Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot

10/7/2014

I tried it once and I tried it again.

Came here on Saturday for a friend's birthday party with a large group and then came here again on Sunday after the 49ers game at Levi stadium. Why did we want a hot steaming meal after roasting in the sun for a couple of hours? Beats me, but it was delicious on both occasions.

Going twice gave me a good idea of what was good and what was less good.
The good:
- half & half broth (why woulnd't you)
- lamb shoulder
- the somewhat basic beef (it's either 6.99 or 7.99, either way I liked it more than the more expensive ribeye)
- The fishballs stuffed w/roe and the other one stuffed with meat (both toward the bottom of the meatball menu)
- Tripe
- Thick noodles
- Chinese donut (give it a quick dip, super delish)
- Assorted tofu platter

The less good:
- Garlic beef (toooo garlicky, plus the garlic all just gets lost in the broth and then you're eating garlic bits in your broth and everyone else is mad that you ordered garlic beef. Don't say I didn't warn ya)
- Handmade knife noodles (or something like that, sounds legit but not as good as the thick noodles)
- Pork intestine (some people liked it, but I thought it was a bit too much)
- Tiger shrimp--why order shrimp at a hotpot? Overcooks too easily
- You have to order sauce and it costs extra.

This place is also on the pricier side of hotpot, but they do have good ingredients, delicious broth, and good service. Overall it came out to around 25 dollars per person for a filling meal.

9/29/2014

Pros:
- Pretty spacious
- Booth seating or tables
- Not too busy around 12/12:30PM for lunch
- Super tasty house spicy broth!
- Variety of meats, veggies, and any additions for hot pot

Cons:
- $3.75/person for the soup
- Pricey menu... Especially the meats
- You have to buy sauces

Overall I think the place is okay. Expect to pay a good amount for your standard hot pot experience. Hits the spot for your hot pot cravings though!

9/26/2014

This place is fantastic, it's good for a big group as well as dining solo.  

Their regular plates are just the right size and price -- big enough to share if you have a group of any size, but small enough for one person to try two or three different plates for a meal. They have spicy and regular broth. Both are filled with Chinese herbs and spices, but the spicy one also has red peppers. After keeping the meats/veggies in the broth for awhile it takes on a whole level of deliciousness, and they refill it as much as you like.

Their lunch specials can't be beat - $9.99 for your choice of meat (they even have lamb and fish), and every order comes with three plates: thinly sliced raw meat, a very generous serving of mushrooms, fish balls, and tofu, and a side of cabbage, bok choy, and a small side of clear noodles. It's the perfect ratio of veggies/meats/carbs. If you're hungrier or want more meat, they sometimes have a very reasonably priced all you can eat for $21.99.

Service is somewhat curt and very efficient. I'm giving it four stars because on occasion, QC is a little off on the veggie plate. (But they will exchange it if you point it out.)

10/15/2014

I've always liked hot pot and little sheep hot pot always hits the spot for me.
I'll be back for more whenever I feel like having hot pot with their tasty herb soup.

10/9/2014

I recently began coming here to get the lunch special. It is about $12 for your selection of meat (I consistently go together with the chicken or steak) and your choice of hot/non hot broth. Should you go with a buddy get the half & half broth. You will also get a generous helping of veggies (shitake mushrooms, bok choy, spinach, napa cabbage, enoki mushrooms, &), rice noodles, and various fishballs! Service is fast and I haven't had any issues getting a seat during lunch.

9/22/2014

Twice I've been here, and twice I have come out feeling batshit crazy. The soup base (house broth, or spicy) are solid. Each broth is full of Chinese herbs, and spices. The meats are sliced very thinly and the food is excellent. Always.

This is a great place to go if you have a couple of hours to eat and relax. Little Sheep provides a fun atmosphere of eating, enjoying soup, trying different varieties of meat and veggies. The broth makes all the meats and veggies extremely flavorful and tasty, and whatever other things you want to put in (seafood, tofu, fried tofu, meatballs, etc) will enhance the flavor of your soup to your level of crazy.

I recommend getting the meat platter, which consists of a combination of their most popular meats. I believe you can order the same thing for veggies as well. I ordered a side of shrimp last time but was underwhelmed - not fresh. But I recommend fish, meatballs, and pea sprouts. Those are always spot on, no fail.

Ambiance is nice, restaurant is big. The bartend area is a little strange and expanse. You can get a drink while you wait for a table I suppose but many people seem to use that area as a waiting spot so it's definitely a little off putting. Tables and booths are really big, but the restaurant is in serious need of more ventilation. I don't mind it too much but it would be another bonus. Unless, they are trying to lure outsiders in with their delicious smell. Hmm. Honestly, I am shy to go anywhere afterwards to get some cliche Asian bubble drink because I know people will know where I came from. And I tend to live like a stereotype after having a huge Asian meal. No shame.

I think it's worth trying out if you're into hot pots or curious about the hot pot trend in Asia. Now that the cooler weather is on its way, this is going to be a prime destination for hot broths and Asian style comfort meals. So be sure to check your patience because the wait time is really long if you don't make reservations. And if you do, make sure your entire party is here otherwise they won't seat you. Also, I think reservations are only for parties of 6 or more (if I remember correctly).

9/14/2014

My favorite hot pot spot. I usually come with the fams and we always get the half regular and half spicy soup. The soup is very flavorful (apparently has cilantro and vinegar as its base so it's good for "digestion") but can be a little too salty.

Staff is super attentive (if it's not too crazy busy) and really nice. Try to come early to beat the rush or expect to wait 30 mins to 2 hours. Btw they only do reservations for groups of 6 or more. So don't bother calling in.

I've tried almost all the beef options (regular, premium, Kobe, garlic, etc) and I like the premium and garlic options. The garlic beef is tender and flavorful and the premium is like any other beef cut but they give you a lot.

Get the shiitake mushrooms to give your broth extra flavor and don't forget udon noodles!

Secret bomb sauce tip -- ask for the spicy sauce, add garlic, satay sauce, soy sauce and cilantro. Dip and enjoy. You'll thank me later ;)

10/15/2014

If my wallet allowed, I would eat here every week. The broth really is amazing, and I really don't have to use a separate sauce for my food. (Though I love their chili sauce!) I always get the half and half whenever I come here so there's an option for whoever I'm eating with. Sometimes there's a really long wait, sometimes it's empty. I haven't figured out the pattern yet, but I think the wait is worthwhile.

9/11/2014

I love hot pot restaurants. It's filling, delicious, healthy, & fun way to dine with friends and family.

I took advantage of the lunch special: $9.99 for a choice of meat, broth, &veggies! Such a steal!

I love the spicy miso. Spicy but very flavorful. I ordered the fish. So delicious. Light, flaky, & worked well with the veggies. I loved the mushrooms & fishballs. But you can't go wrong here. I tried the All You Can Eat dinner last time. That was fun too!

Overall I love it here. Please try it out. I'm sure you'll enjoy too.

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  1/2 Spicy Miso 1/2 Regular Broth. Delicious!

  1/2 Spicy Miso 1/2 Regular Broth. Delicious!

9/23/2014

The Knicks and the Knacks:

Summer 2014 July 1-September 30 all you can eat for $21.99
::1.5 hour limit
::Children under 4ft $15.99
::Children under 3ft free of charge
::Less items for all you can eat buffet than the normal menu

Regular Non-buffet days:
:: pay for each individual dish you order
:: while waiting they hand you a menu and you can tally all the stuff you want so they can prepare everything for you once you seat
::Two soup bases house original and house spicy, OR you can do half&half with both soup.
:: soup bases are herbal type which is a completely new take on hot pot I've never had before! Hit or miss! If you dislike anything like that I say skip this!
::You have your meats, meat balls, seafood, vegetables, noodles, tofu, etc.
::Garlic beef stood out to us the most!
::I would prefer this location over the Cupertino one because meats and soup base has more flavors
::better service than Cupertino
::BE WARNED...AVERAGE WAIT TIME is 1-2 hours. Guys please don't get mad that you have to wait so long... It's all over yelp that wait time is this long, because at hot pot people usually take their time. Just come with that in mind knowing it will be 1-2 hr wait to avoid getting angry. If u know you can't wait that long, go somewhere else.
:: one remark would be that the soup got really bitter towards the end.... But I was too full to care.

yelp.com/biz_photos/litt…
yelp.com/biz_photos/litt…

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  Variety! No veggies duh!

  Variety! No veggies duh!
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  House original soup base

  House original soup base

9/24/2014

I came here on the all-you-can-eat night. I have experience with this place both in and out of the country. I know it's highs and lows. This time it was a LOW. I can't believe how lacking the service in the front was this time. They stopped giving out numbers, and made a sign to advertise it, but when I asked them, they just tapped the sign and stared at me! The other girl at the front desk kept running back and forth with her phone, laughing, showing the other girl something without saying excuse me anytime. Anyway, I had an ok experience. The spicy broth was excellent, and the meat is exceptionally delicious. Our server was spot on and attentive, but he was only working there for four weeks! Bad bathroom sanitation. Their cleaning materials are all laid out on the floor and the floor is oily. I'm being nice with 4 stars, but come and try this place for yourself.

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  The spicy broth

  The spicy broth

8/18/2014

Very solid spot for big GROUP DINING. They squeezed our party of 9 comfortably into one of the back tables. With 3 burners on the table, we split 3 pots evenly.

It's a HOTPOT restaurant, so definitely make this the focal point of your meal. The side dishes (skewers, regular noodles, etc.) were simply OK.

SOUP BASE -- get half and half if you're feeling adventurous. The chiles, garlic, green onions, and Chinese herbs really flavored the soup nicely. The spicy soup also reminded me of my semester abroad in Shanghai. And there is mushroom soup for VEGETARIANS.

My favorite hotpot ingredients:
+ Beef (don't need to do Kobe as you're boiling the meat)
+ Lamb
+ Beef tendon balls
+ Tripe
+ Taro (let them get nice and starchy)
+ Fried tofu pods
+ Enoki mushrooms
+ Spinach
+ Napa cabbage

Get a side of SAUCE -- I loved the minced garlic mixed with sesame oil. I usually only do soy sauce and chili paste at home, so this was a unique flavor change.

Add in some carbs (egg noodles or udon) and you get a nicely balanced meal!

The SERVICE was pretty attentive. Our waiter made sure to fill our water glasses and kept our soup pots replenished. Even though we has mixed orders, he tried to keep our food organized.

Things to note:
- Make a reservation...hordes of hungry Asian crowds will descend upon downtown San Mateo on a weekend evening
- Be prepared for the lingering smell of hotpot aroma on your clothes for the rest of the night
- Dinner will set you back a good $25-30 for a medium amount of food (each plate averages ~$4-7 each)

Overall, this is a decent dining option in the San Mateo area. If they offered an AYCE option then it would be an even better deal! Until then, I will make hotpot at home and save my Little Sheep visits for when I am in Asia. FYI -- you can get their soup base packets in Asian markets like 99 Ranch.

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  Major feasting...9 ppl & 3 pots

  Major feasting...9 ppl & 3 pots

8/18/2014

I used to get dinner here twice or more in a month, but I'm not coming back. Their service is unreasonable and very unprofessional. A server dropped a piece of raw pork on the table, right next to my dish and without doing anything, he walked away. I stared at him to see if he is going to bring anything to clean raw meat on the table, but no he didn't. Instead of doing anything, he avoided our table until we finished our table.
I would have been care less if he dropped vegetables on the table, there is no sanitary issue. If he had given me a proper apology and cleaned the raw pork from my table, I would not have cared, everyone makes mistakes. But, what he did was just plain rude. I gave him "15%" tip and had to walk to him and told him(because him and the manager clearly ignore our table) what he did is not right and next time when he makes a mistake, fix it, not ignore it.

8/27/2014

My gosh, my first hotpot experience was in San Diego. Years later, this place opened and I was SO EXCITED LIKE A FAT KID ON THEIR BIRTHDAY.

I've been here so many times and never have been disappointed. It's always SO GOOD, and their service is pretty quick although the place is so packed all the time.

Highly recommend: BUT go with a group of people who have good hotpot "etiquette" you know, you don't want to be there w/ the asshole who eats all the meat, or some person who only wants one type of meat/ veggie...The experience is good if you order a plethora of whatever your heart desires and nobody complains about it and just eats it together.

8/5/2014

- Spicy half & half broth is delicious, just make sure to not fill your bowl with all spicy broth or you'll be coughing.

- Fish balls were delicious

- Good variety- menu had at least 4 different kinds of mushrooms.

- Perfect for groups- you sit in your own little rounded booth.

- Not that busy on the weekdays

- Nice clean atmosphere.

7/28/2014

I love hot pot!  I typically go to All You Can Eat (AYCE) joints, but every once in a while, it's nice to go to a place that doesn't have an all you can eat option. Sometimes, I feel like their meat and veggies are higher quality since they are charging by the order. This is the case with Little Sheep! Came here back in February and had an awesome meal! Between the 3 of us, we ordered the following:

Soup base: Half original & Half spicy ($3.75 per person)
Assorted mushroom platter ($10.95)
Beef tripe ($4.95)
Fish balls ($6.95)
Pea sprouts ($3.95)
Spinach ($3.95)
Seafood combo platter ($12.95)
Supreme American style kobe beef ($13.95)
Steamed rice ($1 each)
House made shrimp ball ($8.95)
Garlic paste with sesame oil ($0.50 each)
Hand sliced supreme fatty beef ($8.95)
Hot & spicy beef tendon ($4.95)

Both broths were full of flavor!  I love my food spicy, so I mainly stuck with the spicy side.  Both meats were sliced thin and nicely marbled.  I really loved the Seafood & Mushroom platters, so if you're a fan on seafood and mushrooms, go for those!

Things can add up if you order a lot of variety, but altogether we spent about $100 between the 3 of us.  And I had extra spinach and mushrooms to bring home. Not bad considering AYCE is about $30 per person anyways.  :)

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  Steamed rice ($1), Shrimp balls ($8.95), Garlic paste w/sesame oil ($0.50), Fatty beef ($8.95), Hot & spicy beef tendon ($4.95)

  Steamed rice ($1), Shrimp balls ($8.95), Garlic paste w/sesame oil ($0.50), Fatty beef ($8.95), Hot & spicy beef tendon ($4.95)
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  Mushrooms ($10.95), Tripe ($4.95), Fish balls ($6.95), Pea sprouts ($3.95), Spinach ($3.95), Seafood ($12.95), Kobe ($13.95)

  Mushrooms ($10.95), Tripe ($4.95), Fish balls ($6.95), Pea sprouts ($3.95), Spinach ($3.95), Seafood ($12.95), Kobe ($13.95)
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  Soup base: Half original & Half spicy ($3.75 per person)

  Soup base: Half original & Half spicy ($3.75 per person)

8/28/2014

Get here early because this place gets packed! There is a good reason why people flock here.  The great things about this hot pot establishment is that you can select the items you want (meat, veggies, fish balls etc). The only negative is that you need to pay for the dipping sauces but not a huge deal.  We ended up ordering the beef, tofu and assorted veggies.

We ordered the spicy broth ... wow ... this was the best spicy broth we have had! Full of flavor and the broth was actually spicy!

When we received the meat, tofu and veggie plates I was so surprised to see the large portions! I'm use to ordering two orders of tofu since usually you get four cubes but one order from this establishment would have been more than enough!  The meat was good quality and the veggies were fresh (yum).  

Another small detail I loved were the ladles they give you (one for broth and one slotted for the veggies) and the extra bowl and dish.  Such small details but makes stuffing my face much easier!

Overall great experience and will come back for sure!

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  Great assortment of veggies, meat and tofu!

  Great assortment of veggies, meat and tofu!
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  Spicy broth

  Spicy broth

9/5/2014

Decent prices, but I would come early.  Parking and long wait lines exist if you come during the peaks hours (6pm or later).  Prices are a little high, and if you are bringing a buddy or girlfriend, it could run in a $60 tab.  

Nevertheless, the broth is good and the meat and veggies are fresh.  Service is also good, but then again I go when it is a little earlier and they have enough time to assist me.

Bathrooms are a little dirty and tight, especially for plus sized guys.  

Just remember regarding parking, as you might have to park all the way by the train station or along the tracks.  That is usually open later at night.

Happy hunting, and as always, stay hungry my friends!

8/24/2014

Came here for lunch and it was good. Once we stepped into little sheep,we smelled very strong cumin and it smelled good thought.
The soup base was good, we had spicy and non spicy. Although I don't eat spicy, I could still handle the spicy soup (It wasn't that spicy)
They provided hot tea....but you know....hot tea with hot pot....ehhhh...we had to ask for some water...
Anyway we enjoyed it, moreover we will be back

7/27/2014

I was very surprised to learn this is a chain -- one of 700 across the globe -- because it doesn't feel like a chain. The interior is big, airy and comfortable with a chic vibe. Seating is available in small booths, big, round booths and tables. But even with all that seating, there was a wait list by 6 p.m. on a Sunday. It's that popular. Luckily, we arrived about 10 minutes before they opened, and the hostess seated us right away.

The service was excellent. The food arrived promptly, the dishes were constantly cleared and a waiter ensured our water glasses were always full.

Dinner comes with a pot of hot tea and a side of salted peanuts. Orders are indicated by marking a paper placemat-like menu. The portions are large, and my husband and I accidentally ordered enough food (the half original/ half spicy broth with the vegetable plate, shiitake mushrooms, tofu plate, garlic beef, satay sauce, sesame sauce and a Mongolian Meat Pie)  for 4+ people. For just two, I would recommend starting with the vegetable plate and one meat. You can always order more. He liked the shittake mushrooms best, but I preferred the baby bok choy. Try eating one of the cooked garlic cloves that comes with the broth. They melt in your mouth. I think I ate five of them, but maybe that's just because I'm still on a garlic kick after the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

Thankfully, the restaurant provides to-go containers, and we ended up leaving with two whole liters of soup to eat for lunch tomorrow. The entire dinner (plus enough for two additional meals in leftovers) cost about $60 with the tip. Pretty reasonable, and we left stuffed.

7/14/2014

Favorite hot pot place. So much variety and their soup bases are flavorful.

Easily would have been five stars had they not left the oranges that they give out during dinner time next to the garbage... Gross

Now I'm just wondering what other food items they leave next to garbage cans that they later serve to their guests

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  Oranges next to the garbage..

  Oranges next to the garbage..

10/9/2014

T-t-t-tasty tasty.  This place is delicious, if you like hot pot.  They have a variety of meatses, probably some vegetables too, but I don't really care about those things.  Decently priced, great for going in big groups.  They charge for sauces though, which is lame.

7/3/2014

Kinda pricey for mala huo guo but the ingredients seem fresh and the hot pot is pretty good.

The bill came out to a little less than 100$ for two (not including tip).
There is a pot fee of $3.75 per person and they charge .50 cents PER SAUCE.
We got garlic, sesame sauce, satay sauce, 3 assorted house made meatballs, American Kurobuta Pork, New Zealand SPring Lamb, A choy, 2 eggs, Enoki mushrooms, house special wide potato noodles, fried tofu, fish dumplings, tiger prawns, and a large Tsing Tao.

The fish dumplings tasted like fish cake.  I probably wouldn't order that again.

7/24/2014

Very slow service. It's a long wait, usually up to 1 hour on weekend but it's worth it for the most part. The waiter doesn't really come ( or pretend not to see you ) after they bring up the food for the first round.
My favorite are still the wine beef, meat ball and the soup base. Other meats are normal but fresh and thin.

7/17/2014

IN LOVE!! This place is absolutely delicious. I come here at least 1-2 times per week for my lunch break. They have lunch specials for about $10 per person that come with your choice of meat, mushrooms, tofu, bok choy, cabbage, fish balls (I substitute for extra mushrooms), clear noodles, and something else that I usually substitute out as well. This is the only hot pot place I've been to and i don't feel the need to try anywhere else. We get half regular brother and half spicy broth. You can take your extras to go too!

Some tips:

-ask for a big bowl when you eat your soup. The tiny bowl the give you is enough for like one bite then you have to keep refilling. It makes such a difference!

-the first time I came here, I didn't enjoy it because I kept biting into all the things that flavor the broth- such as pieces of garlic, ginger, lemongrass, chilies, etc. The next time I went, I let the broth come to a boil, then I used the strainer spoon they provide to strain out all the non edibles before I added all the food to cook. The broth was still flavorful (it's already flavored beforehand) and it saved me time trying to pick out all the non edibles from each bite. Genius!

-order the mongolian pot stickers with a side of vinegar, soy sauce, and the chili sauce. Amazing!!

8/26/2014

The line is long and it's expensive.  This place is only worth it when they have the all your can eat special but then you pay for it - by wasting in line.

8/11/2014

Went with 3 friends. Loved the half-spicy, half-non-spicy. Very good lamb and chicken and shrimp, as well as spinach and bok choy. Peanut dish as appetizer and oranges for dessert a nice touch. Plenty of tea and water refills.

Very good service. Thought some dishes were a bit pricey, but it was filling and when we split it, it was reasonable. Will be back with my famiry.

7/9/2014

Being a Salvadorean and from SoCal here in the peninsula area, I sometimes find it hard to assimilate some cultural things here in NorCal.,,, it's a freaken good thing food is not one of them!!! Oh man, what greatness here at Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot!!!

Yes, we had to wait an hour for the 'all you can eat' special they have on Tuesdays, but it was worth it. The five of us sat at the table while at the same time handing our massive order of food. Plate after plate came of beef, lamb, chicken, fish, tofu, and pork (though I did eat the pork for health reasons), noodles, mushrooms, and vegetables. We ordered half and half pot (spicy and not spicy). The freedom to cook your food was a big plus! The five of us just devoured all the meats. The tofu was one of my favorites because it soaked all the sauce from the pot making it spicy spicy or not. Lamb and fish were fantastic and flavorful. That pot really gives the meats a kick in the butt!!! The mushrooms were really good as well and the meats, of course, did not disappoint.

Service was great and price wasn't bad, 21 bucks for all you can eat and for some quality food! The place was packed with good looking Asian people and a few of the others which brings me to my next point. If the same race goes to eat their culture's food, it has to be fantastic!!!

Overall: Excellent food, great service, and good price.

7/15/2014

Quick and simple, this place is the best place to get Hot Pot. My friends and I often get the craving for hot pot, and this is the place we HAVE to go to.

The vibe is great, I love how crowded it is but sometimes it sucks since you have to wait a long time to get a seat. The broth is what makes this place so good, especially after you cook the meat. We usually get the half and half. The selection of meat is also great to pick and choose from and they are always making slight additions.

One thing to keep aware of is that if you don't watch out, you could spend quite a bit of money on this place. But I would say it worth it for the food and the company with friends. One thing I miss is the corn, it was so good and juicy, but now its gone from the menu.

7/15/2014

Long wait, but worth it. I don't mind the wait since there's plenty to walk around as you wait.

To be honest, if you have a hot pot, you can get most ingredients and the signature soup base from an Asian market. However, it is a lot of work to prepare and a lot of dishes to clean after.

One thing I love here are the fish and meat balls. I think they make them fresh in-house. I have to get them every time.

8/21/2014

Great food and strong drinks what else could you ask for. Loved the place

8/9/2014

Merely went with my girlfriends and we were impressed. The restaurant is large and new with fine modern decor and high ceilings. We made reservations a couple hours before and although my girlfriends didn't have the time we wanted accessible they told us to go and they'd see what they could do. Food was served fast and was fresh and the portions were decent sized. Everything is ala carte but there is a minimum of $16.95 per person so you might as well order enough to cover that. We ended up ordering a little too much meat but with tip. Customer service was amazing. We had a birthday cake and they provided us with knife, plastic plates, forks and lighter. Overall we enjoyed the meal although a bit costly. Will probably be back with hubby.

6/25/2014

I'm a big fan of hotpot and this place is a staple.  As a vegetarian, it's almost a requirement to stop by here often.  They have a vegetarian broth, a HUGE assortment of veggies, tofu, noodles and sides. It's a no-frills meal, delicious, healthy and a fun dining experience.  I always leave satisfied. Not a bloated full feeling, more like thanking myself for a great meal.

A word of precaution though, try not to drench your food into the pot all at once or the broth and taste would get too overwhelming.  Eat slowly, dip one by one and savor.  

Lastly, on weekends or cold days there tends to be a huge crowd. So expect horrible wait times and rushed service.  Actually, just focus on eating and it'd be fine.

8/26/2014

I love this place!!! Too bad the lines are always pretty long. I came here on saturday night and had to wait around 45 mins to an hour for a party of 2. We got the double broth pot and ordered quite a bit of stuff. Too bad everything is always so good that I feel like I must eat everything till I get sick and end up having a long night.

8/19/2014

BEST. HOT POT. EVER. Consistently delicious and authentic. I always get lamb, soft tofu, fresh shiitake mushrooms, dried bean curd, and napa cabbage with half and half broth.

4/29/2014

As a vegetarian I had a blast with my first ever hot pot.  So much fun.  Ordered the vegetarian broth and the meat eaters ordered the house broth on the other side.  We split all our veggie sides and everything was so good!!  I left feeling full, but not my usual gross full.  This had more of a healthy vibe to it in my tummy.

Thick Noodles
Mixed Tofu platter
Spinach
Sprouts
Broccoli
Chinese Donut

Meat Platter

Went on a Sunday night around 7pm.  You'd think the place wouldn't be that busy.  Nope!!!  Hella busy.  Hostess told us for a party of 4, it'd be just 35 mins.  Ended up being an hour.  Worth the wait, but think about wearing some comfy heels ladies.  I was lucky I was in a pair of boots that night.  

Oh and last but no least.  The best waiter in the world.  This guy was on it. He seriously was the best waiter I've ever experienced.  He wears glasses.  I know that isn't the most helpful, but you'll know it if you have him.  Super sweet and can read your foodie mind.

9/29/2014

I'd recommend it!

7/30/2014

I love little sheep! You could order whatever combination of meats, seafoods and vegetables. The plum juice is also great. I always get the original and spicy soups together-the original for vegetables, and the spicy soup for the meats. I will definitely visit the little sheep again!

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• See all photos from Sherry G.

5/16/2014

We've been sitting with no water for 30 minutes waiting for our food. 33 minutes actually and our food finally came 10 mins later. The place wasn't crowded, but all the other tables got their food before us. Finally we were able to flag one of the other waiters down and he came over and brought our food. He offered to give us free drinks on the house, however, it was 1:00pm and my sister was pregnant. He gave us an extra plate of meat for free - gee thanks.

The food was good, but the service clearly sucked. Maybe I'll come back when I'm in the area again, but I wouldn't make the trip all the way to San Mateo just for this spot.

4/6/2014

We love this place, their classical broth is out of this world with their hints of pepper and perfect seasoning. The only thing that stops me from giving it a 5 star is the price. It's kinda pricey for hot pot for small amounts of food. They charge 3.75 per person for broth so I'd suggest getting the half and half option so you can get a taste of both (we always do that!) Another tip is to have them fill up the broth before you leave so you can take it home and perhaps make another round of hot pot or ramen with it (granted that you're not eating with strangers that you'd not want to use the soup for again.)

What we usually order are the homemade shrimp balls (phenomenal! a little salty but still delicious), watercress, enoki mushrooms, 2 of the supreme hand cut fatty beef (it's thinner and tastes better in the broth), the lamb (obviously, it's called little sheep for a reason), beef tendon balls, the fish filet (omg yum!), and just whatever we like trying since everything is fresh.

Oh another thing, don't bother paying the extra .50 for sauce because the broth is so flavorful, you won't even need it. Last piece of FYI is that in the summer months, this location does AYCE on Tuesdays but only for June/July/sometimes September? Yes this place makes its own rules and it's freaking weird. I know for sure that other locations in Cupertino and Union City all have their own AYCE rules too, you just have to call to inquire.

Happy hot-potting!

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  Veggies

  Veggies
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  Balls trio

  Balls trio
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  Fish ball roes

  Fish ball roes
• See all photos from Vanessa K.