灶门签 Zao Men Qian Hot Pot — Restaurant in New York

TL;DR: Do not go to this place. If you're looking to eat hotpot, find another joint in Main Street to cater yourself. Prices are way out of proportions and meals are less than ideal in portions. You'll be looking at paying 50% more than what you would normally spend at a better, if not comparative, restaurant, including all-you-can eat hotpot places.

Full Experience and Review: A party of 3 including me went to try this place a while back when it first opened. We thought it wasn't bad, but we immediately identified the price as the main issue of the restaurant. Since then I haven't crossed the restaurant enough to warrant another time to try until recently.

Coincidently, the same party which I had dined with joined me again for a second time, and my formal review of the place is hence:

The prices to experience a hotpot dinner here are still way overblown. A can of soda will cost $2.50, a platter of meat will cost $10 (a normal price yes until you realize the portion doesn't even reach 20 slices), and they even charge you for sauces (really?! No other hotpot places here in Flushing does that I believe...). Broth choices and their respective prices are normal though; however, all other items on their menu are still ludicrously expensive.

In the main dining area, there are fridges lined up nearby that stocks the usual miscellaneous ingredients to boil and eat besides thinly sliced meat for hotpot, but the prices there are still exorbitant. Platters of dried tofu or imitation crab or more will range from $6.00 to $10.00 depending on the colored platter they set it in, which I ask: why? A platter of enoki mushrooms and maybe some corn may equate to a platter of meat (not in fridge by the way— ordered separately) in terms of pricing, which isn't even abundant in the first place. I know this isn't an all-you-can eat hotpot joint, but me and my friends' verdict on our satiation later on in this review will make it clear that eating here at a reasonable price is not negotiable.

Besides the platters, they also have some of the usual hotpot ingredients on skewers, in the case you want to select your own portions I guess? They mainly try to appeal you with the price-listing of $0.60 per skewers, but some are just downright not worth that price. They had two slivers of fish tofu— not even half a centimeter thick each— pierced through one skewer as a serving; isn't a whole block of fish tofu worth $0.60 instead? If you're looking for a diverse meal to eat during hotpot here, those skewers are the only legitimate way to experience such and they can really stack up to improperly proportional prices.

At the end of my company's meal, we left no waste, really, and truth be told, we weren't completely full— only enough to call it a night. And the bill totaled to be approximately $180 excluding tips and taxes: $180 for 5 plates of meat (red platters), 4 plates of vegetables (green platters), maybe 2 yellow platters, and the rest skewers and food from the kitchen (i.e., chicken wings and spicy fried tofu). My friends and I could have gotten to an all-you-can eat hotpot in Mainstreet that charges at most $40 per person instead and we still would have paid less!

Do not go to this place. Every conceivable option in an attempt to enjoy hotpot are price-tagged and nothing is given (charging sauces for hotpot, my god...). It's such a shame because the restaurant's interior is actually appealing and besides the hotpot, the food we got from the kitchens were good. Regardless, skip this place to save yourself a significant amount of money and...

Me and my family used to come here very often… we like the food here and the price is so convenient. It is always delicious..

My last visit was yesterday dec 26th night time before closed .the food is very good as usual but we a feel very unhappy and uncomfortable with the service.

We pay our bill with credit card,the server told me, I’m gonna bring it to the front to swipe your card. I said okay. I am expecting to tip in cash( I never tip on card). The server come back with 20%tip charged in my card and sign on behalf of me, handed the receipt to me without mentioning anything. This is totally unacceptable. I usually didn’t look at the receipt and just left the tips on the table, but before we leave, we saw there’s a sign on the receipt, out of curiosity, I look at the receipt then only I realized 20% tips was added(server didn’t even told me). Do u think, if I leave my cash tip on the table, will he return to me? I have no idea… Who give you the right to charged me 20% tips without me agree and sign on my behalf… I can simply dispute the transaction, but I didn’t. I am not making a scene there, I just hope boss to aware of this and hope this will never happen again…

I feel very unhappy at this… not sure if I’m gonna be back again.the food is good, but I feel being scam…...

This spot is a must-visit for hotpot lovers, offering mouth-watering skewers for just 30 cents each – seriously, the best deal in town! 😍

Their rich, flavorful broth is the perfect base for perfectly spiced skewers that you handpick from the fridge. Customize your experience by creating your own dipping sauce – it’s all about your personal touch! 🥢✨

The decor is inviting and spacious, making it a great spot for group gatherings. And beyond hotpot, they offer a selection of delicious small bites and refreshing drinks. 🌟🍢

Next time you’re in Flushing, don’t miss out on this gem.

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