Happy Lamb Hot Pot, Richmond

The other day, I dined with a group at this restaurant, and it was fairly decent for the price. We arrived during happy hour, but it was quite busy, with many tables filled with people just chatting rather than eating. The food was a bit average; the soup base had good flavor, but the sauce station was lacking compared to other hotpot places I’ve visited. On the plus side, the fried chicken was fantastic! Overall, I had a good experience, but I’m still searching for a hotpot restaurant that truly impresses me.

As for the food, I sampled the sheep and beef combination, which included natural prime lamb, shrimp paste, black beef tripe, assorted vegetables, and fried dough. The sheep and beef combo offered a nice selection of cuts, with about 3-4 different types of each, making it a great option for those who want to try a bit of everything. The natural prime lamb was particularly impressive—tender, light, and smooth, especially when compared to regular lamb. The difference was like comparing veal to tougher cuts of beef. The shrimp paste and fried dough were also quite enjoyable. However, the cuts of beef tripe were only mediocre, and while the assorted vegetables were plentiful, they could have been better in variety. Overall, it was a good experience!

The dipping sauce station is buffet-style, letting you mix ingredients to suit your taste. If you still have room, they also offer a buffet of fresh fruits and desserts! And did I mention the robot servers? They enhance the efficiency of the service, allowing for quick delivery without requiring the human staff to carry heavy trays. However, human servers still take your orders from the robots and deliver them to your table, so it's not a fully automated experience—just a bit of a fun twist! Overall, I highly recommend this place for hot pot. The prices are reasonable, and there’s a wide variety of options to choose from.

We ordered the hot soup, tomato soup, and clear broth. None of them were bad, but the hot soup was not very hot—if you're looking for a spicier option, I wouldn't recommend the medium flavor. The tomato soup had strong, acidic tomato notes. The lamb was quite delicious, and it’s easy to see why it's a popular choice—very tender and well-seasoned. I would recommend going for medium spice (not too spicy). I would advise against the Australian lamb and short rib; if you're choosing meat, go for the Yipin fat cow, which offers better value and taste compared to the short rib. We also tried the shrimp paste and the mixed seafood plate. Both were worth it, tasting as fresh as if they were just made. The handmade noodles are also a must-try as they are fresh and go perfectly with the broth—great for dinner. Overall, the service was average, and the dining experience was decent. However, be cautious with your orders as the prices can add up quickly. I would particularly recommend the Yipin fat cow, handmade noodles, shrimp paste, and mixed seafood plate. For the soup base, I suggest the medium to hot spicy option. I initially came for the cat robot, but unfortunately, I only got a quick glimpse of it (it usually appears in the regular service at its first job, so guests get their photos then).

The restaurant features a very modern setup. You place your orders on a tablet, and they have taller 'Roomba'-like robots that assist in delivering food, although the waitstaff did most of the work. The food arrived quickly, and the service staff was generally friendly. Each guest receives individual pots for their broth. The food quality was good, and there was a decent variety to choose from. The sauce options were also quite satisfying. To top off the meal, you’re given a popsicle for dessert. The cost was around $50 per person, so it isn't exactly cheap. However, I did notice that the washroom was lacking paper towels and there was no air dryer available during my visit.