Lao Ma Tou Hot Pot 老码头火锅 - Irvine — Restaurant in Irvine

My fiancé and I have been here several times and it's always a wonderful experience. The servers are fast, attentive, but most of all welcoming and warm. They are thoughtful and always grab things for you even before you ask (clean plates, aprons, water). As someone who is not Asian but eats hot pot regularly since it's one of my favorite foods, there was a point when I needed guidance on what to order and which sauce goes good with what (one of my close friends is Chinese and she taught me) and this place is the best for that. I saw other non-Asian couples here and the servers were teaching them how to mix the sauces and guiding them through the different broth options. I've been to many hot pot restaurants and the food has always been good but this place takes prize for checking off every box. Super high quality items, all delicious!

What we usually order: Mala spicy broth level 5 (I don't recommend this level of spicy unless you have super high tolerance) OR regular bone Broth if we're eating here with someone whi doesn't like spice. Any of the beef cuts are good Pork belly Shrimp balls Lamb Quail eggs (MUST) Tofu skin or bean curd Hot pot noodle Enoki mushroom Lotus root Rice, for those who don't...

Another favorite hotpot just opened in Irvine, so I won't have to drive far anymore. This restaurant is still in its early stages, but everything has gone well so far. The food is delicious and fresh, and of high quality. All of the waiters and waitresses were extremely friendly and helpful. They kept cleaning the bar sauce to make it look clean and shiny, and they kept coming over to my table to check on the broth and make sure we had everything we needed. Keep it up, guys, and hopefully you'll all do the same...

They don't have an alcohol license which is absurd for a hot pot place. They forgot to bring out our soup base and gave many other people their soup bases after we told them they forgot ours. The spice level was off and far too much msg. The hot pot place that existed before in the same location had significantly more fragrance for the spice level. This was too spicy while not being...