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    YGF Malatang

    4.0 (142 reviews)
    ModerateChinese
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Order YGF Malatang Takeout or Delivery

    YGF Malatang Photos

    Business Info

    YGF MALATANG ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - YGF Malatang

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    Jared K.

    YGF Malatang is a fun hotpot experience! FOOD: the food experience is fun! You can build your own hotpot bowl by choosing your ingredients. You then pay per pound (similar to frozen yogurt). There are 2 broth options - Beef Bone borth and Tomato - I ordered the medium spice beef bone broth and I would say its perfect, if you want spice while enjoying your food. The restaurant also carries its own sauce bar, so you can get your favorite, custom hot pot dipping sauce. Keep in mind, once you hand your bowl to the staff, you will then wait for them to cook the ingredients in your broth (could be about 10 minutes depending on how busy it is. You can also get this TO-GO! PARKING: Plenty of parking on the regular level and lower levels of the complex. AMBIANCE: The ambiance is casual dining with shared seating. There are three restaurants that share the seating space so keep this in mind. Overall, if you want a custom hot pot experience, this is a great place to go!

    Nancy L.

    It was my first time at a Malatang place and I was amazed at all the different variety of items available. There were different kinds of meat, veggies, fish balls, noodles, etc. The stall is in a small food court so it can get very busy. You need to be careful about not getting too greedy with all the toppings or else it will become an expensive meal since the cost is based on weight.

    Ai V.

    I love YGF Malatang- hands down one of my favorite Malatang spots. I like switching between Beef Bone Broth Base (Spicy) & Sweet+Sour Tomato Broth -- definitely recommend those two bases. It's build your own so you get to customize how much you want in a bowl, from meats / veggies / noodles, etc. Definitely recommend YGF if you're craving malatang!

    Hot pot options
    Mabel W.

    We had a great time filling up our giant bowls with items to cook for our hotpot. Lots of choices here but be warned they weigh by the pound and everything looks fresh and delicious. It's a quick meal for those on the go. Location is shared with multiple restaurants like a food court. Self service so you can take your time or fill up as fast as you need to. It's a busy location but we didn't have a problem getting a table. It wasn't too noisy or it can be noisy based on the customer chattering beside you. We enjoyed it. I encourage you to try it too.

    Terri S.

    They had great selections from meats, to noodles, to veggies. Everything came out piping hot! It was a little hard to find this place, because they share the building with 2 other restaurants. The restaurant is neat, clean, and super big inside! They got our soup out very fast! I enjoyed mine, but it felt like my tomato broth was a little on the thicker, starchy side.

    Bone broth, mild
    Tiffany M.

    Favorite malatang chain! I've only tried their bone broth and it's so flavorful, but I'll definitely try the tomato one someday. I honestly don't come often because I lack self control when it comes to food and I always think my bowl will end up being $50. So far has been super reasonable. It's $14.99/lb and you grab whatever, they weigh it, you pick a soup base (or dry mix)/spice level, and you can make your sauce while you wait.

    Ken C.

    YGF Malatang is a Chinese Hot Pot Chain where you load all of the veggies, meat, and tofu that you want and they charge you at a rate of $14.99 a pound. I usually go to their Artesia location; however, we opted to visit this location in Irvine as we were in the area. Compared to the Artesia location, I feel this location has a few more options for vegetables and toppings. I get the broth medium spicy and I appreciate the balance between the mala spice and the beef broth. I also love that they have a complimentary sauce bar, that amplifies the flavors of my meats and veggies. My wife and I tend to get a little under a pound of meat and veg, which tends to be very filling for around $30. If I make comparable sauces at Haidilao, I know that I'd be spending triple the amount for an equally filling meal. Sure, you don't get the service here; however, I just enjoy this for a casual hot pot experience on a cold winter morning.

    Destinee M.

    I tried Yangguofu Mala Tang and honestly it's such a fun, customizable dining experience. You grab a huge bowl and walk along the ingredient bar filling it with whatever you're craving. There are tons of veggies, noodles, tofu options, seafood, and meats, so it's easy to mix and match. Once you're done, they weigh your bowl and you pay by the pound, which makes it feel fair and totally in your control. After that, you choose your broth. You can go classic, mild, or full spicy mala depending on your heat tolerance. They cook everything fresh and bring it out steaming hot, and the flavors really soak into all the ingredients. I also loved the drink selection. They have so many options to pair with the spice, which makes the whole experience even better. Overall, it's a great spot if you like interactive meals and want something different from traditional hot pot. Perfect for groups since everyone can build exactly what they want.

    Beef Broth (Medium)
    Vivian T.

    Gave YGF another go as I wanted to give them a second try before making my review. To confirm my experience the first time, I find that YGF's broth is more inconsistent. I had photos of the same spice level but but soups look very different. I did get a stomachache both times, maybe it is due to the spices, other wise I do like that they keep things toppings fully stocked and are kept fresh. It is a shared space, and the seating is anywhere among the tables. The tables are quite close to each-other and there is a limited walkway to get up and use the restroom. Other patrons from the other 2 shared businesses share the bathroom too. A little more bussing is needed, but tables do get filled up, making it harder to clean. If you like a bit of spice, the medium is enough to endure! There was everything you needed to make your dipping sauce. My rating is a 3 for overall cleanliness of the restaurant and flavor of the malatang. I got their Beef Bone broth, which is my usual soup choice for Malatang broth. The service is limited, but food comes out reasonably and hot! I would find myself here since it is open late, but I prefer other options in the area more.

    Austin B.

    My favorite malatang place. Beef bone broth is great. They have a huge variety of items to put in your bowl. This is the only location I've been to that has tendon (I love tendon) which is part reason why I love this place so much. In a random for court thing. Open late and never too busy.

    Tom yum and mild original bone broth
    Heather H.

    Overall enjoyed it! You pick out your ingredients first and then give to them to cook. Choose a broth. Tried the tom yum which comes automatically as mild. It's delicious and not too spicy. Also got the original bone broth is umami deliciousness. Would definitely get that again. Nice that people can get however much they're feeling like getting. But if you're hungry, can easily get expensive since it's per lb. $14.99/lb They also give crispy wontons as a little snack in the beginning Inside is very clean with good seating. They also give you a lot of broth- a large bowl!

    spicy beef bone broth
    Emily S.

    i've been to other YGF locations but this place was the best so far! the ingredients and sauce bar were kept very clean and organized. there were plenty of staff to deliver efficient service and the food came out relatively quick. this location is also right next to two other restaurants in the same building. a little confusing but had plenty of seating!

    extra mild beef bone broth
    Kaitlyn P.

    Food was really good and the broth was the perfect amount of spice! They have so many topping options here which I love! Probably my favorite malatang place at the moment!

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    YGF Malatang Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - YGF Malatang

    Does this have a buffet? Love Chinese food here, I really do wish there was a good buffet, lol

    I don't think so, everything is pay by weight and this location is in like a food court.

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    EverSpring Modern Chinese

    EverSpring Modern Chinese

    4.3(452 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$
    Vegetarian friendly
    Casual dining

    Leaving this review after an almost bad experience to help the restaurant or anyone else that may…read morehave eaten here today. 5 stars for fixing the problem immediately for us. We've been here several times before and what keeps us coming back is the quality of the food. Today, they had a new chef cook our food and it was terrible. Green beans were extremely sour (way way too much vinegar). Mapo Tofu had a ton of oil but not enough sauce, so it was just flavorless except the oil. The fried pork chop was over fried where some pieces you can't even bite through. The rice had too much water in it and was mushy. I rarely return food but this time it was so bad we had to let them know. We returned all of our dishes back to them. They let us know there was a new chef today, and they would remake all the dishes for us with the original chef. The replacement dishes were just as good as all our previous visits and it was excellent again! So thanks to the staff for fixing the problem. I'm not sure if they are training a new chef to take over, or as a backup, but they need to be careful as serving bad quality food like that would drive most people to never come back. We knew the food was good from prior experience, so we knew we could ask why the food quality changed. For first time customers, or those that may have ordered to go - if you had bad food today, it may have been a fluke due to the new chef. Service however was a amazing as usual. For all our visits including today, the staff has been kind and always looking for ways to help out and make sure we were having a good experience. So besides the food being good, I would say excellent service is also huge plus here. Don't be fooled with the automated ordering and robot delivering the food into thinking there is no service. The people behind the counter are awesome! Hope management takes care of this new chef issue quickly since their food quality is the main reason people come here. There was a night and day difference between the original food we got today, and the replacement!

    Modern Chinese, Ancient Disappointment…read more EverSpring looks great, sounds great, and is priced like it plans to deliver something memorable. Unfortunately, what I'll remember most is how quickly my excitement turned into polite disappointment. The salt and pepper pork chops were...bold. And by bold I mean shockingly salty, like the chef was trying to preserve them for winter. I've had salt and pepper chops more times than I can count, and this version tasted nothing like any of them. Overcooked, oddly flavored, and just completely off. If this was a creative interpretation, creativity may have gone a step too far. Then there was the crispy beef. I say this with sincerity: it was inedible. Not "I'm picky" inedible--burned-breading-that-tastes-like-toasted-mistakes inedible. Each bite delivered a charming note of scorched regret, like someone deep-fried a crouton and called it a day. I stopped eating not because I was full, but because my taste buds filed an HR complaint. And look, if this were cheap comfort food, I'd shrug it off. But this is sit-up-straight-when-the-bill-arrives pricing. For what we paid, I expected at least one dish to make me say, "Okay, this works." That moment never came. The concept is solid, but the food just didn't deliver. I wanted to love it. My taste buds, however, requested an early exit. Everything went to the trash can. Never again.

    Photos
    EverSpring Modern Chinese - Crispy Beef. Photo is for demonstration purpose only, not our actual serving size.

    Crispy Beef. Photo is for demonstration purpose only, not our actual serving size.

    EverSpring Modern Chinese - Orange Chicken

    Orange Chicken

    EverSpring Modern Chinese - Dry Chili Chicken

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    Meizhou Dongpo - Meizhou Roast Duck

    Meizhou Dongpo

    4.2(1.8k reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$$
    Discounts available

    Growing up eating in SF Chinatown and having some of the best Peking duck in both San Francisco and…read moreNew York, we came in with high expectations -- and Meizhou Dongpo absolutely delivered. The Peking duck was exceptional: crispy skin, juicy meat, and incredibly fresh wraps and condiments. Easily one of the best we've had in Southern California and noticeably better than many surrounding Irvine spots. The Sichuan dumplings were also amazing with a flavorful spicy sauce, the sweet and sour fish was perfectly cooked and balanced, and even the sticky rice dessert stood out. The decor and atmosphere were also beautifully done -- a great spot for either a themed dining experience or just a nice dinner out. The colors, design, and overall ambiance felt very intentional and well thought out. Service was smooth and welcoming throughout. We unfortunately didn't catch our original server's name, but Tate closed us out and was extremely friendly and personable. In such a competitive Irvine food scene, this place genuinely stands out. Definitely worth coming back for.

    What's a staycation without checking out some new and memorable eats? I've been wanting to try…read morePeking duck for quite some time, and this was actually my first experience with it. After doing some research, I was led here -- and the reviews definitely steered me in the right direction. The meal was delicious. From the crispy yet succulent duck to the perfectly prepared eggplant and comforting soup, every dish felt thoughtfully made with care and pride. Their menu is extensive, featuring a wide variety of Sichuan and Northern Chinese specialties, so there's plenty to explore beyond the signature dishes. The interior design and overall ambiance added to the experience and made you feel transported to China. Service was attentive throughout the meal, and parking was plentiful, which is always a plus in Irvine. My one piece of constructive feedback is that the menu does feel a bit overpriced. Still, the quality, atmosphere, and overall experience made it a worthwhile visit.

    Photos
    Meizhou Dongpo - Fresh seafood prepared in a multitude of ways

    Fresh seafood prepared in a multitude of ways

    Meizhou Dongpo
    Meizhou Dongpo - Meizhou Roast Duck served with steamed crepes

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    Meizhou Roast Duck served with steamed crepes

    A & J Restaurant

    A & J Restaurant

    4.1(2.8k reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    My husband YELPED this place and it has really high ratings and reviews so we decided to give it a…read moretry! It was 20 minutes away from the Pacific View Mortuary so we decided to come here after my husband visited his dad... GREETED UPON ENTRY! Quite nice and loudly by a nice lady! I believe I only saw ladies working in the restaurant which is pretty cool! Women power!! SPICY BEEF NOODLE SOUP: 10/10 I love the TENDONS so much!! They were nice and TENDER!!! Not chewy at all! The flavor of the broth is good and not too SALTY or SPICY so you can easily adjust it if you need more Salt or Chili oil...Better than SHANGS in Las Vegas in my opinion!!!... SPICY WONTONS: 9/10 The wontons were small and fell apart easily but, the sauce was DELICIOUS!!! It was such a TEASE because it was a small dish that was PACKED with so much flavor so I finished it as REVENGE!!! Mwahahaha!!!!... BEAN CURD WITH ASSORTED MUSHROOMS: 9/10 Loved the bean curds!!! I finished it too!!! There was only ONE MUSHROOM though so that's why I took off a point... SCALLION PANCAKE: 8/10 In not usually into it. My husband loved it and it reminded him of ROTI... PAN FRIED PORK DUMPLINGS: 9/10 It was nice and juicy! The portions were HUGE!!! Definitely had to pack this one home to finish it later... SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT!!! AMBIANCE was nice! The tables were set per close to each other towards the front of the restaurant so there wasn't much room to walk in between tables. It reminded me of the walkway that's similar to being on an AIRPLANE!!! If you are a Big person I would recommend sitting at the tables towards the back because there's more SPACE there!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND TRYING THIS PLACE !!! A & J RESTAURANT MAKES YOU WANT TO COME EVERYDAY!!!!

    It pains me to write this, but after being a loyal customer for nearly 15 years, I think our time…read morewith A&J has come to an end. This has long been our go-to for Taiwanese comfort food, and while the flavors weren't always 100% authentic, they hit the spot. However, our recent visits have been disappointing. The restaurant has become incredibly "penny-pinching" with their service. I was recently told there would be a $1 charge just for a sprinkle of scallions and another $1 for a small side of clear broth for my dry noodles--requests that were never an issue before. Furthermore, when we ordered extra noodles for my son's beef noodle soup, the original portion seemed intentionally smaller, defeating the purpose of paying for the add-on. Between the degraded service and the "nickel-and-diming" atmosphere, it is no longer worth the 30-minute drive. The vibe has changed, and the pleasure of dining here is gone.

    Photos
    A & J Restaurant - Interior

    Interior

    A & J Restaurant - #151 sliced pork ears w/hot and spicy seasoning, #154 vegetarian delight (gluten puffs, bean curd, and mushrooms)

    #151 sliced pork ears w/hot and spicy seasoning, #154 vegetarian delight (gluten puffs, bean curd, and mushrooms)

    A & J Restaurant - Pan Fried Pork Dumplings

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    Xishang Roodle - Wagyu Beef Crossing- The-Bridge Rice Noodle

    Xishang Roodle

    4.4(240 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Met with friends from all over So Cal for an event down South. After the event our friend found a…read morenoodle house in Santa Ana, odd find location but lets go ... Massive parking lot so that was easy, one friend went ahead and let them know we had 10 incoming. They made room and we sat immediately. One of the spots that you scan a menu at the table and you review, order and pay all in the app. I was really not familiar with the line up and went with the "House Special Beef Pot Roodle" (Roodles are their rice noodles). It was a weekend only item and I tried that. The noodles came separate from the soup. Over all it was very tasty. The meat was a bit fatty and the soup had tendons too. I took that part home and my wife loved it. I tend to avoid the fatty meat and tendons are not good to me. 10 of us so some of the appetizers got passed around. The smashed cucumbers are excellent, and my buddy also got some friend potatoes of sorts, reminded me of a fat French fry. Because my buddy and I sat at the same table we scanned the same menu, he ordered a bunch of stuff and also House Special Beef Pot Roodle. That confused the kitchen and they asked me if I meant to order 2, I said no and didn't realize I cancelled my buddy's order. Part of the confusion of a large party and many scanned menu orders. My buddy was struggling to order and our initial waiter seemed to not understand my friend and that took a little bit to work out, young lady came from the back and was able to quickly resolve some of the confusion and get questions answered as needed. In the end he had lot of food to explore. One thing that caught my eye was several couples there and sharing a large soup item served with a tray of various food items for the soup. Kind of a date night visual and something that looked very interesting. Several couples around us had that same dish and its got me more curious. Might have to come back with my wife and try this one.

    Stopped by Xishang Roodle in Santa Ana and... bless the staff, truly. They were the highlight of…read morethe entire experience. Polite, quick, and doing their best in a situation that could only be described as "culinary confusion." The food? I'm still trying to figure out what happened. The broth tasted like it was made by someone who's heard of seasoning but refuses to believe in it. The meat portion? I've seen more protein in a microwavable noodle cup. And then there's the very bold "better than pho" claim. Better than pho?? My brother in broth, that is delusion with confidence. And the price--$19! For that much, you can get a glorious XL bowl of pho elsewhere stacked with meat, loaded with herbs, and seasoned by someone who actually cares. Meanwhile, I took two bites here, sat in silence, reflected on my life choices, and walked out. The bowl stayed behind, untouched and unbothered. To make things even more tragic, I only ended up here because Whealthy Pasta next door opens late on weekends. Honestly, the biggest plot twist of my day. Great service, terrible food. Funny experience, but not funny enough to ever try again. This place disappoints!

    Photos
    Xishang Roodle - We came from all over to meet at this Roodle spot in Santa Ana. Fun times.

    We came from all over to meet at this Roodle spot in Santa Ana. Fun times.

    Xishang Roodle - Beef Stew Noodle

    Beef Stew Noodle

    Xishang Roodle - Devil Chicken | $9.99

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    YGF Malatang - chinese - Updated May 2026

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