This Chongqing Hot Pot in Pasadena Feels Like It’s Made for Non

Hey everyone! Today Nuts Mama checked out Yao Mei Hot Pot near Pasadena Old Town — heard from a friend it was decent, so I made the trip. 🤔 Some Hard-to-Ignore Flaws For a Chongqing-style hot pot, a few things really didn’t sit right with me: ❌ No tripe This is basically the soul of Chongqing hot pot! Not having it on the menu is already a deal-breaker for me. ❌ Not enough beef tallow in the broth A common issue with many “Chongqing” hot pots in LA — they skimp on the beef tallow, so the fragrance is weak. By the end, all you taste is saltiness, not that rich, aromatic beef tallow depth. ❌ Lots of items out of stock Besides tripe, many ingredients were unavailable when ordering — really affects the experience. 😐 The Okay Parts Price is fair — not expensive, portions are decent. Ingredient quality — basics like tender beef and shrimp paste were fine, edible but not memorable. 🌍 Interesting Observation During the meal, I noticed many non-Chinese diners. Seems like this spot has adapted to local tastes — which explains the mild broth... 📝 Nuts Mama’s Take Rating: ⭐⭐ Good for: If you live nearby in Pasadena and just want a casual hot pot fix, it’s okay. Not for: If you’re craving authentic Chongqing beef tallow flavor, or if you live far away — not worth the drive! 📍 Yao Mei Hot Pot 55 W Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105 🅿️ Parking: Not very convenient — street parking or nearby public lots only. #LAEats #LAFood #Pasadena #PasadenaEats #LAHotPot #NutsMamaEats #LAHotPotSpot 🍲🤷‍♀️