YX Mini Hot Pot Eastwood 余香精品小火锅 — Restaurant in Sydney

We’ve always appreciated the one-pot-per-person concept here, but unfortunately, this visit was the most disappointing experience we’ve had in recent years.

My dad originally booked a table for 5:30 PM, but the restaurant called and asked us to come at 7:30 instead, saying a large group was booked earlier and the six-seater table wouldn’t be available. We agreed and arrived promptly at 7:30 PM.

Upon arrival, we let the staff know we were there and were told the table was being cleaned. We waited 15 minutes before seeing the previous large group come downstairs to pay, and were only seated 5 minutes after that — 20 minutes past our reservation. It appeared the previous party was allowed to go over the restaurant’s stated two-hour dining limit, with no effort made by staff to manage that fairly.

We placed our order at 8:00 PM, but the soup didn’t arrive until 8:15. While waiting, we asked a staff member for two aprons. Unfortunately, they didn’t understand the word “apron” and had to ask a colleague. I stepped in and used my limited Mandarin to clarify — just enough to get the message across.

Then at 8:30 PM — just as we started eating — a staff member came over and told us (again, only in Mandarin) that the sauce station was closing. Despite the earlier exchange showing we could only speak basic Mandarin, they still assumed we could fully understand service instructions as if we were fluent. That expectation felt unreasonable and dismissive, especially in an English-speaking country where not all guests can be expected to follow instructions in Mandarin.

Finally, at 9:24 PM — well before the 10:00 PM closing time — we were brought the payment machine and asked to settle the bill. We hadn’t even been seated for the full two-hour dining window due to the delayed seating.

We left feeling rushed and disappointed. Despite arriving on time and following all instructions, we didn’t receive the full dining experience due to poor time management and a lack of effective, inclusive communication. Sadly, this visit has made us...

Horrific customer service. Left feeling absolutely regretful and discriminated against. The two of us spent almost $300 for dinner tonight and were constantly reminded of the time limit on the table. Definitely understanding of the pressure when there are customer waiting for tables but to constantly pressure people who are still actively eating food that has been ordered, as opposed to chatting at the table for extensive amounts of time, makes for an incredibly poor dining experience. It also did not go unnoticed that staff were unwilling to ask Chinese speaking customers to vacate their tables. We were given an ultimatum to pack our leftover (uncooked) food as takeaway and were denied packaging fresh soup. Again, understandable if we had opted to takeaway but as I mentioned, we were given an ultimatum of taking away our ordered food that we were yet to eat or leaving it behind whilst still paying the food bill. It was near impossible to communicate the facts of the situation and come to a resolution and when I chose to disengage with the yelling the staff, they made it very clear they were displeased by whispering with fellow staff members whilst we were packing our takeaway. We will never be coming back to YX Mini Hot Pot after introducing it to so many friends, colleagues and family members. Very disappointed and feeling tonight's dinner was a waste of a...

As a hot pot enthusiast, Eastwood mini YX Hot Pot has always been a favorite of mine. While there used to be a branch in the City, now only this location remains, but the flavors are as delightful as ever. The broth is exceptional, especially the tomato base, which is packed with tomato chunks and tastes fresh and natural without overwhelming seasonings.

Another great feature of this place is that each person gets their own mini hot pot and can choose up to two soup bases.

Every visit, I must order the egg tofu and crispy mandarin fish—both are absolute classics. Additionally, the M8 wagyu slices and scallops are not to be missed; they are perfect for a meal for two. If you're planning a gathering with friends, consider booking a private room where you can enjoy hot pot and karaoke simultaneously. Don’t forget to try their rice cakes with snow crab for an extra treat.

The restaurant’s décor is unique, featuring a ceiling painted with blue skies and white clouds, combined with traditional elements that make you feel as if you're dining in a quaint Jiangnan town. The service is also excellent, with quick and efficient food delivery.

Overall, Eastwood YX Hot Pot is a must-visit. Whether it's the quality of the food or the dining ambiance, I am thoroughly impressed. Highly recommended for all...