you walk in makes it feel very authentic. Good to know: it's à la carte, not all-you-can-eat like some other spots, so costs can add up depending on what you order. That said, I always leave very satisfied. It's more of a treat-yourself spot than a regular go-to due to price, but flavor-wise, nothing else in Austin compares. read more

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Probably best hot pot in ATX (h@ppy l@mb I still luv u)~ The spice levels honestly kinda higher than you would think. The chicken broth is pricey but so good. It is a la cart so it can get pricey real quick. LOVED their fruit tea like what was it so good?? You do have to pay to use the sauce bar but it comes with some small desserts. Vibes are so cool like I always feel like I've been transported somewhere when I walk into the restaurant. The employees are very attentative too and will come refill your broth very often. read more

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This year has been the year of new hotpot spots opening up in Austin. Old Alley is a welcome addition, and I appreciate that they aren't an AYCE establishment, focusing on high quality, fresh ingredients. We tried a trio of beef tallow spicy broth, pork bone broth, and golden chicken broth (extra $5 charge). The broths are flavorful and rich. My favorite was the beef tallow spicy broth since this gave the numbing, Szechuan kick of spice. You can also adjust the level of spice to your taste. They have an immense selection of items. The three of us ordered the deluxe beef and lamb, shrimp paste, mussels, fortune bags, mushrooms, greens, and noodles. The meat is presented beautifully around the hotpot. I would recommend having a group of four or more if possible if you want variety and more bang for your buck as the individual items can add up quickly. Our final cost was about $45/person before tax/tip. Service is prompt, and the staff are friendly. Our waitress even made a sauce for my friend. I don't love that they charge $3/person for the sauce bar though. I do love the retro, street style decor. The parking lot is tight on space, so I recommend getting here at opening time. When we got here a little bit before they opened, there was already a line at the door at noon on a Saturday. read more

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Came back the second time and still really enjoyed it. Service was excellent! staff were very attentive the whole time. We came to celebrate a friend's birthday, and they surprised us with a cute birthday song and complimentary shaved ice, so sweet. read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Seafood platter - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This establishment does not take reservations, so be prepared to be put on a waitlist once you arrive. Once our table was ready, we were transported to Asia, as the restaurant was beautifully decorated. We scanned a QR code to pull up the menu and order online. If you plan on using the sauce bar, they require you to pay a $3 fee. The hot pot is a communal pot, shared by all members of your party. While delicious, I would not order the kobe beef if I were to come again, since the beef and lamb platter was less expensive and came with a lot more meat. With some meat, fried rice, seafood balls and veggies, it was about $140 total for 2 people. If I were to crave hot pot, I would rather go to Soupleaf if I were to be honest, because they have more variety for a fraction of the price. read more

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Old Alley is my new favorite hot pot in Austin! The meat, broth, and toppings are all so fresh and delicious. And the shaved ice is cracked!!! read more

Old Alley Hotpot - Meat ring - Chinese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Amazing hot pot experience. I've been to many different hot pots but this has been my favorite experience by far. The spice and flavor of the broth was some of the best I've ever had! For all the food we got, it was very reasonable and we left feeling so full. The service was super attentive and we were able to be seated as soon as we walked in. The restaurant itself is decorated so cute and was a great backdrop while eating. We loved the space and the food. read more

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Excellent hotpot spot! There's quite a few hotpot spots in Austin now, and each have their merits, but I think Old Alley Hotpot shines in it's quality of meats and vegetables. I took a date here for her first time doing hotpot and we both really enjoyed our experience. Meats - the quality of the cuts of meat were really top notch, and we tried pork belly, ribeye, and pork shoulder. Pork belly is always consistently a favorite of mine. Vegetables - vegetables were all very fresh and they had prety much all the options you would want for a hotpot. Others - they also have plenty of seafood options, and tofu as well. Service - the service was excellent, the servers came around quite frequently to clean up plates and ask if we needed help with anything. Also they make a big spectacle out of birthdays, as we had two neighboring tables who had birthdays, if that's something you're into. Overall, great experience. A little on the pricier side for hotpot, but you do get better quality ingredients. read more

I heard from a friend that a really famous and delicious hot pot chain XLK is rebranding into Old Alley Hotpot, but I'm not sure if that's true. I can definitely see the similarities behind the branding and how good the hot pot is. You can't deny that their broth and quality of ingredients are really good. The decor inside is so authentically Chinese, and it reminds me of old Chinese historical dramas. The only reason I give three stars is because I visited once a few weeks ago, and I came around 6 or 7pm with some friends. I purposely ate very little that day because I knew I was going to eat hot pot, so I was starving. The hostess told my friend it would be a 30 minute wait... and it ended up being a 2-hour wait. I have no idea how 30 minutes turns into 2 hours, but I'll still be visiting again because this is the best hot pot in town. read more

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This place is such a whiplash of opinion. The good part is that it's some pretty good food. I enjoy every broth and the presentation for the meat is great. The taste is traditional and I enjoy the pork broth and golden chicken broth as my top 2 easily. The golden chicken broth is a $5 upcharge but at least there's good flavor with chicken actually in the broth itself so it feels normal for the price. You can order using their QR code and you can see everyone add to the same table/bill so there's no need to do that math or fight over one phone to order. The only thing is that this place is SO expensive for what it is. Also, sauce is over $2 each little bowl. They end up asking you how many you used at the end so there's no point in not ringing it up. Every other hotpot I've been to has never charged for sauce in this way. I brought a friend's husband from China here and he was so surprised at how much this place will charge, although we all agreed that the flavors are nothing to complain about. It's just not really worth it to have often. I still enjoy many places in Houston over this one, but at least Austin has a relatively good and authentic hotpot place in town. If this was in any other city, it would be outperformed by a place that has lower prices and a larger Asian population. If you're not super picky, I would go somewhere else. This is considered a fancy and high price tag for what's pretty much soup at the end of the day with little service. read more

This is a great hot pot option in the Austin area. Service is quick and friendly, and it's a cute place to eat with family and friends. Expect a long wait time. read more

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