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    Chong Qing Lao Zao

    4.5 (515 reviews)
    PriceyHot Pot, Chinese
    Mon 11:00 am - 3:30 AM (Next day)
    Tue 11:30 am - 1:30 AM (Next day)

    Order Chong Qing Lao Zao Takeout or Delivery

    Chong Qing Lao Zao Photos

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    CHONG QING LAO ZAO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Milky beef
    Jenny L.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]This place is super hyped up with decor that brings you back to ancient china.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The lore here is hot pot and the spicy broth. When we sat down, there was already a small plate of mini appetizer like complimentary spicy cabbage. For broth we ordered the mushroom and green chili soup base. Each item is a la carte, and we ordered the milky beef, crispy flower, lava tofu and watercrest. The ingredients were fresh and broth were flavorful, service is attentive. Our server gave us aprons, and even a hairtie. Food came fast. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, vibes are immaculate and the milky beef was interesting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] You order food on a piece of paper, and there's a free sauce bar to create your own customized dip.

    Ambiance
    Megan Y.

    Came here around 5:10 PM on a sunday and waited about an hour on the waitlist before receiving a call that our table for 2 was ready. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant had a very unique interior that felt very authentic.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered the dual flavor pot with mild and tomato broths. They were both delicious, but we especially liked the tomato broth. Be aware that even the mild broth is relatively spicy. We also decided to pay an additional $1.95 each for the self serve dipping sauce station, which we definitely found to be worth it. We ordered napa cabbage, wide potato noodles, potato slices, enoki mushrooms, milky beef, streaky pork, black fish, and beef tongue. We found this to be a lot of food for two people, and the final bill came out to around $110. Our favorite meats were definitely the beef tongue and the milky beef. The milky beef was so tender, and we liked the slight chew of the beef tongue. The black fish and the streaky pork did not stand out as much, and I would want to try something new next time. This was definitely one of the best hot pot experiences I've ever had. You can tell that they put a lot of care into laying out the ingredients, and the staff are very attentive at adding hot water to the broth regularly. Definitely worth the wait, price point, and commute from the city!

    Linda M.

    Only rating 4/5 for the wait times which can be insane! 1-3 hours wait, depending on the time. Definitely go on an off peak time. The interior feels warm and cozy and very well decorated, like you're actually eating in a historical location in China. It feels like someone's hone. The food is delicious- can't go wrong with anything, I especially loved the shrimp paste. Great service for both English and Chinese speakers. The waiter even took a picture of us! I wouldn't come again since it was so expensive and the wait time was so long but I felt like this was a very special experience. Glad I got to try this place after hearing it hyped up.

    Menu
    Tyler M.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Immersive hot pot experience. Once you walk through the big wooden door you feel like you leave new york.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I loved the decor and sat a table close to the ground where you remove your shoes and sit on cushions which I found very comfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The sauce bar had all the options you would expect and was fully stocked. I thought the price was good and that the food came out at a good pace. Highly recommend if you are in the area.

    Michelle T.

    I wanted to love this place since it's recommended all over tiktok and Yelp. We put our names in and got in around 2-3 hours later. I ordered the: -herbal soup base and mushroom base. The mushroom was my favorite and loaded with fresh mushrooms. -beef tongue rattan pepper: at first the pepper was not overwhelming but with time it was numbing my tongue which was a bit uncomfortable -sliced beef tendon: delicious -prime beef slices: they weren't that soft and not super well marbled. The bowl that our mushrooms came in was rusted... kind of ruined my whole experience. At least server was super nice and attentive. Wouldn't come back though.

    Nick S.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Chongqing Lao Zao is one of the most immersive hot pot restaurants we have visited.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]We walked into a space where the elaborate décor immediately stood out, with traditional architecture, lanterns, and themed details that made it feel like stepping into an old Chinese village.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was much larger than it first appeared, and the atmosphere added just as much to the experience as the food itself.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The room had a lively, bustling energy with tables spread across multiple sections, and the steady flow of diners reflected its popularity as a destination for a full hot pot meal.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The hot pot menu offered a wide variety of broths, meats, seafood, vegetables, and handmade specialties. We appreciated that there were options for both spice lovers and those who prefer something milder, with the signature Chongqing broth delivering the classic numbing mala flavor while the tomato and mushroom broths provided a lighter alternative. The ingredients tasted fresh, and there were plenty of premium cuts of beef, seafood, and specialty items to choose from. The self-serve sauce bar was another highlight, letting us customize our dipping sauce exactly how we liked it, with a wide range of condiments and toppings that allowed for endless combinations. The restaurant gets very busy, especially during dinner and weekends, so planning ahead is important. Reservations are highly recommended because walk-in waits can easily stretch over an hour. Even with the large dining room, the staff did a good job keeping everything organized and regularly checked in throughout the meal. Despite how crowded it could get, service remained attentive and food arrived at a steady pace. The team moved through the room with efficiency, keeping the broth refilled and the table cleared without making the experience feel rushed. Overall, Chongqing Lao Zao delivers much more than a typical hot pot meal. The combination of high-quality ingredients, customizable broths, and one of the most impressive themed dining spaces we have experienced makes it a place we would gladly return to. If you are looking for authentic Chongqing-style hot pot in Flushing, this is one of the strongest options available.

    Interior
    Tyler N.

    Food: 4.1/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 3/5 Overall: 4/5 We came on a Friday morning around opening time and were lucky enough to not have to wait for a table (though many parties did have to wait). [[HIGHLIGHT]]We were seated towards the back of the restaurant where we found a cockroach crawling on the bench seat.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Also, the straw decoration on the bench seat was uncomfortable throughout the meal for me particularly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waiter, since it was our first time, helped us a lot in choosing the broth and its spice level (we ended up getting tomato and mild chongqing), as well as helping us with the amount of food we would be ordering (which turned out to be almost the perfect amount of food for our party of 6). Some of my favorite dishes that we got were the: - Wide Potato Noodles - Doesn't take that long to cook, SO chewy and nice, pairs well with any broth or sauce - Enoki Mushrooms - My favorite kind of mushroom, even more chew and great noodle substitute - Fried Breadsticks - Very crunchy and don't lose that much crunch whenever dipped or soaked in the broths. - Sliced Beef - Standard and really good meat option for hotpot. Some of their specialty beefs are also interesting, but I ended up just preferring this over those. - Beef Tendon - I lied. This was the best meat option. Extremely soft and melts in your mouth. Doesn't take more than 5 seconds to cook. Just so good. Even with everything that I liked, I didn't find that much that was superior to other hot pot places that I have been to. I did enjoy the food that we did have, but with the insane wait that I would likely have if I came back as well as the high price of the meal, I don't know if this would be worth coming back to in the future.

    Phuong O.

    Triple flavor pot -Mushroom -Chicken Herb -Tomato Milky beef Sliced beef Shredded beef with cilantro Shrimp Dumpling Shrimp paste w bamboo fungus Orinar bolas de carne Crispy squid Homemade black tofu Fried tofu Tofu skin Corn Lotus root Fresh bamboo shoots Enoku mushrooms Shiitake mushrooms Oyster mushrooms Chinese cabbage Water spinach Watercress Pumpkin pie Milk mochi Dipping sauce [[HIGHLIGHT]]Other than the amazing ambiance of this place, it was ok.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This was too Chinese for me... The tomatoe broth was blah, smelt like there was metal in it even though we knew it was from the tomatoes. The family really didn't even enjoy it much.

    Sheena T.

    One of the best hot pot places that is definitely worth the hype. The holy trinity of hot pot in flushing in my opinion is Chong Qing Lao Zao, Hai Di Lao, and Dolar Shop. Chong Qing is a city known for its cyber punk city as well as spicy foods. Even mild spicy is really spicy in American standards. Spice from Asian countries - specifically Szechuan, Chong Qing, and Thailand truly are on another level. As in your tongue feeling as it licked a battery sensation and it goes numb... Mild spice here is still spicy, so tread carefully on the spice level should you choose one for the broth base... Anywho.... The overall ambiance and decor really makes me feel like I took a trip into a well decorated restaurant in China. Everything here was truly great and worth it. It's not a place you go for a bargain, but rather a place you go to for a tasty experience with great customer service. You get a cute apron, the place is super clean, and has a real authentic feel to it with the seating. The tai chi beef and milk beef are the two plates that many people order. I also enjoy getting slices of premium lamb to go with my personal concoction of sauce that make at the sauce bar (sesame paste, peanut butter, green onions, garlic, cilantro, Lau Gan Ma). The tai chi beef and the milk beef were super tender after just a quick minute plunge in the hot pot broth. I recommend doing a dual pot with two soups in the form of half and half if you can handle some spice. Otherwise, I am a fan if the Chinese herb soup base! Will return sometime soon and will go with our family for sure.

    Michelle C.

    The most memorable part of the experience was the tomato broth--it was incredibly flavorful and only got better as it simmered throughout the night. The selection of meats, vegetables, and sides was solid, even though it's not AYCE. Usually, I am more of a quantity over quality girlie because I am a big eater (I work out to eat). While that was a bit disappointing at first, it's understandable given the quality of the ingredients. The quality really made up for it! It was about ~$45 per person. They don't take reservations, and as many others have mentioned, the wait can be long--about 2-3 hours on a busy night. I'd highly recommend putting your name down in person an hour or two before you are actually hungry, then spending some time exploring Tangram or Skyview Mall while you wait. Despite the fierce competition in the hotpot scene, this place remains extremely popular. The ambiance reminded me of Laojie, and the quality was just as good--if not better--than Hai Di Lao (personal preference).

    Alan T.

    This is my favorite hot pot place in Flushing, but it's definitely a busy place. I've had to wait for as long as 3 hours during winter, though the good thing is that you can wander around Flushing during this time, as they will txt you when it's ready. There's really not much to dislike about the place, I like the food, ambiance, and service here! They specialize in Sichuan style hotpot, though that doesn't mean everything here is spicy, so I find a lot of good things to like about their menu!

    hot pot
    Sophia W.

    So good omg! The quality of all the ingredients is amazing, and I loved both the spicy and the tomato broths. I also liked the mala quail egg and milk mochi sides. It feels like an elegant hot pot experience because the staff are so attentive - they give you aprons and even hair ties. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There are a lot of tables inside, but it does not feel cramped.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Jing M.

    The first time I came here was actually right before the 88 rising festival. I remember my first feeling stepping into the restaurant was as if I was transported to the past. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior felt like a castle or an older village with the stone walls, wooden pews, and colorful lights and lanterns hanging from the ceiling.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]We were led through the restaurant and up the stairs to our own private room.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Once there we ordered everything on the menu that striked our fancy and saw plate after plate of high quality food enter the doors. The service was impeccable and they checked in on us constantly and never faltered even considering our copious number of new food requests. Definitely the most authentic hot pot place in all of New York in my opinion. Would highly recommend checking this place out especially with a group of friends so you can all enjoy various types of meats and vegetables in different broths!

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    Chong Qing Lao Zao Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Chong Qing Lao Zao

    Can someone on a wheelchair be seated comfortably?

    Yes, the first floor has few tables you can just sit on your wheel chair and enjoy your dinner.

    Can they cook without using MSG?

    Are there vegetarian options for the broth?

    Yes, there's a mushroom broth and tomato broth option.

    Is there Plexiglass to separate tables indoor?

    No there isn't.

    Is outdoor dining still available?

    No, only indoor seating.

    Is outdoor dining still available?

    Yes! Please call ahead to get the estimated waiting time. Thank you for thinking of us =]

    Can I make a reseravatuon?

    No, they don't take reservations anymore

    View All 15 Questions

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    Jardin De China

    Jardin De China

    4.1
    (307 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    The place has been in business for a long time The food is really good and the amount of food…read moreserved is pretty good. The service is good. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

    Cuisine: 6 Service: 7…read moreDecor: 4 Value: 7 I have not been here in a long time. Maybe because the prices are no longer considered cheap eats. Or maybe because my taste buds have evolved over the years. Or maybe it's just not as good as it used to be. The answer is maybe all three and somewhere in the middle. I have never came here, or any other Latino-Chinese restaurants in NYC, for service or decor, so let's set that aside. The value is still somewhat there, but the food did not hit that nostalgic note I was looking for. I wanted to get the Fried Pork Chops (Chuletas De Cerdo Frita), but our server suggested the "juicier" Broiled Pork Chops (Chuletas De Credo Asada) instead. Sorry to report, if that's juicy, then how dry is the fried pork chops? I shutter at the thought. It was also under seasoned. I substituted the House Fried Rice for my side at an $4.50 additional fee. It was just okay and not worth the upgrade. Boneless Crispy Fried Chicken (Chicharron De Pollo) was also a disappointment. The batter was more hard than crispy, but the idea that boneless dark meat isn't more juicy simply tells me that the chef over fried the pieces. It came with Fried sweet plantains, which could have been a but more ripe but not bad. I'm not sure how I feel about the Beef Stew (Carne Guisada), which had relatively tender meat, but the sauce was so weak and lacked any real flavor. The black beans and white rice that came with it was decent. What might bring me back to this restaurant sooner rather than later was the Shrimp Egg Foo Young (foo Young Con Camarones). I felt that the eggs were cooked extremely well, but the star of the show was that delicious brown sauce full of umami. Having this over white or fried rice made this meal much more acceptable. I'm not sure when I'll have another craving for this type of food. If I do, I'll definitely get the egg foo young again. However, the other dishes were misses for me, so maybe I'll try the Fried Pork Chops and Shredded Beef in Tomato SayceRopa Vieja.

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    Dining area
    Dining area
    Jardin De China
    Boneless Crispy Fried Chicken (Chicharron De Pollo)

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    Boneless Crispy Fried Chicken (Chicharron De Pollo)
    Grand Sichuan

    Grand Sichuan

    4.1
    (299 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    Food is good, quiet and clean…read more Service is impeccable. My fiance and I drink water like fish. Our glasses were never empty. Warning to all with a pineapple allergy like me: do not eat the duck sauce. If you like spicy ask for hot mustard instead. Orange chicken was crispy and flavorful. I did not find it spicy, but my spice tolerance is very high. My fiance had the chicken with broccoli and it looked amazing. Try the cold noodles. They are chewy and delicious. For me the fried dumplings were good, but not great. Worth a try but nothing to rave over.

    The menu here is split into two sections, classic American Chinese take out and Sichuan cooking…read more Seems to be a fairly popular take out spot, as they were fulfilling many delivery orders while I was there, but the interior is comfortable and elegantly decorated unlike a standard take out only spot. I ordered the cured pork with garlic shoots and dry fried green beans. The cured pork was quite salty, and paired well with the buttery, tender leeks it was cooked with. The dish was not overly oily, and was pleasant over white rice. I enjoyed the chewiness of the pork which allowed you to experience the complex flavor. The green beans were well fried, with characteristic texture signature to this dish. The seasoning was very well balanced and not overpowering to the natural sweetness of the green beans. I would recommend either dish. They were both slightly toned down iterations when compared to the times I've eaten these dishes at other Sichuan restaurants in flushing, but still well seasoned and well cooked. The service was very warm and friendly, and many other customers seemed to be returning regulars.

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    Grand Sichuan
    Spicy beef tendon
    Spicy beef tendon
    Dining Room

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    Dining Room

    Chong Qing Lao Zao - hotpot - Updated August 2026

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