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Came here for dinner as I always wanted to check this place out. It is located in one of the entrances in the Brea Mall (downstairs by Macy and right across from Red Robin's). Setup similar to other Mala tang restaurants where you first choose your ingredients, and then select the flavor of your soup base at check out. Plenty of options for vegetables, tofu based items, all sort of mushrooms, some seafood, and a few selections of frozen meats (beef, pork, etc). For those that are not familiar with Mala Tang style restaurants, you may be carried away by picking up lots of ingredients, and will cost you an arm and leg as the price of your meal is based on the total dry weight of the ingredients you choose before check out. This place is $16.49 per lb. So keep this mind as you select your ingredients. I had the hot and sour soup base, and it was very delicious with all the added ingredients that I had chosen (sort of like a self serve hotpot). I did went overboard as mine was just over 2lbs... It is self serve but the staff were very friendly and supportive. Worth checking it out when you're in the area.1
Solid spot for build-your-own malatang, especially for the price, as long as you're mindful of the ingredients you add since the cost can increase quickly. I usually eat smaller portions and almost always have leftovers, so I really like this concept because I can control exactly what goes into my bowl and how much I get. I've been here twice and ordered the "Just a Kick" soup base both times. It had the perfect level of spice for me: not too mild and not too spicy, though I did find the broth a little oily. There's a great variety of ingredients to choose from, a well-stocked sauce bar, and free ice cream for dessert, which is the perfect way to end the meal. There's also plenty of seating indoors, on the patio, and along the mall hallway outside. The restroom requires a code to access. It was clean but dimly lit and the speakers inside were surprisingly loud. Overall, I'd definitely come back. The food has been consistently good, and the location inside Brea Mall makes it a convenient option whenever I'm in the area.
I've been to a few Malatang places here in socal and I have also been to many locations that serve malatang in Asia! I have to say that tang bar is probably the best one in California that I've had! There is so much to choose from the self-serve bar where you can help yourself to vegetables, seafood, and meat! I was so excited and overwhelmed in the best way when I saw the variety and selection that was provided. After grabbing your bowl of food items, you will bring it to the cashier where they will weigh it, and cook the food in the broth that you like! I got the spiciest flavor - and I have a huge tolerance for spice. I thought it was so nice that they allowed me to ask for it to be spicier because it is what I truly enjoy! A lot of other places will usually say that it is a set recipe. So I did appreciate this a lot. My friends have a lower tolerance for Spice and got the just a kick broth flavor - they thought it was a good balance as well! They have a variety of broths to choose from, and you can even have them do a dry mix as well! After paying and grabbing your food, you're able to help yourself to the unlimited sauce bar - their Sesame sauce paired with chili and garlic is a huge recommendation! I will definitely be back again.
My friend and I were so impressed with the selection of meats, veggies, proteins, etc. Everything seemed well kept and super fresh too. We came on a Thursday night and there wasn't a wait. I like that the broth had the actual mala numbing spice, some places lack that.The worker was really nice too. They have a good amount of seating and is located on the 1st floor. ig: @cravingswithcat
Tang Bar - Brea I'd give this place 3 stars. The concept is interesting. It's a mix of cafeteria-style dining and hot pot, which is still fairly unique in America. You grab your own ingredients, build a bowl, and hand it over for cooking. The challenge is the pricing. Since you're selecting ingredients before they're weighed and charged, it's hard to know what you're spending until the end. The cost adds up quickly, and the final bill can be surprising. As for the food, it's alright. The broth does most of the heavy lifting. The ingredients themselves are fresh enough, but the flavor largely comes from the soup base they add at the end. The experience is simple and efficient--almost like an assembly line. Everything is self-service, and there isn't much interaction beyond the ordering process. I appreciate the concept and understand why it's popular. The customization is fun, and the hot bowl is satisfying on a cold day. But when I compare it to the price, I see it as only a small step above food court dining. Not bad. Not amazing. Just okay.
If you're ever shopping at Brea mall and end up hungry after shopping, I definitely recommend this place! I love malatang and I've been on the search to find a new malatang places since the place I used to go to near me unfortunately closed down. I'm glad I tried this place because I come to brea mall so often so I'm glad I found a restaurant I can now go to if I'm ever at the mall. This is build your own bowl concept. You can either get soup base or stirfry. This place definitely has more options than the places I've visited from. They also have your own sauce station. For the broth, I chose "just a kick" which was perfect for me. It was a good spice and wasn't overly spicy. Absolutely delicious. I couldn't finish my bowl so I did get pack the rest for home and had it for lunch the next day and it was still delicious. There's a good amount of seating inside and few tables outside. It's honestly a nice place. They even have complimentary ice cream for their guests!
Was craving hotpot by CSUF, so this place wasn't too far away from it. It's located near the Macy's / Red Robin entrance, so it wasn't hard to find. There were plenty of options for toppings and meat types. However, their Wagyu and beef brisket rolls were surprisingly dry, even if they were in a soup. Service was reasonable for a dinner rush and staff were patient when questions were asked. Soup bases were nicely seasoned without being overly salty, and the price was decent for the portions I chose.
This is one of those "DIY" hotpot places that's been very popular lately, and having one at the mall is a nice option. I like that they have a wide selection of veggies, meats, seafood, carbs, and other add-ons to choose from and they do look more fresh than some other similar spots that I've been to. After filling up your bowl, they weigh it at the end and charge by the pound. I got the "Just a kick" broth and it was pretty good. Decent spot, but nothing special. Still prefer some other similar spots for overall taste. The negative was that the orders came out very haphazardly. We came as a small group but they all came out at very different times, with some other customers' orders being ready before ours (who ordered after us). They give you a buzzer and will buzz it each time a bowl is ready. Some of us started eating first because it was taking so long for the other bowls to come out, and there just didn't seem to be a good system. Seating can be tough but tables seem to free up pretty quickly. Don't forget the complimentary ice cream in the freezer by the tray/dish return area in the end!
Tang Bar is a newly opened build-your-own hot pot spot inside Brea Mall on the first floor. At the entrance, grab a large stainless steel bowl along with tongs and gloves. The ingredients bar is organized in a flow - starting with a wide selection of vegetables, moving into meats, and finishing with carbs. I usually like pairing my hot pot with a bowl of steamed rice, but that's not offered here... which might actually be a blessing if you're trying to cut back on carbs! After filling your bowl, you place it on the weigh station, choose your soup base or sauce, and wait for it to be cooked. I believe we paid $16.49/pound (1.02 pound is removed from what you see on the scale for the weight of the bowl). While waiting, there's a sauce and condiments bar where you can customize your flavors. Utensils and napkins are available near the pickup area. A nice bonus: they have a deep chest freezer stocked with complimentary ice cream to enjoy after your meal - such a nice surprise! The space itself is fairly large and open, with well-spaced tables and a small outdoor patio. That said, I wish they had a better system for seating. We visited during peak hours and it was packed. Some parties saved tables before even paying, which left those who had already ordered and were waiting for their food scrambling to find a seat.
Amazing malatang place. They have lots of vegetarian options which is rare for a malatang eatery. All their dry options are vegetarian as is their mushroom broth. I got the peppercorn flavor and it was the perfect level of spice. A kick without being so spicy it overwhelms all other flavors. It's very casual. Self serve and self seat. They also have wet wipes to wipe down your table. Their prices are reasonable--a little more expensive than other similar places, but you do get a larger selection of sauces at the sauce bar, fresher noodles, and free ice cream at the end of your meal. My tastebuds are excited to return.
This newly opened malatang bar has quickly become one of my go to spots, especially because it is so close to home. I am always craving malatang, but most places are such a drive, so having one nearby is a huge plus. What really stands out is the variety. They offer a wide selection of vegetables, meats, and noodles, so you can really customize your bowl exactly how you like it. I tried the "Perfect Kick" soup base and it definitely packed more than just a little kick. It was much spicier than I expected, but the next time I asked for it less spicy and it turned out just right. They also offer a free popsicle or ice cream, which is such a nice touch after a hot and spicy meal. The ambiance is super cute, and there is even a small fish stream running through the middle of the large table so you can eat while watching them swim. It makes the whole experience feel fun and unique.
Really solid malagang place. I got their chicken broth and it was light yet rich at the same time. All the ingredients I chose were cooked perfectly and they have a great sauce bar. I paid a little over $20 for 1.4lbs of food, which I think is a fairly average price for malatang these days. The best part is that they also have a fridge full of ice cream that's included as part of the price! Would definitely come back for lunch.
First time tried Tang Bar. Beautiful design of resto. Start with big bowl and tang and you can choose the vegetables, meats, noddles. They will measure what your food and asked about the soup ... I choose Jusk a kick it. Yummy. Recommended
i've been super excited to come back with my boyfriend! i got the same broth as last time, just a kick, and my boyfriend tried the sweet and spicy dry mix. unfortunately my broth was the complete opposite compared to last time. it was extremely flavorless, the first time i went i didn't need to use a dipping sauce because the broth was so flavorful and almost too salty towards the end of my meal. this time i had to go to the sauce bar to add soy sauce, chili oil and chili peppers to my bowl which made everything a lot better. the broth was also not as piping hot as it should've been, it didn't taste fresh. might've been an off day. other than the broth, the ingredients were well stocked and fresh, the space is clean. i wouldn't recommend getting the "wagyu" because it's very tough. i didn't know they had free ice cream last time, but it was a delicious sweet treat after a warm and spicy meal! read more
I liked the ingredient options they had. Pricing wasn't bad either for 16.99/lb. But my soup took forever to come out and my friends were already halfway done with theirs by the time mine came out. I had leftovers and they charge 10cents for a to-go bag. Kind of ridiculous for a restaurant. They do have free ice cream that probably gets taken advantage of but that's not my problem. read more
7 months ago
I wanted to like this place because the food itself was actually really good, but the experience was disappointing. First, they had run out of several sauce condiments, which is kind of a big deal for a malatang-style meal where sauces are part of the whole experience. Worse, when I finished eating, I found a metal clip sitting at the bottom of my bowl. That's a serious food safety issue. Luckily I noticed it before accidentally swallowing it, but it definitely ruined the meal. Good food doesn't make up for basic quality control problems like this. I hope the restaurant improves their kitchen practices because this shouldn't happen. read more
6 months ago
I love this place! It's a build your own style malatag bar where they charge by the pound ($16.49/lb as of this review). You line up and grab the vegetables, meats, seafoods, and noodles for them to weigh, the broth will follow after. The broth is flavorful and comfortably hot, although for the entry heat level of "Just a Kick" would be a "Horseback Kick" to most folks that would assume it is Mild in spice. I strongly recommend you get the chicken broth if you have low spice intolerance, until you have a chance to try out the spicy options! There are many good options of what you may add to your bowl, from seaweed, to baby corns, to wagyu beef, and much more, I wouldn't say there are cheap ingredients here! The staff is very thorough, they will ask you to place your tongs down, how would you like it cooked (soup or stir fried), what heat/flavor, and if you have any allergies. One out of the multiple times I've visited here, they undercooked my food (the seafood tofu was cold in the center), I went back and pointed it out, they swiftly corrected it! Now, as I mentioned that this place goes by the pound; if you are price weary, you must be mindful of what you grab! I suggest getting only one or two pieces of your favorite ingredients rather than just grabbing whatever. I manage to always have the ending price under $10 and with the included broth, it manages to fill me up! The interior and exterior of this place is quite pleasant, they have live goldfish swimming around at the center table with good seating. While you're waiting for your food, they have a self serve toppings bar. Oh, also there's free ice cream, so save the soda for a cup of water instead! read more
10 months ago
Took family from out of town to Tang Bar at Brea Mall for build your own soup. They have a huge selection from veggies, leafy greens, seafood, meats, noodles, and sauces. As you bring your creation to the register, they weigh your bowl and charge $14.99 per pound (they deduct the weight of your bowl). Then you can select from a variety of soup bases ranging from coconut milk (laksa), Szechuan, pickled veg, mushroom, or chicken. Place was busy but worth the wait! Nice job Tang Bar read more
Business owner information
Peter L.
Hi Marcello,…
8 months ago
Today, I decided to try Tang Bar after seeing and hearing a lot about it. When I walked in, I immediately noticed how aesthetic and clean the space was. The layout looked organized, and there were plenty of ingredient options to choose from. I picked all my favorite ingredients and noticed they offered both soup and dry options. Since Sichuan spicy was one of the recommended flavors, I decided to go with that. I also appreciated the sauce station and how organized everything was, although it was a bit confusing at first trying to figure out where everything was located. When I started eating, I realized the pork intestines were very chewy, almost difficult to bite through. In general, the meat quality was disappointing because most of the meats were hard to chew. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the vegetables and noodles. For the price, I felt it was a bit on the expensive side. Overall, it was still a decent first experience, and I would consider coming back to try the dry version next time. read more
9 months ago
Such a cool concept - have never been somewhere that lets you build your own hot pot buffet style and then cooks it for you. If you go on a weekend or Friday be prepared to wait 10-15 minutes after paying for the cooking and line itself moves kinda slow prob 10-15 min as well. Tables / seating is limited as well but overall worth it because they have a great selection of noodles and meat! Quail eggs are so delicious. Spice level of Shezuan is perfect as someone who loves spicy food but beware it does have the numbing stuff! read more
9 months ago
I first tried Tang Bar in SF and could not stop thinking about the laksa broth. I didn't know there was a location in Brea mall, so we decided to go as soon as we found out. Since it is inside a mall, it was an open restaurant layout. We went during a rainy day and there was a long line which was expected cause it was soup season. You grab a tray and a bowl and fill up your bowl with all of the hot pot ingredients and they cook it for you. There were a lot of tables and they also had a sauce bar so that you can make your own dipping sauce. I got a bunch of veggies, meats, fish balls, and picked the laksa broth. It was so good and I even had leftovers to take home. read more
Staff incompetence left me waiting for 20 minutes with no food while wife got her bowl. No sorry, just a refund as I didn't have time to wait again. System that has flaws they can't execute. Don't recommend and will not be coming back. read more
Business owner information
Peter L.
Hi Steven,…
My primary issue with the Tang Bar is paying $30 at a food court type establishment (technically Tang Bar is not in the food court but 1 level below). I will admit I lacked a strategy in filling up by bowl. Since the meal is based only on the weight ($14.99 per pound), I should have focused on the meat and seafood. But at least I enjoyed the food. The broth I chose was supposed to be a little spicy but I fully broke out in sweat by the end. The sauce bar was fine. There's also free ice cream bars which I'm not sure how many people were aware since they don't mention it. There is a nice courtyard outside for nice evenings. I may try again, next time using a ROI method. read more
Pretty solid hot pot spot with a veggie broth option which I always love! The broth was light and simple but a bit too oily for my taste. They offer lots of toppings (unlimited toppings) and I got my favorites. The sauce bar is also a plus but be warned -- the Thai chilis are NO JOKE and use sparingly haha! read more
1 month ago
Business owner information
Peter L.
Hi David, thanks for giving us a try! We appreciate your honest…
2 months ago
Business owner information
Peter L.
Hi Clea, I’m sorry your meal didn’t meet your expectations. We…
I think about his place probably at least once a week, because I love this place so much. They have a wonderful selection of ingredients to choose from. I got the sweet and spicy dry mix and it was SO GOOD. I love how they also have a self serve complimentary ice cream fridge to finish your meal here. The workers are also super friendly and nice here too. read more
Quick hot pot priced by the pound, if you are near or at the Brea Mall. It's a build your own, bar style, choose what type of broth you want, then wait for them to buzz you when it's hot and ready. Sauce counter is also available to make while you wait for your malatang. Don't forget to get your ice cream in the freezer after you deliver your used bowls to the back counter. read more
10 months ago
I was walking the Brea mall when suddenly an incredible smell hit my nose. When I tell you I followed my nose to find the source, I mean it. I see Tang Bar and I instantly knew I wanted to try it just based off how cute it looked! When I saw the self-serve portion, I was hesitant as I am not a fan of these types of establishments but the smell convinced me to give it a shot. Napa cabbage & lots of different beef cuts including wagyu went into my bowl. A wide variety of mushrooms was definitely another selling point. I loved the options of noodles as well. I got the broth/soup bowl with "just a lil kick" of spice. $14.99/lb and I ended up with 1.94lbs. Ended up being $29.08 before taxes. I sat and waited for my food and to my surprise it was done quickly. The soup had such a delicious smell and I immediately dug in. The spice was just the right amount but definitely spicy that it made my nose run haha but I could not stop eating it. I enjoyed every single bite and the soup was one of the best I've had. Can't wait to go again! read more
A solid spot for malatang in the Brea area. I came on a Thursday afternoon at 1 PM and it was relatively busy. I enjoyed how there was a wide variety of vegetables and meat. For the beef, the options included wagyu, short plate, brisket, and chuck. I thought this was very impressive since most places only have one option for beef. They also have plastic gloves for when you're getting the food. The food was $14.99 a pound. Ambiance: 5/5. The restaurant has a spacious, beautiful interior and outdoor seating. I recommend parking right in the lot right outside the door. Service: 5/5. Very friendly service and quick turnaround time after paying. I got the "just a kick" broth and it was delicious! It had a good numbing spice. The only downside was that I wish there was more broth. Additionally, the meat was too chewy; could be because it was overcooked or the meat is sliced too thick. Overall, a solid malatang spot with a wide variety of food and beautiful interior. There is also free ice cream available. read more
Be prepared for a long wait but the food is delicious. We got into line a little before the restroom and it took around 30-40 min in line. They have little time markers to tell you the estimate wait time from that point but it really depends on the customers and how long they take choosing. The concept is really cool, pick your meat, noodles, and sides and then the soup base. Once you get to the register you get a number and they call you back to pick up. There's a sauce bar too. The interior is pretty with a water like fountain down the middle of one table. The outdoor seating is really nice at night too with the lighting and I honestly prefer to be a little cold when eating hot soup. Overall the wait is long from the line being 30-40 min and then waiting for your food another 30 min. If you're not starving I recommend trying it out if not try to come on a weekday or non busy hour. read more
Business owner information
Peter L.
Hi DJ,…
11 months ago
So glad we saw this place while walking through Brea mall. We immediately stopped by to see their central mini water feature with fish. When you walk in, you grab all your ingredients, then go to the register to pick your broth/sauce and pay. Eventually you pick up your own tray when they call you up with the buzzer. Our favorite broth is hands down the laksa! It was sold out one time we went at 7 pm. But we finally got to try it when we went to eat at 4:30 pm. Best malatang we've had in a while! read more
9 months ago
Me and my daughter love this place. The chopsticks and soup spoon look a little dirty and they need to restock the sauce station more often and offer a better labeling and recommendations on sauce making for others that have no clue. Otherwise variety of veggies,meat, seafood and noodles. We come here almost every weekend read more
10 months ago
This place is straight forward: grab a bowl and tongs and select your ingredients. Get it weighed and select soup or dry and a flavor. Pretty much self service here- get your own condiments, water, utensils, ice cream. Ambience was fine - just a casual setting within a mall. Good: flavor was great, many fresh ingredients were available - more selection than the usual malatang places. Bad: my bowl was missing some ingredients I had when I weighed it like a beef ball and a fish cake. My bowl also came with chicken meat which I didn't pick up. To management: I'm not really sure what happened but I recommend to double check how you're managing different orders/different ingredients to avoid mixing or misplacement. Some friends I came with also were missing a few items like fish ball with roe in their soups. It's definitely strange, never happened to me before at a malatang place to have missing or ingredients I didn't select! read more
Business owner information
Peter L.
Hi Steven,…
4 months ago
$18.99 per pound, I remember I put at least 6 to 7 pcs of meat on my bowl but I only ate 4 and they put the meat under the noodles. what happened to the rest of the meat? I ordered chicken broth and It's almost dried... never again. BIG WAY is WAY BETTER! read more
2 months ago
came here for dinner and it wasn't too packed. interior is very cool. they have lots of stations to pick out your meats, veggies, and other sides! although a few of the options were not refilled, but it was close to closing time. i got the just a kick broth and it was perfect. not too spicy, although i could've had it a bit spicier. the broth didn't come out as hot as i wanted it but it was still good! my meat had a metallic look to it though? not sure what it was from. and the meats were pretty tough to chew. at the end you can grab an ice cream bar! staff was nice as well read more
Business owner information
Peter L.
Hi Hailey,…
My wife and I wanted to eat something warm when we were at the Brea Mall for dinner, so we thought we would try out the new place that had opened recently. Tang Bar just hit the spot for us as it has hot soup and all the fresh ingredients you can think of. They charge by the pound ($14.99/lb), so I tried to estimate a pound's worth of food, but I ended up going over just a bit. Anyway, both my wife and I chose the Laksa soup base, and it was really flavorful. My wife really liked it, but I thought it was a little too spicy for my taste. I asked if they could add some soup to dilute it and they quickly added chicken soup, which greatly reduced the spiciness. Service was really really good, and they were very polite. I also like the whole decoration of the inside and outside seating area. Overall, a great experience. Highly recommended! read more
3 months ago
Tang Bar in the Brea Mall is a really fun spot if you like hot pot or want something different from the usual mall food. The setup is simple: grab a bowl, pick your ingredients, weigh it, and choose your broth. They have a huge selection of fresh meats, seafood, tofu, noodles, and veggies, all neatly displayed behind the counter. Everything looks clean and well organized, and the staff is quick to help if you're not sure what something is. Once you've built your bowl, they weigh it and then cook it in the broth you pick. The broths are flavorful and not overly salty, and the portions end up being just right since you control what goes in. I like that it feels lighter and fresher than a traditional restaurant hot pot, but still satisfying. Tang Bar is part of a small chain with a few locations in California and beyond, and they also do delivery through DoorDash. It's nice knowing you can get the same quality at home if you don't want to deal with parking at the mall. Overall, it's a clean, modern spot with great flavors and lots of options. Perfect for lunch, a quick dinner, or something different during a shopping trip. The owner is also very friendly and accommodating. He happened to be there when I went with my family and he checked in often with us to make sure we were satisfied with the food. read more
8 months ago
1 month ago
Business owner information
Peter L.
Hi, thanks for visiting us and taking the time to share your…
9 months ago
Came by to give this place a try! I saw it was new and the aesthetic was super cute. Once you go in you get your bowl and tongs and serve yourself. They had a large variety of vegetables, fish, cake, meat, and other toppings for your bowl. I especially like that they had a dry bowl option because I like it way better. So I opted for the sesame dry bowl and it came out in about five minutes. While I was waiting, I was able to get myself my sauce, which wasn't super necessary since my bowl had a lot of sesame sauce already, but it was still fun. They also have a water station with their utensils. I got to sit on the long table next to the little fish and fountain which was cute and I like that. Overall was a pretty nice setting, and the food had a good flavor. At the end there's a bonus sweet treat which was super cool and I opted for an ice cream sandwich. Can't wait to come back next time. Although it's a little pricier than other places, I can definitely see why because the quality is higher and ambience is nice and not stuffy. read more
8 months ago
More info about Tang Bar
1065 Brea Mall
Unit 1031
Brea, CA 92821
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(714) 784-6220
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Just curious if you guys are safe for people with celiac disease?
Hi Brittney, sorry it took us so long to get back to you. We are still new on Yelp and we just saw this question. We can definately accomodate the gluten-free dietary restrictions. We can do gluten-free chicken broth Malatang, Szechuan Spicy…
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