Rowland Heights Lao Ma Tou Hot Pot 🍲 + Panda Shao Ye Dessert

Celebrated a friend’s birthday at my favorite hot pot spot in Rowland Heights — Lao Ma Tou 🎂 Why do I love it? Because it’s properly spicy! Medium spice is just right for me — if you can’t handle heat, go mild or little spicy. The restaurant is always busy — fills up fast after opening. We ordered a spicy + peppercorn chicken combo pot. The peppercorn chicken pot is $50, but it’s packed with ingredients — loads of chicken and shrimp, super fresh. Couldn’t even finish just the pot ingredients! For meat, we got beef short ribs — amazing quality. The lamb was tender with no gamey taste. Also ordered my recent obsession — crispy goose intestines, plus luncheon meat (a must!). Wanted bamboo fungus shrimp paste but it was sold out, so we got regular shrimp paste. Also had yam and lettuce. Tried to order duck blood, but they said it’s dinner only — maybe next time. The sauce bar has tons of options — I love their bingfen (ice jelly) with hawthorn flakes — crispy texture is perfect! Also had a bowl of snow fungus soup for glowing skin 😊 Afterwards, headed next door to the newly opened Panda Shao Ye (Mori Mochi) 🍡 for dessert. This cute spot is women-owned — adorable inside, and everything is beautifully presented. We had matcha shaved ice 🍧 with red beans and mochi, plus peach gum with fermented rice wine — so refreshing! Totally stuffed and happy 💜 📍 18938 Labin Ct #101A, Rowland Heights, CA 91748 #IrvineLife #LALife #HotPot #LAEats #IrvineFood #AroundIrvine #LaoMaTou #PandaShaoYe