Richmond just gained another addition to its booming self-serve hot pot scene.
Back in May, we reported on signage for U Town Hot Pot spotted in Union Square, also known to locals as Diabetes Plaza for its cluster of bubble tea shops.
At the time, little was known about the brand beyond its name.
Fast forward to September 1, and the spot has now officially opened.
Taking over the old Meet Fresh unit, the restaurant has been completely gutted and renovated into a sleek, modern dining space.
The interiors are bright and airy, lined with greenery, marble-like tables, and gold accents.
Like its competitors, U Town offers the popular malatang format, where diners grab a pot and choose their own mix of meat, seafood, noodles, and veggies before selecting a broth or dry mix.
With over 120 ingredients to choose from, it’s one of the largest selections in Richmond.
But during our visit, some items stood out — and not in the best way.
Udon noodles and tofu tubes were still sitting in their original packaging, and some vegetables were left clumped together by their stems instead of separated.
It left us wondering if anyone would actually drop a whole tofu tube into their bowl.
There are 12 broth and dry mix options, ranging from Tomato and Mushroom to Sesame Sauce and Beef Bone, with multiple spice levels for certain bases.
If you’ve been to YGF, another self-serve malatang brand, you might recognize the menu boards.
That’s because the owners of U Town also ran the YGF Coquitlam location before replacing it with U Town as well.
We opted for the Beef Bone Broth, which turned out flavourful and satisfying.
And like many malatang shops, every meal here ends with a small ice cream cone, a detail that always makes for a great finisher.
Opening week perks also included stamp cards for 10 percent off future visits and a spin-the-wheel promotion for discounts.
Despite Union Square already housing two other self-serve hot pot spots, U Town sets itself apart with its modern, spacious layout and sheer number of ingredient options.
While there are still kinks to iron out, it’s another contender in Richmond’s ever-growing lineup of casual, customizable hot pot joints.
U Town now joins recently opened Richmond food spots like Yummy Pork, Fluffle Cafe, and Mala Stir Fried Pot.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: Union Square Shopping Centre, Richmond BC