Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
oChef » IPOT – San Francisco
IPOT - San Francisco
Photo from IPOT
IPOT at a glance
San Francisco Inner Sunset
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 105 of the guests
#1756 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#156 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
519
Reviews
65.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food quality
- Fast service
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Ambience issues
- Order limits
- Limited selection
The restaurant IPOT is a Chinese restaurant located in the vibrant Inner Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco. You can discover a fantastic culinary experience here, especially if you’re looking for an all-you-can-eat option.
This spot offers a casual and trendy atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed meal with friends or family. Whether you’re planning for lunch or dinner, you’ll find comfortable seating and table service available.
Overview: Introducting IPOT
IPOT offers a notable dining experience, particularly for its culinary offerings. Many appreciate the food quality and the wide options available, especially for hot pot and KBBQ enthusiasts.
The staff generally provides fast service, contributing to a pleasant visit for many. However, some aspects could use attention.
The ambience occasionally receives criticism for cleanliness or temperature, and while often seen as a good deal, the price can sometimes feel steep to others, especially for non-meat eaters.
Good
6.9
out of 10
519
Reviews
65.9%
Satisfaction
139
negative
38
neutral
342
positive
Looking at the overall picture, IPOT holds a 6.9 restaurant score, placing it in the average range. Customer satisfaction sits at 65.9%, indicating a mixed reception.
This suggests that while many patrons find their experience satisfactory, there’s a notable portion who leave with reservations. This feedback comes from a substantial 519 customer comments, with 342 positive remarks against 139 negative ones.
Diving deeper, the Food (7.4) stands out as a strong point, often praised for its quality and variety. Service (6.7) also performs reasonably well, with staff often described as helpful and quick.
However, Value (6.2) and Ambience (5.8) are areas where opinions are more divided, suggesting room for improvement to elevate the overall dining experience.
What people like
- Quality food options
- Attentive, fast service
- Reasonable AYCE value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent ambience
- Ordering dish limits
- Limited food selection
IPOT presents a mixed experience, leaning towards a positive one for those prioritizing their hot pot and KBBQ offerings. With a 7.3 recommendation score, it suggests that many find it worth a visit, especially if you appreciate good meat and a variety of options.
If you’re seeking a casual spot with solid food and efficient service, IPOT could be a good choice. However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in the atmosphere and the unique ordering system.
It’s a place that delivers on its core promise, but with a few quirks to consider.
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Verdict: Our expert take on IPOT
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 90% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, youre generally in for a good experience! With a solid score of 7.4 and customer satisfaction at 73.2%, the overall sentiment is positive. Many of the 208 positive remarks praise the fantastic "KBBQ and Hot Pot" combo, the "variety of meats and sides" that are often "fresh and tasty, " and the impressive "sauce station.
"However, its not all perfect, as indicated by 54 negative comments. Some diners have raised concerns about inconsistent food quality, limited ordering options with strict rules, and even serious food poisoning incidents. The unlabeled sauces at the bar also caused some confusion, suggesting areas for improvement.
Food
284
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
54
negative
22
neutral
208
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- KBBQ and Hot Pot
- Wide meat variety
- Excellent sauce bar
What people don't like
- Food safety concerns
- Limited ordering rules
- Unlabeled sauces
Often praised
- foodAt first glance, the food at Ipot Chinese Buffet looked inviting and fresh, with a vibrant array of dishes that tempted our taste buds. However, it quickly turned into a nightmare.
- hot potMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be the best hot pot in SF. The sauce bar offered a lot of options, which was a great feature.
- sauce barThey also have quite the selection for their sauce bar
- Foodwith the munchies after a great hike. 10/10.
- food qualityfood quality seems to have improved from before and it's now very good
- meatquality of meat is real good for all you can eat
- optionsOrdering is done on the phone; the 15 minute 15 dish limit is a little annoying but not a huge issue, and the ordering is fairly easy. The service is quick and the options are great. I will definitely be back.
- veggiesLots of options for veggies and snacks to choose.
- KBBQReasonable AYCE Hot Pot and KBBQ
- broththe meat, veggies, broth, all fresh, tasty
Frequently criticized
- food! I have never been to a hot pot place this expensive before and maybe if the food was out of this world it would have been worth it, but we only got 5 things split between 4 people. After being stunned by this insanely huge bill, we asked if you could use Apple Pay, No.
- portionsI was very disappointed with my experience. The food selections were very limited, and the portions were weird. They have a peculiar rule where you can only order 15 items every 15 minutes, which is a rule I've never encountered at any other hot pot restaurant.
- FoodFood:1
- Sichuan spicy soupsichuan spicy soup and it was a bit too spicy/oily for me
- Spicy Misowouldnt recommend the Spicy Miso
- appetizersMy experience at this restaurant offered good value and friendly service, though the service struggled to keep up with demand. The vegetable and meat selection was standard, but the appetizers were disappointing and only arrived three-quarters of the way through our meal. The main draw seems to be the hot pot and KBBQ optionality, especially if you're in the neighborhood.
- bowlsMy experience at this hot pot restaurant was quite unusual. The most striking aspect was the lack of bowls; I've never encountered a hot pot place that didn't provide them, and I certainly didn't expect to eat directly from the pot. This was a major point of confusion.
- brothThe broth was mediocre
- chicken wingsDefinitely think it’s worth it for meat eaters. For sides, our group really liked the green onion pancakes & Chinese donuts but didn’t enjoy the chicken wings.
- cold foodit was really cold
If you're looking for a place with a great variety of KBBQ and hot pot options, this spot offers a generally good experience. Just be aware of potential inconsistencies in food quality and clarify any questions about the sauce bar.
Service (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 67% of the guests
Based on 123 observations, the service here generally earns a good score of 6.7, though customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 61%. Many guests rave about the attentive and friendly staff, often highlighting how quick and accommodating they are. Specific mentions praise servers like Vivian and Lisa for their excellent care, making ordering easy and ensuring glasses stay full.
However, it's not always smooth sailing. Some diners experienced long waits and slow service, especially during peak hours, with a few even encountering rude staff. The unique ordering process, including a 15-minute dish limit, also proved to be a point of frustration for some, leading to a somewhat mixed experience overall.
Service
123
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
40
negative
8
neutral
75
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive staff
- Friendly service
- Quick assistance
What people don't like
- Long waits
- Slow service
- Ordering limits
Often praised
- serviceWhile the food is average, I'd advise exercising caution, especially with seafood options, as freshness may vary. On the positive side, the service is fast and attentive. It's ideal to visit with a group to fully explore the menu offerings.
- staffThe staff here are still kind, fast, and doing their best
- ServiceService:5
- wait timeWait time:Up to 10 min
- StaffStaff was very friendly and helpful
- employeesThe employees were very nice and friendly!
- orderingMy experience at this restaurant was a reasonable AYCE Hot Pot and KBBQ with great meat options, as well as some dimsum choices. Ordering is done on the phone; the 15 minute 15 dish limit is a little annoying but not a huge issue, and the ordering is fairly easy. The service is quick and the options are great.
- peopleVery nice people who were accommodating
- waitersvery friendly waiters
- LisaLisa was so helpful and consistently checked on us.
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe food was excellent, receiving a perfect score. However, the place seemed slammed, and the service suffered slightly. I'd suggest going during off-peak hours for a better experience.
- attitudeMy first visit, I arrived around 2: 15 PM, and they told me it was last call and wouldn't let me in. The attitude was extremely poor. I immediately went to another hot pot place that also closed at 3 PM, and they welcomed me warmly.
- Apple Payasked if you could use apple pay, No
- ServiceService:2
- advertised hoursWhy advertise 3:00 PM?
- automatically added tipsshop automatically added tips for themselves
- card readersthe card readers were down
- closing timewhy not just set your closing time to 2:30 PM?
- did not accommodateThey didn't accommodate
- dish limitMy experience at this restaurant was a reasonable AYCE Hot Pot and KBBQ with great meat options, as well as some dimsum choices. Ordering is done on the phone; the 15 minute 15 dish limit is a little annoying but not a huge issue, and the ordering is fairly easy. The service is quick and the options are great.
If you catch them on a good day, youll likely enjoy attentive and friendly service. However, be prepared for potential long waits or a slightly confusing ordering process during busy times. Its a bit of a gamble, but the positives often shine through.
Ambience (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 48% of the guests
The ambience here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, with a 5.8 score putting it squarely in the average range. Many guests enjoyed the overall vibe and found the atmosphere to be quite chill, perfect for group hangouts. With 37 positive remarks out of 73 total, theres definitely a good foundation, especially with mentions of spacious seating and clean bathrooms.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a rather mixed 50.7%, indicating some significant drawbacks. Several diners encountered a bone-chilling atmosphere with harsh lights and loud noises, particularly from the music. Concerns about sticky tables and general uncleanliness' also popped up in 32 negative comments, suggesting inconsistent upkeep.
Ambience
73
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
32
negative
4
neutral
37
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean bathrooms
- Spacious interior
- Chill atmosphere
What people don't like
- Unclean tables/floor
- Loud, harsh music
- Cold interior
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere is great too
- placegreat place to come with your friend and family
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambiancethe service and ambiance went above and beyond
- timewe had such a Great time
- BathroomsBathrooms were clean and very nice inside
- SeatingSeating was spacious
- chill atmosphereChill atmosphere
- clean and organizedhow clean and organized the restaurant was
- cozy atmosphereThe service was incredibly fast, and there was a lot of variety of foods. I'd recommend coming here if you're looking for great meat and a cozy atmosphere, with excellent hot pot and BBQ choices.
Frequently criticized
- atmospherenever have we ever felt unappreciated and unwelcome
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- cleanlinessthe cleanliness has really slipped
- floorThe floor of the entire restaurant is sticky feeling, slippery when walking.
- EDM2010s EDM in the background
- Irving StreetHowever, a significant issue arose with their compost bin management. On trash day, the bins are overloaded, causing food to spill onto the street, which makes Irving Street look and smell very trashy. To address this, they could consider leasing an additional compost bin or bagging the compost.
- bone-chilling atmosphereatmosphere was bone-chilling
- cold interiorfreezing cold interior temperatures
- compost binsoverload their compost bins in a way that food always spills out
- condiment stationcondiment station was right next to the bathroom entrance
If you're looking for a casual spot with a potentially good vibe for a group, it might be worth a try. However, be prepared for a potentially inconsistent experience regarding cleanliness and noise levels. It could be a hit or miss depending on the day.
Value (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners found the experience to be quite positive, with 22 positive remarks out of 39 total. Guests often praised the fair price and felt it was well worth it, describing it as reasonably priced and offering good value. The overall score for value sits at an average 6.2, suggesting a generally acceptable experience.
However, not everyone agreed, as 13 negative comments indicate some concerns. Some found the experience pricey and felt it was not worth the price, especially mentioning issues like a wasting food fee. Customer satisfaction for value is a mixed 56.4%, reflecting these differing views and suggesting there's room for improvement in consistency.
Value
39
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
13
negative
4
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair AYCE price
- Good value for meat
- Membership perks help
What people don't like
- Can be pricey
- Wasting food fee
- Poor veggie value
Often praised
- pricethe price was shockingly reasonable
- pricesthe prices were very reasonable
- $37 AYCE hotpotThere were at least 6 unlabeled bottles of condiments. The $37 AYCE hotpot was a decent value.
- $40$40 I think for the HP and Grill
- billThe bill came out less than $50 per person
- fair pricelove the fair price for AYCE
- good valueGood value
- holiday season discountgot a holiday season discount of $13
- inexpensiveInexpensive for all you can eat
- meat eatersWhile they do have more veggie options than most hot pot places, I still don’t think it’s worth ~$40 for the ayce veggie hot pot. Definitely think it’s worth it for meat eaters. For sides, our group really liked the green onion pancakes & Chinese donuts but didn’t enjoy the chicken wings.
Frequently criticized
- priceRidiculous. I could go to another restaurant for the 4 of us for less than half the price, and better food. I pot?
- billit’s 164.89 DOLLARS, CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?!?!
- price per personprice per person was at least $50
- priceyAlthough it’s a bit pricey, it’s not hard to get your money’s worth. The fish and shrimp are super fresh and delicious.
- ayce veggie hot potI ate vegetarian when I visited Ipot. While they do have more veggie options than most hot pot places, I still don’t think it’s worth ~$40 for the ayce veggie hot pot. Definitely think it’s worth it for meat eaters.
- pricesSuch high expectations, but such a big let down. For one, none of the prices were displayed online, leaving us clueless. When we got our food, it was fine.
- wasting food feepay an extra $20 wasting food fee person
- worth $50I dont think its worth $50
Overall, value here is a mixed bag. If youre a meat-eater seeking an AYCE hotpot, youll likely find it a good deal, but vegetarians or those sensitive to extra fees might find it less appealing. It's worth considering if you manage expectations and look for discounts.
How are the prices at IPOT?
You’re looking at roughly 45 $ per person – reported by 105 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests spend right around this price, with a good number also opting for slightly lower-priced options, showing a clear focus on value in the mid-range.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 105 most recent reviews.
How this Chinese Restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese Restaurant, especially given the strong clustering of prices around the average. It seems like a reliable spot for a good meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about IPOT
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great Food and Value!
My experience at the restaurant was very positive. I really liked the food, especially the beef bulgogi and the strawberry ice cream. The service was good as well.
It offered very good value for the price!
- beef bulgogi9
- strawberry ice cream9
- service8
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Excellent Sauce Bar and Dim Sum
Ipot has been my go-to since it opened. I was impressed with their sauce bar, which is one of the best in the city. The à la carte dim sum, included for free, was also a highlight.
The service was good, and the overall experience was very positive. I would recommend Ipot!
- sauce bar9
- Ã la carte dim sum9
- service8
Price per Person
- $81–$90
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Our Go-To Hot Pot Spot!
This is our go-to hot pot spot. The workers are super nice and at your service. This is our second time back and it always hits every time.
10/10 will be back again.
- workers10
- hot pot10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great Hotpot and BBQ Combo
My experience at the restaurant was really good! I liked having both hotpot and bbq in one place, which offered a great variety. The desserts were also really good.
I especially recommend the ice cream and milk bun!
- hotpot and bbq9
- desserts8
- ice cream and milk bun9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Great AYCE Experience with Excellent Service
My experience at this restaurant was great. It was an AYCE (All You Can Eat) experience, costing around $40 for the HP and Grill. They've made a lot of upgrades that really made the place nice.
Ordering on your phone was quick and easy. Our server, Vivian, made us feel so welcome and was so attentive. She checked in regularly, our glasses stayed full, and she always had a smile.
The staff were all very busy but efficient. We will definitely return.
- AYCE experience9
- upgrades8
- ordering on phone9
What IPOT offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- All you can eat
- Wine
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining options and reservation policies does IPOT offer?
At IPOT, you can enjoy various dining options including lunch, dinner, and dessert with comfortable seating and table service. If you’re planning to visit for dinner, reservations are recommended to ensure you get a spot. You can also choose between dine-in and takeout service.
Is IPOT accessible for all guests, and what kind of atmosphere can you expect?
IPOT is committed to accessibility, offering a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. You can expect a casual and trendy atmosphere, making it a great spot for a relaxed meal. It’s also considered good for kids, with high chairs available.
How does IPOT generally rate among diners?
IPOT holds an overall restaurant score of **6.9**, indicating an average experience. Its **Food** (7.4) is a highlight, while **Service** (6.7) is fair. **Value** (6.2) and **Ambience** (5.8) are areas with more divided opinions.
Is IPOT considered good value for money?
Opinions on value are mixed. Many find the AYCE hotpot and KBBQ to be a reasonable deal, especially for meat eaters. However, some perceive the price as high, particularly for vegetarian options or when unexpected fees are added.
What should I know about the service and ordering process at IPOT?
Service is generally described as fast and friendly. However, some guests have noted issues with staff attitude or automatic gratuities. The ordering system, done via phone with a 15-minute, 15-dish limit, can be a point of contention for some.