Nice To Meet You Hotpot is honestly the best value all-you-can-eat hot pot in Irvine! The selection they offer for the price is absolutely incredible.
The premium beef cuts were so fresh and marbled beautifully - you could tell they use quality meat even for AYCE. The meat and veggie skewers were perfectly prepared and added so much variety to the meal. I was really impressed that they had lobster tails, abalone, and scallops included in the AYCE price - these are usually premium add-ons at other places! The lobster was sweet and tender, and the scallops were perfectly fresh.
The rice and noodle selection was great too - so many different types to choose from to make your hot pot experience complete. The vegetable selection was absolutely huge with everything from leafy greens to mushrooms to root vegetables. I loved being able to try so many different combinations.
The NEW shaved snow dessert is a total game changer! We ended with their amazing shaved snow which was the perfect way to cool down after all that hot pot. It was so light and fluffy with amazing flavors - such a perfect addition to their menu and really sets them apart from other hot pot places.
The quality for AYCE pricing is really solid - lunch is $28.99 for the AYCE package and dinner and holidays are $38.99 for the AYCE package. For what you get, especially with those premium seafood options, it’s such an incredible value.
The ambiance was really nice too - the restaurant feels modern and clean with a welcoming atmosphere. The dining room was spacious and didn’t feel cramped even when busy. The lighting was perfect and created a cozy but upscale feel.
The service was outstanding! The staff was so attentive and helpful, constantly checking on our table and quickly bringing out fresh ingredients when we needed them. They were knowledgeable about the menu and gave great recommendations. Even during busy times, they managed to keep everything running smoothly.
Everything was incredibly clean which is so important for hot pot dining. The tables, cooking equipment, and ingredient stations were spotless. You could tell they take hygiene and cleanliness seriously, which made the whole experience so much more enjoyable and comfortable.
This place really delivers on all fronts - amazing food quality, unbeatable value, great atmosphere, and excellent service. Definitely my new go-to spot for hot pot in Irvine!
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Read moreWe visited Nice to Meet You last Saturday for my boyfriend's birthday. The restaurant is located in a plaza with plenty of parking. Our party had 10 adults and 3 kids. We were greeted by the friendly staffs and got us seated right away. The restaurant was clean and the décor has a hint of traditional Chinese flare mixed with modern feel.
After a quick glance on the menu, we ordered some meat entrees and two flavor soup , one pork and another their signature spicy soup with medium spiciness for the adult and pork soup for the kids. I think split pot options are wondering to have when you have kids.
After ordering, all of us headed to grab some free appetizers and sauce. The selection on the appetizers were impressive. I think there were at least 15 different types of appetizers offered. My only complaints was to wish for a larger plate! Kids of course went straight into the drink stations (non alcoholic) to grab what they desired. Restaurant also provided their sauce combo recipe for the customers or you can do your own mixology to create that unique sauce for yourself! The salad bar and dessert bar was remarkable. We had to keep reminding the kids to hold their dessert desire till after dinner.
All the meat entrees came right away. I personally love the way beef. But make sure you don't leave in the soup for too long. As soon as the color turned, pick up the wagu and eat it! The skewer selection in the fridge was massive. I was not able tried them all! The large fridge with plates of ingredients was superb! I honestly never had so many fresh hot pot ingredients offered at a restaurant. They even offered abalone, which I love! The shrimp ball is another one of my favorite.
All 13 of us were stuffed with yummy food when we walked out. We are very satisfied with our dining experience. The ingredients were fresh and the service was great. I cannot wait to...
Read moreThis is probably one of my favorite non-ayce hot pot places!
Would I come back? Yes! I highly recommend it!
TASTING COMBINATION SPECIAL: ‣ $49.99 for 2 ‣ All Day, Mon-Fri ‣ Includes soup base & sauce bar ‣ Beef, Lamb, Pork, Seafood or Veggie Combo Available
Here's How it Works: Order your soup broth(s) & spice level(s). You can order a max of 2 broths. Place an order for any sliced meats, appetizers, alcoholic drinks Head on over to the sauce & appetizer bar. You'll also see an open fridge full of drinks. Grab a tray from below the sauce & appetizer bar! Check out the fridge across the sauce & appetizer bar and choose your skewers! There's meat, fish, vegetables, etc. ENJOY!
You are charged based on the number of skewers you grab. For the non-skewer items, the color of the container depends on the price (see menu for details).
Ambiance: It is STUNNING INSIDE. I like the light interior and the bench seating, which gives it a more "home-y" feeling. They have tables perfect for 2-8 people, but 10 might be a bit of a stretch.
I love their sauce & appetizer bar and the idea of grabbing your own skewers, however it can sometimes get crowded as all the food is in a narrow hallway.
Here are my favorites: Skewers: Cilantro beef Spicy beef Enoki beef
Premium Sliced Beef: Angus Beef Belly American Wagyu Skirt Steak Prime Flat Iron Steak
Broth: Pork bone (Non-Spicy): PERFECT for those who can't handle spice (like me haha) Spicy Sichuan Beef Tallow (Mild): IF YOU DON'T KNOW, Sichuan gives your mouth a numbing feeling. My friends have a decent spice tolerance and enjoyed the Mild.
!! Free...
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