There has been a handful of malatang spots that opened lately, including this one. After trying…read morethis spot out, this has become my top malatang spot. Even better that it's located in midtown. Their seating area is a lot more appealing and welcoming compared to the other spots in NYC. Must be all of the greenery they put up. We were seated by a staff member, then we went to pick our own ingredients for the malatang, which goes for $18 a pound. Affordable if you don't go overboard. I wan't feeling spicy, so I got one that wasn't spicy, don't remember which one that was. Tasted great and refreshing. Would come back again.

decent malatang spot with lots of meat and veggie options, a cute interior, and lots of freebies!…read morethe soup options were also interesting like there was tom yum and curry, which i've never seen before at a malatang place, but my friend said the curry soup wasn't that good :( the tomato soup was pretty yummy but it just tasted like standard tomato soup at a hotpot/malatang place. they have a free ice jelly dessert stand with toppings and give free soft serve ice cream! good value for the price! that being said if you do go try not to sit at the two seater on the booth side close to the "mixology" bar in the back because there was a guy sitting there and there was a surprise ledge above his head and he banged his head there and started bleeding 2 tables away from us very traumatizing i hope he's ok. definitely bad interior design on growl growl's part i hope management compensated that man cuz it looked pretty bad

We went to Xiang La Hot Pot right when they opened on a Monday and were seated immediately. The…read morerestaurant is surprisingly big, clean, and comfortable. The meat quality was pretty decent, and the service was fast throughout our meal. We came during the Ace Hot Pot promotion when it had just launched, but the staff seemed a little confused about the pricing and timing details, which made things a bit unclear. There's a self-serve sauce bar, but keep in mind it's an extra $3 per person. The selection was also more limited than I expected, and they had forgotten to put out soy sauce when we visited. The sides and dessert options were pretty minimal as well. I tried the ice cream and it tasted a little off. Overall, it's a good option if you're looking for affordable hot pot in the city. The food was solid for the price, but with so many hot pot spots in NYC, I don't think it's somewhere I'd personally go out of my way to return to.

Hot pot place located in Ktown. Has all the general hot pot meats veggies and noodles. Overall…read moredecent, would come back for another meal. But not as good as Chongqing Lao Zao in Flushing. This place is not too busy, and the staff are friendly.

Bumping it up from 4 to 5…read more Food: A-. Very solid. This is not a fine dining place. Cooking and delivery is lightning fast for the size. Amazing. Service: B-. They sorely need a 3 tier system. Lead servers with fluent English for customer interactions--some servers are difficult to understand. Then, support servers + busser. Ambience: A-. A typical very busy loud NYC restaurant.

Sometimes you just want a more traditional Japanese dining experience, and that's what draws me to…read moreOotoya. It's not bad at all--but it's also not my go-to Japanese spot. Food: 3/5 I was first introduced to Ootoya by my grandmother, who recommended their simple lunch sets like udon with rice and fish. The food itself is solid--fresh, comforting, and clearly made with care. That said, the value is where things get tricky. Most sets start around $20-$30, and once you add extras, the bill climbs quickly. It's very easy to end up spending well over $100 for a casual lunch for two, which makes it feel more like an occasional treat than a regular spot. Service: 4/5 Service is generally good and efficient. Everything feels freshly prepared and well organized, but there's not much that stands out beyond standard attentive service. Vibe: 4/5 The decor is one of the strongest parts of the experience. It feels like stepping into a traditional Japanese dining space--almost like a calm "time capsule" away from the city. It's a really nice atmosphere if you're looking for something more authentic and quiet. All in all, I don't dislike Ootoya at all--it's a pleasant, reliable experience. But because of the price point (especially with tips and add-ons), it doesn't end up being my first choice for Japanese food. I wouldn't rule it out, but I also wouldn't go out of my way for it when there are more affordable options in the city.

Really solid Japanese restaurant in Chelsea! Perfect lighting, which makes it a good option for…read moredate night. Service was fast and friendly. - Salmon nabe set: 10/10 (creamy salmon nabe with veggies, rice, and miso soup. Perfect to have on a cold winter-y night) - Dessert box: 10/10 (great selection of Japanese dessert. I especially loved their cheese cake!)

Even smaller portions than before. Half the menu is gone…read more I go back once in a while. Now is just bad. They used to give you a lot now it's even less than before. Even the agedashi tofu was kinda sour.

Absolutely make a reservation because this place is packed from the moment the doors open. I had a…read more1230 pm reservation, 30 min after they opened and almost every table was already full. The servers were incredible kind and patient and explained every menu option. If you want the AYCE hot pot menu, just let them know because you need to be seated at the right table so there's a heating element built in. 2 of us shared the hot pot, they offered 3 times to add more soup but we opted not to so we could keep eating sushi/ appetizer/ other food options. The policy is super clear, do not order more than you can eat, or you will pay for it, so just keep ordering. They let us order 2 or 3 things at a time per person and it was honestly enough. For $68 a person, this was an amazing deal and I would definitely come back!

Tried this udon spot for the first time and was in love! This restaurant is soo spacious and even…read morehas an upstairs. The service was great and the presentation of the food was beautiful. The udon soup was flavorful and so warm. They also have sort udon story fry's. Would definitely come back here!

I came here for dinner with a group of 6 people and we had a great time! The interior of Chubby…read moreNori is all bar seating and around a open kitchen. Service was pretty quick but not very reliable as I didn't receive one of my rolls initially and it was later given to the wrong person by the chef (but was then corrected). The host was still super friendly and helpful. I got their set of 4 handrolls while my friends tried some of their other handrolls or got their shabu. The quality was pretty good and portions were alright. When I compared their handrolls and shabu though, I could very easily say that their shabu was done a lot better. In the city, I think there are already so many reliable and great options for handrolls. However, the shabu shabu that Chubby Nori does was so good. It definitely felt more on par with their branding and the quality of ingredients were amazing. Nonetheless, it was a great time no matter what you got.

I was pretty excited to try this place as Ive had Niku X and the experience was pretty good…read more We got 4 handrolls which were just alright, the seaweed was not crisp at all, it kept getting stuck in my teeth but I understand since they don't specialize in handrolls like kazunori. We also got shabu-shabu and our chef forgot our vegetables was still cooking in there. We reminded our server who then took it out but it was already yellow and overcooked by that time. Its worth trying and a nice place with good ambiance but I wouldnt bet on the quality of food.

Exquisite dining at fair price…read more Ordered from the restaurant week menu. Portion sizes are great, definitely enough to be full. Went with the marinated short ribs, soy beef soon dubu, and the dubu ice cream. The complimentary side dishes were really stand out. It sounds like a broken record, but if the kimchi is good, the place is good. A lot of care and thought was put into each side dish and it shows in the taste. The roasted seaweed was sweet and savory. Many compliments for the side dishes. The marinated short ribs were really flavorful and had a good cook on them. The soon dubu had a complex bean subtlety while letting the beef shine through. Everything was served nice and hot, and the clay pot keeps the temperature as you eat. Ended the meal with the dubu ice cream. It's so light and delicate, I think it was the injeolmi flavor, like a sweet wheat. Service was professional and quick. We were greeted at the front and led into the dining area. Waiters and waitresses were always around if anything was needed. They answered any questions we had and also made sure we were attended to our requests. Interior was really nice. Warm and well lit dining area. Spacing is not too bad between tables, and there are a decent number of tables. A larger space than I thought. Plenty of restrooms available as well. Overall great dining experience. Can't wait to come back and try other items from the menu

Came for restaurant week after hearing great things but didn't really live up to the hype. You get…read more$30 dinner combo, which is usually $35 lol. Great ambiance inside and good seating for a mid to larger group. Complimentary soy milk was interesting, very on par with the dubu theme. I ordered the short rib soybean soup combo, the short rib was good but soybean soup was very bland. Went home with some leftover soup but even reheated it was still not very flavorful. Choice of matcha or soybean ice cream at the end, would definitely recommend the matcha after trying both. Soybean is like a misugaru/injeolmi vibe but the matcha is super smooth.

I usually go to the one in Flushing, so this was the first time here. Had the AYCE, and was…read morestuffed. Amazing value for 40$. The selection here is slightly different from Flushing but still great. All the meats were excellent. The service was great, they brought over what you ordered very quick. Definately will be back. Probably my new fav in the area.

Stopped by with some friends and opted for the Kingdom Steak Combo, Seafood Pancake, and Cheesy…read morePotato Bites. We noticed they offer an All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) option after ordering--we missed it this time around, so I'm curious if our combo featured more premium cuts compared to the AYCE menu, but it's definitely something to compare next visit. Note for first-timers: This is a self-cook spot, and it wasn't clear whether staff assistance is available if you need a hand with the grill. The Food: Cheesy Potato Bites: Surprisingly, this was the absolute highlight of the night. As simple as it sounds, it was executed flawlessly with a incredible, satisfying cheese stretch and perfect texture. Kingdom Steak Combo: Generous portioning that easily feeds 3 to 4 people. Flavor-wise, it's standard mid-to-high-end cuts--solid quality, though nothing mind-blowing. That said, the marinated short rib stood out with a rich, flavorful marinade. Seafood Pancake: A nice, classic side to round out the meal. The Drinks: Ganhoo Citrus Party Tower: Clearly designed for a younger, party-minded crowd. Complete with flash lights and a mountain of fresh fruit in an Asian-influenced sangria, it's fun visually--just be prepared for a heavy hit of sweetness! Cocktails: If you prefer something more balanced, skip the tower and go for the Yuzu Sunset or Ruby Lychee Negroni. Both pack a nice kick upfront and finish with a smooth, bright fruitiness.