Zhangliang Malatang Spicy Hotpot (National City)

Food was great! Classic broth full of flavor and the ingredients were fresh, the teriyaki beef skewers were a bit too much on the sweet side, but were delicious. Absolutely phenomenal customer service by the employees, they were wonderful and helpful, very kind to us during dinnertime. Management was questionable. We had asked and clarified with the young employee at the register if their "free soda per 1 bowl purchase" promotion was still valid, she said yes. So we all got our 1 soda can per bowl, come to find out, the manager revoked that promotion as soon as we went to go pay for our meals. Employees were very understanding about our situation, but the manager couldn't care less it seems. Lovely waitress service; manager, not so much. Seems like the employees care more for the customers than the manager. Otherwise, lovely food.

Very welcoming staff, great quality food. Had the Tom Yum soup base with my choice of toppings & vegetables, savory and flavorful!! Will be back soon.

This place was so spacious and clean and the music is perfect! All the ingredients were fresh and perfectly cooked. I’m totally satisfied! Will be coming back again.

I have being there a couple of times since they are open. I’m so glad a Build your own hotpot place exists!!! I often wanted hotpot but I don’t actually go as often as I wished, because I don’t like going to a traditional hotpot meal by myself. To me, hotpot is more like a social big group thing. This place is PERRERFECT for a quick hotpot bowl. I’m in charge of what I get in my bowl, and no need to compromise. 😉 Service is always good, staffs are always friendly and helpful. Can’t wait to go again!!

Mediocre food, don’t really recommend. Won’t return. 2 stars for the spicy incense pot that I paid $18.31 for! The rice has gotten a bit humid and filled with water which made it very hard to swallow. It wasn’t like this the first time we were here. Reading the merchant’s reply, I am stunned to see they would pin me on a lie that I am leaving a low rating just because wanted to get an extra 10% spouse discount and didn’t get it? I am not some random cheap person who went there trying to get a freebie and then get back to the place when I did not get it. I have attached my bank records showing I spent $78 dollars last time at your store at opening. I only gave you a second chance because of the veteran day and i also spent another $19 dollars the same day with the regular military discount that i rightfully deserved. I gave you a low rating only because the food tasted mediocre which is already a compliment. The incense pot was no better than the Spicy Stir-Fry Pot seasoning packet sold at 99 ranch. I am giving you a honest review so that you can take the chance to make some remedies, but based on this sarcastic review by the owner, I doubt that you will be improving. Good luck on surviving on such attitude and taste. Be respectful to the military’s families please! The broth tasted even lighter than the regular broth that day. So yes, it was bad. I should not have went there at all. So for whoever reading this review, don’t even bother to waste your time to even go to this place, they have no respect for their customers and no decency for lying this much for sure!

This was my first time eating here, and Vee made the experience so welcoming. She walked us through how everything works, and the food was really good. Will definitely be back!

Delicious food and great service. Servers are very helpful and attentive. Wife had a bowl with mushroom soup and I had stir-fry. I added some of her soup to my stir-fry, great move! The boba teas are excellent, a nice treat. We will be back!

From someone who likes hotpot, shabu-shabu, malatang or what other names it may resemble plus a wife that makes it at home, it’s good but could taste better. We’ve tried so many places international and local and I could say this one is good enough amongst competition around the area. The dry mix was a little too salty tho. And the only downside is not having a continuously heated pot that will keep your food hot. Other than that, great service by Amy and I think the owners too that was there helping out in their soft opening.

Amazing customer service. SUPER FRIENDLY STAFF AND food was delicious Lots of fresh veggies and protein selection was great.

Soup and selection of meat and vegetables were great! Loved the personalization of each meal!

This was our second option since our first choice was closed for business today. Serendipity served us well because we wouldn't have discovered this culinary phenomenon that began in 2008 and now has a footprint of nearly 6000 stores worldwide. The place wasn't full at 2:30pm to have a late lunch. Our server Amy gave us the "how-to's" of hotpot. We enjoyed being the architects of our meal by selecting an impressive array of fresh ingredients: cuts of meat, succulent seafood, vibrant vegetables, and various noodle options. Everything is weighed on the spot (with a 1 lb minimum), so you know exactly what you're getting and paying for...what our buddy Brian is paying for (this is his treat after the VIP treatment we received at Fourtané Rolex Boutique). What sets this place apart is the thoughtful customization. You're not limited to one flavor profile--choose from multiple broths (I got the non spicy Mushroom Soup base) ranging from comforting regular to fiery spicy, depending on your heat preference. Then, curate your sauce selection from their diverse lineup to perfectly complement your choices. A dozen to choose from! I got some minced garlic with chili in sesame oil in two separate small sauce cups. After the second spoonfuls of the broth, my nose started running. Ahh the magic of spice! Food for thought, if you have stuffy nose, bring your a$s to your local noodle shop - specifically to this Spicy Hotpot place and relieve your nasal congestion in minutes without medication! Proof that food is medicine! No wonder Socrates said "Let thy food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food!"

Oh goodness! This place is so delicious. I'm usually not a fan of ramen or hot pot -- it's not my go-to -- but my ex had been wanting to try this place, so I thought, why not? As soon as you walk in, you're given a large bowl to fill with your choice of veggies, seafood, meats, and noodles (minimum 1 lb). Then you pick your broth, they weigh your bowl, and work their magic. I went with the classic broth, and wow -- it was so flavorful! We'll definitely be coming back once the weather cools down.

Firstly, the manager and staff were so friendly and checked in quite a bit with us during our time there. The manager was very forgiving and understanding of our slightly rowdy boys which made me feel more at ease. The restaurant was mostly empty except for a couple other patrons, and they weren't trying to bother anyone in particular but they just had a bit of the zoomies between our table and the entrance, and the manager helped us kind of distract them back down to our table and laughed with them a bit. We got three bowls of soup each - one for me, one for my husband, and one for our little boys to share. We've never been to a "serve yourself" kind of hotpot place so this was really nice to be able to control which toppings I wanted and how much of each. It does say that your bowl has to be at least 1 pound so knowing my kids prefer their soup pretty simple, I just added some toppings to theirs to even everything out. I do like how there are different flavor options as well as a stir fry option that we didn't get a chance to try out just yet but that just gives us another reason to come back! I do like how I can also see what drink options are available from the fridge right next to the register and can grab whatever is wanted. We opted for mango lemonades and a lychee lemonade which were delicious! Not too sweet and of course, kept chilled since they were pulled right from the fridge. The sauce station is nice to help yourself to as well and definitely helps add more flavor if needed to the otherwise mild soups. I could've probably chosen a different flavor, but I had my kids in mind in case they wanted to try some of my toppings if needed. The place is kept clean and it was a nice dinner to have on a weekday night. We'll definitely come back again.

Solid spot if you're craving malatang in the south, but if you've been to the Convoy (Clairemont Mesa blvd) location, you'll notice the difference. I went with my usual, the bone broth base, which was still tasty and comforting. But they didn't ask for my spice level, which was a little surprising since that's kind of a key part of the experience. I added some spice to my broth, which made a huge difference. Also, no mala spice powder at the sauce bar/ station... which is a letdown if you're used to that extra flavor. It's those little things that made the Convoy location stand out more. That said, it's still not bad at all. Everything was fresh and the broth was pretty good. Just don't come expecting the full Convoy experience. I live about the same distance from both locations, so let's be real... I'm gunna choose Convoy.

Thanks Toni the owner.. good food..good service.. we will come back definitely. Add more Veggies please!_! We will be back soon.

We usually go to the location in convoy but so happy there's one close to us! Love the concept as hot pot can be pricey. this is a great option if you go with other people bc there's a lot of different ways to customize your bowl. Service is great and the place is clean.

I came with two other friends who never visited this location. My first impression: clean, organized, bright. The person waiting on us was Kim. She explained how the restaurant worked. She was kind, friendly, & patient with us! We moved seats twice because we didn't want to sit near the entrance & then we had to move again because of an area that was reserved. We grab a bowl and tongs and fill up the bowl! Great selection from mushrooms, veggies, tofu, clams, protein balls, strips of beef,lamb, & a variety of noodles, you name it! And then they weigh your food. You choose if you want the soup base or stir fry. They also have a condiments area with a variety of seasonings and sauces. I can't wait to go back! I had a great experience! Thanks for taking care of us Kim!

Finally got to try the new Zhangliang Malatang in National City!! Most of my friends (and plenty of other Yelpers) stopped by during their grand opening week, so I had to see what this location was all about. The food is exactly what you'd expect from Zhangliang, lots of fresh ingredients to choose from, their famous spicy beef bone broth, and everything cooked up quickly once you've built your bowl. The broth option is $13.99/lb while the Dry option is $15.99/lb. My personal go to is the dry pot option. If you haven't tried it yet, you're missing out. Since it's still a newer spot, they're working out a few things in the flow. Service was friendly and smooth overall, though the self serve refill station wasn't always stocked. (Easy fix, I'm sure.) What I liked most is how the National City location feels fun and energetic with the friendly staff and upbeat music vs the Clairemont location, which is much brighter, spotless, and a little more efficient since they've been around longer. If you're in the area, the National City spot is a solid go to for malatang. Clairemont is still the gold standard for consistency and efficiency, but it's great having another option without the long drive. I can see this location catching up to the Clairemont location in no time!

Enjoyed our experience here! It was our first time going here and the workers were so kind and helpful showing us how everything works. I ordered the mushroom soup base and my husband ordered the classic soup base. Both soup bases were delicious, they even had a sauce bar where you can create your own dipping sauce.

Outstanding food and exceptional customer service! Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The staff went above and beyond to make sure we had a great dining experience -- friendly, attentive, and professional from start to finish. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great food and genuine hospitality. Definitely coming back soon!

Yummy Yummy in my tummy! So many options to choose from. Plus the place is clean and organized.

Definitely recommend. Came here on the second day after they open. Store is clean and well lit. Staffs are friendly and welcoming. They have a great variety of ingredients that are all fresh. Food came out quickly. They spicy incense pot is delicious. As someone who has Chinese hotpot often, i think this is a great option since i have small appetite, so i can just pick and choose the amount of each type of food i want for the meal. We also got the classic soup which also tasted really good. Definitely will be coming here often with family and friends.

We came here for soft opening and it was not too busy. There was no line to order so it was quick and easy. You first choose all your toppings and you can either have it in a soup base or have it stir fried. Lots of seating. I got the classic broth with medium spice and it wasn't too spicy. I think I could've gotten even spicier. The fresh noodles were so good and I'll be getting that every time I come.

The food is good and affordable. The staff are very nice. I will definitely come back if I come to SD.

The food was superb, and I'll definitely come back. It was absolutely yummylicious! I Will bring my friends.

Lots of variety offered! Staff were super friendly and were more than happy to explain how their setup works on our first visit. The lemonades were tasty and service was great. They have everything from quail eggs and noodles to seafood balls and frog legs. I got the stir fry but I would definitely get the soup next time because my bf's was super yummy.

Came here for Friday night dinner for a party of 4 and service was efficient and the staff were friendly. You get to customize your own dish with all the toppings laid out at a bar off to the side of the restaurant. Ingredient station was clean and you can tell everything was fresh. The staff was great at refilling ingredients at the bar that were low on stock and fast at refilling water at our table. You get to choose from a variety of vegetables, meats, seafood, and noodles. Once you finish with your ingredients, you just head to the counter, choose your broth, and they weigh your big bowl. You get seated afterward with your group and then you pay at the end of your dinner. There's also an ingredients station with napkins and utensils. There's also a fridge for other drinks. Overall, I enjoyed my spicy hot pot dish and the spice for me was pretty mild. If you're not a fan of spicy food though, you might think the spicy broth is too much. I also really liked the mushroom broth, which my friend ordered. This place is located at a plaza with surrounding restaurants, and it does get busy, but there's enough parking and parking is free.

Went here for dinner and it was a great experience. A variety of options and friendly staff.

Malatang is the ultimate comfort food for spice lovers -- a bubbling, customizable bowl packed with fresh veggies, meats, noodles, and that addictive Sichuan numbing heat. The broth is rich and aromatic, perfectly balancing chili oil and peppercorns, and every bite feels like a fiery hug. It's flavorful, satisfying, and a little dangerous for your spice tolerance -- but totally worth it.

My first time here with my mommy and all we can say Wow! Service is excellent and waiters are polite and helpful. The food is delicious and a must try comfort food. They offer a good selection of seafood, meat, and veggies. The ambiance is chill and welcoming. Will be coming back ! :)

Good food and beautiful place ,zhangliang hotpot and come here to visiting,They are amazing food here

We're so glad we finally have a hotpot place down south! The ingredients are high quality, the sauce bar is awesome, and the service was great :) We tried the soup and stir fry noodles and both were delicious. Food is priced at $13.99/lb for the soup and $14.99 for the dry noodles. The restaurant is clean, well lit, and spacious. We will definitely be returning in the future! It'll save us a trip to Convoy!

The service was great and the food is so good!! Definitely trying again and I love that it's more local and don't have to drive so far for good soup

So so happy to finally have a hotpot place in the area! This location was so spacious and clean, the staff was kind and helpful.

This place was straight chill, they were playing good music, a very nice welcoming to their new restaurant. Very nice associates. It was my first time eating here and they set me up with how to order my food. Everything was fairly priced for what they were offering if you're looking to try new food here locally in national city I recommend you the spot 10 out of 10. Service was great I even signed up for the rewards program shout out to the two workers that helped us out Amy and Brian I believe

Very good, service was good and the food was good... ambiance was nice and quiet will definitely be coming back.

def worth the price and they have a ton of good options and a great sauce bar. but what made us want to write a review was JPs service! He was so enthusiastic and nice, we havent had service this welcoming in so long! We love hotpot but this was our first weigh to pay experience and it was 10/10.

Mike is the heart, soul, and body that keeps this Zhangliang Malatang location running and why I would never hesitate to come again. I live near the convoy location, but simply come to this location for Mike. If you are hungry and you see Mike or are just having a bad day Mike has your back. If you don't like noodles they have stir fry. Best of all though they have Mike and no other location has someone as great as Mike.

I Would definitely recommend, I've been to the other location in Kearny mesa and I'm super happy that there's a location closer to me. The tomato broth is amazing and all the different options of ingredients they offer.

The food and service was amazing! I love the wide selection of toppings and sauces. The soup bases were great! Kim was very kind. Overall, great experience!

Brought my family here for the first time they have Great Food and great Service, Highly recommend it

Soup was yummy! Staff were super friendly! I would recommend this place. Very good selections of meat and seafood.

I visited this location on September 1 and was very disappointed. It seems they did not tare the bowl before weighing my food, and I was charged almost $70 for two people on the spicy dry pot option. At another location in the city, we received more meat, vegetables, and toppings for under $40, so the pricing here feels unreasonable. On top of that, the dish was greasy, with an overwhelming amount of garlic and ginger that tasted undercooked. Overall, not worth the price or the experience.

It has became my favorite spot for the past two weeks! I tried every flavor and absolutely love all of them. The classic spicy is very mild and you can add more spice at the self served sauce bar. Stir Fry is my second favorite and it's a little spicier. The crab leg is only $5 extra and it's super fresh. Overall very affordable and delicious place. Also the servers are super nice!

Friendly boss Tony (gave us the opening ceremony discount and drink on the house!) and sweet waitress, Amy who coached us in the in and out of maladang. Above all, the food -lots of options - is absolutely delicious!

I had the classics spicy with an assortment of proteins and vegetables. They had a very broad variety. The snails stuck out the most for me and they were good.

So glad they opened closer to home so I don't have to drive to Clairemont Mesa anymore! Went here with a friend after work and it definitely satisfied our soup craving, we'll be coming back! Great service and food!

new malatang spot closer to home. spicy bone broth, highly recommend! extra friendly staff as well!

It was my first time trying anything like this and it was amazing I like trying new food. I will den go there again. The works were very helpful. They helped me a lot and was checking up on me giving it a 10/10

I enjoyed the spicy broth and great atmosphere! The manager and employees were all friendly and great.

Had an amazing experience at this new restaurant. Food was delicious and staff was friendly! If you're into hot pot come check this place out. You won't regret it !! We had an incredible experience at this new restaurant. The food was delicious, and the staff was incredibly friendly. If you're a fan of hot pot, you must check this place out. You won't be disappointed! Will absolutely come back again !!

Workers were really nice! I loved the vibe in here. It was so spacious. I would love if they added beef tendon to the line. They do have bean sprouts which is a step up from the convoy location. I'm so glad there is a closer location to my home now!

First time trying this place. The food was great, and the staff is very friendly. Very clean and welcoming dining area.

I've been waiting for this location to open! Service was fast and friendly, thanks to Mike for showing me and my bf around :) absolutely loveeeee the sides, sauce bar and of course the broth!! Will be coming here more often than driving to convoy!

Went here since it's new and local! We were served really fast and I really enjoyed the sauce bar options. My food also came out fairly fast!

Nice and clean place friendly staff i highly recommend trying their mushroom broth will definitely come back

They just opened right next to my job and it's amazing!! so many options for toppings and it's super clean inside. I'm excited to get some hot pot every week ;D