Where’s the best hot pot in San Francisco?
San Francisco offers a dynamic hot pot experience, with numerous spots serving up flavors from traditional Chinese to Japanese shabu-shabu. Living in the Bay Area, we’re lucky to have so many delicious options at our fingertips. This collection of 17 top hot pot restaurants will introduce you to a range of enticing broths, fresh ingredients, and dining atmospheres that make each visit one-of-a-kind.
Disclaimer: Bae Area and Beyond contains affiliate links so if you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. This also supports our content to be free. Read our disclaimer policy for more info.
17 Best Hot Pot In San Francisco
1. Happy Lamb Hot Pot
With a wide variety of steaming broths and Chinese and Mongolian delicacies to dip and savor, Happy Lamb Hot Pot provides a satisfying dining experience. It has everything for everybody, ranging from meats and seafood to vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan choices.
They’ll provide hot pot in a split pot so you can choose both spicy and non-spicy options for the pot. You can order for pickup, but we recommend going there to enjoy the full experience and the excellent service.
💡 Tip: For a real hot pot experience, avoid using dipping sauces. Their broth has been soaked in seasoning for 8+ hours so you’re getting tons of flavors!
2. Boiling Hot Pot
Boiling Hot Pot is your go-to place if you are looking for a cozy and heartwarming family buffet. It serves some of the most delicious Chinese sides in San Francisco alongside 3 types of soup bases and a smaller soup. Choose options including miso soup, pickled cabbage, and kimchi soup.
You’re free to order the sides you want to dip and choose from meats, seafood, tofu, vegetables, noodles, and more. The restaurant also offers a takeout menu and an all-you-can-eat option.
Related: 19 Best Catalina Island Restaurants & Tips From A Local
3. The Pots Hot Pot
Buzzing with Chinese culture and character, The Pots Hot Pot promises you an authentic Asian dining experience with fusion options. It has one of the most diverse menus among San Francisco hot pot restaurants. Try the Kobe beef and Shanghai Pork Dumplings at The Pots.
From its signature Mala Spicy broth and variety of noodle soups to its seafood and meatballs, your taste buds are in for a treat. You can also order takeout or delivery if you want to enjoy your food at home.
💡 Tip: Go on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for a bottomless hot pot with cheaper prices!
4. Fiery Hot Pot
If you’re looking for the best selection of meat, head to Fiery Hot Pot. You can get a variety of Japanese A5 Wagyu beef. We recommend ordering a little bit first and then ordering more if needed as they provide large servings. Try the tomato soup base and the lychee-flavored wine.
The restaurant offers 2 hot pot options for takeout. The first is called Indulge, which feeds up to 9 people. And the second set feeds up to 4 people and is called Delight. They both include a promotional offer of free drinks either in a 1-2 liter bottle or in 4-8 cans.
💡 Tip: The restaurant provides takeout but it’ll take up to 2 hours since they’re made to order so plan ahead.
5. Grand Hot Pot Lounge
Grand Hot Pot Lounge specializes in Szechuan cuisine and Szechuan-style hot pot. It has one of the most elegant interiors in San Francisco and has private rooms for business dinners or special events.
While it has a smaller menu than other restaurants, Grand Hot Pot Lounge focuses on a few sides and soups that are guaranteed to be high-quality and cooked with care. Best of all, the menu includes an all-you-can-eat-and-drink option if you’re feeling extra hungry!
💡 Tip: If you love to sing, this restaurant has karaoke rooms! You can eat and sing on a budget here.
6. Old Pier Hot Pot
This restaurant is known for its authentic Hong Kong barbeque and Malatang (a type of Chinese street food). From staple Chinese dishes like roasted duck and fried rice to a wide variety of soups and noodles, the restaurant has something for everybody.
You can pre-order your meals before going to the restaurant to save time, and if you’re going on a busy day, you can also reserve a table online.
💡 Tip: If you’ve ever wanted to try roasted duck – try it here! It’s cheaper here than in other restaurants in the area.
7. DNM Hot Pot
DNM Hot Pot brings authentic Inner Mongolian-style hot pot to the heart of San Francisco. Its diverse menu and traditional way of serving food make it one of the most sought-after spots in the city for a delicious hot pot meal.
Whether you’re in the mood for a House Special Lamb Haslet or a Classic Mongolian Stew, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable dining experience!
💡 Tip: Try the Scallion pancakes and the ice cream; better than the other spots!
8. Pot & Noodle
Pot & Noodle is a piece of China hidden amidst the streets of San Francisco. With many awards to show off its excellence as a restaurant and a world-renowned Chef Truman Du behind its menu, there are a few places that can compete with it.
From authentic tableware and pots to the restaurant’s mouthwatering soups and sides, it’s the perfect place to bask in Chinese culture and themed interiors. Check out the mini hot pots with flavors including pumpkin herbal, black truffle, and homemade pickled mustard greens.
You can also check out the history of China’s Qing Dynasty with the chef’s selections from the Manchurian Banquet, the “highest level of Chinese cuisine culture”.
9. Sizzling Pot King
Sizzling Pot King gives you a delicious taste of China’s most famous exotic foods and hot pot sides. Plus, if you don’t like the soup in a hot pot, you can get a dry pot here! Whether you’re in the mood for Hunan cuisine, Chinese delicacies, or a traditional hot pot plate, you’ll find what you’re looking for on Sizzling Pot King’s menu.
💡 Tip: As the title says, this place is going to be SPICY! Let them know if you’re looking for mild spicy or non-spicy options.
10. Tasty Pot
Bringing the essence of Taiwanese cuisine into the heart of San Francisco, Tasty Pot delivers a unique dining experience to its customers. The delicious, steaming hot pot meals are served in a modern setting combined with seasonings imported from Taiwan.
Tasty Pot’s menu includes seasonal options, signature hot pot plates, and a variety of add-ons, ranging from vegetables and noodles to beef slices and roe fishballs. You also get to choose from 5 spice levels – the spiciest one is definitely not for the faint of heart!
Related: Best Seafood In Southern California: 11 Must-Try Restaurants
11. Tang Bar
Tang Bar specializes in Sichuan cuisine and is acclaimed by many food critics and gurus for its authenticity and delicious, bold flavors. The bar doesn’t have a diverse menu. But it focuses on a few signature plates like the Szechuan cold noodles and the hot pot base soups. You can build your own hot pot here too!
Best of all, Tang Bar has a contemporary interior and friendly vibes, ideal for a night out with your family or friends.
💡 Tip: Try the Laksha broth.
12. Hong Kong Clay Pot Restaurant
Hong Kong Clay Pot Restaurant immerses you in Chinese culture with its authentic, bold flavors and specialty dishes. It has a wide variety of clay pot dishes, soups, Cantonese classics, and seasonal vegetables. You can also order one of its Deluxe dinners if you go there with a group.
The restaurant is almost unnoticeable on the street because of its narrow doorway, but once you get in, you’ll see the crowds and lively vibes.
💡 Tip: Try the Beef Stew Clay Pot and the Seafood Clay Pot.
13. Han II Kwan Korean Restaurant
Han II Kwan Korean Restaurant is the place to go for authentic Korean BBQ. From lunch specials to hot pots and an all-you-can-eat feature, there are very few options that you can’t find on the restaurant’s menu.
You can choose from chicken, beef, and fish broths if you’re in the mood for a hot pot meal. Plus you get a free steamed egg. We recommend trying one of their pancakes: seafood, kimchi, or mung bean.
💡 Tip: Check out the tofu soup and the Galbi-jjim (braised beer short ribs).
14. Dragon Beaux
Only a few places in San Francisco can compete with Dragon Beaux for its dim-sim and Bao. The restaurant offers authentic hot pot meals with a modern spin that’s attractive to younger folks. Also, the restaurant sources premium-quality Kobe beef from Australia.
For hot pot, you have 5 soups to choose from. You can also enjoy a variety of sides, including meat, vegetables, seafood, and noodles.
💡 Tip: Try the Five Guys Xiao Long Bao and the Steamed Egg York Lava Bao.
15. IPOT
Specializing in Asian Fusion foods and hot pot meals, IPOT is the place to go if you’re in the mood for a steaming bowl of soup alongside some delicious sides. You get to choose from different base broths, including Kimchi soup, Szechuan spicy soup, Miso soup, and more.
As for the sides, you will find everything you’re looking for, ranging from meatballs and meat to seafood, tofu, and vegetables. IPOT offers 2 hot pot options: the Regular Pot and the Split Pot. If you’re looking for a place with more veggies, come here. They have a wider variety of vegetable options to choose from.
💡 Tip: Try the pork bone soup.
16. Shabu Club
If you’re looking for Japanese-style cuisine, Shabu Club is another excellent place to have a good hot pot in San Francisco. You get to choose 2 soups per each hot pot order, including Kimchi soup, Miso soup, and more. The sides include meats, vegetables, tofu, eggs, and sauces.
You must try their famous sauce – Garlic and Cilantro Ponzo. Our recommendations are the Miso broth and the American Kobe beef.
💡 Tip: If you’re looking to celebrate a birthday, come in with a group of 6 or more people on the actual day of the birthday and get a free All-You-Can-Eat Dinner when you all order the same meal.
17. Mokuku
Last but not the least, Mokuku is known for its Japanese A5 Wagyu beef, imported from Hokkaido. You can order from the all-you-can-eat menu or the Shabu entrees menu. The all-you-can-eat menu includes all-you-can-eat drinks!
The restaurant has a variety of dining rooms, including a bar and lounge on the 1st floor, a traditional Japanese tatami dining room on the 2nd floor, and a karaoke room for parties of up to 40 people.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cooking process is different. Shabu-shabu involves thinly sliced meat that is quickly dipped in the broth, while hot pot often features a wider variety of ingredients and is cooked longer.
The best ingredients for hot pot are thinly sliced meats such as beef, lamb, pork, or chicken, seafood like shrimp, squid, and fish balls, as well as vegetables like leafy greens, mushrooms, and bean sprouts.
Hot pot is famous because it offers a wide variety of ingredients and flavors to suit different tastes.
The Pots Hot Pot has the best all-you-can-eat hot pot in the city because of the huge selection of vegetables, meat, and seafood.
Final Thoughts
San Francisco is home to a wide range of hot pot restaurants, offering everything from traditional hot pot to modern fusion options. Whether you’re in the mood for all-you-can-eat hot pot, shabu-shabu, or wagyu beef, there is no shortage of options to choose from.
Some of the top hot pot spots in the city include Happy Lamb Hot Pot, Boiling Hot Pot, and Pots Hot Pot. Plus, many of these restaurants offer unique dining experiences, such as tatami-style dining rooms and private karaoke rooms.
San Francisco’s hot pot scene is diverse and we recommend checking out any of these hot pot restaurants for a good time!
Read More From Bae Area and Beyond
Don’t Miss These 50 Top Things To Do in San Francisco
Where To Stay In San Francisco Without A Car
9 Popular Nicknames For San Francisco: A Local’s Guide
Need help planning a trip? We can help plan your dream road trip in California!
Follow our California experiences: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
