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oChef » QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish – San Francisco
QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish - San Francisco
Photo from QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish
QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish at a glance
San Francisco Inner Sunset
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 47 of the guests
#1145 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#83 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
299
Reviews
77.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Customizable ingredients
- Clean atmosphere
- Helpful staff
Frequently criticized
- Freshness inconsistency
- Slow service
- Lacking Mala
The restaurant QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish, a vibrant Chinese restaurant in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset neighborhood, invites you to a casual dining experience. You’ll find healthy options and quick bites perfect for any meal.
This spot is known for its authentic flavors and welcoming atmosphere, making it a go-to for locals seeking a delicious and convenient meal.
Overview: Introducting QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish
QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish offers a unique “choose your own ingredients” experience, often praised for its fresh components and flavorful broths. Many find the atmosphere pleasant and the overall concept quite fun.
However, some experiences point to concerns regarding the freshness of certain items and occasional issues with cleanliness. While the staff is generally described as polite and helpful, contributing to a good dining experience, there have been instances of slow service and long waiting times.
The pricing model, though often seen as good value, can sometimes lead to perceptions of items being overpriced if not carefully managed.
Good
7.5
out of 10
299
Reviews
77.3%
Satisfaction
51
negative
17
neutral
231
positive
Overall, QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish achieves a solid 7.5 out of 10, indicating a generally good dining experience. This is supported by a 77.3% customer satisfaction rate, suggesting most patrons leave content.
With 231 positive remarks against 51 negative ones out of nearly 300 customer observations, there’s a clear leaning towards positive sentiment, giving weight to these ratings. Diving deeper, the Ambience (8.2) stands out as a strong point, often making for a comfortable visit.
Food (7.5) also rates well, reflecting appreciation for the customizable options and broths. Both Service (7.5) and Value (7.1) are seen as good, though some find the pricing structure can sometimes feel less advantageous.
What people like
- Customizable fresh ingredients
- Pleasant, clean atmosphere
- Polite, helpful staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent ingredient freshness
- Slow service times
- Lacking Mala flavor
QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish offers a generally positive experience, especially if you appreciate a customizable meal in a comfortable setting. While the 7.6 recommendation score suggests many would return, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in ingredient freshness and service speed during busy periods.
If you’re seeking a fun, interactive dining concept with good value and don’t mind the occasional wait, it’s worth a visit. However, those prioritizing consistently high food quality or very prompt service might find aspects of their experience less satisfying.
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Verdict: Our expert take on QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, diners are generally quite pleased, with a 7.5 score indicating a good experience and customer satisfaction sitting at a solid 77.2%. Many of the 152 positive remarks highlight the fantastic variety of ingredients and the delightful customizable experience. Guests love designing their own delicious soup with fresh ingredients and flavorful broths.
However, not all experiences were perfect, with 32 negative comments pointing to some concerns. A few diners noted issues with food quality, particularly ingredients not appearing fresh, and some found the Mala flavour lacking. There were also mentions of greasy soup and occasional tough meat.
Food
197
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
32
negative
13
neutral
152
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Variety of ingredients
- Customizable experience
- Delicious broths
What people don't like
- Not fresh ingredients
- Poor food quality
- Lacking Mala flavour
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was super delicious and the great staffs made it even better. Thank you QingShu!
- ingredientsMy experience at this restaurant has been fantastic, making it one of my go-to places for dinner. It's a "choose your own ingredients" soup spot where the ingredients are healthy and fresh. The prices are also very reasonable, with options easily under $10 if you're not adding too much.
- soupMy experience at the restaurant was great! I loved how you can pick what you want in your soup, and the broths are delicious. It was nice, warm, good food on a foggy day.
- pork bone brothMy boyfriend did the pork bone broth and he liked his too.
- brothgreat broth
- brothsWe tried the Szechuan green peppercorn broth, kimchi broth, and the classic Szechuan broth.
- hot teathere is free hot tea
- malatangI left feeling full and found the restroom to be squeaky clean and smelling fresh. This is an excellent place to get malatang, and the price ($14. 99/lb) is comparable to other establishments in the city.
- qualityThe quality and ingredients have been consistent
- sauce barDecent sauce bar (garlic, sesame paste, black vinegar, green onion)
Frequently criticized
- ingredientsmany ingredients (both meat & veggies) didn’t look/taste fresh
- foodThe items were usually not available, which was a recurring issue. The food quality was bad, and to make matters worse, it made me sick. I gave them another chance, but unfortunately, I was made sick again.
- meatsomething is definitely wrong with the meat
- food qualityTwice, I received mushrooms that were not chopped and were essentially raw. This significantly impacted the food quality.
- Mala flavourThe Mala flavour was lacking
- Szechuan pepper numbnessNo hint of Szechuan pepper numbness
- bamboo shootsthe bamboo shoots are dried
- beef slicedBeef sliced was hard to chew
- broccoliyellowing broccoli
- cabbageThe amount of cabbage was acceptable, but the broccoli was yellowing, which I found strange as it doesn't typically fit in noodle soups. Furthermore, the cabbage was poorly chopped, with woody bits near the base included, something I wouldn't even do at home. Overall, it was not a good value for the money spent.
Overall, if you're looking for a highly customizable meal with a great variety of fresh ingredients and delicious broths, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that a few guests have reported inconsistencies in ingredient freshness and the intensity of the Mala flavor.
Service (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.5 and a customer satisfaction rate of 76.3%, its clear that many folks had a good experience. Patrons frequently praised the "great service, " "friendly staff, " and how "polite and helpful" the team was, with 29 positive remarks highlighting these aspects.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows, as 9 comments pointed out some areas for improvement. Some guests encountered slow service and longer waiting time, occasionally due to staffing issues like having only one cashier or one cook. It seems like efficiency can sometimes be a bottleneck.
Service
38
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
9
negative
0
neutral
29
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Great, quick service
- Polite and kind
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Long waiting times
- Understaffed
Often praised
- servicethe service and atmosphere were also top-notch
- staffthe staff gave her a mild broth
- English instructionsthere's plenty of English instructions
- LadyLady was very nice
- Nice peopleNice people
- food servedFood served within 5 mins
- good servicesI've had malatang before, and while it's typically tangy, I prefer this place. They offer more soup options and provide good services. Additionally, they have popcorn chicken and fried skewers, and always serve hot tea.
- great servicegreat service too
- kind and friendlyThe people working here are kind and friendly
- polite and helpfulservers are very polite and helpful
Frequently criticized
- waiting timewe ordered at 1:15 and we received our order at 2:10
- burnersThey need more burners
- businessNo way to run a business
- cookthey need more than one cook (if you can even call the guy a cook)
- items availabilityMy experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. The items were usually not available, which was a recurring issue. The food quality was bad, and to make matters worse, it made me sick.
- people to delivereven more people to deliver the meals to the tables
- serviceservice was really slow
- staffthere is one cashier, one worker who delivers the meals
If youre looking for a place with genuinely friendly and helpful staff, youll likely be pleased here. Just be prepared that during busy times, service might be a bit slower, so its best to go when youre not in a rush.
Ambience (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this place really shines! With a 8.2 score and 84.8% customer satisfaction, its clear most diners love the atmosphere. Out of 33 remarks, 28 rave about the cleanliness, casual setting, and even the heated outdoor seating, making for a fun experience and a relaxed feel.
However, a few voices (3 out of 33) did mention some concerns. While many praise the cleanliness, a couple of comments pointed to hygiene issues or found the concept a bit intimidating' for newcomers. It seems there might be a slight inconsistency in upkeep or clarity for first-timers.
Ambience
33
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Spotless cleanliness
- Relaxed casual vibe
- Unique, fun concept
What people don't like
- Hygiene concerns
- Intimidating for newbies
Often praised
- atmosphereThe food is top-notch, and the service is impeccable, as reflected in the perfect scores. The atmosphere is pleasant with a moderate noise level, making for a comfortable dinner.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- casual settingin a casual setting.
- clean and tidyRestaurant is clean and tidy
- cleanlinessPlace was very clean
- eating areaeating area looks clean
- experiencethe experience is fun
- free jasmine treeThe free jasmine tree is the icing on the cake
- fun experienceIt is a fun experience for you
- heated outdoor seatingheated outdoor seating at the backyard. Very comfy and warm
Frequently criticized
- cleanlinessThe food was good and the price was reasonable. However, the restaurant could be cleaner.
- hygienehygiene is very concerning
- intimidatingintimidating to go in if you're not familiar with hotpot
Overall, the ambience here is generally a big win, offering a clean, relaxed, and unique experience for most. If you appreciate a casual, well-kept spot with a fun vibe, you'll likely enjoy it. Just be aware that a tiny fraction of guests had minor concerns about hygiene or found the hotpot concept a bit daunting initially.
Value (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 7.1 and a good customer satisfaction of 71%. Many diners, accounting for 22 positive remarks out of 31 total, appreciate the pricing and find it offers excellent value and a fair price. They love the innovative pay-by-weight system, often finding the whole meal surprisingly cheap.
However, not everyone is convinced. A few voices, 7 in total, felt the value for the money wasn't quite there, with some items feeling overpriced. Concerns were raised about the basket weight potentially adding to the cost, and how quickly items can add up on the scale.
Value
31
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
7
negative
2
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent value
- Reasonable pricing
- Innovative pay-by-weight
What people don't like
- Can feel overpriced
- Basket weight issue
- Items add up
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I come here frequently because it's so good and much cheaper than malatang in other parts of the city. I would recommend the Sichuan peppercorn soup base; it's not too spicy and very flavorful.
- pricesthe prices are very reasonable
- Price per personcheap
- card paymenteven with card payment
- excellent valueI loved the abundance of fresh ingredients and the top-notch custom sauce bar. The excellent value and great service made it a truly enjoyable meal.
- fair pricea very fair price
- pay by weightWhen I first wandered into this store, I let out an audible gasp. This was such a unique concept (to me at least), I've never been at a hot pot place where you got to pick and choose your ingredients and then pay by the weight. Such an innovative idea!
- price pointGood malatang for price point
- pricedit's reasonably priced
- pricingI haven’t been here in a while because I thought it was too pricey for a bowl of noodles. However, they changed their pricing, so that you can get as much meat as you’d like and it cost the same as vegetables. This means that the total cost is a lot cheaper now.
Frequently criticized
- overpricedfood felt overpriced
- pricethe price is based on weight - if there is no selections to weigh
- basket weightit doesn't seem like they tare the weight, so you end up paying the weight of the basket too.
- itemsitems can add up heavy on the scale
- value for the moneyFurthermore, the cabbage was poorly chopped, with woody bits near the base included, something I wouldn't even do at home. Overall, it was not a good value for the money spent.
If youre mindful of what you pick, this place offers genuinely good value, especially with its unique pay-by-weight system. Just be aware that your selections can quickly impact the total, so choose wisely to avoid feeling its overpriced.
How are the prices at QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 47 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 20, most diners spend in the $11–$20 range, but a good number also venture into the $21–$30 bracket, showing a nice mix of options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 47 reviews.
Comparing value for money against similar restaurants in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. It offers good value for a comfortable mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Mushrooms need improvement
My experience at this restaurant was okay for a quick bite. However, the person responsible for chopping the mushrooms needs to be fired. Twice, I received mushrooms that were not chopped and were essentially raw.
This significantly impacted the food quality.
- mushrooms2
- food quality2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Favorite Malatang Spot in SF
This is hands down my favorite spot for Malatang in San Francisco. They’ve got tons of options, and the broth choices are amazing. I’m hooked on the Sichuan spicy broth — super flavorful and seriously satisfying.
Just a tip: if you don’t eat a lot of spicy food, check with the staff before ordering because it can get pretty hot. But if you love spice, this is the place to go. Ordering is easy, the selection of meats and veggies is huge, and it’s perfect for nights when I don’t feel like cooking.
The staff are always friendly, the vibe is calm and relaxed, and the prices are very reasonable. In a busy city like San Francisco, it’s rare to find somewhere that’s both quiet and delicious — this place checks all the boxes.
- Sichuan spicy broth10
- selection of meats and veggies9
- staff9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Long Wait for Unready Order
My experience at the restaurant was frustrating. I was waiting for 20 minutes and my order was still not ready. The service was poor, and the overall experience was negative.
- waiting time2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Excellent Broth and Service!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. My mom's broth was initially too spicy for her, but the staff proactively provided a mild broth without us even having to ask. The people were nice, and the food was great.
I especially enjoyed the Kimchi broth, which was amazing. Overall, a very positive dining experience.
- Kimchi broth10
- mild broth8
- staff9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Consistently Great Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant has been consistently excellent over the past year. I love and cherish this place because the quality and ingredients have been outstanding. The food is top-notch, and the service is impeccable, as reflected in the perfect scores.
The atmosphere is pleasant with a moderate noise level, making for a comfortable dinner.
- quality10
- ingredients10
- food10
What QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience does QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish offer?
At QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish, you can expect a casual atmosphere perfect for lunch or dinner. The restaurant offers table service and is known to be good for kids, making it a great spot for family meals.
What are the parking and accessibility options at QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish?
Finding parking near QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish can sometimes be a bit challenging, though free and paid street parking options are available. For accessibility, you’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance.
How does QingShu Malatang & Nai Brother Fish rate overall?
The restaurant holds a good overall score of **7.5** out of 10, with customer satisfaction at **77.3%**. Its **Ambience** (8.2) is particularly well-regarded, while **Food** (7.5), **Service** (7.5), and **Value** (7.1) also contribute positively to the experience.
What do customers enjoy most about the dining experience?
Patrons frequently praise the customizable “choose your own ingredients” concept, the pleasant and clean atmosphere, and the polite, helpful staff. Many also appreciate the reasonable pricing and the fun, interactive nature of the meal.
Are there any common concerns or drawbacks mentioned by diners?
Some diners have noted inconsistencies with ingredient freshness, particularly concerning certain vegetables or meats. There are also occasional reports of slow service and long waiting times, which can impact the overall experience.