The good: It is hotpot. The service is friendly, the all you can eat is nice. Drinks are included. Price is lowThe not so good: the broth was pretty plain, watery and basic. The menu selection of goods wasn’t great.Overall it was alright. I don’t think it’s the best in the city. Compared to hotpot I’ve had in SF and NYC this doesn’t match up, but it is hot pot though.
One of my favorite places to eat since I learned of it years ago.A fabulously delicious little mom and pop shop. Pick your broth, then your ingredients. There is a fair variety of noodles, meats and veggies to choose from, with even more options for the dinner menu.It is all you can eat, but there is a ten dollar charge for excessive waste. That costs them a lot of money in lost ingredients.I find it best to do an initial pick, and if I am still hungry, ask for seconds of a few of my favorite items.Because there are only two of them running the place, please be patient if they can not get to you right away. They are both very sweet if your are respectful, and they are trying to do their best. The food is worth the wait, and meant to be savored besides.Especially good on a chilly winter day!
Great value for money. Food quality is decent, and price includes unlimited soft drinks refill. Soup base (I picked the mala soup) is rich and flavourful, unlike what some other reviews say. The female owner could seem grumpy when the shop is busy, but is helpful nevertheless. Food refills come in a timely manner even though it’s a busy Sunday afternoon. A must-go in Portland.
Bad experience, waste of time.Restaurant was about 75% full when we arrived with only 2 employees to do everything -- the older man and older woman. They had their hands full so we waited patiently until they took care of their customers to tell them our party size. We were never greeted, told to wait, or acknowledged, though they definitely kept looking at us. Still, we still did not bother them or try to wave then down as we could see they were very busy. We were a party of 11 and only 2 of us ever waited inside as to not crowd their waiting area. Finally, 15-20min later, the male employee comes and asks "Are you the big party?" (Referring to my family waiting outside)-"Yes, we have 11."-"Sorry we don't have anymore seats for you."-"Oh, what if we split up into smaller groups?"-"...No sorry, we don't have seats for you. "Ok. I understand they're understaffed, but there was definitely empty tables here and there, so don't say that. During our wait, we watched another even bigger party finish and pay for their meal. I would've appreciated it more if, if the employees were unwilling to accommodate another big party, that they would've just told us at the BEGINNING -- instead of just glancing at us repeatedly for 15min without saying a word. From other reviewers here I can see we aren't the first to get the 15-20min cold treatment finally followed by surprise reason for why we can't eat there. If you can't handle anymore customers, just say so from the BEGINNING and don't waste so much of people's time please.
Been dining here for years and I love it every time. Long time customers know how things work here and it most definitely will rub new customers the wrong way and it’s quite comical.Broth and ingredients are great and it always hits the spot. Priced reasonably as well. Will recommend 10/10.
Wife and I just tried 'hot pot' here for the first time and it was great! Both of us got the Ma-la broth and it was very flavorful and fairly spicy as well. All of the ingredients were fresh, the veggies were all crisp and there were so many items to choose from. Between us, we tried the pork belly, ribs, beef, lamb, shrimp, fish balls, won tons, meatballs, fish, wood ear mushrooms, cabbage, corn, sprouts and several other things. . . too many to name. . . Everything was spot on and the broth got better and better with each item cooked in it. . .(Personal note: take some of the fat from the cuts of lamb and leave it in the pot for an extended time. . . As it cooks out, it lends a creaminess to the overall broth that is amazing!)Lastly, the man and woman working the restaurant were friendly, attentive and contributed to a really great first experience! We will definitely be back! If you're coming for the first time be sure to arrive in plenty of time to eat. We arrived at appx 1800 and they close at 2000. That is how much time you should plan on leaving yourself. . . Remember, you cook everything at the table and that takes time. Plus, that way we were able to get in 3 full courses and we weren't keeping those wonderful people working after they closed.
Jack and Ruby are very welcoming people and so is the atmosphere. Prices for lunch and dinner are reasonable compared to similar places and the portions are generous. The veggie-based broth, meatballs, and all of the other fixings are out this world. Lastly, the place is clean and clearly shows the owners take pride in their establishment.
We have never been to this location prior to 2/6/2022, and my family did a decent amount of fact checking research prior to heading to this location for dinner. We don't go to Portland area much being from Salem. When we arrived, there was a family sitting inside at a table eating- a good sign we thought. We get to the door and see a sign on the door that says "Open", and we were able to push the door open. Upon entry to the building, there was another sign stating to "wait here to be seated". We noticed there was another couple in the establishment waiting to be tended to and seated that had made their way toward the front counter to get someone's attention. A male employee came from the back room with a bucket of ice, followed by a female employee and neither of them addressed the couple ahead of us. The male employee continued on the fill the ice at the buffet.. My husband found the body language and 'vibe' odd and off putting so we decided to turn around and leave. We noticed the couple in front of us also left shortly after we exited the location. The couple approached us and made conversation asking if we've been here before to which we responded "no". They proceeded to tell us that the employees told them that they didn't have any food and were asked to leave. Granted, I know COVID has impacted a lot of businesses negatively. But why were there people seated and eating, why was the sign on the door diplaying 'open', why was the door unlocked, and why was the male employee replenishing ice in the buffet area if there was no food to be served? The couple stated they had the same experience a few weeks prior ie walking in to an open building and then being told to leave because the restaurant didn't have food. We will not be returning to this location so I can't speak for the quality/quantity of the food.
Small mom and pop restaurant with really sweet staff and good portioned food. Don't come here if you're expecting to get 10 Michelin star service: come here if you want to get fed and be treated like family.
We have never been to this location prior to 2/6/2022, and my family did a decent amount of fact checking research prior to heading to this location for dinner. We don't go to Portland area much being from Salem. When we arrived, there was a family sitting inside at a table eating- a good sign we thought. We get to the door and see a sign on the door that says "Open", and we were able to push the door open. Upon entry to the building, there was another sign stating to "wait here to be seated". We noticed there was another couple in the establishment waiting to be tended to and seated that had made their way toward the front counter to get someone's attention. A male employee came from the back room with a bucket of ice, followed by a female employee and neither of them addressed the couple ahead of us. The male employee continued on the fill the ice at the buffet.. My husband found the body language and 'vibe' odd and off putting so we decided to turn around and leave. We noticed the couple in front of us also left shortly after we exited the location. The couple approached us and made conversation asking if we've been here before to which we responded "no". They proceeded to tell us that the employees told them that they didn't have any food and were asked to leave. Granted, I know COVID has impacted a lot of businesses negatively. But why were there people seated and eating, why was the sign on the door diplaying 'open', why was the door unlocked, and why was the male employee replenishing ice in the buffet area if there was no food to be served? The couple stated they had the same experience a few weeks prior ie walking in to an open building and then being told to leave because the restaurant didn't have food. We will not be returning to this location so I can't speak for the quality/quantity of the food.