Good for college kids craving hot pot in SB with few other options around, but just okay compared to other hot pot restaurants. The meat and veggies come cooked already in the soup (probably for health reasons and people who haven't had hot pot) which is different from other hot pot experiences, but still a good meal. This location isn't usually busy but the service isn't as attentive when it comes to refilling the broth.
Fiona J.
Service was good. I ordered lamb pot. The broth was nice and mild. It's not like the typical shabushabu places where the broth is always so salty. You can literately drink the broth here. It's a little pricy, but if you live near Goleta or in IV, it's very convenient. Recommend :)
Veronica G.
Great flavors that are great on a chilly night. Visiting for graduation weekend, the place was busy and they were short staffed. Very friendly and all were very accommodating.
Jennifer N.
This was the 2nd hot pot place I tried in town. It was okay, but wasn't as good As I thought it was going to be. I didn't like how they didn't let me substitute some items with others, so I had to pay extra for the add-ons. My dish was only $13.99 but ended up having to pay $35 due to the "add-ons." Also, I got the "very spicy" beef pot but it wasn't spicy AT ALL. The jasmine green milk tea with boba was probably the best part of my meal!
Audrey V.
I was super excited to try this hotpot place today, but my experience was far from what I expected. Upon walking in, it didn't seem or feel very welcoming. The cashier was not nice at all. I decided to order the beef hotpot that was $13.99 with medium spice. I'm not big on the extra toppings that are included and only wanted the beef, tofu and noodles along with the broth, but she said it wasn't possible. Like, okay that's fine, so I asked if I could just do no veggies. She said, no once again. But whatever, that's fine, I'll just pick out whatever I don't want when I get it. It doesn't take that long for my order to come out, which was great. Despite the experience with the cashier, I was still excited to try it. My first impression was that there were lots of toppings, enough for two people to share. The taste though, it was nearly tasteless even though it was medium spice.. I couldn't even finish it because of the tastelessness. If they could improve their broth, it would be much better overall. I don't believe I'll be coming back again, unfortunately.
Julia C.
A great addition to IV for more diversity of food around here! I got the beef hot pot with very spicy. There was a lot of pepper flakes but I couldn't really taste the spicy? Also I couldn't taste a depth in the broth... I did like the toppings though - the fish cakes, corn, beef, etc. Service was good, the server checked on us to see if we needed additional broth and re-lit the fire when it went out. I'd return if I am craving something warm and soupy!
CHANEL CHOUBACHA
+ Near the university area so almost all the patrons and workers are students
anant gupta
Huge portion sizes to fulfill your voracious appetite at reasonable prices in IV.
Genevieve M.
I come from the Bay Area where hot pot is a-plenty. This place is pretty good, but not GREAT. It'll do for a hot pot joint in Santa Barbara. Located in IV so I would assume this is a spot for college students. I went in on a weekday during lunch and it was almost empty. Ordered the lamb. Soup was good and they give you a lot in the pot. Unlike some hot pot places, they offer both rice or vermicelli as a side which is a plus for me. The sauces resembled more of soy sauce vs. a thick, garlic sweet sauce and other hot sauces but again, this place was just good enough to satisfy my craving for the short time I was in SB.
Ungkool Wongkolthoot
If you never try hot and spicy food, don’t order the hottest one :D
Mediocre hot pot place in Santa Barbara/Goleta... Here's why: - I ordered the beef hot pot with medium spicy. The beef came over cooked, when usually hot pot places make it slightly raw so, it can be cooked by the fire. - The spicy part of the hot pot was just added spicy flakes. It seemed superficially spicy... - Soup was soaked up so quickly... I had to ask for additional broth. But compared to other places like Uniboil and Boiling Point, the soup does not get soaked up by ingredients that quickly. - Tried their new boba menu, but their boba was too soft. It was as soft as pudding. Tip: - Do not get medium or very spicy, get mild. Or else it'll ruin the broth with their spicy flakes.
Jenny Lyn Macalloc
Straight fire. 10/10
Jenny Lyn M.
Straight fire. 10/10. Would definitely recommend for those who like a variety of Asian recipes in one restaurant. My husband and I were feeling soupy, so we decided to try this place out. We looked at the reviews and menu prior to arriving, but we were shocked to know that there's an option to build-your-own. That's awesome because people like me who are picky love this option. What's even more awesome is that prices are similar to normal and larger portions so you can put together anything you want. Normal are 14.99 and larger are 18.99. Guys, let me tell you.. the normal portions are perfect! I really enjoyed and savored my build. For those who are curious, I chose the cheesy variety pork base with broccoli, pakchoi, meatballs, tempura, soft tofu, imitation crab, oyster mushrooms, quail eggs, mini sausages and of course vermicelli noodles. I devoured that bowl. Also, shoutout to Chris Nguyen! Thank you for the recommendations dude! This guy knows what he's talking about and has such an awesome personality!
PO-YU KAO
Good place for a chinese Hotpot.
Guyang Zhang
20 dollar for two pieces of lamb meet in "Lamb Pot". Is this a Michelin star restaurant? I'd rather save it for some real hot pot restaurants.
Good for college kids craving hot pot in SB with few other options around, but just okay compared to other hot pot restaurants. The meat and veggies come cooked already in the soup (probably for health reasons and people who haven't had hot pot) which is different from other hot pot experiences, but still a good meal. This location isn't usually busy but the service isn't as attentive when it comes to refilling the broth.
Service was good. I ordered lamb pot. The broth was nice and mild. It's not like the typical shabushabu places where the broth is always so salty. You can literately drink the broth here. It's a little pricy, but if you live near Goleta or in IV, it's very convenient. Recommend :)
Great flavors that are great on a chilly night. Visiting for graduation weekend, the place was busy and they were short staffed. Very friendly and all were very accommodating.
This was the 2nd hot pot place I tried in town. It was okay, but wasn't as good As I thought it was going to be. I didn't like how they didn't let me substitute some items with others, so I had to pay extra for the add-ons. My dish was only $13.99 but ended up having to pay $35 due to the "add-ons." Also, I got the "very spicy" beef pot but it wasn't spicy AT ALL. The jasmine green milk tea with boba was probably the best part of my meal!
I was super excited to try this hotpot place today, but my experience was far from what I expected. Upon walking in, it didn't seem or feel very welcoming. The cashier was not nice at all. I decided to order the beef hotpot that was $13.99 with medium spice. I'm not big on the extra toppings that are included and only wanted the beef, tofu and noodles along with the broth, but she said it wasn't possible. Like, okay that's fine, so I asked if I could just do no veggies. She said, no once again. But whatever, that's fine, I'll just pick out whatever I don't want when I get it. It doesn't take that long for my order to come out, which was great. Despite the experience with the cashier, I was still excited to try it. My first impression was that there were lots of toppings, enough for two people to share. The taste though, it was nearly tasteless even though it was medium spice.. I couldn't even finish it because of the tastelessness. If they could improve their broth, it would be much better overall. I don't believe I'll be coming back again, unfortunately.
A great addition to IV for more diversity of food around here! I got the beef hot pot with very spicy. There was a lot of pepper flakes but I couldn't really taste the spicy? Also I couldn't taste a depth in the broth... I did like the toppings though - the fish cakes, corn, beef, etc. Service was good, the server checked on us to see if we needed additional broth and re-lit the fire when it went out. I'd return if I am craving something warm and soupy!
+ Near the university area so almost all the patrons and workers are students
Huge portion sizes to fulfill your voracious appetite at reasonable prices in IV.
I come from the Bay Area where hot pot is a-plenty. This place is pretty good, but not GREAT. It'll do for a hot pot joint in Santa Barbara. Located in IV so I would assume this is a spot for college students. I went in on a weekday during lunch and it was almost empty. Ordered the lamb. Soup was good and they give you a lot in the pot. Unlike some hot pot places, they offer both rice or vermicelli as a side which is a plus for me. The sauces resembled more of soy sauce vs. a thick, garlic sweet sauce and other hot sauces but again, this place was just good enough to satisfy my craving for the short time I was in SB.
If you never try hot and spicy food, don’t order the hottest one :D
Restaurantji Recommends
Mediocre hot pot place in Santa Barbara/Goleta... Here's why: - I ordered the beef hot pot with medium spicy. The beef came over cooked, when usually hot pot places make it slightly raw so, it can be cooked by the fire. - The spicy part of the hot pot was just added spicy flakes. It seemed superficially spicy... - Soup was soaked up so quickly... I had to ask for additional broth. But compared to other places like Uniboil and Boiling Point, the soup does not get soaked up by ingredients that quickly. - Tried their new boba menu, but their boba was too soft. It was as soft as pudding. Tip: - Do not get medium or very spicy, get mild. Or else it'll ruin the broth with their spicy flakes.
Straight fire. 10/10
Straight fire. 10/10. Would definitely recommend for those who like a variety of Asian recipes in one restaurant. My husband and I were feeling soupy, so we decided to try this place out. We looked at the reviews and menu prior to arriving, but we were shocked to know that there's an option to build-your-own. That's awesome because people like me who are picky love this option. What's even more awesome is that prices are similar to normal and larger portions so you can put together anything you want. Normal are 14.99 and larger are 18.99. Guys, let me tell you.. the normal portions are perfect! I really enjoyed and savored my build. For those who are curious, I chose the cheesy variety pork base with broccoli, pakchoi, meatballs, tempura, soft tofu, imitation crab, oyster mushrooms, quail eggs, mini sausages and of course vermicelli noodles. I devoured that bowl. Also, shoutout to Chris Nguyen! Thank you for the recommendations dude! This guy knows what he's talking about and has such an awesome personality!
Good place for a chinese Hotpot.
20 dollar for two pieces of lamb meet in "Lamb Pot". Is this a Michelin star restaurant? I'd rather save it for some real hot pot restaurants.