“Fun restaurants on the border between Chinatown and downtown with a huge variety of hotpot offerings, different broths and other menu items for those that don’t want to engage in the messy fun. The service is great and super helpful especially for first timers. While the broths are great, overall the food is okay and will not blow your mind. The menu is a bit chaotic and it can be challenging to pick the right amounts and types of meat to use for the hotpot. I would probably try out different , smaller places going forward“
“This is an all you can eat shabu restaurant that has an enormous selection of veggies, noodles, sauces, dips, and proteins. For an extra fee you can get thinly sliced meat to cook as well. The ingredients have always been fresh and it's up to you to create your own tasty soup/meal.Unlike some other shabu establishments, you get your own individual pot, so this is good if people in your party have different dietary preferences. For example a vegetarian might want to start with a vegetable broth, while non-veg might want a pork- or other meat-based broth. There are a handful of broths to choose from. Or if you really want to customize, you can start with a pot of hot water and make your own broth using soy sauce, salt, spices, etc.This place tends to be super busy on the weekends, easily an hour wait sometimes during the most popular times. And during popular times you are supposed to finish your meal within 90 minutes of being seated. But if you go during the week, the waits are often shorter, especially after 8pm.Your meal is topped off at the end with self-serve soft-serve ice cream. It's usually a choice of vanilla or green tea ice cream - both are great!Vegetarian options: There is a huge selection of greens, roots, noodles, and sauces that can work with any vegetarian and vegan diet.Dietary restrictions: Your meal is 100% customizable. If you don't like the premade broths, you can start with a pot of hot water and make your own broth in short order. After that, you pick and choose what you want to cook in your broth.“
“I recently found this place and absolutely love it! I’ve been eating hot pot across different states, and this spot has quickly become one of my favorites. One thing to note, though, is that the chili powder doesn’t quite taste like the Sichuan powder I’m accustomed to, but it’s still “
“The mild spicy is really spicy and may be considered as “medium”. Delicious and a variety of choices for the source/ dip. The reason for one star off is that 2/5 people have a symptom of diarrhea in one or two hours after dinner. While the true reasons are unknown which may also vary by the underlying differences in individuals, this is noteworthy to mention.“
“Who else hasn’t eaten bean sprouts and egg fried rice? It’s like a state banquet. I’ll be really sad if someone doesn’t pack a portion to take away when someone comes. It’s so delicious. It’s worth walking ten minutes in the cold wind to buy egg fried rice. (Egg fried rice can be bought separately without having to eat hot pot. Those who are too lazy to turn on the fire are in luck)“
“I like this place. My husband and I went there for Valentine's Day. They were super busy. We made a reservation for a table online, however, when we came in our table was not ready because they were too busy. And then they had a line after us. But the manager somehow resolved the situation and we did not wait for so long. The service was great, and our server was nice. We ordered some meat and meatballs that we never tried before. The meatballs were supposed to be varied, however, it tasted all the same in my and my husband's opinion. It was not an issue. Everything was great. We had a great time and enjoyed the food.“
“I have been to DLY several times this past year and it is one of my favorite mala hotpot places. It is a newer spot and I like it's small, nicely decorated atmosphere.The first time I went I was shocked by how spicy the medium spice mala broth is (in a good way)! They do tell you it is spicy and it makes me sad to see people give lower reviews only because the broth was spicy because that's what szechuan/chongqing broth is! Theirs is especially spicy though even compared to medium at other places in Boston.I only get the spicy mala broth here. One thing I like is that after 10 they give 20% off discount! Prices are still comparable to other premium hotpot places but the late hours and discount sets it apart from other places.I love their knife cut noodles and it's only $1.99 per order. Other ingredients I have gotten are the beef plate and boneless short rib, bok choy, tofu skin, tofu puff, and enoki mushrooms. They also have other specialty dishes like milky beef, beef tripe, etc. Although it is not my favorite spot of all time in Boston, I think the late night hours and late night discount make it better than other places in some ways. The service here is quick and everyone is friendly and attentive to all your needs. Highly recommend this spot but definitely don't get the spicy broth if you don't like extremely numbing spice.“
“Found this place via Instagram. The staff are all nice and food was great. Small seating area but when I went in the evening was able to sit. Staff told me there are two other locations which I will have to check out in the future. Will be back !“
“We stopped in on a Saturday late afternoon and there was plenty of seating available. The space was bigger than expected with booth seats and table seating. We were seated at a booth and it was quite comfortable. We ordered the Beef hot soup and the Sichuan Flavor Hot Soup. No substitutions allowed but we chose to omit a couple ingredients. The medium spicy is quite spicy so I would recommend going milder and using the chili dipping sauce on the side. Both broths were flavorful enough that you don't necessarily need the soy garlic sauce provided. I immediately turned off the flame under the hot pot because I didn't want the beef to overcook. I do wish there was an option to turn it back on without having to call someone over to light it again. Lunch meals come with a choice of iced green tea or black tea and choice of white rice or vermicelli. Tea was already sweetened, might've been a tad sweet for my liking though. Wait staff was efficient and friendly. There is a call bell on the table that alerts staff that you need something, otherwise they are not really checking up on you. Overall a solid satisfying lunch!“
“The food there is always so delicious and the staff there are always so polite!!! The friendly man (not sure if he is the owner) took good care of us by providing us plastic aprons in case we stained our shirts, gave me another spoon without me having to ask, and overall provided great service. Food + service was a 10/10! My fav place to go now!!!“
“Possibly the best hotpot place in the boston area. I’ve been to many and each offer a unique style and value. Shabu Zen is all all around win with excellent quality, great value, many choices and a wide appeal where anyone can find something they will like.“
“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Happy Lamp Hot Pot, located in the vibrant heart of Central Square, and what an experience it was! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere promised a fun and engaging dining experience, and it certainly delivered.The hot pot itself was absolutely delicious. The broth was rich and flavorful, creating the perfect base for all the fresh and high-quality ingredients we could choose from. Whether you're a meat lover, seafood enthusiast, or vegetarian, there's something for everyone, and the adventure of cooking your food right at your table adds an exciting twist to the meal.What stood out to me, apart from the delectable food, was the sheer fun of the experience. Happy Lamp Hot Pot is the ideal spot for a group of friends or family looking to enjoy not just a meal, but a truly social and interactive dining experience. The staff was friendly and helpful, guiding us through the menu and making recommendations that enhanced our meal.The Central Square location is perfect for anyone looking to dive into the local culture and enjoy a lively dining scene. It’s easy to get to, and once you’re there, you’re in for a treat“
“This was my first visit to any Happy Lamb location. The meat selection and fish/veggie selection, I thought were pretty decent/sizable. I wasn’t a big fan of their spicy broth, not because of the spice level (yum) but because the broth had a granular texture which wasn’t pleasant. I was disappointed with their sauce station, it was incredibly limited as compared to other AYCE hot pot spots. The service and price of the meal overall was pretty decent.“
“The best place for hot pot in Boston! So many choices to pick from and a sauce bar that you can mix your own or use the ones they have. They have the best broth out of any place I’ve tried and the wait staff is super kind and helpful if you have any questions! Always a good go to on a dreary “
“Recommended!! New fav hotpot buffet spot in Malden! >> Reasonable price + Clean + Fresh + Yummy + warm service???The bone broth and spicy butter broth are awesome. The meats are tender and delicious.The sweet sticky rice in buffet menu is yummm.Also we tried the meat in the screwers today (a la carte). It's good as well.Overall, Definitely come back ?“
“This place doesn't give you a table until your whole party arrives. I know this place is busy so I got here at 430pm before the dinner rush. While I was waiting for my party to come, the host offered me the free chips and other free snacks at the front counter. I think I saw hair ties too lol. When my whole party arrived, the server explained everything and how to order since it was our first time here. All the staff was very nice. The food was fresh. My favorite is probably the fish ball with the roe inside.“
“I had never heard of Shabu in Quincy until I saw it on instagram and thought it was a new restaurant. I saw they have a lunch buffet deal which is $39 for all you can eat hotpot. It is a very small restaurant with a bar area and probably 6 tables inside but thankfully when I went there were a few tables open. The price does not include the broth and they have some good options to pick from. I got the szechuan spicy and miso broth, which were both solid. I tried the sirloin beef, fatty beef, and regular beef and the sirloin beef was some of the best hotpot meat I have had. For $39, it may seem a little bit pricey but the quality of the ingredients is very high. The sirloin beef was better than some a la carte meat I have had at premium hotpot places. I got my usual hotpot ingredients such as noodles, watercress, enoki mushrooms, and different types of tofu and all were good. They don't have a sauce bar like they do at Chinese hotpot but they have a few ingredients where you can make your own sauce which although it was simple, was very tasty. This place is really good but I wish they did dinner buffet since I prefer other places for a la carte hotpot. Overall, really solid spot, friendly and quick service, and it was a satisfying meal.“
“At Tasty Pot in Allston, MA, we were delighted by the hot pot experience. We loved the inviting ambiance, which made us feel right at home. The fresh ingredients and preset options allowed us to enjoy our meal with little hassle, and the flavorful broths were a highlight. We appreciated the option to customize spice levels to suit our taste. The attentive service and reasonable prices made our visit even more enjoyable. Tasty Pot is definitely a place we’d return to for a cozy and satisfying meal.“
“A nice Chinese restaurant, there is a pot with chicken, beef, or vegetarian stew in the center of the table, which is constantly heated. You choose and order the ingredients, and diners cook them on the spot. It's a non-traditional experience, and the food is tasty. Recommended for those who want to try a non-traditional western restaurant.“