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Happy Lamb Hot Pot — a Chinatown chinese mainstay. Nothing about this place is trying to impress you, and that's the point. Hospitality you can feel from the door. Yuan Xu: "It had a rich and flavorful base that perfectly complemented the fresh ingredients"
Jonathan Lee
466 reviews
“We chose the basic all you can eat, and all the included meats were delicious”
2312 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
“The waitress was so sweet and the food was truly one of the best hot pots ive ever gotten.”
The waitress was so sweet and the food was truly one of the best hot pots ive ever gotten. The meat was great quality and the broth was amazing.
Ethan Herman
Feb 2026
“Amazing experience as always.”
Amazing experience as always! Service is great, these prices are definitely a rare find in Chicago, strongly recommend and always look forward to coming back!
rory
Jan 2026
“Everything was really good (the pork was my favorite slice of meat, and the half spicy half...”
Everything was really good (the pork was my favorite slice of meat, and the half spicy half original broth is the best base)! Service was very attentive, and I had a great meal overall!
Arisa Hocharoen
Jan 2026
“We have been coming here for a while and the food never disappoints.”
We have been coming here for a while and the food never disappoints. We leave here with our bellies full and minds happy. There is something here for everyone’s preference. Leasar was very kind and thoughtful.
Jessy Jj Pulgarin
Jan 2026
“Definitely go with the premium menu, it is currently $36.99 and well worth it.”
Definitely go with the premium menu, it is currently $36.99 and well worth it. Some of the best lamb I’ve ever had. The wagyu and ribeye were a close second. The buffet selection is huge too and the sauce bar is stocked frequently. Plenty of options even got vegetarians. You can choose up to three broths per table for $2.99 more. Definitely going back for my birthday.
Clay Palmer
Dec 2025
“You can make your own soup with very fresh vegetables and noodles and you can also have dessert...”
You can make your own soup with very fresh vegetables and noodles and you can also have dessert like sesame balls with red bean paste as well as all you can eat soft serve vanilla or chocolate or mix ice cream. Parking is on the street. If it’s your birthday, you can eat for free as long as you bring three other people. There is no à la cart menu so you have to do all you can eat for every single person at the restaurant. Great deal if you are hungry and esp if you like to make your own soup base. They charge $2 per person for soup base.
karina k
Dec 2025
“The staff are really friendly and always on top of things.”
The staff are really friendly and always on top of things. The meat quality is good, even on the regular menu. I’ve tried both premium and non-premium sets—premium hits harder on flavor, but the regular is still solid. Today I had the spicy hot pot and the tomato broth. Super flavorful, the ingredients soaked up the broth really well. If you like bold flavors, you’d love it. I come here with my friends every week—literally part of my routine now. Always a good choice.
Ya-Hsin Chen
Nov 2025
“A delicious spot in Chinatown for a hearty meal.”
A delicious spot in Chinatown for a hearty meal! If you’re craving good hot pot and a variety of ingredients to choose from, Happy Lamb will serve you well. Make sure to add your name to the online waitlist, as this place gets very busy. We chose the basic all you can eat, and all the included meats were delicious. There were a plethora of vegetables and other toppings along with the classic sauce bar to customize your hot pot to your greatest desire. We enjoyed both the original and spicy marrow broth. This was a comforting meal as the weather begins to plummet!
Jonathan Lee
Nov 2025
“Happy Lamb is easily my favorite hotpot place in Chicago.”
Happy Lamb is easily my favorite hotpot place in Chicago. I always look forward to coming here, and this time I went with the Premium combo. It was excellent. The Wagyu brisket stood out the most. It was beautifully marbled and incredibly tender, with a richness that really came through even after just a quick dip in the broth. The Wagyu had that extra depth and buttery texture that made it special. I chose the three-broth pot, which is something I really recommend. Each broth brought something different to the table. The spicy mala had a deep chili flavor with that signature numbing heat that builds gradually but stays balanced. The creamy bone broth was comforting and mellow, a nice contrast to the spice. The golden cabbage marrow broth had a clean, umami-rich, sour and spicy flavor that paired really well with vegetables and seafood. From the ingredient options, I had mushrooms (white beech mushrooms), fresh octopus, and spam. Everything was fresh and prepped well. I really appreciate the variety they offer. There is a lot to choose from depending on what you're in the mood for. The sauce bar is another highlight. It has all the essentials, like soy sauce, garlic, chili oil, sesame oil, cilantro, and more. I like that you can mix your own and tailor it exactly to your taste. It's simple but really effective in elevating each bite. They always offer dessert at the end, which you can grab yourself from the small freezer. There's ice cream and a couple of mousse cakes like mango and coconut. It's a nice way to finish the meal and a thoughtful touch. The service is always great. Everyone is friendly and attentive without being overbearing. The ambiance is warm and comfortable. Also, your meal is free on your birthday, which is honestly very generous!
Nikhil D'Mello
Sep 2025
“The first thing that caught my attention was the incredible variety at the sauce station—so many...”
The first thing that caught my attention was the incredible variety at the sauce station—so many condiments and mix-ins to create the perfect dipping sauce, which really elevated every bite. The broth itself was outstanding, rich and flavorful, with options that worked for both spice lovers and those who prefer something more mild. On top of the meats served at the table, the self-serve selection was massive: fresh vegetables, shrimp, chicken, meatballs, fried rice, and even desserts. It’s rare to find an all-you-can-eat place with this much variety that still maintains high quality, but everything here was fresh, tasty, and well-prepared. A fantastic spot for anyone who loves hot pot and wants both variety and flavor!
Ethan Price
Aug 2025
“super quality buffet style hot pot.”
super quality buffet style hot pot! every was great and tasty. you pick up the hot pot ingredients at the bar and bring it to your table. there is also a sauce and appetizer bar
Tiffany
Jul 2025
“Staff is friendly but doesn't check on you every millisecond (something I find a little annoying lol).”
Staff is friendly but doesn't check on you every millisecond (something I find a little annoying lol). The prices are reasonable. Soft drinks and juices are free along with water. If it's your birthday, and you bring an ID, you'll eat for free. Plenty of veggie options and you're able to get creative by making your own sauce. 10/10 experience. :))
Bug ah
Jul 2025
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