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X-Malatang

3.6 (90 reviews)
ModerateNoodles, Hot Pot, Soup
Open • 11:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

X-Malatang Photos

X-MALATANG ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - X-Malatang

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Dan P.

Clean self-serve ingredient bar, not as much options as bigger chains but still feature your common veggies, noodles, toppings, and selections of beef, lamb, pork, and seafood. The bone broth has a much more mild Sichuan flavor, a bit saltier and packed less of a kick. Overall, a solid spot in Little Saigon! Friendly staff, quick service. Parking free and easy to find.

Tom Yum Broth + Toppings
Robin N.

I ordered the tom ton broth, but it didn't taste like tom yum at all. There was no pronounced lemon grass flavor, and lacked the sour and spicy flavor. The toppings somehow saved my dish, but my girlfriend was served undercooked octopus and overcooked noodles (???). Service was a little slow, but I didn't mind because there was only one server working. However, they did have a major mix up, and gave my partner's malatang to another table. When they realized their mistake, they took the bowl back from the other table and gave it to my partner. No apologies, no offer to remake it, which was honestly shocked. Ultimately, I would not come back here again. I've been here a couple times already, and the quality of the broth and toppings has been very inconsistent. This visit especially was very disappointed.

All that chili flakes at bottom of the barrel.
John T.

Lay out is pretty simple. Grab a bowl, tong, and pick away at all your toppings. Total weigh at 1.3 pounds 21$ after tax. Beef and lamb are in a freezer located by the register where you pay. They don't have filets of fish to choose from. Decided on the bone broth extra spicy. Spice level- Pretty hot as I wasn't expected the flaky chili Sauce bar pretty limited- Four sauces at the bar and some oils. Output time - Under 5 minutes Was questionable about my tofu skins not being cooked thoroughly. Restrooms were out of order, so patrons should check first in case the chilis spice upset their stomach. Would comeback for a quick meal.

Kathleen T.

I've been here quite a few times now and never been disappointed! The bowl is HUGE and they have a great selection! I love tom yum and this place makes the broth very flavorful! It's definitely a great place to try and in a great area!

Jennifer K.

Delicious Soup!! When I went, there were out of Beef Bone Soup which sucked because that was the one I wanted to try the most. I ended up getting the Sukiyaki Soup, and I found it super flavorful and very good! There's a lot of selection for what to put in your bowl, there's a good selection of meats, noodles, vegetables, and sides. The sauce bar has a good selection of sauces and oils. The most popular meats are frozen so you kind of have to fight with the frozen meat to get it into your bowl. You have to get 1 lb. of food, they weigh it before you pay. You can't get any less than 1 lb. The restaurant was very clean, and it wasn't super full. It was easy to find seating, and it wasn't full for a random Saturday. The employees are very nice and helpful. He informed us that we had to get at least 1 lb. of food in our bowl, he told us which soups are spicy and which are not, and he brought water to our table. He also informed us that there's no lids for the sauce, in case you want to bring sauce home, but there are lids for the regular bowls. I would come here again! It was a fun, new experience, and the food was good!

0/10 health department please involve. Food here was spoiled. I ordered delivery for lunch. Really excited for the food and the food came out was bad, sour on the imitation crab stick, i ordered cheese fish ball, they gave me something else. I want vegetables, no vegetables. they gave me a lot of imitation crab stick instead and it came out spoiled, slimy. I throw the whole thing. I can't eat that.

Spicy Dry Mix (TikTok: @justandyvu)
Andy V.

1. I really like the spicy dry mix, and I realized that I prefer to have dry malatang! 2. The spot has chill casual vibes! The interior is cozy! 3. The staff was friendly and timely with my order! They brought my water and utensils to my table! 4. There are indoor and outdoor seatings! There are a good number of tables! 5. Parking lot is huge, but it can get crowded depending on time and day! Note: There is a one pound minimum charge! Photo: spicy dry mix

beef bone broth medium
Dana C.

The food was alright. Considering there's other options, I'd go somewhere else but I'd come here since I live nearby. I usually go for the spiciest level but I got the medium bone broth and I'd say it's very mild and bland. The options were also limited. Compared to other places, there is a huge selection while this restaurant doesn't but it does have the main things you'd put in hot pot.

Noe C.

solid options here! $14.99 per pound. beef bone broth mild tasted perfect. veggies could've seemed a bit fresher. also completely missed the frozen meats, but it is inside of a cooler right next to payout section. staff was nice. very solid late night option for some yummy soup

Amy L.

Price aside, it was pretty good. I ordered the tomato base soup and it wasn't too greasy. There is a big noodle selection but not for meats. Not many tables so come before the dinner rush.

Spicy dry mix (top left) Beef bone soup - mild (top right) Beef bone soup - wild (bottom middle)
Gordon L.

Came to visit friends in Garden Grove and found this great malatang place with a self-service bar and affordable prices! We went there for their soft opening so they gave us a 12% discount and free soft drink (coca cola or sprite)! The base price is only $14.99/lb, and even lower after the discount. We were required to purchase a minimum of 1 pound, but that's usually easy to hit and would be a large enough portion for one person. Not too many options so the choices aren't overwhelming, perfect if you're craving malatang. My favorite items were the thinly sliced beef, thinly sliced lamb, quail eggs, and fish tofu. The space is small and compact, but looks fairly clean. The place is located in a shopping plaza with other stores nearby.

ig: @cravingswithcat
Catherine N.

Finally got to try this spot and I really liked it. I've read some reviews about it being a little messy during busy hours, but it was very well kept when we came today. The broth is seasoned perfectly and I rarely had to dip my food in the sauce. I like that the spice level is an accurate point. So sad that they were out of quail eggs and the beef was a little chewy/tough because it was mostly tendon. There's a weight minimum of 1 lb. They have indoor and outdoor seating. ig: @cravingswithcat

Top: Tom Yum Bottom: Beef Bone Medium
Ashley T.

Okay, the hubby and I have been back 6 times since we first went two weeks ago. And I don't know if it's our hyper fixation, BUT this place is delish for what it is. Now there are tons of other malatang spots popping up all over OC, mainly in the Irvine area and keep an open mind when dining here. The selection of toppings/fixings is limited but you get your standard hot pot fix. Protein is plenty in the form of balls, the sliced shabu style meat is towards the end near the register so don't pile on too much of the processed balls. Veggies/seafood options are good, but if you come later in the evening they may run out and will not refill. I've left cabbage-less and my bowl just wasn't the same. I have gotten the Beef Bone Broth both medium and wild and I prefer the medium, the flavor is *chef's kiss*. The hubby loves the Tom Yum; just think of a premium version of the Mama Noodles. 1. Grab a bowl and some tongs 2. Gather your goodies 3. Weigh and pick your broth 4. Pay, get a number, find a seat 5. Water and utensils will be provided once you find a seat 6. Personal hot pot bowls will come out in minutes 7. There's a decent sized sauce bar for you to make your own concoction! Parking: BE VERY CAREFUL!! It's in the same plaza where a few cars have plowed into buildings and an electric car recently caught fire.

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Reviews are mixed. Many highlight the fresh ingredient selection, customizable bowl options, and friendly and helpful staff. The space is also clean and inviting.

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Avenue Shabu - Avenue shabu

Avenue Shabu

4.4(457 reviews)
3.2 mi

AVENUE SHABU -- A Chill Spot for a Casual Meal!…read more My husband and I enjoyed our visit to Avenue Shabu! It's a chill, casual spot with plenty of food options. The shabu is good, and I love the variety of appetizers and sides to choose from! There's a little something for everyone. The sushi is just so-so, nothing too special, but it's nice to have as an extra option. My only little gripe is that getting to the back to grab your appetizers can be a bit of a hassle because of the wall blocking the way. LOL! Overall, my husband and I had a good time! It's a nice spot for a casual meal, especially if you're craving shabu and want plenty of sides to go with it. Service was great. It gets pretty packed. Good food, lots of choices, and a relaxed vibe! We'd come back again!

We came on a Friday night for a family dinner and were seated right away. We got a table next to…read morethe food buffet, which was convenient. They have a great selection of broths, noodles, and meats. They also have hot drops at the sauce station, which is a must for me when having hot pot! The meats came out quickly after we placed our orders on the tablet. Service was great. The staff stopped by many times to refill our broth and make sure we had everything we needed. They also offer a senior discount, which is great for my mom since she doesn't eat that much. Overall, we had a great experience. Good selection, fast service, and attentive staff. Would definitely come back!

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Happy Lamb Hot Pot

Happy Lamb Hot Pot

4.5(427 reviews)
3.1 mi
•$$$
Free parking
Kid friendly

This AYCE hotpot is a hidden gem of HB. Used to be Lazy Dog....a restaurant that allows dog owners…read moreto bring in their trusted companions. It explains why you recognize the area with no tables. So parking is peak during busy hours and it's next door to Gen KBbq. Inside is inviting. Complimentary water while waiting for table. Was seated right away during lunch time (11am to 3pm). Table has two metal scoops, which one has holes for you dig your hotpot goodies. Chose House Spicy Broth and chose the lunch option (which includes only 3 meat and chicken). That's not bad for $22. Premium is $41 but adds other stuff including wagyu meat. You can order selected meat as separate to be added to your current AyCE plan. What's separate this place from others is that you can choose to have a divider and not. Divider is an option if you/your party don't like mixing stuff with another broth. Chose no divider. Drinks are included as well, water is by request only if you don't like soda (Pepsi products) Like other AyCE hot pots, there's the area where it has all your selected vegetables, seafood, noodles and sauces. All are continently label so you know what you are getting. There's an area where selected hot sides are there like pad sew/fried rice and even fried gyoza. Choosing no divider can be overwhelming because then pot is so big that not even four full plates is not enough to cover the whole pot. Was eating for over 30 minutes and I just realized I forgot I got shrimp Only complaint is that getting house spicy broth can be annoying because you will be scooping up those red schwann peppers everytime you dive into your hotpot. Overall, highly recommend on giving this place a try.

Been years since my last visit to a happy lamb hot pot. Finally decided to try this location out…read moreand was glad we did. Staff were friendly and they weren't too busy on a Friday night around 6pm, but did get busier as it got later. Menu was straightforward and the self serve area was clean and well organized. They have drink options that are included as well with the AYCE menu. Meats come out pretty quick and will say the meat quality was pretty good!!! Knocking one star off due to the weak/lack of AC when we went. There were a couple of fans placed throughout to keep the air moving. We will be back!

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Happy Lamb Hot Pot
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ZZ Hotpot House - Mala Sichuan Pot

ZZ Hotpot House

4.3(692 reviews)
0.9 mi
•$$
Large group friendly
Kid friendly

The food here is really good, I am not gonna lie, the food is 10/10 tasty delicious. My sister and…read moreI usual come here to eat. And also the service is awesome. Everyone should come to this place more, everything is perfect, I don't know why not so many people know this place, Give it a shot!

With the surprise closure of Red Flame, SO and I have been on the hunt for a new place for soup…read more As any fan of hot pot knows, there is a rare intersection of PRICE and QUALITY that makes a spot a repeat attraction. That makes it 'The' place to go, even if it's a little further out. I believe ZZ has the potential to be that place. When we stopped by it was empty. The menu was QR code only, I know this is a downside for some, not so much for me, but worth mentioning. There are 2 restrooms, single user, roomy and very ADA-accessible, the illuminated mirror is a very nice touch. And the food? First point is the price. You cannot beat this price, I believe. For two of us, our total was around $40-something. The food itself? Delightful. Attentive staff. The sauces available on the table were good. I did opt for mild heat level, since I like enjoying my food and not panting like I'm in Hell in this heatwave, and the broth was very good. A nitpick I often have with hot pot is that there is far too much cabbage, but in this case I felt like it was pretty balanced. All in all, I am excited to come by and give it another try. I have very high hopes for this spot.

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ZZ Hotpot House
ZZ Hotpot House - $14.95 hotpot deals!

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XhOtpOt — The Boiling House

XhOtpOt — The Boiling House

4.6(32 reviews)
2.8 mi

Quality HOT POT over here!…read more Place is a little hard to spot but be sure to lookout for the flagship name "Raising Claw". My bro and I opted out on the 55$ premium AYCE menu. The establishment really focuses on quality and representation. The first round order took about ten minutes to come out after the soup broth was brought out. Second round order was very consistent as the quality of marbled meats came out as identical as the first batch. The tri tip and Australia rib eye was very savory. All beef options were all excellent. Chuck roll is a little too chewy for my liking as opted out on second and third order. Green tea ice cream matcha is a good meal ender. Restrooms - Clean Would definitely come back!

My expectations were blown out of the water with this place. We wanted to try a new hotpot place…read moreand came across this up and coming location and wanted to give it a stab. It might be hard to find but it's located in the raising claw at the corner of the plaza! We got the premium set which came with SO much meat. The quality of all the meats were very good and diverse. Our server Hayden was also very knowledgeable on all the cuts and attentive to our needs. He was switching out plates for us and bringing in new foods in the set menu as we ate. The restaurant set up is nice too, you don't have to worry about crammed tables as they have carts to put your extra plates on so you have plenty of room to eat. Overall the experience was fun and the food was really good, the price point is high but definitely worth it since you get a lot of meats and seafood as well. Personally I'd place this location better than mokkoji or Shabuya :).

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XhOtpOt — The Boiling House - Inside

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Bien Hen Restaurant - Grilled blood clams.

Bien Hen Restaurant

4.2(1.1k reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

Exceptional spot! The restaurant is clean and welcoming. The waiters are friendly and helpful…read more I got to go to this spot twice in the same weekend! I went with a friend on Friday and was excited to go with my bf on Sunday! If you haven't tried lotus salad, I would highly recommend it! Such an astounding crunch from the lotus, with satiable citrus flavors as the base. Shrimp and beef were cooked to perfection. We also tried razor clams which were flavorful and had a really easy chew to it. If I can't chew it under 1-2 minutes, I'm not going to continue. lol I can basically have their baked catfish all week. The dish is so comforting and light. Definitely a no-guilt type of meal. The fish has a nice crisp on the outside and so tender on the inside. I like to load my spring roll up with a lot of the fish. :) I would say the medium sized fish can feed up to 3-4 people. My friends and I were only able to make a dent on a quarter of the fish and had to bring the rest home. If you haven't tried the plum soda, definitely recommend. So good!

We ordered a few dishes, and overall, everything tasted pretty good! The standout was definitely…read morethe grilled squid, which I would highly recommend if you decide to try this place. The squid wasn't overly dry and had just the right amount of chew, with the flavor spot on. The basil stir-fried clams were pretty decent as well. My only complaint was the broken shells. Be careful when eating this dish, as small, sharp pieces of shell can be hidden in the clam meat. Unfortunately, the service could use some improvement. It was quite slow and inattentive, even though the restaurant wasn't particularly busy.

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Bien Hen Restaurant
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X-Malatang - noodles - Updated October 2026

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