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Chong Qing Yao Mei

4.3 (355 reviews)
PriceyHot Pot, Chinese
Open 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Updated 3 months ago

Waitlist - Chong Qing Yao Mei

Live Current wait: under 5 minutes

Chong Qing Yao Mei Photos

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CHONG QING YAO MEI ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Trendy
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Chong Qing Yao Mei

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Reviews With Photos

Marbled beef!
Steve F.

We ended up here because a big name spot let us down. What a find and lucky for us! The spot is unique and popping with customers, families and amazing aromas! We had the pork broth and the Thom Yum broth. So good! The meat was high quality, the vegetables were so crisp and the service was friendly and they hustled. Love the sauces station and the portions are big, so be careful what you order.LOL! You order your items through a QR code which is really great and puts you in control.

Tiffany B.

their spicy hot pot base is soooo good and actually spicy. meat quality is whatever but the broth makes everything worth so good

Combination soup and some sides.
Juliet U.

Been coming here a few times now, and this place never disappoints. The ambiance is beautiful and makes you feel like you're dining out of state--very cozy, modern, and relaxing. The food is absolutely amazing. We ordered the combination soup with bone broth and the spicy tomato soup base. We went with medium spice, and it was really spicy but in a good way--full of flavor and definitely satisfying. If you enjoy heat, medium is a great choice. If you love intense spice, you won't be disappointed. One of my favorite parts is the sides buffet, where you can choose from a variety of dipping sauces or create your own custom sauce. They also offer peanuts and other snack options, which is a nice touch while waiting for your food. The quality, flavors, and overall experience keep us coming back. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys great food in a fun, elevated atmosphere!

R C.

The staff was attentive and helpful. The sauce and snack bars pair nicely with the hotpot. The dining space was clean. We were happy with the hotpot options. Street parking available- come and give it a try!

Yiyi H.

Not super authentic, but I appreciate their efforts in making the experience palatable for foreigners, while keeping to the essence of Chongqing hotpot. My table ordered the spicy broth in medium spice, and it was a lot milder than I expected from Chongqing hotpot broth. In general, the broths are quite tasty, though. The meat is also very fresh. The service is a 10/10 for me. My table jokingly ordered all the meat options, and had forgotten to remove the excess items. The staff went out of their way to let us know we'd ordered too much meat for our table and asked if we wanted to remove a couple selections. And I'm glad we did. The portions for each plate were larger than you'd get from other establishments. One of the items we'd ordered (and kept) was pork brains. While cooking this in a ladle, the staff came by to say it would take 15 minutes to cook. You can tell (from the surrounding tables and the staff's actions) that they are accustomed to having customers who are not super familiar with hotpot, and they try their best to make it a great experience.

Melinda C.

This place is really good. I'm new to hotpot, so I'm not a pro or fluent with everything in regard to hotpot. First, the fried rice is so good and could easily feed 4 big backs. My favorite meat dish was the one with egg. It was so tender. The squid balls were delish. 'They were very filling , I thought the texture would be similar to fish balls but they weren't. The sauce bar had many options. I just threw sauces together. Also, tried sesame ball for the first time from the appetizer and it was so good. Also, the fruit tea was so good and refreshing. The only thing I was not a fan of was the egg dumpling. It wasn't bad but not my favorite. The flavor was very plain compared to other items. Also, the parking is 15$ in the two near by lots. Definitely, look for street parking.

Combo Soup Base - Bone Broth and Tomato Broth
Christina T.

I was in the area and wanted to check out a new hotpot place with a friend. When we arrived on late Sunday afternoon, the staff was relatively friendly and seated us very quickly. There was a few parties there but wasn't too busy. They quickly explained the menu is through a website that can be accessed on the QR code for each table. The only thing that wasn't able to be ordered through the code was the soup which we opted for the bone broth and tomato soup option. Overall the interface was relatively easy to use in terms of ordering. Multiple people can join the table ordering and you are able to see who ordered what. I would recommend looking over the set offerings before ordering. Cause I made the error of ordering full orders on the veggies as opposed to being able to try more on variety. It was also a lot of food for a full order, so we did run into problems of completing. Soup was flavorful. The snack bar was self service which had a few Asian snacks like shrimp chips, spicy peanuts, edamame and cucumber salad to just name a few. There was a sauce bar had a standard offerings not too extensive. Inside had a unique vibe there was colorful wall decorations. There's indoor and outdoor seating. Multiple tables big enough for larger and smaller parties. We just parked in one of paid parking lots in Pasadena. It was a short walk away from the restaurant. There multiple lots around the area. Not sure if the restaurant validates since we didn't ask.

Rob C.

Plenty of good food that is served and I definitely will be back. Hot pot broth was excellent. I love how the flavors blended together, nothing was over compensated or over salted which was good. The skewers I enjoyed were good. They have a deal on them $8.99 and they throw it on the grill. Ordered lamb, beef, shrimp, plus the meatballs were heavy too. They don't skimp here and that's a good sign. Don't sleep on the sauce bar here either they've got some good choices plus their in house sauce hits. I left full and happy.

Yum
Amanda C.

This place has such a fun vibe. I love how colorful and decorative it is both inside and out with posters, lanterns, umbrellas, and covers. Once you sit down you can scan the QR code and start to see the menu (and even order as a group with everyone adding what they want) There's a large selection of broths available for your hot pot that you can split down the middle of the pot so you can have options. I love ordering the extras like tofu, potato, lamb, and even kabobs! There's also a little sauce bar/ toppings station where you can get as much green onion, garlic, sesame seeds etc ...and boy did I get a lot! I really appreciated that they moved me to a quieter table when I asked because I think we were first sitting next to the kitchen where items were being thrown into the sink and it was quite loud with crashing noises every so often. The staff was really kind and accommodating when I told them I'm noise sensitive and they were sure to sit me at the perfect table. I had such a good time and everything tasted delicious! I can't wait to return here again to try more!!!

Tammy T.

If you like Hot Pot, you'll definitely LOVE Chong Qing Yao Mei because this place is actually pretty darn amazing. From the decor to the food - it's great! A wonderful place for date nights or family nights, it's a place for all. Staff are attentive and knowledgeable. My favorite of their hot pot item is their noodle and of appetizer is their beef skewers. Always my go to place for Chinese Hot Pot - highly recommended!

Maruko X.

Ambiance: it's a trendy hot pot place in Pasadena with very old fashioned decorations, front patio outdoor dining area, and spacious dining room inside separated in three sections Service: self serving ordering system, you scan the bar code on the table and place your own food orders Food: variety choices of food, and good combinations available, note their menu descriptions may vary from the actual items, self serving sauce and snack stations combo soup base - *** two choices of medium spicy beef oil with surcharge, none spicy bone soup, the beef oil broth was insanely salty and not spicy, bone soup was flavorless House Special Bowl Dishes (Meat) - **** 6 bowls of crystal beef, beef trip, marinated chicken feet, spam, egg dumpling, recommend House Special Cups Dishes (Vegan) - *** 9 cups of frozen tofu, lettuce, corn, daikon, dried tofu, black fungus, potato, seaweed, tomato Spicy Beef - **** topped with egg, marinated and soft, recommend Home style fried pork - **** crispy pork, good either eat directly or cooked in the broth, recommend Price: generous portions and reasonable prices, expect $50 per person for a very fulfilling meal

Menu
Travis P.

This is my 3rd visit here and always loved the experience and food at this hot pot spot. It's a bit on the pricier side and is ale cart but the food quality is always really good. This time around I decided to try out more of the skewers that they server which I believe is a newer item. The skewers are made on a cooker outside and brought in after they are done. Some notably good ones are definitely the beef & pineapple skewer, lamb skewer, and the oyster mushrooms skewers. Can't go wrong and all super delicious. Also really enjoyed the potato spiral they had which was much better than the ones you'd find at a fair because they batter it before frying. In terms of hotpot we only tried out a few items this time around but everything was fresh. Loved that they have a pretty extensive sauce bar to make your favorite sauces. You can expect to spend ~$45-$60 per person if you're a big eater. It's worth every bit of it though so worth giving this spot a try. Parking - Love parking at Delacey parking lot which is a short walk to here. It's $1 for the first 2 hours then $2 for each hour after.

Lamb skewers -- comes with 4 skewers
Sherry C.

I know we're all obsessed with super spicy tallow hot pot now, but this isn't Sancheng lameizi or Laomatou. This is Chongqing Yaomei in old town Pasadena. The concept is pretty much the same, you order your soup bases, I went with bone broth and the spicy tallow, of course. Grab your unlimited appetizers and make your own sauces from the self-serve bar. Then order all your ingredients from your phone. Presentation? A1 here. Bonus points because the server will help you mix the egg into the beef, this makes the beef SO tender. EXTRA bonus points because the server brought me his own sauce concoction, which was soo sweet of him. And they even do grilled skewers in their outdoor patio. Thanks for reading! ^-^

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18 days ago

First time at a hotpot. The server was great in explaining everything. Food was great. Broth was very flavorful. Kids love it.

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Chong Qing Yao Mei Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Chong Qing Yao Mei

When do they have the face changing show? My kids really would like to see.

How's the parking situation?

There is street parking on Green St or you need to park in a nearby structure like the one on De Lacey.

What is that spicy chex-like cracker snack at the appetizer/snack bar? That stuff was delicious but I don't know what it is!

Is this ayce?

No it’s not

Any schedule change due to COVID-19 outbreak?

We no longer have dine in services and are working toward to go orders on Uber Eats and other online platforms. Updates will be available on Instagram @chongqingyaomei

Do they serve hotpot for 1pax?

Yes, you can dine as a party of 1

Is it ayce?

No, at the moment we do not have AYCE option

View All 13 Questions

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Woon

4.0(246 reviews)
2.4 mi
$$

Finally made it out to Woon Pasadena for brunch! Stopped by with a friend on a Sunday - there was a…read morebit of a line to order but we were able to be seated right away. You order and pay at the front, then get seated. I love the decor and ambiance as well! The items we tried: - Mama Fong's five spice chicken wings - these were definitely the standout for me - they came out piping hot, super fresh, and perfectly seasoned and garlicky - Cold sesame noodles (we added chicken) - chewy and thick noodles with a delicious marinated tofu, pickled cucumber, and a flavorful seasoning and sesame sauce! Such a yummy and satisfying comfort dish - Milk tea French toast - with milk bread, black tea custard, and black tea maple syrup. Loved the custard part - just a heads up it is a large portion size and comes with 2 slices. We honestly wish there was the option to just get one slice since we were so full by the end of our meal! There's a parking lot next to/behind the restaurant, or street parking in the area.

The atmosphere here is lovely. Prices are very reasonable,…read moreand every dish is packed with flavor. What we ordered: MAMA FONG'S FIVE SPICE CHICKEN WINGS So, so good -- crispy, flavorful, and absolutely addictive. One dish we always order. WOOD EAR MUSHROOM & BEAN CURD STICK SALAD So tasty we ended up ordering two. CHARRED CHINESE BROCCOLI We need Chinese broccoli with every meal here. A definite must-order. BEEF NOODLES That charred flavor adds such a rich, smoky depth to the dish. FRIED RICE Everything in this fried rice is perfectly balanced. The mix of white and black rice somehow makes it feel a little extra magical. Highly recommend this place!

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Woon - Our table

Our table

Woon - Pickled Chinese cabbage, don't like it

Pickled Chinese cabbage, don't like it

Woon - Bacon fried rice

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Bacon fried rice

Mama Lu’s Dumpling House - spicy wontons pork & shrimp(10)

Mama Lu’s Dumpling House

3.8(413 reviews)
0.0 mi
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My eldest daugther and I were heading to the Jackaloupe Arts Fair held at Central Park in Pasadena…read more We parked at Schoolhouse Parking Garage. On our way out of the parking garage, we saw Mama Lu's Dumpling House. They have relocated to another space where 85 Degrees Bakery used to be at the corner of Fair Oaks Ave and Green St. I feel they made a very good decision in the move. We ordered to-go via self-ordering kiosk and got an order of Green Onion Pancake. It was simple and easy to manuever through the screens. Inside space is very comfortable and airy. Lots of room for more capacity. Staff was nice and attentive. Once order was ready, they brought it to us. It didn't take them very long to make the item. Thank you Miss! Green Onion Pancake was flavorfully good. Not too oily with the perfect amount of crispiness. Definitely a keeper! I haven't dined in at this new location. I will need to come back and dine-in once again. Hopefully, they have elevated their flavors since the last time I ate here. Thanks Mama Lu's!

Very big servings. I highly recommend the dumplings! They are delicious! Everything else has to be…read moreseasoned to your taste at your table by yourself. The eggplant was very flavorful though didn't need much seasoning because of the sauce. The rice was a bit dry and definitely needed seasoning. Wonton soup was also in need of seasoning. Pork Dumplings $10.99 Shrimp fried rice $15.99 Won Ton soup $15.99 Eggplant dish $15.99 Service was good when you get their attention. Seems like they don't ask you if you need anything often. Otherwise I did a lot of flagging servers down. Place is casual and busy. Parking also a challenge. Public parking is $1 for the first 2 hours, if that helps you. Street parking is an option but we had no luck.

Photos
Mama Lu’s Dumpling House - Interior

Interior

Mama Lu’s Dumpling House - French beef stir fry

French beef stir fry

Mama Lu’s Dumpling House - Green Onion Pancake

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Green Onion Pancake

Yang Chow - M-F lunch specials

Yang Chow

3.8(712 reviews)
4.6 mi
$$

Upon recommendation, I decided to visit this restaurant with a friend. We really enjoyed the…read moreslippery shrimp ($24.50) and Szechuan (orange) chicken ($22.50). Bowls of steamed rice cost $2.50, and we each got one. Portions are generously large and worth the cost; we took leftovers home. The tea offered to us tasted good. The slippery shrimp had a nice crisp with a pleasant blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. There's a slight spice from the red chili that felt mild on my tongue. This was our first time trying out the dish, and we liked it the most. The orange chicken tasted solid, and it had a slightly crispy texture. For some reason, the rice had an aftertaste I wasn't familiar with, but it was still fresh. There was a fortune cookie at the end of our meal. I'd come back for the slippery shrimp and order something other than the orange chicken. The restaurant opened at 11:30 am, and we were one of the first customers to dine in. The ambience was quiet and relaxed, but they got busier as many more people arrived. Service was good as the staff packed our leftovers in containers for us. Our server asked us where we were from as he was used to seeing regulars during the time we visited. Before we exited, we took some time to see framed photos of celebrities who visited Yang Chow before, including Conan O'Brien and Magic Johnson.

I've been coming to this and the Chinatown location for the last 30 years. The Chinatown location…read moreused to be better; but, over the last couple of years it seems to have reversed. For whatever reason, the quality of the food in Chinatown has deteriorated very badly while Pasadena has improved. The slippery shrimp is always the attraction. The braised string bean is one of the best in town. Fish fillet with wine sauce is always one of my gotos. My only complain about this place is they should use much better quality rice.

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Yang Chow - Inside

Inside

Yang Chow - Shrimp with lobster sauce

Shrimp with lobster sauce

Yang Chow - Our spread

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Our spread

Lunasia Dim Sum House

Lunasia Dim Sum House

3.8(2.5k reviews)
0.4 mi
$$

Perfect family dim sum experience for us…read more We took out my parents and in-laws for dim sum: my parents' very first time ever. We did wait about an hour, but honestly I didn't mind at all because it gave us a chance to relax, talk, and catch up as a family. Once we were seated, my parents were immediately impressed with the decor: elegant and cultural without feeling overly modern or cold. And can we talk about the tea kettles? They looked like literal pieces of art being poured at the table. Ordering was super easy with the QR code system, so my husband handled the whole spread: shumai dumplings, chicken feet, sesame balls, and more. Everything came out hot, fresh, and beautifully plated. The ENTIRE table agreed on one thing: the chili oil condiment deserves to be sold in bottles to take home. It was that good. Smoky, just the right amount of spicy, and addictive. Now for the real test: my in-laws. They've been to *many* dim sum places and are not easily impressed. They declared this place to have the best chicken feet that they've ever had: meat easily sucked off the bone, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and perfectly seasoned. High praise coming from dim sum veterans. Most importantly, my parents' first dim sum experience couldn't have been better. They loved everything from the ambiance to the food to the overall experience. My husband and I want to come back to explore more of the menu because there's clearly so much more to try

Hubby wanted to get dim sum for new year and luckily we live close to Lunasia. Like most locations,…read morethe food is pretty consistent and the servers are pretty attentive. This location is pretty spacious and even has a second floor for dining. Though we were seated inside, a lot of people were coming in and out for take out. They have a QR code to scan the menu and send your order to the kitchen. Unfortunately, they forgot our order of shumai. We had already finished eating before it even came. The waitress was kind but apparently had to bring the receipt back because the staff was claiming we already received it.

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Lunasia Dim Sum House - The outside of the restaurant.

The outside of the restaurant.

Lunasia Dim Sum House - Back of the restaurant with plenty of parking.

Back of the restaurant with plenty of parking.

Lunasia Dim Sum House - Nice, modern look and feel

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Nice, modern look and feel

Sichuan Street Food - stir fried celtuce

Sichuan Street Food

4.5(101 reviews)
1.3 mi
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I've been coming here at least once a week for the past five months, and this place continues to…read moreimpress every single time. The service is consistently great... attentive, efficient, and genuinely welcoming. Fair warning for anyone new to Sichuan cuisine, the dominant flavor is "spicy". That said, the dishes are not just about heat... they're layered, aromatic, and incredibly well-balanced. Every dish I've tried has been outstanding, both in flavor and presentation. If you're a fan of bold, authentic flavors and reliable service, this spot is definitely worth visiting. Tip - If you're new to the cuisine, I strongly recommend getting everything MILD spicy. I've been told by some of my colleagues that MILD spicy is still pretty spicy, so be warned. With that said, strongly recommend the dishes below. Lamb with Cumin 11/10 - My favorite dish here by far. Aromatic, flavorful, and the spices are just on point. Dan Dan Noodles 9/10 - Solid and consistently good. The sauce is properly seasoned and truly compliments the perfectly cooked noodles. Shredded Cabbage with Pork 9/10 - Not to be confused with twice cooked pork. This dish is so simple and bland looking, but it's packed with flavor... so good! Garlic Pork Belly 8/10 - This is a cold dish. The meat was perfectly cooked and properly coated in chili oil. Solid and consistently good. Kung Pao Chicken 8/10 - In my opinion, it's an elevated Kung Pao Chicken. Solid and consistently good.

This place is crazy good. When you think of Szechuan food you're probably thinking SPICE, but you…read morecan adjust the heat of most of the dishes here so you're not frying your tongue off. It can get really busy, though, so expect to wait or just call in your order and take your food to go. I recommend the soy sauce tofu with beef dish. It's fire. Massive W. Gen Z words. Good.

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Sichuan Street Food
Sichuan Street Food - Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken

Sichuan Street Food - Rice- comes with the dish

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Rice- comes with the dish

Chong Qing Yao Mei - hotpot - Updated May 2026

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