Went on a Saturday afternoon and we were the only customers. People did stop by for to-go orders. The lady who worked there was so sweet and hospitable. The soup base (hot spicy) was DELICIOUS and so flavorful. The self serve area had a solid range of items but wish they were all labeled. Overall, great food, great ambience, and great price for an AYCE hot pot restaurant. read more

We got the last parking spot, when we arrived. They have a parking lot with 3 slots. We came here and made reservations, but that was not needed because there was only 1 other customer there. We came on a Thursday night for a celebration. We were seated right away, and the waitress gave us the process of ayce hotpot. A lot of things were self serve, which was fine so lesser waste in the end. The fish and chicken in the fridge was frozen. I wish it had more selections to choose from. Unfortunately, 2 of the 5 of us got tummy pain after we got home. We think it might have been the frozen fish from the fridge, because those were the one that got sick. I got the chicken and pork broth, which was very delicious. There was surprised inside the soup with chicken, pork and etc. That was a great delicious surprise, because I was super hungry. read more

While we were in Berkeley, I asked my son what he was in the mood for dinner since his birthday was coming up. He wanted AYCE Hot Pot. Lo and behold, this was the closest place when we checked the app. It was just a few blocks from where we were, and they have a designated parking lot. If I recall, dinner was approximately $28.99 per person, which is pretty affordable in this day of age. Of course, as I am writing this, prices could change. Lunch is even more affordable at $23.99 per person. Upon arrival, the lady/owner warmly greeted us as she simultaneously seated us. She handed us a menu and explained the process. You pick a broth base as it comes with that articular meat of your choosing, then select the different rolls of meat. There are also different sides available (like chicken feet and tripe). There is also a self-serve cooler fridge that contains the usual hot pot items that you can add to your bowl from veggies, protein and noodles. The soup options are the following: - Spicy - Tomato - Sacha Seafood - Curry Flavored - Hot & Sour - Pork Tripe and Chicken - Beef Brisket - Beef Rib - Wild Mushroom There was also a sweet (not-too-sweet) drink in a large carafe-type container that was quite delightful. It was light, tasty and quite addicting that I kept refilling my cup. The vibe of the place feels old and homey; however, most of the customers were young, student-types. Perhaps UC Berkeley students? It also wasn't busy and half of the restaurant was empty. Most of us were seated by the front. All in all, we had a good dinner as the broths were seasoned well and not overly salty. Yes, most of the dishes are self-serve, but you can control the portion this way. I also enjoyed the chicken feet and tripe, which aren't typically on a hot pot menu in most places. There's also the hidden protein inside the broths. Whatever option you order (i.e. chicken, pork) there's hunks of them on the bottom for you to discover. It's like having a hidden reward. It's a good hot pot spot that won't break the bank. read more

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I'm rather embarrassed to admit that I have yet to set foot in this restaurant even though I know it's somewhere on University Avenue near Sacramento Street. I'm just nowhere near that part of Berkeley, but I know their food from several GrubHub deliveries over the past couple of years. I'm overdue to share my feedback about Ben Ben as it becomes my convenient go-to for steamed chicken. My first experience was a pleasant discovery. I was looking for something quick for Jamie W and me. I ordered the $16.99 Boiled Chicken with Rice (Photo 4), while Jamie had the $16.99 Kung Pao Chicken (Photo 6). We shared an order of the $14.99 Egg Fried Rice (Photo 2). All the dishes were on point and still quite warm from the restaurant. On a subsequent order when I was alone, I went for the simple $19.99 Plain Boiled Half Chicken (Photo 3). It went great with the cauliflower rice I defrosted for myself. I also ordered the $16.99 Scrambled Eggs with Green Chili Peppers which I found satisfying comfort food even if it was a tad oily (Photo 7). On my most recent order, I ordered another poultry variation, the $12.99 Hand Shredded Salted Chicken, more of an appetizer which I asked them to heat up (Photo 8). Added to that was the $5.99 Spicy Pork Tripe (Photo 5). Chewy good with a kick. Someday I'll make it to the actual place and comment on the ambiance and service. FOOD - 4 stars...they just make comfort dishes the way I usually want them AMBIANCE - n/a...never been SERVICE - n/a...just GrubHub TOTAL - 4 stars...dependable go-to spot RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places l've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/ARb9hLYSFi read more

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I've been here multiple times since moving to Berkeley last year... Each visit is great. It has a smaller selection of items to choose from for ayce but I really don't mind bc it's so good and filling!!!. The service is great, the ambiance is very cozy (like home honestly), and the food gets better and better. This is a 10/10 mom-n-pop joint!! read more

This spot has an all you can eat hot pot deal that's really good. For dinner it's 28 a person. You pick a broth, load up a plate of veggies, appetizers, noodles etc and let them know what meat you want and pour dipping sauces. Absolutely loved the spicy broth, and the dipping sauces took it to the next level. read more

Ben Ben Restaurant - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

I tried a few items from Ben Ben and they were yummy. The mushroom broth was flavorful and full of umami with various kinds of mushrooms without being too salty. The mapo tofu had a nice kick and very easy to pair with rice. The chicken side / appetizer had a nice scallion sauce though the meat was slightly tough. I'd be curious to try the other broths. read more

Was disappointed for various reasons. Was really looking for a AYCE hot pot in the east bay and this is the only one I found. The yelp reviews were encouraging but when we arrived, the ambience was the first thing I noticed. We came in a Friday night and it was pretty empty. Maybe 2 other tables. It was quiet. We were sat right away and I noticed the tables and menus were kinda sticky. When we ordered our meats set, she gave us the wrong meat and we had to send it back but we realized maybe 60 seconds after she left and she wasn't happy about taking it back. Then our party of 4 went to get the side dishes like the veggies. First they are in sliding door fridges and the bottom shelf was almost at the floor and so my 70 year old mom dropped an item when the waitress said "be careful if you keep dropping we will charge you." Then we sat down and we are hot pot pros ok and we know how much we can eat. My family filled up their plates with the side veggies and the plates were pretty full. The same waitress (possibly owner?) came by again and said "dont take too much, if you don't finish we will charge you by the pound." Geez!! First of all we did finish it all. Second of all do you think this is our first hot pot rodeo?? She came by later all smiles and was like "is everything ok??" Now moving onto the food. The food seemed stale, especially the sesame balls and sweet bread. The water dispenser tasted a little of plastic from the container it was in. The black tea tasted metallic. The sides were basic but they looked like they even sitting in the fridge for too long so I didn't partake in all of them. The soup base was ok. Nothing special. Overall disappointed experience bc I really wanted to like it. read more

great food REALLY great staff. I enjoyed the goat and beef, and the cook mixed two of their soup bases for me to make a spicy chicken oxtail! was great. read more

Authentic and affordable unlimited, personal Chinese hot pot spot. They have a lot of great options with delicious soup (recommend their house made pork and chicken broth). Besides accessible toppings behind glass doors, they also have a sauce bar, small side dishes, and a dessert area that also has a few beverages. It wasn't too busy when we visited on a weekday night, but their lunch pricing is very affordable. The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, helping clear plates and provide direction! There is plenty of space for multiple parties in a clean environment read more

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ok the individual mini pot concept is so smart i dont know why every hot pot place doesnt do this. no more negotiating broth with ur friends, no more someone hogging all the good stuff. you get your own little pot and you go to the fridge and grab whatever toppings u want and it just works. went with three people and we all got different broths and nobody had to compromise which felt like a miracle. the oxtail soup base is really rich and good, got that on my second visit bc i was playing it safe the first time and regretted it. selection in the fridge is solid, lots of options including some stuff i didnt recognize and just threw in anyway. prices are fair for ayce honestly, you can definitely get your moneys worth if u pace yourself which i did not but still. spot fills up so go early or be ready to wait a bit. fun experience, different from regular hot pot in a way that actually matters read more

Super affordable AYCE hot pot with a mom and pop style business! Parking was super accessible because they have a parking lot. The folks here were super polite to us explaining how to order and where we can find the self serve dishes. Most of the people working here are native Chinese speakers but even if you don't speak any Mandarin no worries because they speak English as well! Each person gets their own individual pot and the dinner price is $28.99 per pot which is very competitive compared to a lot of other AYCE hot pot spots. They have (if I recall correctly) 6 meat options which are effectively an assortment of things like beef, lamb, pork, goat, etc. They have a huge selection of self serve dishes like crab, fish, fish tofu, quail eggs, various veggies, carbs, and much more! The meat dishes you can order via a QR code but the self serve bar was super convenient! There are also appetizers like smashed cucumbers by the entrance along with a sauce bar Overall quality was good and the best part was the variety in soup options. The soup options differ from your traditional hot spot places (would highly recommend taking a look at their menu). Service was top notch and they even have a larger room in the back where you can karaoke if you have a larger group Overall, great spot to visit for AYCE hot pot and will likely be back the next time I'm in the area! read more

We went for a date night here a couple months ago. The owner was very friendly. The restaurant was not frill and we went with low expectations, we saw the diners were non chinese thik8ng it would not be very authentic. I was wrong though. The broth was homemade, not from seasoning packets! They were rich, but didn't taste full od msg, phew! Hubby got the beef ribs broth and yes, he got a gigantic bone in his broth lol. It had nice flavor even before we boiled more meat and veggies into it. Each person got their own individual pot, so you didn't have to worry of your dinign partner/s has/have different taste and preferences. There are communal sauce table and also appetizer and snacks as well as a simple fruit and dessert table. Then you proceed to the cooling fridge to pick up your hot pot items (seafood, varieties of fish bowls, veggies, mushrooms, tofu, etc). I like that they were portioned in individual serving so you could get just enough to try them and couls have variety of items for your pot. You have to order the sliced meat from the server. Overall, for the price tag, I thought it was a great deal vs having to do it at home and shop for lots of items. Check it out, great local spot! read more

So I am torn between a three and a four, on one hand, I do like the fact that the hotpot is very homey, like how we used to do it when I was a kid. But on the other hand, some things should not be put in the hotpot. Pro: Self-service Sauce Bar Quality of sliced meat (beef, lamb and pork belly) Personal pots that heat up quickly. Con: Everything is self-served (bowls, water, etc). Some cuts and veggies are not hot pot choices (cubbed steak, iceberg lettuce) Limited choices and no description in the app for phone ordering. For the price ($28 for AYCE) and service, it is nice but there isn't any interior redo from the previous restaurant. The tables (6 top) are a little weird, as some have 6 burners but only 4 chairs. I wish there were other veggies like bok choy, chrysanthemum leaves (crown daisy/tong hao), more mushroom choices, and fishballs with roe. Also, some apps would be nice. I did like the sliced Beef #1, lamb, and pork belly, but there were cuts like cubed beef that were tough after cooking. The veggie plate had thinly sliced lotus root which I liked but I can't stand cooked iceberg lettuce. It is a very Chinese thing, but I rather have many other cooked veggies. read more

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Delicious and reasonably priced AYCE hot pot. Service is very friendly. Atmosphere is no frills but nice. We had a great time and will definitely be going back. read more

Decided to do date night with the hubby and have passed by this place a few times and decided to stop. The food is very good. The service was good as well. The cuts of meat are fresh and tender and once you add in things from the condiment bar you can really make your hot pot as flavorful as you'd like. read more

Ben Ben Restaurant - Oxtail Soup( - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

A cool hot pot spot in Berkeley featuring individual mini hot pot, Qing dynasty "Pork Tripes & Chicken soup" base, all-you-can-eat menu with vast variety, a spacious round-table party room with karaoke, and ample free parking right at the door. Good for groups small or big, or by yourself, or with kids. Friendly staffs keep you feel home and cozy, besides already feeling warm & joyous behind the steam of those mini hot pot read more

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I came back and was disappointed to see some changes I felt were negative about my experience. I was sad to see there was no improvement in the meat selection and quality, but also that the oxtail broth changed from a more tomato like broth to a standard beef broth. This is also a very calm restaurant, so if you are looking for a lively atmosphere, this is not it. There was a piano tune on repeat for hours. read more

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The thing that sets off Ben Ben Restaurant from all the other hot pot places is the broth. The soup bases from traditional hot pot chains often taste overly pungent and artificial, even for a clear broth base. Not at Ben Ben. All the soup bases are so delicious and comforting, it's like they came directly from mom's kitchen. From chicken pork tripe soup, oxtail soup, beef rib and beef brisket soup, everything is fresh and healthy. The staff are super friendly and helpful. It's AYCE so you order the meats on your phone through a QR code on the table, and you go to a separate fridge to get a hefty selection of veggies, noodles, seafood, and other goodies yourself. There's also a self service sauce bar and a spot at the front to get some fried snacks like egg rolls and pot stickers. The only thing that can be improved about the restaurant is the ambiance. The lights are kind of dim and there's the same "calming" instrumental music cycling in the background, and when there's not a lot of customers it can be a bit eerie. The self serve fridge is also awkwardly positioned. I'm here for the delicious food though, so it doesn't take away from the experience too much. I'd come back again and again to have a comforting home-style hot pot experience. read more

Hotpot Haven! This spot has quickly become a favorite of mine for several reasons. Lots of Variety of Meat/Seafood. The broth option ingredients enhances the flavors. Easy Parking In a busy area. Parking was convenient right outside, making it easy to enjoy a hearty meal without the hassle. Great Ambience. The atmosphere is a lovely and cozy, making it ideal for any occasion. The tasteful decor and warm lighting create a welcoming environment for both intimate meals and group gatherings. Great for Singles or Groups: What I appreciate most is its versatility. Whether you're dining alone or with friends, it's perfect for all. The communal dining style encourages togetherness, making it a fantastic choice for celebrations or casual meals. In summary, if you want a delicious hotpot experience that offers variety, convenience, and a great atmosphere, Ben Ben is a must-visit. I can't wait to return and try more of their delicious offerings! read more

Ben Ben Restaurant - Love the lighting outside - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

My all time favorite family run hotpot. Highest quality. Broth alone is to die for (I've tried three thus far!). I'd have it all by itself. Excellent service, very attentive and timely. read more

We were here this Saturday and they had severe shortage of food. More than a dozen customers had to line up in front of the fridge multiple times to compete for the portions that are only enough for 3-5 people WHEN THEY DO REPLENISH FOOD(more than 50% of the time the fridge was basically empty). For any "fancy" (beef tripes etc) items you ordered, you had to wait for an hour plus to get THE EARLIEST ITEM (yes, just 1 item) that arrives. They replied to my review on Google basically saying that they are ENTITLED to charge customers the full price (for an AYCE experience) despite the severe food shortage and the ridiculous long wait. You can eat nothing when we serve you nothing but sorry customers, you still have to pay the full price! read more

Ben Ben Restaurant - Some poor quality meat - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great food. Good price. Excellent service. Great spot for AYCE hot pot. Broths are varied and delicious. Highly recommend.

A good place to get fresh food cooked the way you want, since you cook it yourself. The service is very helpful; the sauce choices are excellent. read more

This is Chinese hot pot, food is pretty good , that is all you can eat meats and vegetables .that includes beef, Lamp, pork, chicken, fish, shrimp and different kind the vegetables ...... read more

This is honestly one of the BEST hotpot experiences I've had in a LONG time. Waitress was the sweetest little lady, she went above and beyond. Explained to us everything in detail, and even went out of her way to make some beef noodles for us to try . Safe to say this was a 10/10 experience. The BEST All you Can eat hotpot IMO. Cannot beat the price and quality of service/food. read more

I recently tried a new hot pot place in Berkeley called Ben Ben, which has received high reviews. They offer free parking right next to the restaurant, which is super convenient. I went there on a Sunday at 1:30 PM and got seated immediately. Although they advertise as all-you-can-eat, the food we ordered never arrived and the quality of the meat is very poor. The meat fell apart or too tough to eat. The only plus is both featured broth pretty tasty but they don't have any spicy broth. Ambiance is ok, old fashion. Will not return. read more

This place is really tasty. But not the typical hot pot base most would be used to, like the spicy hot pot broth. It's more unique, like super milky rich chicken broth, pork tripe broth, oxtail, etc... I love the chicken one.. I could just drink the whole thing. They do have all the usual hot pot ingredients though. This shop reminds me of very traditional local hot pot joints in China. read more

Not a local so don't come after me! At first I was hesitant but WOW AM I GLAD I ATE HERE! All you can eat! All the toppings minus the red meat is self serve! You order the broth and what meats you want, then you go on and grab all the toppings you'd like. From noodles, to sea food, to veggies. They also had a hot area with chow mien and Chinese bbq (defs recommend) we had a large group so we were at a private area. Staff was so friendly! Such a fun hot pot experience. read more

Ben Ben Restaurant - Meat and broth gets brought to you, but everything else is self serve!! - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Too pricy for a lunchtime meal. Was charged over $100 for two people and we didn't even order the more expensive broth

Just checked this place out for the first time as we live nearby. It was pretty different than any AYCE hot pot I've been to before because of the soup choices. Really interesting new twists. I got the beef short rib soup, and it was awesome having two giant ribs to chew on in between meat and veg platters. The food was all good and well presented if in smaller portions than some other places I've been to. The service was really attentive and good. The sauce bar has lots of dry things to add to soy and vinegar. There are a few crockpots with noodles, dumplings, and such. read more

It's our favorite hot pot place. The waitress is an absolute gem. The variety of soups and lunch price is a great reason to check this place out! read more

It's our first time here, and the host is very welcoming walking through the menu with us, highlighting the popular items and specialties. The chicken tripe broth is perfect for hot pot hot! With the all you can eat fries at $24 for lunch this place is really worth it! read more

This is the first time for my husband and I to visit Ben Ben hot pot restaurant; the dining area is clean and quiet, the hot pot broth is excellent, the vegetables, meats, and seafood are all fresh, the prices are reasonable, and the service is friendly and considerate; we were very happy and satisfied after our meal, and we will definitely come here often in the future. read more

Food really good And service very kind and attentive We had a great dinner here and enjoyed our stay A very relax ambiance read more

Ben Ben Restaurant - The final product - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Today Nina and I met again for lunch here. Last week I noticed a sign outside that they were offering 50% off for seniors 65+ so I suggested it to Nina. They have changed the layout of the restaurant somewhat. Instead of being upstairs where we sat last time, the table w/ the condiments is closer to the front door. Nina was already seated w/ menus when I arrived. This time I made a point of bringing my reading glasses so I could see the menu. As was the case last time, the 50% off offer applied only to the original soup and that was what Nina ordered. I ordered the beef rib soup and added to it an assortment of meats, seafood and vegetables, as well as traditional noodles. Helen helped us as before. In addition to the hotpot there were appetizers and a variety of other possible additions at no additional cost. Though my meal wasn't 50% off, it was less expensive than I remembered it being 4 months ago. When the hotpots were delivered we dumped in the condiments then added the noodles, meats and vegetables. Helen set the burner under the hotpot to 5. After it had been cooking for a while a man Helen identified as her husband offered to take our hotpots back to the kitchen to heat them faster. We were up for that and soon he returned them to us, piping hot. I lowered the setting on my burner to 2, as did Nina. The food was delicious and plentiful. I finished pretty much everything. It will serve as my dinner as well; I can't imagine eating much more tonight. We were both very happy w/ our meals and will return w/o question. Portions are very generous. Service was very kind and helpful. read more

best hot pot i've had in the north bay, and best by far in berkeley. great selection of ingredients for everyone's soup and has options for all dietary needs. 非常好吃了！ read more

Good service. Worker explained everything clearly since it was our first time. Meats were decent quality. Price is gooood!

The beef rib soup is very delicious. Service is also great. Plenty of parking spots are available.

Such an amazing restaurant. I think it's the best place to eat Chinese hot pot !For lunch ,you only have to pay 24 dollars and then you can enjoy the buffet.The pork tripe is especially super delicious ! read more

Ben Ben Restaurant - Pork Tripe Chicken - Chinese Near Me - Berkeley, California