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LaoJie Hotpot
Master Critic Review
LaoJie Hotpot
8.8
All-you-can-eat hot pot paradise with retro-themed decor featuring cassette walls, antique telephones, and old-school karaoke. The $37 AYCE includes premium seafood, fresh meats, and seven different broth options from herbal to mala spicy, with complimentary milk tea pudding dessert.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mala Hot Pot Broth, Fresh Dungeness Crab, Hand-Sliced Fatty Beef
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Retro-themed AYCE hot pot with premium seafood and seven broth options until 2am
Who should go: Groups celebrating or craving late-night communal dining
When to visit: Evenings after 6pm, join virtual waitlist 2 hours early
What to order: Mala broth, fatty beef, crab, handmade dumplings
Insider tip: Birthday person eats free with ID, and the $3 Corona beers are legendary
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only on 53rd St near 8th Ave—expect difficulty after 6pm in Brooklyn Chinatown. No valet, consider subway (N/D to 8th Ave)
Dress code: Casual—you're cooking at your table, steam and splashing happen. Skip anything precious
Noise level: Loud—reviewers describe needing to 'yell' across tables. Karaoke adds to the energy. Not ideal for intimate conversation
Weekend wait: 30-60 min without reservation; join virtual waitlist 2 hours ahead
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, seats available immediately after 1pm opening
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—extensive options including tofu skin, mushroom variety, vegetables, handmade dumplings, and noodles. Request water-based broth
Vegan options: Moderate—vegetable selections work well with herbal or tomato broth. Confirm broth ingredients with server
Gluten-free options: Limited—naturally GF proteins and vegetables available, but shared cooking environment and soy-based sauces present cross-contact risk
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you're confident together—it's loud, communal, and hands-on. Great for breaking ice with someone adventurous, but skip if you want quiet conversation
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect 30+ min waits on weekends. Entire party must be present to join waitlist. Call ahead or use their virtual queue system for faster seating
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for ages 6+—interactive cooking keeps them engaged. Younger kids need supervision around boiling broth. Basement seating offers more space for families
How does the birthday deal work? Birthday person eats free with valid ID. Bring your own cake if within 3 days of birthday—staff will announce it (not subtle). No surprise parties here
Is there karaoke? Yes—private rooms with karaoke available for groups. Book ahead for weekend nights when demand peaks
Best For
Better for: Late-night cravings (open until 2am), AYCE value with premium seafood, retro atmosphere and group celebrations. Better Brooklyn option than 99 Favors for quality
Skip if: You want quiet conversation, hate loud environments, need quick in-and-out meal, or prefer Manhattan's Hometown Hot Pot for slightly more refined experience