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One of my favorite places to go on a cold day. Everything about this spot is on point and makes it somewhere I recommend everyone check out, especially hot pot lovers. The selection is huge, and everything is consistently well stocked. They have many of my favorite items, including fish tofu, a variety of mushrooms, and bean curd skin, along with plenty of other options. Their meat selection is wide, and everything tastes high quality. The hot and sour soup is my go-to broth. It has a nice level of sourness, and the spice is perfect for me. The first few sips always make me choke a bit, but once I adjust, it becomes the ideal balance. On a cold day, it warms you up fast and even gets you sweating while still being super flavorful. This location also stands out because of the sauce bar and the free tea and toppings included with your malatang, which the SF location doesn't offer. Everything about this place keeps me coming back: the quality ingredients, the flavor-packed broth, the quick service, and the added extras. I've been here more than three times, and I definitely plan to keep that streak going.
Good for my heart? Probably not with all the sodium. But good for my soul? 100% yes. With a lot of different chains offering their spin on malatang, this one is definitely up there for me. I came after kicking off the flow state with some Molly Tea and this was the perfect savory complement to the experience. They have your standard offerings of meat, noodles, veggies, mushrooms, and seafood to build a bowl to your liking, and a self-serve sauce bar to wrap it all together. For flavors, their "just a kick" was the perfect amount of spice without too much oils or the risk of biting into a peppercorn. They also check for any allergens at the cashier. At the end, there's a nice addition of free dessert next to the sauce bar with coconut sago, clear jelly, and brown sugar syrup to finish your meal on a sweet note. The pickup system can be a little tricky since it's a big place and not always easy to hear your number called from the counter, but if you check in every so often you'll eventually get your food. Plenty of family booth seating and a more modern ambience that makes the experience feel like a treat.
The food was yummy and there were lots of choices on both broth and the BYO bar. Not the most amount of choices on sauces but they had the main ones (soy sauce, chili oil, sesame oil, etc). They don't call out the order number however it appears on a screen with a ding. everything came out as the estimated time showed which was about 20 minutes. I got the hot and sour soup base which was a bit oily for my taste however some people may enjoy. We had leftovers and was easily able to pack it since they leave to go containers out for people to grab easily.
Tang Bar is one of my go-to choices for a casual dinner out. I love having the freedom to build my own hot pot/dry pot with fresh ingredients. I always opt for the "just a kick" soup base for a mild mala spice that's not too overbearing. It hits the spot every time! Once you've weighted your pot, the staff will prepare the order which takes about 15 mins. During peak hours, this is enough time to wait out an empty seat but I've also had the staff help flag down seats for me which I appreciate :) There is also an option for those in a rush to order ahead of time so their order is ready upon arrival. I'll have to try this next time!
Very friendly and efficient malatang location! You have 8+ broths to choose from and plenty of different veggies, meats, and noodles to pick. Service was relatively fast even with peak lunch rush. The only concern I had was that my meats were a bit overcooked. You will also have jelly desserts available, and water and lemon tea free!
Tang Bar in San Mateo is not cheap - especially if you add noodles, but it is worth it. I skipped the noodles because they're heavy and you pay by weight - and loaded up on meat with "lighter" veggies instead. I also added a few choice mushrooms haha :) The line can be long, but it moves. You grab a bowl, add meat first, then veggies, then carbs, hand it to the cashier, and wait for your number to be called after it's cooked. Great selection of meats, vegetables, noodles, and mushrooms. The broth is actually excellent, and they provide take home containers plus a free sauce bar, lemon tea, and taro sago dessert (which I love!!!) Would definitely come back - just skip the noodles :D
Solid malatang spot with some great options for broth! My dad (who is from Malaysia) was a huge fan of the Laksa broth so you know it's the real deal. I ordered the mala spicy broth, which I didn't realize came with cilantro so if you have the no-cilantro gene make sure to specify! The meat was decent quality and there's an especially good selection of seafood (baby octopus, squid, various fish tofus, etc.). I'd recommend adding mostly seafood and chicken to your bowl as they cook it for a while which results in the pork, beef, and lamb slices getting overcooked pretty quickly. It gets crowded during dinner so it could take a while for your malatang to come out after you hand it over. You can make a reservation in advance to secure a spot in the cooking line, though it's a bit weird since you seat yourself typically but with a reservation you check in first, get shown to your seat, and then get your bowl? I'm not sure we did it right last time since our bowl still took 10-15 minutes to come out, so the reservation process is a little confusing. You can also pre-order with a reservation, but I prefer to be in control of the quantity of each ingredient that I'm adding.
Tang Bar is a good option for customizable, tasty food. We waited about 20 minutes in line before beginning our food selection. The line was organized and there were many different ingredients (meats, vegetables, noodles, other toppings) to choose from. The price of your meal depends on the weight of your ingredients ($16.99/lb for dinner). Lastly, you get to choose whether you want it cooked in soup or as a stir fry. I chose soup with their chicken pork broth. My husband chose the stir fry with sweet & spicy sauce. On a busy Friday night, it took about 15 minutes for our food to come out. Seating is first come, first served with a mixture of tables and counter seats. The sauce bar is mediocre compared to other malatang or hot pot restaurants in my opinion. Thankfully the broth and stir fry sauces are very flavorful, so you don't even really need sauce. I loved the chicken pork broth. It was rich and comforting. I like that it is boiled over a long time from actual bones, instead of made from artificially flavored powder. I did not try any of the desserts. Something about the jellies and sago right next to a bunch of soy sauce and garlic didn't sound very appealing. The complimentary lemon tea was extremely sweet. It was like drinking straight syrup. Overall, I would come back for the broth.
Wow, I highly prefer this newer Tang Bar in SM over Stonestown. This location is much nicer, brighter, cleaner, and feels bigger. They also have a new *free* sauce/fruit/drink bar and I def took advantage; they had green tea that was pretty legit! To me, Tang Bar has honestly been elite in terms of broth flavor. I always get the szechuan spicy and it has a great kick, numb, and saltiness to it that I find others can't really match. But if you're not a szechuan lover, it might be a bit too spicy/oily for you. Another highlight is that the quantity is substantial; you could take home the leftover broth and make yourself another malatang! The only nitpick I have though is with their fishcake variety; the cheese fishcake tasted a bit off and they didn't have the mochi one that Mala Town has. Still, it's more of a nice-to-have and I think broth quality trumps side add-ins.
This Tang Bar is soooo much better than the Stonestown one, I was shocked! The space has nice decor, is much larger and more open, and offers a complimentary sauce bar and dessert station. I like being able to see the livestream of the orders cooking while eating free ice jelly with boba :) This place used to be $1 cheaper than the Stonestown location, but now it it is all $16.99/lb so use a light hand when grabbing your ingredients, or else you'll be paying $30-40 per bowl easily. Fortunately my boyfriend I have got it down pretty good and now can get our meals for under $30 total. Hacks I've learned: grab the lean meat since it's all overcooked anyway, get just a few fish balls if you want them, go for lighter veggies like spinach and crown daisy, and get the dry ramen puck (expands like crazy) or bean thread. Soups: Pickled veggie is good but you need to like pickled veggie (so maybe not for first-timers), chicken is a safe choice but tastes like ramen-style creamy chicken vs real chicken soup, just a kick is great if you like a little spice (would say it's maybe a 3.5/10 on spiciness). The wait time is still pretty long even though there were 3-4 people ahead of us, maybe 20 minutes but it's way more acceptable because they have complimentary snacks. Bathroom is small and could use some cleaning. Overall really prefer this location, esp during off hours!
I love malatang so much! My favorite spot would have to be Yintang in Southern California, but Tang Bar would have to be my favorite one here in the Bay Area! This was my first time at the San Mateo location and it is so nice inside. We got there at around noon on a Sunday and there was still a decent amount of seating. I love that they have duck blood as an option, and the veggies/meat options are great too! However, I do wish they had lamb shoulder and shiitake available. I usually order the malatang with their "just a kick" broth and it is so delicious! The additional spices/nuts they add to the broth really ties everything together. Bonus points for the complimentary sauce and dessert bar :)
I wish I was closer to this location! It's so much nicer than the one in Stonestown :') It feels more upscale and has a lot of seating inside with a shorter line. The broth/flavor options were the same with some minor differences in the ingredients you can choose for your pot. What made this location truly stand out though was the DIY sauce and dessert bar as well as the rewards system! I probably went to the Stonestown location last year at least 7-8 times and would have really benefited from earning points, so maybe I'll have to come down more often!
Tang Bar was so filling that I did not need to eat when I immediately hopped onto a 10 hour flight after going! I loaded up my malatang bowl with thinly sliced beef, a block of udon noodles, mushrooms, potato slices, and broccoli. I got the Sichuan spicy base, and it was really delicious. The rate is rather reasonable, I'm glad they show that the scale is tared prior to weighing because it is really heavy! I was worried that I'd spill it on the way to my table. Maybe offering a cart or taking the bowl out to the customers would prevent this from happening? The sauce bar was also excellent and added extra flavors of umami and salt to our experience. The interior is so clean and there's zero scents, even though they make such a wide variety of orders and soup bases! Very unpretentious but also an elevated feel throughout the restaurant.
Tang Bar is easily my favorite malatang spot in the Bay Area right now. I've tried quite a few places, and this one really stands out in terms of both quality and flavor. First off, the ingredients are noticeably fresh. The veggies are crisp, the meats taste clean, and everything looks well-maintained at the self-serve bar, which already sets a good impression before you even start cooking. There's also a great variety, so it's easy to customize your bowl exactly how you like it. I went with the Szechuan classic soup base, and it was honestly one of the most authentic versions I've had outside of China. The broth had a deep, rich flavor with that perfect balance of spice and the signature numbing Sichuan peppercorn kick. It wasn't just spicy for the sake of it--it had real depth and complexity. Another highlight is the value. If you spend over $20, you get free dessert, and they offer coconut milk sago and bingfen. Both are super refreshing and help cool things down after the heat from the malatang, which is a really nice touch. Overall, it's well worth the price for the quality you're getting. Great food, solid portions, and a satisfying experience every time. I'll definitely be coming back again in the future and would recommend it to anyone craving authentic malatang. read more
popular malatang place with a sleek interior & fresh ingredients! the vibe here is more self-serve, as you pick your malatang ingredients, then grab your own water, utensils, and sauces. once you've given them your bowl to be cooked, you'll find a spot to sit and pick up the food when it's ready. it can get crowded here, so try to grab a table as soon as possible! a few things set this place apart for me - i like how fresh the ingredients look and the variety of soup and dry pot flavors. they have the standard malatang broths, but they also have a spice-free chicken broth, a pickled veggie broth, and four dry pot flavors. they also have no minimum weight limit so you can get a really cheap meal if you're a light eater or just not hungry! unfortunately, i do think their ingredient bar is set up kinda weird - it's a little strange that the veggies and other non-meat items come after the meat and seafood. it feels a little gross to me, but everything still looked clean? the food itself was quite good though. i got the chicken broth and i really enjoyed how savory and deep the flavor was. it wasn't too greasy or heavy either. the ingredients were all very fresh tasting and i always enjoy the customizability of malatang. solid spot with great ambiance for a lunch or dinner, especially for groups or individuals with diverse tastes/preferences! read more
The first time coming here, the spicy mala broth was super flavorful and too salty. This time around, I got the mild mala broth which wasn't as flavorful. PROS: - large variety of ingredients - free dessert bar - efficient order number process - self service togo containers CONS: - hard to find a table during busy meal times since people claim tables before they get their food - tables near bathroom are smelly - parents let their kids wander around - parking can be hard to find - paid parking Mon-Sat read more
One of my favorite places to go on a cold day. Everything about this spot is on point and makes it somewhere I recommend everyone check out, especially hot pot lovers. The selection is huge, and everything is consistently well stocked. They have many of my favorite items, including fish tofu, a variety of mushrooms, and bean curd skin, along with plenty of other options. Their meat selection is wide, and everything tastes high quality. The hot and sour soup is my go-to broth. It has a nice level of sourness, and the spice is perfect for me. The first few sips always make me choke a bit, but once I adjust, it becomes the ideal balance. On a cold day, it warms you up fast and even gets you sweating while still being super flavorful. This location also stands out because of the sauce bar and the free tea and toppings included with your malatang, which the SF location doesn't offer. Everything about this place keeps me coming back: the quality ingredients, the flavor-packed broth, the quick service, and the added extras. I've been here more than three times, and I definitely plan to keep that streak going. read more
Good for my heart? Probably not with all the sodium. But good for my soul? 100% yes. With a lot of different chains offering their spin on malatang, this one is definitely up there for me. I came after kicking off the flow state with some Molly Tea and this was the perfect savory complement to the experience. They have your standard offerings of meat, noodles, veggies, mushrooms, and seafood to build a bowl to your liking, and a self-serve sauce bar to wrap it all together. For flavors, their "just a kick" was the perfect amount of spice without too much oils or the risk of biting into a peppercorn. They also check for any allergens at the cashier. At the end, there's a nice addition of free dessert next to the sauce bar with coconut sago, clear jelly, and brown sugar syrup to finish your meal on a sweet note. The pickup system can be a little tricky since it's a big place and not always easy to hear your number called from the counter, but if you check in every so often you'll eventually get your food. Plenty of family booth seating and a more modern ambience that makes the experience feel like a treat. read more
28 days ago
The food was yummy and there were lots of choices on both broth and the BYO bar. Not the most amount of choices on sauces but they had the main ones (soy sauce, chili oil, sesame oil, etc). They don't call out the order number however it appears on a screen with a ding. everything came out as the estimated time showed which was about 20 minutes. I got the hot and sour soup base which was a bit oily for my taste however some people may enjoy. We had leftovers and was easily able to pack it since they leave to go containers out for people to grab easily. read more
Tang Bar is one of my go-to choices for a casual dinner out. I love having the freedom to build my own hot pot/dry pot with fresh ingredients. I always opt for the "just a kick" soup base for a mild mala spice that's not too overbearing. It hits the spot every time! Once you've weighted your pot, the staff will prepare the order which takes about 15 mins. During peak hours, this is enough time to wait out an empty seat but I've also had the staff help flag down seats for me which I appreciate :) There is also an option for those in a rush to order ahead of time so their order is ready upon arrival. I'll have to try this next time! read more
Very friendly and efficient malatang location! You have 8+ broths to choose from and plenty of different veggies, meats, and noodles to pick. Service was relatively fast even with peak lunch rush. The only concern I had was that my meats were a bit overcooked. You will also have jelly desserts available, and water and lemon tea free! read more
Tang Bar in San Mateo is not cheap - especially if you add noodles, but it is worth it. I skipped the noodles because they're heavy and you pay by weight - and loaded up on meat with "lighter" veggies instead. I also added a few choice mushrooms haha :) The line can be long, but it moves. You grab a bowl, add meat first, then veggies, then carbs, hand it to the cashier, and wait for your number to be called after it's cooked. Great selection of meats, vegetables, noodles, and mushrooms. The broth is actually excellent, and they provide take home containers plus a free sauce bar, lemon tea, and taro sago dessert (which I love!!!) Would definitely come back - just skip the noodles :D read more
2 months ago
Solid malatang spot with some great options for broth! My dad (who is from Malaysia) was a huge fan of the Laksa broth so you know it's the real deal. I ordered the mala spicy broth, which I didn't realize came with cilantro so if you have the no-cilantro gene make sure to specify! The meat was decent quality and there's an especially good selection of seafood (baby octopus, squid, various fish tofus, etc.). I'd recommend adding mostly seafood and chicken to your bowl as they cook it for a while which results in the pork, beef, and lamb slices getting overcooked pretty quickly. It gets crowded during dinner so it could take a while for your malatang to come out after you hand it over. You can make a reservation in advance to secure a spot in the cooking line, though it's a bit weird since you seat yourself typically but with a reservation you check in first, get shown to your seat, and then get your bowl? I'm not sure we did it right last time since our bowl still took 10-15 minutes to come out, so the reservation process is a little confusing. You can also pre-order with a reservation, but I prefer to be in control of the quantity of each ingredient that I'm adding. read more
6 months ago
Tang Bar is a good option for customizable, tasty food. We waited about 20 minutes in line before beginning our food selection. The line was organized and there were many different ingredients (meats, vegetables, noodles, other toppings) to choose from. The price of your meal depends on the weight of your ingredients ($16.99/lb for dinner). Lastly, you get to choose whether you want it cooked in soup or as a stir fry. I chose soup with their chicken pork broth. My husband chose the stir fry with sweet & spicy sauce. On a busy Friday night, it took about 15 minutes for our food to come out. Seating is first come, first served with a mixture of tables and counter seats. The sauce bar is mediocre compared to other malatang or hot pot restaurants in my opinion. Thankfully the broth and stir fry sauces are very flavorful, so you don't even really need sauce. I loved the chicken pork broth. It was rich and comforting. I like that it is boiled over a long time from actual bones, instead of made from artificially flavored powder. I did not try any of the desserts. Something about the jellies and sago right next to a bunch of soy sauce and garlic didn't sound very appealing. The complimentary lemon tea was extremely sweet. It was like drinking straight syrup. Overall, I would come back for the broth. read more
Wow, I highly prefer this newer Tang Bar in SM over Stonestown. This location is much nicer, brighter, cleaner, and feels bigger. They also have a new *free* sauce/fruit/drink bar and I def took advantage; they had green tea that was pretty legit! To me, Tang Bar has honestly been elite in terms of broth flavor. I always get the szechuan spicy and it has a great kick, numb, and saltiness to it that I find others can't really match. But if you're not a szechuan lover, it might be a bit too spicy/oily for you. Another highlight is that the quantity is substantial; you could take home the leftover broth and make yourself another malatang! The only nitpick I have though is with their fishcake variety; the cheese fishcake tasted a bit off and they didn't have the mochi one that Mala Town has. Still, it's more of a nice-to-have and I think broth quality trumps side add-ins. read more
This Tang Bar is soooo much better than the Stonestown one, I was shocked! The space has nice decor, is much larger and more open, and offers a complimentary sauce bar and dessert station. I like being able to see the livestream of the orders cooking while eating free ice jelly with boba :) This place used to be $1 cheaper than the Stonestown location, but now it it is all $16.99/lb so use a light hand when grabbing your ingredients, or else you'll be paying $30-40 per bowl easily. Fortunately my boyfriend I have got it down pretty good and now can get our meals for under $30 total. Hacks I've learned: grab the lean meat since it's all overcooked anyway, get just a few fish balls if you want them, go for lighter veggies like spinach and crown daisy, and get the dry ramen puck (expands like crazy) or bean thread. Soups: Pickled veggie is good but you need to like pickled veggie (so maybe not for first-timers), chicken is a safe choice but tastes like ramen-style creamy chicken vs real chicken soup, just a kick is great if you like a little spice (would say it's maybe a 3.5/10 on spiciness). The wait time is still pretty long even though there were 3-4 people ahead of us, maybe 20 minutes but it's way more acceptable because they have complimentary snacks. Bathroom is small and could use some cleaning. Overall really prefer this location, esp during off hours! read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Connie,…
I love malatang so much! My favorite spot would have to be Yintang in Southern California, but Tang Bar would have to be my favorite one here in the Bay Area! This was my first time at the San Mateo location and it is so nice inside. We got there at around noon on a Sunday and there was still a decent amount of seating. I love that they have duck blood as an option, and the veggies/meat options are great too! However, I do wish they had lamb shoulder and shiitake available. I usually order the malatang with their "just a kick" broth and it is so delicious! The additional spices/nuts they add to the broth really ties everything together. Bonus points for the complimentary sauce and dessert bar :) read more
I wish I was closer to this location! It's so much nicer than the one in Stonestown :') It feels more upscale and has a lot of seating inside with a shorter line. The broth/flavor options were the same with some minor differences in the ingredients you can choose for your pot. What made this location truly stand out though was the DIY sauce and dessert bar as well as the rewards system! I probably went to the Stonestown location last year at least 7-8 times and would have really benefited from earning points, so maybe I'll have to come down more often! read more
Tang Bar was so filling that I did not need to eat when I immediately hopped onto a 10 hour flight after going! I loaded up my malatang bowl with thinly sliced beef, a block of udon noodles, mushrooms, potato slices, and broccoli. I got the Sichuan spicy base, and it was really delicious. The rate is rather reasonable, I'm glad they show that the scale is tared prior to weighing because it is really heavy! I was worried that I'd spill it on the way to my table. Maybe offering a cart or taking the bowl out to the customers would prevent this from happening? The sauce bar was also excellent and added extra flavors of umami and salt to our experience. The interior is so clean and there's zero scents, even though they make such a wide variety of orders and soup bases! Very unpretentious but also an elevated feel throughout the restaurant. read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Maggie,…
Really enjoyed another do-it-yourself hotpot place that had way more ingredients and unique soup bases to choose from. The food choices that were displayed were super fresh and were always fully stocked. I like that they subtract the bowl weight when calculating the price! Soup bases are different from Mala Town which I appreciate and would definitely like to come back to try the other flavors. It was basically self service once you order and pay at the front. They provide free tea and water at their little station. One thing I would like would be an added sauce bar. There was a sign saying they are making one so hopefully it's up soon for others to try! Inside is also super modern and a lot of space for seating but it does get packed fast so come early! read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Sharon,…
Quite an experience if you have not tried a mala bar. This is NOT to be confused with an all you can eat (AYCE) restaurant, but rather a build your own meal and eat it with broth or without broth. You can easily go overboard by 'eating with your eyes' but just remember the price you pay is based by weight and is still $15.99 per lb. You can easily walk away with a $40 bowl if you are not careful. Once you select your proteins and veggies, you have your choices of carbs, primarily different kinds of noodle types and finally you get to decide if you want it in a soup or dry and you can pick the level of spiciness. Hand your bowl over, you get a receipt with your number and monitor the teleprompter board for your number. Then you return to the front counter and pick up your bowl. It's not as crowded as when it first opened, but sometimes there can be a short line before you reach the food selections--protein is the first choice you see. The restaurant is brightly lit and open and airy. You also have the option of sitting outside on the patio--which is 4th Ave, but plant boxes separate the diners from the pedestrians. It's definitely a fun experience and worth checking out. read more
Wow! Wow! Wow! I can honestly say I have NEVER EVER had a meal last 4 days! The portions of my prepared soup at Tang Bar San Mateo lasted me 4 delicious meals over four days! Incredible. My mother-in-law had been walking by this restaurant several times since she goes to Dean's Produce a few doors down on 4th Street in San Mateo so my wife and I decided to take her there on a late afternoon for some "linner". Now, I must admitted I am a self proclaimed "Soup Connoisseur" and could consume just about any soup every meal and be happy! So when we got in line, I was blown away by the enormous size of the stainless steel pots we picked up along with the tongs to fill select our meat, 8 types of fish, 20 types of tofu, vegetables, various fish, meat & cheese balls, mushrooms & noodles galore! The offering is overwhelming but both fun and adventurous! After we made our individual choices loaded in our pots, the cashier weighs your selections and we determine if you want a "soup" or "sauce". I of course requested the hot & spicy. My wife and mother-in-law choose ginger and miso sauces. After a few minutes of cooking our items were ready at the counter for pick up. I think I may have gotten a hernia from the size of my soup! Wow! It was delicious, right amount of spice and unique flavors you determine. Wow! Needless to say rarely can Anyone finished their dish and there an ample amount "to go" containers for taking home. We each filled two 20 once containers with our "leftovers" to be enjoyed over the next 4 days. I was in heaven. So if you are in San Mateo looking for a culinary adventure, make sure to seek Tang Bar with its mini water fall running across one of the tables. Enjoy! Again, and Again! Again & Again! As we did! Yum! We read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Mike,…
DH insisted on going to Tang Bar, thinking it had more variety than ZhangLiang (my favorite). Since it was just the two of us, I went along with it. We got lucky with parking, right in front of the restaurant on a Friday night at 7pm. But once we stepped inside, the heat hit us. It was stuffy and borderline uncomfortable. There was a long line at the food bar, and we waited at least 20 minutes. It's not because we were indecisive, but because the line barely moved. There's no real air conditioning, or if there is, it must be set to 70°F. I started sweating just standing there. After paying, DH grabbed a table near the entrance, where there was some breeze when people walked by. But imagine eating a bowl of piping hot malatang in a hot, sticky room. Sweat was dripping. DH was drenched by the end. If you're looking for a sauna experience with your malatang, Tang Bar delivers. Otherwise, I'll stick with ZhangLiang. It has strong AC, friendly servers who bring the food to you, and equally tasty dishes, minus the sweat. read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Yvonne,…
Love the concept of DIY making your hot pot!! I absolutely love the plethora of toppings. For someone who doesn't like red meat, I loved that I could choose fish and tendons (still beef but it's such a yummy form of collagen)!! Love the many choices of mushrooms, tofu, veggies, seafood, and noodles! Something to note: noodles do get overcooked because they cook it for you (so the veggies like cabbage are super flavorful and soft!). So I recommend the sweet potato noodles that stay chewy. I've also seen others get rice on the side! The interior is also clean, bright, and pretty; it feels like I've teleported to a nice restaurant in asia. The jellies are also a refreshing, interesting dessert and went well after the hot pot! Things that could be improved: - I'd be great to have more broth choices that doesn't have numbing spice. So far the only non-spicy option is chicken broth, and I found it too be too salty. It also doesn't gel either. It'd be great to have a plain bone broth flavor! read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Yoojin,…
Such a pretty space! There are SO many ingredients to choose from, make sure you pace yourself as you're filling your bowl or you'll end up with too much food. I personally thought that the "Just a Kick" flavor could've used a bit more spice, but it was still tasty. read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Mia,…
11 months ago
Great spot for build-your-own hotpot! The interior is clean and bright. Lots of seating but it can also get busy during the weekends. Service is efficient despite being busy. After grabbing a bowl and a pair of tongs, you pick your own ingredients-there are lots of options for meats, seafood, vegetables, and noodles. I always grab a ton of lotus roots, quail eggs, and sweet potato noodles. Along the way, there's a scale on the side that you can use to gauge how much your bowl is weighing before you reach the register. At the register, they weigh the food and you pick a broth/sauce mix. Price is $15.99/lb. I got the hot & sour broth while my parents got the chicken broth. Both were delicious! The chicken broth and mushroom broth are the two non-spicy broth options. The rest have varying levels of spice. There is free tea (cold) available, which I found very enjoyable to have with the hot meal. There are also free takeout containers available which is very nice, in case you can't finish your meal. read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Bellina,…
My friends really like this spot. You grab a bowl and a pair of tongs, go down the line and grab what you like. They weigh your bowl and ask you what soup base you would like. The sauce and soups are good and go well with the food. This spot is casual and good for groups read more
I'm usually not a fan of all these build-your-own malatang places that have been popping since they usually are greasy and full of questionable ingredients in the broth, but Tang Bar is by far the best one we've tried! We stopped by on a cold Saturday night and it was busy but not crowded. You select amongst the usual assortment of hotpot ingredients and it's priced based on the total weight. Certain ingredient minimum portions are too big though, like the udon, bok choy, and cabbage -- I just want a few leaves of cabbage, not half the entire head! Then there are several broth and stir fry options + spiciness levels to choose from. I got the Szechuan soup, which surprisingly was not overly greasy and was the most natural-tasting one I've had out there. The soup penetrates into all the ingredients, kissing them with its fiery and slobbery mala breath! And I like how they add some extra toppings like peanuts -- what a nice touch! I also like the interior a lot -- it's squeaky-clean white with lots of fake greenery and bright lighting, perfect for photographing your food (see my pics below)! Overall, best malatang I've had in the Bay Area and already planning to come back! read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Ethan,…
7 months ago
4 months ago
1 year ago
Very nice interior and layout. You build your own bowl with any toppings you like, charged by weight. There was a good variety of fresh ingredients. Lots of options for meat, fish ball, veggie, noodle, etc. It was pretty quick to get my bowl on a weekday. The mala tang was very flavorful and tasty, though quite salty. Definitely would pair well with a side of rice. Because the portion of soup is quite generous, it's fantastic for taking home leftovers. You can definitely add more ingredients to this broth at home and make it another meal! There is also self serve lemon tea which is nice and refreshing with the meal. The utensils and to go containers are also by this, making it easy to help yourself. read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Thank you for your detailed review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the…
The interior just makes sense. I really like how it's a one way street layout where you enter at the entrance, grab a bowl, and move along the line, gathering ingredients, until you reach the checkout at the end. It's a very spacious location with quite a number of seats and a bar area too! I can see how troublesome it would be to find seats if you were in a larger group but I think a date night or even eating solo is quite easy. You could maybe eat with a new friend ;) It is $15.99/lb. I think it's a great or bad place to go if you're hungry...great because you can grab as much as you want to satiate your hunger...bad if you're watching your wallet. Regardless, I'm a big eater and I ended up getting 3.6lbs of food (you bet I finished it in one setting, no such thing as boxes). I opted for the Just a Kick and I think I should have gotten it a bit spicier. My wife doesn't even eat spicy and couldn't taste the spiciness. Just a heads up if you want to actually taste some spice in your soup. Grabbing the ingredients went really quickly; getting your cooked bowl of malatang may take awhile depending on how many people came before you. You serve yourself by getting your tray when they call your order number. Upon finishing, you yourself have to take the tray back to the tray return area. I do like how organized they are. There's a "small" sauce area with water (they have hot water, which is awesome!). I mean, it's a great place for all you can eat! I highly recommend to NOT come here if you're starving, unless you are okay with spending a lot. It's nice that they have the to go cups out for everyone to just pack up and head out. It's great for a quick lunch maybe? Great addition to downtown San Mateo I have to say. I would come back and try the savory option next time :) read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Horace,…
8 months ago
I got the hot and spicy soup and highkey one of the best malatang soups i have had. I really enjoy the flavors of the soup. I like the sour taste and the szechuan spice is strong enough to just have a tingle. read more
came in here on a rainy day. perfect for some malatang noodles and soup! This place is great - I've also been to the Tang Bar in Stonestown in the city. Not too busy in the evening. No wait for the line here in San Mateo, and my buddy and I were able to quickly sit down at a table. The noodles are very tasty - texture is great and al dente. I got the mild spicy soup broth. I enjoyed being able to pick however much/whatever meats/veggies/mushrooms that I wanted. pricewise, it can get a bit pricey, especially if you're hungry (it's very tempting to throw a bunch of things together). it's around $19/lb. for something that could be better - I think the tables could be serviced more often/cleaned up. read more
1 year ago
We were back another time for another friend's birthday and as usual, this restaurant was packed of people and we had to wait a bit for seats despite having a reservation. They were refilling the meats so I grabbed mostly meats, veggies and seafood and got the sweet and spicy option. Our orders came out swiftly and the food was delicious yet again. It was quite spicy but worth it ~ read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Thank you for celebrating another special occasion with us! We’re so…
1 year ago
Came here with my friend for lunch after pickleball. I got a dry bowl of thinly sliced wagyu(7 pieces), wood ear(3 pieces), handful of spinach, ramen(1), mushrooms (3 pieces). Topped with Sesame sauce (less sauce). Came out to $14.47 But beware. They add some extra stuff in it other than what you put in there. So i picked up my bowl snd noticed there was a pinch of Cilantro. There should be a sign by the register saying they put some extra stuff in the soup and list what they are, bc not everyone has the acquired taste of Cilantro. Other than that, it's good. Place is clean and well lit. I recommend this place. Lines can get long but worth the wait. It's good on those chilly days. read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Stanton,…
Hotpot hits the spot on a cold rainy weeknight. This was my first time at Tang Bar and I've heard great things from friends. First of all, the interior is stunning!! Everything is so clean, the entire store well-lit, and decoration so classy -- i was in shock. For the soup/sauce pots, there was a very impressive variety in ingredients for both meat, vegetables, and other classics (tofu, fish balls, noodles, etc.). I went for the Sichuan peppercorn sauce pot and found it more numbing than spicy -- personally, I'd prefer it more spicy than numbing. Flavor was still good though and i liked the free toppings they add (crispy chickpeas, thai chili, cilantro, and red onion -- you can probably customize these at the counter for preference or allergies). If you have leftovers, they offer really nice deli containers to pack everything up in. Free tea is also available! They have some specials at the moment which is always a plus and would get me going back more if i lived closer. read more
Business owner information
Henry L.
Hi Rachel,…
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More info about Tang Bar
62 East 4th Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
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(650) 581-1304
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https://www.tangbarsanmateo.com
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Ask the Community - Tang Bar
I'd like yo know if you use MSG to add in the soup? I'm allergic to MSG. I need you recommended about the soup without MSG. Thanks
Hi Helen, If you are sensitive to MSG, we can prepare your order without added MSG. Please avoid the… Read more
I would just like to know if there is cross contamination with food here? Is everyone's food cooked in the same pot of broth? I don't want my food crossed with someone else's ingredients I can't eat or cooked speparetly in the spicy water broth? 🤢
Hi, We take dietary needs seriously. We always ask about allergies. If a customer lets our front… Read more
Do they open on Thanksgiving?
Hi We open on Thanksgiving Day! Hope to see you here on the holiday.
Are there are nuts in your broth?
There were crunchy soy beans in my broth. Not sure if that's helpful.
I am allergic to shrimp, is it safe for me to eat there?
Everything is portioned separately so you can easily avoid any shrimp. I don't think the broths are shrimp based either but you can always ask to double check. Otherwise, going for a sauce should be a safe option.
Are there vegetarian broths available?
Coming soon. Mushrooms flavor is vegetarian. Btw, all other flavors, Laksa/Tom Yum, coming soon. Will ping you once those new flavors are up, welcome to taste then~😘
Do they have stir fried (dry spicy) option?
Yes they do, you get a sauce on the side with it.
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Tang Bar - hotpot - Updated May 2026
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