Highlights
- Live music
oChef » No.9 Alley Hotpot – Seattle
No.9 Alley Hotpot - Seattle
Photo from No.9 Alley Hotpot
No.9 Alley Hotpot at a glance
Seattle Bitter Lake
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 80 of the guests
#551 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#25 Chinese Restaurant out of 53 in Seattle
Good
7.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
473
Reviews
69.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality ingredients
- Attentive service
- AYCE value
Frequently criticized
- Uncomfortable seating
- Hygiene concerns
- Extra charges
The restaurant No.9 Alley Hotpot is a vibrant Chinese Restaurant nestled in Seattle’s Bitter Lake neighborhood. Here, you’ll discover an inviting atmosphere where the aroma of delicious hotpot fills the air, complemented by the unique charm of live music.
It’s a cozy, casual, and trendy spot perfect for your next dining adventure, offering a memorable culinary journey right in the heart of Seattle.
Overview: Introducting No.9 Alley Hotpot
No.9 Alley Hotpot offers a notable hotpot experience, particularly standing out for its fresh meat and diverse broth selections. Guests often appreciate the attentive and friendly staff, contributing to a generally pleasant dining atmosphere.
However, some aspects could use refinement. The uncomfortable seating has been a point of contention, and there are occasional concerns regarding extra charges for items like the sauce bar, impacting the overall perception of value.
Good
7.1
out of 10
473
Reviews
69.8%
Satisfaction
110
negative
33
neutral
330
positive
Overall, No.9 Alley Hotpot achieves a solid 7.1 out of 10, indicating a generally good experience for many. Customer satisfaction, however, sits at a 69.8%, suggesting a mixed reception where some aspects clearly shine while others leave room for improvement.
This assessment is drawn from a substantial 473 customer opinions, with 330 positive remarks balancing 110 negative ones. Diving deeper, the Food (7.9) is a clear highlight, consistently earning high praise for its quality and variety.
Service (7.1) also performs well, reflecting attentive staff. However, Value (5.6) and Ambience (5.5) are perceived as average, indicating areas where the experience isn’t quite as strong, often due to specific concerns raised by diners.
What people like
- Quality hotpot ingredients
- Attentive, friendly service
- Good all-you-can-eat value
What people don't like
- Uncomfortable seating
- Hygiene concerns
- Unexpected extra charges
No.9 Alley Hotpot presents a compelling option for hotpot enthusiasts, particularly if you prioritize fresh ingredients and attentive service. With a strong 7.7 recommendation score, it’s clear many diners find the experience worthwhile despite some noted drawbacks.
If you’re seeking a satisfying hotpot meal and can overlook minor issues like seating comfort or potential extra charges, this spot is certainly worth considering. However, be mindful of the occasional hygiene concerns and clarify any pricing details upfront for a smoother visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on No.9 Alley Hotpot
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a 7.9 score and a solid 82.2% customer satisfaction. With 213 positive remarks out of 259, guests frequently praise the all-you-can-eat hot pot, fresh ingredients, fantastic sauce bar, and variety of broth options, ensuring a satisfying meal. However, it's not without its minor hiccups, with 29 negative comments.
Some diners found the food to be salty or noted inconsistent serving size for protein cuts. A few isolated, concerning reports even mentioned finding a dead fly or dead baby bug, and some felt soup bases were flavorless.
Food
259
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
29
negative
17
neutral
213
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh ingredients
- Great sauce bar
- Generous AYCE options
What people don't like
- Food can be salty
- Inconsistent portions
- Hygiene concerns
Often praised
- foodAll ordering is done through their webpage and synced with your table, which we liked as it made adding additional items easy. While the food was great, the restaurant itself was pretty cold. I'd recommend bringing a jacket or a warm sweater!
- sauce barThe price was good, and the service was excellent. I also appreciated the larger sauce bar.
- brothhad broth that was just as good
- FoodFood:5
- meatthe meat here is huge and you can actually chew them and feel the freshness
- bone brothWe tried both the bone broth and the spicy broth for our soup base. I found the spicy broth to be more flavorful, but both were good. The sauce bar was nice, and the food tasted fresh and delicious overall.
- mushroom brothTheir broths are also unique, with options like bone broth + spicy, tomato, and mushroom. I opted for the mushroom broth and it did not disappoint. The sauce station is clean, and the bathrooms are clean.
- Sauce BarRecommended dishes:Sauce Bar
- all you can eatall you can eat option provided plenty of food
- all-you-can-eat optionFood shows up with no fuss and usually very quickly. The "all-you-can-eat" option is great, letting everyone order exactly what they want, and how much they want. Highly recommended if you're looking for this type of eating experience.
Frequently criticized
- foodSo ordinary and food is salty.
- serving sizeinconsistent in their ... serving size of the dishes given
- AYCE menu selectiondifficult to find parking! It would be nice if there could be a more selection on the AYCE menu
- AYCE optionsthe ayce options are limited
- brothThe broth was a little too salty
- chickenThe soup and chicken are salty.
- dead baby bugfound a dead baby bug in our vegetables
- dead flydead fly found inside one of the sauces
- different brothMy experience at this restaurant was sadly a really bad experience. For vegan/vegetarian options, they charge more for different broth. The utensils and cups were single-use plastic, with only the plate being reusable.
- drinksMy experience at this restaurant was extremely unappetizing. All the soup bases were flavorless, the drinks tasted like water, and the fruit was very sour. The prices were outrageously high; just taking a small portion of oranges cost $11.
If you're craving a hot pot experience with generous AYCE options and a great sauce bar, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful of potential inconsistencies in seasoning or portion sizes, and perhaps double-check your veggies.
Service (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits a good note, scoring a solid 7.1. Many guests raved about the friendly, attentive staff and servers like Mia, who made their visits special. The fast service and convenient mobile or QR app ordering also received high praise, with 58 positive remarks among 89 total.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 65.2%, indicating some bumps in the road. A few diners encountered confusing online ordering systems, forgotten orders, or even issues with staff attitude and language barriers. These 25 negative comments suggest there's room for improvement in consistency and clarity.
Service
89
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
25
negative
6
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Fast service
- Convenient mobile ordering
What people don't like
- Confusing ordering system
- Forgotten orders
- Unclear business policies
Often praised
- serviceService was friendly, attentive, and made us feel very welcome.
- staffthe staff was very prompt and helpful
- MiaThe service was great, and the food was enjoyable for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners. Mia was wonderful and constantly checked on our table to see if we needed anything else. I would definitely revisit.
- ServiceService:5
- serverThey had a friendly and attentive server
- friendly staffMia provided exceptional service tonight, making our dinner experience truly great! The restaurant was clean, the staff was friendly, and the service was fast.
- orderingThis is one of my favorite hot-pot places in the area. You walk in, get seated, and use your mobile device to order from the menu. Food shows up with no fuss and usually very quickly.
- QR apporder the menu through a QR app, so it's convenient
- adding additional itemsAdditionally, the sauce bar was great. All ordering is done through their webpage and synced with your table, which we liked as it made adding additional items easy. While the food was great, the restaurant itself was pretty cold.
- customer servicebest customer service I have ever received
Frequently criticized
- service99. On top of that, the service was terrible; the staff had a bad attitude and ignored customers.
- staff99. On top of that, the service was terrible; the staff had a bad attitude and ignored customers.
- additional itemsNever received any additional items I added even when it's all you can eat
- business practicesMy experience at this restaurant was marked by sleezy business practices. We were a group, and while some ordered all-you-can-eat and others a platter, we were informed at the end that mixed orders weren't allowed and everyone would be charged for the all-you-can-eat option, which I found to be a rip-off.
- cashier attitudethe cashier got a smart alec attitude
- customers99. On top of that, the service was terrible; the staff had a bad attitude and ignored customers.
- dietary restrictionswait staff does not seem to have any clue about dietary restrictions
- food safetyneeds to have the food safety department called
- forgotten ordersthey forgot about them
- forkWhen we asked for a fork, the female server just stared blankly
Overall, the service here is a bit of a mixed bag, leaning positive. If you value friendly, fast service and dont mind a tech-forward ordering system, its worth a try. Just be prepared for potential hiccups with order accuracy or system clarity.
Ambience (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot offers a mixed bag, with an overall score of 5.5, placing it squarely in the average range. Customer satisfaction for ambience sits at 47.1%, indicating a mixed reception. Based on 70 customer remarks, with 33 positive and 34 negative, there's a clear split in opinions.
Many appreciate the clean interior, spacious layout, and convenient parking, often highlighting the cozy atmosphere and communal aspect for groups. However, the experience can be dampened by some significant drawbacks. Concerns frequently arise around the bathrooms, which are often described as dirty or smelly, and the uncomfortable seating.
Some guests also noted issues with parking availability and a strong smell of uncooked meat, detracting from the overall environment.
Ambience
70
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
34
negative
3
neutral
33
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean interior
- Spacious environment
- Good parking options
What people don't like
- Dirty bathrooms
- Uncomfortable seating
- Unpleasant smell
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was cozy and relaxing, perfect for a great meal.
- spaceThe space is nice, spacious, quiet and calm
- Noise levelQuiet, easy to talk
- bathroomsBathrooms are clean
- big groupgood experience when you go with big group
- cleanVery clean
- cleanlinessClean
- communal aspectloved the communal aspect of hot pot
- environmentClean environment
Frequently criticized
- chairsI would come here far more often if the seating wasn't horribly uncomfortable. Either the chairs are too low or the table is too high. When I sit, the table top sits just below my collar bones.
- parkingOnly the parking is often occupied
- atmosphereatmosphere were disappointing due to the order mix-up
- bathroomsThe service and atmosphere were also rated highly at 5 stars. However, a significant point of concern was the state of the bathrooms; I urge the management to upkeep the bathrooms with proper care 🙏. Despite this, I loved the overall experience.
- placeI sincerely didnt find this place memorable
- tablesprepared to be a bit cramped. The tables are on the short side
- areanot a safe place to walk around
- carts of dirty dishesI really like this place, but the experience was tainted by overwhelmed staff and carts of dirty dishes in the aisle. The kitchen staff was excellent, and there's a great variety of vegetarian options.
- dried urinedried urine all over the place
- floorsThe floors are a bit slippery with oil
If a clean, spacious interior and good parking are high on your list, you might find this place appealing, especially for groups. However, be prepared for potentially uncomfortable seating and less-than-ideal bathroom conditions, which could impact your overall experience.
Value (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners find a lot to love, especially with the All You Can Eat options and lunch deals being highlighted as reasonably priced and often worth it. Guests appreciate the straightforward pricing and generous servings for what they pay. With 26 positive remarks out of 55 total comments, theres a clear appreciation for the affordability here.
However, the experience isnt universally glowing, with a score of 5.6 indicating an average performance and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 47.3%. Some find the overall price quite pricey, especially when extras like the sauce bar or additional soup base incur extra charges. Concerns about being overcharged or the all-you-can-eat option not always feeling like a good deal are noted in 22 negative comments.
Value
55
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
22
negative
7
neutral
26
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great AYCE value
- Excellent lunch deals
What people don't like
- Sauce bar extra
- Soup base extra
- Unexpected charges
Often praised
- priceI have to say, 99 street is getting worse. Regarding the food, it's just okay, but the price is good. The service is great; they really care.
- AYCEespecially for an AYCE
- pricesMy experience at this AYCE hotpot restaurant was exceptional. For the prices they offer, there are so many options and they are very generous with the servings. My party ordered one round and didn't even bother to order seconds because we were so full.
- All You Can Eat valueespecially with the great All You Can Eat value
- All-you-can-eat$28.99 for All-you-can-eat is great!!
- all-you-can-eatreally good all you can eat for $29
- hidden feesFor newcomers, there are no initial instructions, but a helpful tip is to sign in for the waitlist and use your phone's QR code for the menu. The pricing is straightforward with no hidden fees. However, a significant downside was the men's restroom, which was pretty dirty.
- inexpensiveit is relatively inexpensive
- larger grouppretty good when you are with a larger group
- lunch dealThe lunch deal is particularly great
Frequently criticized
- sauce barExpect to pay $4 extra for sauce bar (a lil strange tbh)
- all you can eatAll u can eat EXCEPT for a total bar of sauces, veggies, etc...
- pricethe price is about $50 per person
- 15% discountall I got was 15% off the meal
- DessertsDesserts extra...
- additional soup base+$10 extra for additional soup base even with all you can eat
- all you can eat optionthe all you can eat option is not worth it
- all-you-can-eat optionall you can eat option is not worth it
- kids priceKids is just $1 off same price as adult even 5 years old
- nonmeat broth$9 EXTEA for nonmeat broth!
If you're looking for an All You Can Eat experience or a great lunch deal, this spot can offer good value. However, be mindful of potential extra costs for things like the sauce bar or additional soup base, as these can quickly make your bill feel pricey.
How are the prices at No.9 Alley Hotpot?
On average, you’ll spend around 43 per person – from 80 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $41–$50 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in Seattle, that’s comfortably mid-range, perhaps leaning a bit higher.
While there are some great options in the $21–$30 range, many guests opt for dishes that bring the average up, with a clear cluster of spending around the $41–$50 mark. It offers a good mix, from more casual to more premium experiences.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 80 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Considering the average spend and the variety of price points, we think the pricing feels fair for a Chinese Restaurant in Seattle. It offers choices for different budgets while maintaining a mid-to-higher-end experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about No.9 Alley Hotpot
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Flavorful Food and Attentive Service
I visited this restaurant with a friend on Christmas. My experience was excellent; the food was flavorful and perfectly cooked. Our server was also very attentive, contributing to a great dining experience.
- food10
- server9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
Wonderful Experience, Delicious Food & Great Service!
I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant. The food was delicious, fresh, and beautifully presented. Service was friendly, attentive, and made us feel very welcome.
The atmosphere was cozy and relaxing, perfect for a great meal. Everything arrived quickly and tasted amazing. I’ll definitely be coming back and recommending this place to friends and family.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great All-You-Can-Eat Hot Pot!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed an all-you-can-eat hot pot for under $100, which is an incredible deal. The food was truly amazing.
The only minor issue was that the ordering system was a bit wonky, but it didn't detract from the overall positive experience.
- all-you-can-eat hot pot9
- food10
- ordering system4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great All-You-Can-Eat Hot Pot!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The selection was great, and the staff were incredibly friendly. The all you can eat hot pot is definitely the go-to move here!
- selection9
- friendly staff10
- all you can eat hot pot10
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Great Food, Overwhelmed Staff
I really like this place, but the experience was tainted by overwhelmed staff and carts of dirty dishes in the aisle. The kitchen staff was excellent, and there's a great variety of vegetarian options. It's a great family restaurant with a quiet atmosphere, making it easy to talk.
The food received a score of 4, and the atmosphere also received a 4.
- kitchen staff9
- Vegetarian options9
- family restaurant8
- staff3
- carts of dirty dishes2
What No.9 Alley Hotpot offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Hard liquor
- All you can eat
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at No.9 Alley Hotpot in Seattle?
At No.9 Alley Hotpot, you’ll find a cozy, casual, and trendy Chinese Restaurant in Seattle’s Bitter Lake neighborhood. You can indulge in all-you-can-eat hotpot, explore small plates, and enjoy a selection of hard liquor, wine, and beer. The added touch of live music creates a truly engaging and memorable atmosphere for your visit.
Are there options for specific dietary needs or families, and is No.9 Alley Hotpot accessible?
Yes, No.9 Alley Hotpot thoughtfully provides excellent vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring everyone has a delicious meal. It’s also a great choice for families, being good for kids and offering high chairs. You’ll appreciate the wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and seating, alongside free street parking and a usually plentiful parking lot.
How does No.9 Alley Hotpot generally perform?
No.9 Alley Hotpot holds a 7.1 overall score. Its Food (7.9) and Service (7.1) are highly regarded, though Ambience (5.5) and Value (5.6) are considered average.
Are there any hygiene concerns at No.9 Alley Hotpot?
Some customers have reported hygiene issues, including dirty restrooms and instances of bugs found in food or sauces.
What should I know about the pricing and value at No.9 Alley Hotpot?
While the all-you-can-eat option is often praised for its value, be aware of potential extra charges for items like the sauce bar or additional soup bases.