The food and atmosphere were commendable. Having previously experienced the excellence of Rockville Urban Hot Pot, I eagerly anticipated my first visit to the Columbia location. However, I found their gratuity policy to be distinct. Despite our party consisting of three adults and one child, the server preemptively included a 20% tip before presenting the bill. Subsequently, she prompted for an additional 20% on the iPad upon signing, resulting in a potential 40% gratuity if I hadn't verified before signing. When I inquired about this, she advised me to make the adjustment myself, leaving me perplexed as to why the initial 20% tip was automatically applied. While I acknowledge that many restaurants add gratuity for larger parties, her explanation that they routinely apply a 20% gratuity to our table seemed inconsistent. While I don't mind a 20% gratuity, the explanation provided was less than satisfactory and rather unusual.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Hot Pot
Kamyia H.
My friend and I ordered food from here Saturday 02/24/24. I ordered the seafood combo where you choose two seafoods(Snow Crab legs selected). My friend ordered black muscles and snow crab legs. when they brought our food out the snow crab legs looked as if the meat had been picked out some way in the cluster part of the crab. So I made sure that I didn't eat any before I talked to someone, when I did I was told that I could get them taken off so that the crab legs wouldn't be any charge. then after 10-15 minutes of me eating everything else someone comes and tells us that they can't take them off and discount us 20% instead on the whole order....which does not make sense. I only got three drinks and the Seafood meal. and my friend got Something else. The Guy at the desk tries to put everything on one bill. when I explained that we are paying separate and that this means each of us should be given a 20% off deal and he lied and said he would but charged us a different way.
Hannah L.
Literally my favorite hot pot place, have been here like 5 times! Love the ayce ribeye, and free dessert! Everything is just so fresh and good, and comes out super fast! Love the modern, clean space as well
Universe E.
I decided to come to hotpot with my girlfriend to celebrate Valentine's Day. They are super busy at night, so I waited for almost an hour to get seated. Totally worth waiting an hour. Everything comes out quickly and fresh. Servers are working hard, walking around to refill water and soup without me asking. My girlfriend and I had a great night.
Lauren W.
This is one of the best experiences I've had in awhile dining out. I was greeted and put on a wait list as soon as I walked in. Was told it would be 30 min, but ended up being only about a 10 minute wait. There's a tablet at each table set up to take your order. You can take time to go through the whole menu, look at pictures, and pick what you want. A TON of options!!!! I got some fried dumplings and beef tendon for appetizer. For my hot pot, I went with the spicy broth, fish filet, spicy beef, shrimp, these fish balls with pork inside, bok choy, napa cabbage, lotus root, and fried tofu puffs. Once I selected everything, I just hit "send to kitchen" on the tablet, and it was at my table in only a couple minutes. There is a condiment bar for you to make dipping sauces with unlimited options. The meat and produce were super fresh. Dessert is also included! Love that everyone gets their own individual hot pot. I cannot wait to bring my husband here next time we're in town!!!
Kevin Nguyen
This is easily in my top 5 favorite new restaurants. This review is strictly for the AYCE Hot Pot. The quality of the food is pretty good for ayce. The service from both the robot and waiters was quick and prompt. This location is across the street from the Columbia mall, so that's always a plus. Quick and easy dinner done right.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Pot, Tom Yum, Hot Pot with Seafood & Veggies, Tomato Broth, All You Can Eat Hot Pot, Soup
Noah Kavanah
Food was pretty good. Service wasn't bad. They missed my Thai tea & some other orders, but they're pretty good manner about it when you remind them. They have a nice selection of condiments to choose from. Their seafood in Tom Yum broth rocked, especially the fish n shrimp paste. For those with sensitive smell may wanna stay clear of lamb. Good overall experience enjoyed with coworkers after work.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Clams, Tom Yum, Seafood Noodle, All You Can Eat Hot Pot
Alise G.
Urban Hot Pot offers a unique experience of all-you-can eat hot pot of veggies, meats and seafood within your own personal hot pot. It's a different way of experiencing food and I highly recommend. The wait for a table can be at least 40 minutes during the weekend so I suggest getting there before the lunch or dinner rush. I believe there is a two hour limit once you are seated. Once seated you order your food via a tablet and the food comes out quickly. We ordered a ton of meats, seafood and veggies. It was a great experience to cook your own meal at the table. The robot, Jessica brought out some of our dishes. My favorites included the sliced US beef, octopus, baby bok Choy and all of the mushrooms. Be aware most of the broths are pork based, the veggie and chicken broths are both good. The spice levels can we very intense, I prefer the less spicy option. The price for the hot pot is about $35 per person and dessert is included. I will definitely be coming back.
Jason S.
Always a great experience. We have been eating here for 3 years and love it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Boris K.
I got the crab claws and they were mushy and way overcooked. Hot pot meat wasn't very good and overall I think it's way over priced for the quality you get.
Solid hot pot spot! I've been a few times and both times have been impressed with the service and quality. Once seated, you order everything on tablet at the back of a table and if you're sitting in one of the 6 tables next to the conveyor belt, you can grab items from it to supplement your meal. The servers will bring you plates and serving utensils but otherwise, it's a serve yourself situation. Unlike other hot pot restaurants in the area, the soup portion size is individual. My favorite is the tom yum. They also have a good variety of sauces. My only critique is they are not replenished often enough and some common bases like soy or oyster sauce will be almost empty. The last time I was there on Christmas, they had snow crab legs for $2.99 a pound! It was a great deal for crab, along with the all you can eat deal.
Joe S.
Food was average. Service was a literal joke. The robot that brings you your food talked to me more than the young man with an Afro. He was rude and told me my wait was 25 minutes whilst they had 4 available booths at 1pm with no wait list. He was absolutely awful and I hope he gets fired. Not to mention I was seated next to a table of 4 18 year olds who were tone deaf and proceeded to make jokes about an ambulance. The entire atmosphere was awful and in my years and years of being alive this is the first time I have not tipped somewhere simply because Afro-man didn't deserve a dime. The robot spoke to me more than Afro man, and the robot DID NOT COME TO THE TABLE! I wish you guys had name tags so I know what to call this moron besides calling him by his hair. Every person working there did not speak to me besides 1 single chef whom got me a pair of chopsticks.
Olivia S
I try to only give 5 stars when it’s deserved. This place definitely is. It’s one of the few places on my “me time” list. You can come solo or with family, friends, or a date. It’s excellent every time and the food quality has stayed the same over the years. Highly recommended! Note: dinner books up, especially on the weekends. But I’ve always had great luck at lunch/early dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Pot, All You Can Eat Hot Pot, Soup
The food and atmosphere were commendable. Having previously experienced the excellence of Rockville Urban Hot Pot, I eagerly anticipated my first visit to the Columbia location. However, I found their gratuity policy to be distinct. Despite our party consisting of three adults and one child, the server preemptively included a 20% tip before presenting the bill. Subsequently, she prompted for an additional 20% on the iPad upon signing, resulting in a potential 40% gratuity if I hadn't verified before signing. When I inquired about this, she advised me to make the adjustment myself, leaving me perplexed as to why the initial 20% tip was automatically applied. While I acknowledge that many restaurants add gratuity for larger parties, her explanation that they routinely apply a 20% gratuity to our table seemed inconsistent. While I don't mind a 20% gratuity, the explanation provided was less than satisfactory and rather unusual.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Hot Pot
My friend and I ordered food from here Saturday 02/24/24. I ordered the seafood combo where you choose two seafoods(Snow Crab legs selected). My friend ordered black muscles and snow crab legs. when they brought our food out the snow crab legs looked as if the meat had been picked out some way in the cluster part of the crab. So I made sure that I didn't eat any before I talked to someone, when I did I was told that I could get them taken off so that the crab legs wouldn't be any charge. then after 10-15 minutes of me eating everything else someone comes and tells us that they can't take them off and discount us 20% instead on the whole order....which does not make sense. I only got three drinks and the Seafood meal. and my friend got Something else. The Guy at the desk tries to put everything on one bill. when I explained that we are paying separate and that this means each of us should be given a 20% off deal and he lied and said he would but charged us a different way.
Literally my favorite hot pot place, have been here like 5 times! Love the ayce ribeye, and free dessert! Everything is just so fresh and good, and comes out super fast! Love the modern, clean space as well
I decided to come to hotpot with my girlfriend to celebrate Valentine's Day. They are super busy at night, so I waited for almost an hour to get seated. Totally worth waiting an hour. Everything comes out quickly and fresh. Servers are working hard, walking around to refill water and soup without me asking. My girlfriend and I had a great night.
This is one of the best experiences I've had in awhile dining out. I was greeted and put on a wait list as soon as I walked in. Was told it would be 30 min, but ended up being only about a 10 minute wait. There's a tablet at each table set up to take your order. You can take time to go through the whole menu, look at pictures, and pick what you want. A TON of options!!!! I got some fried dumplings and beef tendon for appetizer. For my hot pot, I went with the spicy broth, fish filet, spicy beef, shrimp, these fish balls with pork inside, bok choy, napa cabbage, lotus root, and fried tofu puffs. Once I selected everything, I just hit "send to kitchen" on the tablet, and it was at my table in only a couple minutes. There is a condiment bar for you to make dipping sauces with unlimited options. The meat and produce were super fresh. Dessert is also included! Love that everyone gets their own individual hot pot. I cannot wait to bring my husband here next time we're in town!!!
This is easily in my top 5 favorite new restaurants. This review is strictly for the AYCE Hot Pot. The quality of the food is pretty good for ayce. The service from both the robot and waiters was quick and prompt. This location is across the street from the Columbia mall, so that's always a plus. Quick and easy dinner done right.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Pot, Tom Yum, Hot Pot with Seafood & Veggies, Tomato Broth, All You Can Eat Hot Pot, Soup
Food was pretty good. Service wasn't bad. They missed my Thai tea & some other orders, but they're pretty good manner about it when you remind them. They have a nice selection of condiments to choose from. Their seafood in Tom Yum broth rocked, especially the fish n shrimp paste. For those with sensitive smell may wanna stay clear of lamb. Good overall experience enjoyed with coworkers after work.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Clams, Tom Yum, Seafood Noodle, All You Can Eat Hot Pot
Urban Hot Pot offers a unique experience of all-you-can eat hot pot of veggies, meats and seafood within your own personal hot pot. It's a different way of experiencing food and I highly recommend. The wait for a table can be at least 40 minutes during the weekend so I suggest getting there before the lunch or dinner rush. I believe there is a two hour limit once you are seated. Once seated you order your food via a tablet and the food comes out quickly. We ordered a ton of meats, seafood and veggies. It was a great experience to cook your own meal at the table. The robot, Jessica brought out some of our dishes. My favorites included the sliced US beef, octopus, baby bok Choy and all of the mushrooms. Be aware most of the broths are pork based, the veggie and chicken broths are both good. The spice levels can we very intense, I prefer the less spicy option. The price for the hot pot is about $35 per person and dessert is included. I will definitely be coming back.
Always a great experience. We have been eating here for 3 years and love it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I got the crab claws and they were mushy and way overcooked. Hot pot meat wasn't very good and overall I think it's way over priced for the quality you get.
Restaurantji Recommends
Service was ok, the atmosphere was very
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: All You Can Eat Hot Pot
A decent place for all you can eat lunch hotpot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Solid hot pot spot! I've been a few times and both times have been impressed with the service and quality. Once seated, you order everything on tablet at the back of a table and if you're sitting in one of the 6 tables next to the conveyor belt, you can grab items from it to supplement your meal. The servers will bring you plates and serving utensils but otherwise, it's a serve yourself situation. Unlike other hot pot restaurants in the area, the soup portion size is individual. My favorite is the tom yum. They also have a good variety of sauces. My only critique is they are not replenished often enough and some common bases like soy or oyster sauce will be almost empty. The last time I was there on Christmas, they had snow crab legs for $2.99 a pound! It was a great deal for crab, along with the all you can eat deal.
Food was average. Service was a literal joke. The robot that brings you your food talked to me more than the young man with an Afro. He was rude and told me my wait was 25 minutes whilst they had 4 available booths at 1pm with no wait list. He was absolutely awful and I hope he gets fired. Not to mention I was seated next to a table of 4 18 year olds who were tone deaf and proceeded to make jokes about an ambulance. The entire atmosphere was awful and in my years and years of being alive this is the first time I have not tipped somewhere simply because Afro-man didn't deserve a dime. The robot spoke to me more than Afro man, and the robot DID NOT COME TO THE TABLE! I wish you guys had name tags so I know what to call this moron besides calling him by his hair. Every person working there did not speak to me besides 1 single chef whom got me a pair of chopsticks.
I try to only give 5 stars when it’s deserved. This place definitely is. It’s one of the few places on my “me time” list. You can come solo or with family, friends, or a date. It’s excellent every time and the food quality has stayed the same over the years. Highly recommended! Note: dinner books up, especially on the weekends. But I’ve always had great luck at lunch/early dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hot Pot, All You Can Eat Hot Pot, Soup