Panda Hot Pot Carnegie 蜀大侠火锅 — Restaurant in Melbourne

Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at Panda Hot Pot, and it was an unforgettable culinary experience. Nestled in a cozy corner, the restaurant exudes an inviting ambiance that perfectly complements the delightful feast that awaits.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the hot pot. A feast for both the eyes and the taste buds, the array of fresh ingredients and aromatic broths presented a true masterpiece. The DIY aspect of assembling the hot pot allowed me to curate my own culinary adventure. The assortment of vegetables, succulent meats, and delectable seafood was a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality.

The broth choices were a testament to the chef's dedication to diversity. From the rich and hearty bone broth to the spicy Sichuan mala, each broth was a story in itself. The mala broth, in particular, delivered a fiery kick that left me craving for more.

The service was impeccable, with attentive staff guiding me through the process and offering helpful suggestions. Their knowledge of the ingredients and cooking times ensured that every morsel was cooked to perfection.

What truly set Panda Hot Pot apart was the exceptional balance of flavors. The interplay of spices, herbs, and fresh produce created a symphony of taste that danced on my palate. The experience was enhanced by the communal aspect of sharing the meal with friends, fostering a sense of togetherness that only great food can inspire.

While the hot pot stole the spotlight, the dessert selection was a delightful surprise. The house-made sweet treats provided a satisfying conclusion to the meal, leaving a lingering sweetness on my taste buds.

In conclusion, my visit to Panda Hot Pot was a gastronomic journey that I won't soon forget. The thoughtful curation of ingredients, diverse broth options, attentive service, and impeccable flavors make it a must-visit destination for any food enthusiast. Whether you're seeking a memorable dining experience or a chance to indulge in the art of hot pot, Panda Hot Pot delivers a truly exceptional...

I have never written a negative review before so, this makes me a little sad. We went for our first ever hot pot experience last night as a group of friends, I've never felt so unwelcome or ignored ever before. We let our waitress know that we'd never tried hot pot before and she basically gave us zero assistance. We stumbled our way through the menu - where is the simple... If this is your first time, we'd recommend this as a basic start of ingredients? The soup broth was delicious, the ingredients (when they actually came) were also well prepared and presented. But... As our dishes didn't come together we ended up feeling like we hadn't actually had a meal. We had to ask for our ingredients as they had been delivered to the wrong table - accidents happen but no apology. For such an 'experience' based setting I was stunned that the wait staff offered no guidance or support. Other tables were offered bowls and spoons. We were offered nothing. The dipping sauce table, I have no doubt would be amazing if you understood how to mix, but again, zero support so to pay $30 for our table seemed ridiculous (especially given only three of us made a bowl of dipping sauce). And as for what you're supposed to do with the cans of oil on the table.... Who knows! This could've been a great, exciting, entertaining night out but instead, we left feeling unwelcome and disappointed. Wouldn't go back... Which is a shame as other people looked like they were having...

Stingy and disappointing experience

We came in hoping for a nice date night hotpot. When we sat down we saw an ongoing promotion to spend over $88 and get a free "fish may with chicken" soup broth (see photo below). The only conditions listed were that (1)you must show the offer before paying, (2) it can’t be used with other promotions, and (3)it doesn’t apply to the three-flavour soup base.

We then decided to order the chicken soup broth along with another soup base. When we finished the meal, the bill came to just under $160, but we realize the discount wasn't applied.

When we asked, the cashier told us that all dipping sauces, drinks, and even the broth itself weren’t counted toward the $88 minimum spend, and our 'eligible' came to $84.30, 3 dollars short of the minimum spend. They then suggested we order a takeaway fried rice just to make up the difference.

At that point, we felt frustrated and misled. If so many standard items are excluded from the spend, that should be made clear on the poster, not revealed at the counter. It came across as stingy and left a really bad impression, especially considering we had well exceeded the $88 spending, and our total bill was nearly double the required amount.

We’re really disappointed. This experience has definitely put us off returning, and unfortunately, we won’t be recommending Panda Hotpot to any of our...