Been coming to San Mateo for a bit and never knew there was a shabu place until recently. Typically…read morefor hot pot, I'm used to SeaPot or Little Sheep/Happy Lamb, so was pleasantly surprised. $34.95 for AYCE regular or $38.95 for supreme AYCE which includes some more gourmet cuts of meat. Honestly, paying a little bit more is worth it since the quality of the American wagyu and the beef toro is so good compared to the Angus. You can only order two meat portions at a time but you can have up to four rounds, so not bad. Plus the portion is pretty good for one serving. I enjoyed the black garlic tonkotsu broth. They also have a great selection of veggies, meat and noodles. I recommend their ramen! Overall, definitely would come again.

First time here and we really liked it and the kids loved it! Food is very well proportioned…read moreThe broth was very good we had sesame hot oil and the black garlic broth. It got busy and they were understaffed but they pulled it together. The only thing is that kids age 4 and up pay $17 bucks I think that's a bit too much for little kids and the price for vegetarian or vegan is the same price as for the meat lovers!

Came here 5:30, we had a reservation, and we came when it opened so there was literally nobody…read morethere. PARKING: decent parking, it's around other places so it is in a lot but if it is a busy time it would be pretty hard to try and get a space. PLACE: fairly big, but not too big, would have to combine a few chairs and tables to accommodate to bigger parties, the sauces and everything are already on the table, so are the dishes as well. FOOD: We got the ultra, Tom Yum Tonkotsu & Shiro Miso Soymilk - Tom Yum tasted really good and it paired well with the meat, the Shiro Miso just tasted more like miso soup than actual soy milk mixed in. American Wagyu & Black Angus Beef Toro - I feel like the American Wagyu was a little too fatty for my liking, or it could be the other way around lol, I kind of don't remember which one was which but one had amazing marbling that melted in your mouth. We also got lychee beer, which was super good, didn't even taste like beer. We had like 3 glasses which is funny because we aren't drinkers but it was so delicious. I recommend any of their fruity beers. Edamame - don't really recommend, comes cold and some pieces were not really good.

AYCE hot pot for the win! Came to Taichi Pot Shabu Shabu after they were featured on Yelp's top 100…read moreplaces to eat in the Bay Area list. Even though they aren't too far from me I hadn't heard of them before. It's an unassuming spot tucked into a shopping center next to a bagel and water shop, but it gets crowded, and for good reason. This was only my second time ever having hot pot, the first time was not AYCE and was an individual pot, so it was fun to try the shared AYCE way. We picked two broths, the Shrimp and signature, and then went down the menu selecting proteins and other add-ons. We went with the Ultra over the supreme so we could get some of the nicer cuts of meats. They have happy hour pricing of a few dollars off earlier in the evening, which was going on when we were in. Non-meat dd-on favorites included the Napa cabbage, kabocha squash, ramen, bok choy, and shitake mushrooms. We got the Enoki mushrooms the first round, but switched to shitake for round two and they were the favorite. My boyfriend's favorite meat was the wagyu, and I was partial to the pork and angus beef, but everything was good.

I always get the General Tso's chicken. One of the best in the city. I always get my food to take…read moreout. The restaurant ambience is below average.

Order: Sesame…read morechicken: tender boneless pieces of chicken in a mixture tangy and spicy sauce. lettuce on the bottom for the base. Employees in front are friendly and provide fortune cookies. There are tables for dine in, and place is clean. chicken is tender. food gets expensive each year, but the taste is the same

I had come across Tai Chi and its benefits many times. In my mindfulness class meditation we…read morepracticed Qigong. I had kept Tai Chi in the back of my head for many months. Eventually, I decided to take classes to learn the art and form of Tai Chi and achieve some of its benefits. I started taking classes at Tai Chi Chuan in Berkeley with Andreas Asmus over four months ago. I fell in love with Tai Chi almost immediately. It was like meditation in motion. The graceful and effortless movements (not mine, but Andreas') opened up a new challenge for me. After taking Andreas' class for over four months, I can feel and see the benefits in my life: - My awareness has improved - Anxiety is "relaxing" - My body is getting stronger - Tai Chi has complemented and enhanced my mindfulness meditation - I feel sharper and smarter - After practicing Tai Chi, I get a "Runner's high". I am an ex-marathon runner, and I feel that sudden euphoric feeling that I experienced during my long runs. Tai Chi makes me happy. Andreas is an exceptional teacher. His dedication to his students and humble demeanor makes you feel very comfortable, even when you turn right instead of left or you move your right hand instead of your left foot. He does not rush through his class and spends the time to teach each student in a very personal and professional way. I highly recommend Andreas. I actually, I urge every reader to give Tai Chi and Andreas a chance. For those that are looking to shed stress and acquire awareness, peace and happiness, Tai Chi is the way to go.

I wanted to share my experience taking classes with Andreas, who is the instructor for Yang Style…read moreTai Chi Chuan in Berkeley. I've been taking classes with him for a little over a year now and plan to continue doing so. My original intent was to find a martial art which aligned both the 'inner' and 'outer,' so to speak. I had some previous experience with other martial arts, but this time I was seeking an art form that didn't just focus on self-defense or simply repeating move sets to achieve the next colored belt. I was looking for a genuine form which had a meditative aspect while simultaneously teaching the martial art. My experience in taking Tai Chi with Andreas has been exactly that. Andreas is a kind and patient man who displays a deep understanding of the art form. He does not rush on getting through the movements quickly, but rather repeats them as necessary until all of the intricacies of each form are learned. Students are encouraged to turn the mind 'off' and to 'listen' as each movement is carried out, returning awareness to the present. I know the classes are working for me because of how I feel after each class; centered, clear and calm. Classes are an hour long, and offered on a couple evenings during the week. The studio he teaches at is in Berkeley near San Pablo and Dwight. The class sizes are small, which is great because it gives everyone a chance to have the individual attention necessary for improving their form. I would recommend this class to anyone who is looking for an 'internal' art form, which has been proven to provide health benefits both physically and mentally.

I wanted to take a Qi Gong class and made several efforts to inquire about instruction. No one ever…read moregot back to me. Very disappointed.

I highly recommend this Shaolin Kung Fu studio. My son started there when he was 5 and now he is…read more17 - a black belt and part-time instructor with Master Yan. I recently told Master Yan's wife, Joanna, that Master Yan helped me become a better father simply by watching his classes. Master Yan is a true master from the Shaolin Temple in China - something that I found out later on my own as Master Yan is very modest. I am so grateful for all Master Yan has done for my son and me. It's amazing that a true master from China teaches here in Alameda. And it's more affordable than any other martial arts place that I have found. Thank you.

I want to say something about my teacher, whose name I know in English as Patty Li. I've been…read moretaking the Friday taiji class at the Berkeley YMCA for about a month and a half My name is Rick, and I have neuropathy in my hands and feet, but Patty who I met at the Y suggested that I come to the Friday Taiji class. I use a walker for balance, and sometimes need to lean against the wall so I don't just tumble over But Patty invited me and I came. Since I started the class I have noticed a marked improvement in my balance, my strength and my ability to focus my breath and my attention in my body Patty is an incredible teacher, a master of her arts, who has been doing martial arts, since she was a child in Beijing. I didn't know any of this when she invited me to class. Most people when they see me and my walker write me off as being unable to do things, but Patty didn't see any of that, she just saw another human being with a willingness to learn, I think she's incredibly perceptive person. So I started coming to the class and have only missed once in about two months I've been going to the Y every other day for swimming and some weight training, but Friday has become my favorite day I do the taiji class at 10 AM, and then I follow it up with a swim It was very clear to me from the beginning that Patty is an incredibly disciplined person, but what I really love about her, is her grace, and the humor with which she teaches... in other words she makes it really fun. Regardless of different peoples capability in class, she works with each of us so that we can become stronger, more balanced, and more able to practice this beautiful moving meditative art form She is a treasure, and I am blessed to have her as my teacher, and the YMCA is blessed to have her as part of this community 老师，谢谢 Thank you teacher

Are you a parent looking to encourage your kids (especially Chinese-American kids) to start martial…read morearts? Have cash to spare? Great! Are you an adult who learned some wushu as a child, fell out of practice through your teens, and want to pick it back up as an adult? Try a drop-in class for $35, and then see if you want to continue here. In my case, after two classes, I found another school to practice with. I hesitated leaving a poor review because why bother with all these 5 star reviews stacked against me? But I remember why I use Yelp: to consult legit reviews before I spend money on any establishment. Hence, I feel the need to pen this review, especially if there are fellow adults considering wushu here. That one review that says Wushu West takes adults seriously and caters to them too? Maybe that used to be the case, but from my experience, not anymore. Flashback time! My brother and I were wee elementary students enrolled in Wushu West. I remember enjoying the class. For unknown reasons, my parents stopped enrolling us. However, that experience (along with kung fu class in Chinese school) built the foundations of kung fu stances, kicks, and flexibility that I have carried on to this day. My biggest regret was that I never advanced far enough to work with weapons. Fast-forward to present day. I am a young professional who can do pullups & deadlifts. For several years, I kept eyeing Wushu West through the internet, promising myself I'd go back. Stars aligned, and I made my first visit back with a drop-in class. The class was filled with kids younger than me. Where were the adult students that were said to be attending this class too? For a good half hour, Shifu Patti (mind you, I'm only calling her Shifu out of respect) lead the class through warmups, which frankly feel like a huge waste of time, something that should be done before class starts. It's just jogging, jumping jacks, some kicks, and LOTS of stretching and counting in Chinese. I'm here to learn, not to do warmups that I can do by myself. Even when you're doing wushu exercises (various kicks, spins, stances, etc), Shifu doesn't lead them. It's her kid students leading the exercises. They go so fast, I can't keep up with forms and sequences I'm supposed to maintain and follow, so I flounder along while watching with a mix of admiration for the kids, and frustration that I can't keep up nor am I taught properly on how to keep up. Yes, the cool student leader will stop and walk through it with you a few times at most, but then it's on to the next cool move...that I can't keep up with. Meanwhile, Shifu sits on the sidelines. I came back one more time to see if it was an improvement from the first class. The oldest student I saw here was a man, but everyone else was a kid, with the eldest one maybe in high school. My gripes: 1) Shifu does NOT take into consideration my experience and skill level. I am either doing kiddie exercises or floundering with being unable to keep up with advanced moves. 2) My second visit here, I was assisting moving furniture, when my shin slammed into a wooden part of a furniture. It hurt like a MF-er, to the point that I felt the impact down to my shin bone. I had a deep cut on my shin. Although it clotted quickly, it swelled up to a huge bump. Shifu kept repeating, "It's just skin, you'll be fine," when I told her that I could feel the pain in my bone too. Way to be sensitive. 3. Shifu had me sign a release form after I was hurt. Whenever I sign anything, I take a photo of it on my phone so that I can have the form for my records. Shifu Patti gave me attitude and said, "We don't do that here, you don't need this record." I explained I do this whenever I sign a form. She said, "Why do you need a copy of this record? It's no one's business." Excuse me, this is MY BUSINESS. As a customer, it's my absolute right to take a photo of anything I sign for my records. She gave me major attitude. I really could not believe I had to argue for a copy of my records. 4. When I said bye to her (after she had a conversation with a kid's parents and nicely said bye to them), she wouldn't look at me and then barked that I can't pay drop-in prices anymore, I have to commit to a monthly plan if I wanted to continue here. I simply asked her to remind me of pricing, and she just waved me off, snapping, "You already took a photo, isn't that what you took that for?" Bless San T for his Yelp review from 2013, when he said, and I quote: "when it comes to business and money, she is downright horrible. and cheap...the way you run your business is part of the practice.  And you can't ignore a shady businessperson no matter how great of a teacher they are." I wonder how many other people have left with a bad experience, and just don't want to write Yelp reviews. Maybe my parents took me and my brother out of this class because of their experience with Shifu Patti. I'll never know.

This is exactly the Tai Chi class you would expect to find in an old church gym on College Ave. in…read moreNorth Oakland. It was probably 85% retired white ladies, the instructors were VERY friendly and welcoming, and they take a snack and tea break halfway through the class. First one is free!

Slow, forgiving tai chi. They have periodic beginner classes which most of the beginners take…read moreseveral times. It's not about the getting there, it's about the journey. Thoroughly enjoying the voyage.

Sergio is a fantastic sifu and person. He is patient and careful to provide precise instruction…read morethrough analogy. It's fun to learn from him! He explains the intention of each movement and I feel more focused and balanced as I progress through each class. He truly has a gift for teaching and I look forward to his classes at Lake Merritt. I just finished learning 9 form and am super stoked to move on to 24 form. I appreciate his passion for Tai Chi and think its really cool that he skateboards and does jiu jitsu. I feel like the practice of Tai Chi has helped me as a runner and lawyer. It's awesome when I can feel the energy come from within! Tai chi rocks!

I trek to Oakland because I can't find a Taoist priest, acupuncturist, tui na massage therapist,…read moreteacher of martial arts, qigong, and taichi in SF! I finally found a one-stop shop for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I couldn't find anyone in SF or Oakland with his years of experience and wide variety of modalities. Unlike many acupuncturists, he does things acupuncturists are supposed to do but might not have time to, according to TCM books I've read: - Is full of healing humor. - Uses all his senses to assess my body, mind, and spirit. For example, he knew things about my life without me telling him. And he looked for the level of light in my eyes and half moons in my nails, and qi in my voice. And he assessed the pattern of my tongue, and vitality of my pulse. I learned so much in one session, such as how my pulse on my wrist compares to his. - Asks about almost everything in my life, and more importantly, if I know the root cause of my issues. - Is intuitive and respectful. He knew things that I didn't mention. - Is well-versed in energy work. - Shares self-care tips beyond generic ones. And his intake form was one of the most thorough ones I've filled out. Luckily, after they billed my health insurance, I learned I didn't have to pay his full price out of pocket even thought because he's out of network.

After more than a year of severe chronic sciatic pain, Dr. Feng cleared it off in a single visit…read more You can imagine the relief since I've been hobbling along and have even considered using a cane. In fact, I was even planning for it to be a permanent part of life going forward. Thank you, for sharing your gifts Dr. Feng. You are the best!

Sally is awesome! I've had acupuncture off and on from various practitioners, for various issues…read moreover the years, and Sally is by far the best I have found. She is truly top notch. I had been suffering from chronic, work related, hand and arm pain for months. It was pretty severe and was keeping me awake at night. It had also begun interfering with my ability to do my job. I felt like I had tried everything and was beginning to resign myself to just pain management, without hope of actually getting better. Sally recommended a schedule of twice weekly visits for 4 weeks. However, after only 1 treatment my pain was significantly reduced and I was sleeping through the night with no issues. After only 3 treatments my pain was completely gone! Now, I'm just on a maintenance plan to keep everything in check. Really amazing stuff. Sally has a quiet and compassionate manner. She listens carefully and makes helpful suggestions that I can implement easily on a daily basis. She receives my very highest recommendation.

I have been to many Acupuncturists over the years - Sally is top notch!…read moreHer treatment really helped me when I was under an extreme amount of stress and the herbs that she prescribed for me for some hormonal imbalances made a big difference right away. Her acupuncture technique is gentle and her quiet confidence is wonderfully reassuring. I reccomend Sally highly.