Malatang — Restaurant in Waitematā

I first visited in mid-June on a Friday afternoon, and as a fan of malatang and all things spicy, I was very excited to try out YGF Hotpot. It was a pretty good experience, and I look forward to visiting again. While the atmosphere is pretty average, the meal made up for it in my experience.

I am aware I visited the store after the initial opening rush, so my experience would’ve been much different than some other reviews. I am keen to visit again to see if I have another great experience! 🤞

The restaurant itself looked clean and the self service section was well-stocked. The instructions for serving/price are easy enough to follow. At the time I visited it was $50/kg for the Ingredients you select (into a bowl). It can be easy to accidentally put more than you think! 😅 but there is no additional cost for the soup itself, so it works out pretty good, and comparable to buying a similar sized dish elsewhere in town imo.

There is also a counter with additional sauces/condiments (free of charge) in case you wanted to buff up your meal even more. (Including chilli, spring onion, sesame paste, sesame oil, chilli oil, garlic oils, oyster sauce, to name just a few).

The service was fine, the staff were pleasant and explained each of the broth/mix options. At our time of visit, the food took around 10-15 minutes to come out.

My meal (photo) costed $22 which I was very happy with. This might be high for some people, I’m not too familiar with what other restaurants offer, but I was pleased with the meal and the spice.

I would’ve liked to have known what more of the ingredients were (I.e. labels would be helpful). While the staff were approachable for questions, it just adds more work.

Also having scales close by would also be helpful for people who would like to keep track of the cost, rather than finding out at the counter (in case price might be a problem...

I recently visited this YGF malatang restaurant and had one of the most unpleasant dining experiences I’ve ever had in Auckland. Due to a staff error, my food was given to another customer. When I received someone else’s bowl instead, I wasn’t even offered an apology — I was just expected to eat it as it was. I ended up having to select all my ingredients again from the beginning.

While mistakes can happen, I chose to stay calm and understanding. I brought my new ingredients to the staff without complaint. However, the male staff member who took my bowl snatched it from me with an extremely sour expression and showed no sign of courtesy.

Later, as the restaurant was about to close, I couldn’t finish my food and politely asked if I could take the rest home. He reluctantly threw a takeaway container in front of me without a word, with a dismissive attitude that made it clear I was a burden.

This was one of the most disrespectful and disappointing experiences I’ve had in a restaurant. I will not be returning, nor would I recommend this place to anyone. That male staff member seriously needs to learn what customer service means. While I don’t expect much, the bare minimum would be to treat customers with basic courtesy. (For your information, i ate malatang wednesday 28 May between 7:45 to 8:30 i remember. My order...

NOT RECOMMENDED TO ANYONE Went for take away in store, the staff did not inform me that they need to charge for take away box even I come for take away, so how I’m gonna take the food if you don’t provide container???? At least inform me that you charge $1.5 for your container which is extremely high price for a medium container. Somehow I wonder do you make money from your container or your food?

I ordered one soup and one dry mix pot. It was so disgusting that there’s even meat foam floating on the soup, do you even change your soup everyday or you just reuse it to every customer?

The dry mix pot was the most disgusting food I’ve ever had. Basically they give you a box of boiled veggies and meat, a box of sauce then you need to mix it urself at home. When you get home you will have a box of veggies meat and noodle sticking together and mix with their not enough portion sticky sauce which is really tasteless.

The price is expensive I’m confused about 20-30 per person, cuz most of the food are soaking in water so it make sense that you paid high price for less food compared to other hot pot store.

I’ve complaint to the store, and the only solution they give is give me free drink next time, but thanks! I would never ever come to store and would never recommend anyone to this store! Read your...