Hot Pan Noodles & Dumplings
2302 Essington Rd, Joliet, IL, 60435
Hot Pan Noodles & Dumplings Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Joliet for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Joliet for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Joliet for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2302 Essington Rd
Joliet, IL, 60435 - Phone (815) 254-6088
- Website https://hotpannoodles.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Chinese Cuisine
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
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Kristee M.
A hidden gem indeed!!! I am still in a noodle coma from a delicious dinner last night. Try the boiled dumplings, seafood noodles & fried rice. Every dish was bursting with flavor! Can't wait to return & try more on the menu.
(5)Julie S.
I have never been disappointed in anything I've ordered here. I love the laid back atmosphere and the convenience of its location. The owners have no problem with staying late or letting you order after hours.
(4)Molly O.
Great food and it's great to support a true, local business. Everything here is homemade and has it's own flavor, so I can't say anything other than it's delicious. The pork dumplings are amazing and the noodles are out of this world. I'm lucky to live local, if you haven't yet tried this place then you don't know what you're missing. Oh, and if you are into craft beer like I am, this place has the best selection in town.
(5)andrea l.
Wow, this was so good! We had the vegetable dumplings, and each had the homemade noodles. Everything was fresh and delicious. They also have a ton of craft beers, one of the employees mentioned having I think 62 different beers. Definitely worth the trek to Joliet. Highly recommended.
(5)Jeremy C.
Whoa. Just whoa. This is amazing. It's like they cook with angel tears and unicorn horns. I would box nuns for these noodles, go toe to toe with Chuck Norris even. They make the noodles by hand. BY HAND!!! So in summation, I'd recommend eating at this establishment.
(5)Meg H.
This restaurant was such a surprise, I have to say. A friend brought me because he was freaking out about how good it was, and I truly had no idea. My first time I ate Hot Pan, I was addicted. Truly. And now I have to limit myself to going or getting takeout only once a week. Every time I go, I order the Dan Dan noodles, because they're just completely amazing (if you like spicy, definitely order this one), but my boyfriend orders other things each time, and his are consistently fantastic, too. The people there are exceedingly friendly, the lighting is good, the beer list is great, and the high-backed booths make dinner feel like an intimate experience, which you wouldn't expect from most strip mall restaurants. I cannot recommend this place enough. In fact, I've sent at least 8 friends there, and every one of them go almost as often as I do now. Instantly my favorite restaurant in Joliet, and I've lived here a long time.
(5)Melinda V.
We were in the area and stopped by for lunch. This is NOT a light meal, it is oily/greasy as mentioned by other reviewers. If you are comfortable with that then this place is awesome! I am usually a healthy eater so the oiliness was a bit heavy, but the quality and tastiness made up for it! Noodles from scratch, fresh veggies, delicious spicy goodness!!! I loved every single bite! It would be 5 stars for sure if they lightened up on the oil.
(4)Dan E.
surprisingly disappointed. great reviews on yelp lead me to this place but I wont be back. as mentioned on other reviews, the tables and menus were really sticky, even for a hole in the wall Asian place, this was really dirty. Dan Dan noodles were okay. really spicy, which was good, but very forgettable overall. I know we are starving for good asian places in Joliet but this place isnt going to fill that void. pass.
(2)Frankie D.
I'm not sure how this place managed to get 4 stars. I went in with a moderate amount of expectation and left very unsatisfied. We ordered the pan fried chicken and pork dumplings. They were oily and bland. The pan fried noodles with chicken and vegetable had scant chicken and vegetable. These were also soooo greasy. The chili oil on the table sits in an unconcealed container. The whole place is very dingy. I was terribly disappointed and will never go back.
(1)Matthew S.
Overall a pretty nice hot pan noodle place. I ordered boiled pork dumplings and fresh pork with stir fried vegetables in home made noodles. The food on the whole was pretty good. Dumplings were excellent and the noodles were very good, but perhaps a bit salty. The interior of the place is pretty small but clean and well decorated. They don't have much for drinks, but they have a few alcoholic items on the menu should you like them. They also have hot pots available should you like them, but I did not try them. Service was decent when I went, but the waitress seemed a bit rushed and not fully attentive with us. Prices overall are very reasonable with the noodle dishes coming in around $11-15 each and the dumplings coming in around $8 an order. You could easily split a noodle dish and order of dumplings between two people. We walked out of there with two dumpling orders, a noodle dish an one alcoholic drink for $29 before tip.
(3)Brian B.
I found this little gem about three months ago and now it's a regular stop for me and a bunch of guys from work at lunch. It's not exactly a sophisticated ambience however the food is great and they also have a selection of real beer. Don't let the strip mall look scare you away, it's great food with great flavor that you can't just find anywhere.
(5)Giorgia C.
I have nothing but positive things to say about Hot Pan! I have been here 3 times and each time my meal is delicious. Went here for the first time on a holiday, everything was closed and we were starving, AND I was pregnant at the time. Now, pleasing a pregnant woman is a mighty feat, but you succeeded. My favorite things to eat here are the veggie pot stickers (I can eat an entire plate myself) and I love the noodle soup. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Gena A.
Dan Dan noodles, Oh I love you so. It's so good, we actually ate here every other day for about two weeks! When I'm not eating there I am fantasizing about eating there. Beer selection far exceeds the norm, classic rock plays in the background, the air is warm and steamy and you leave smelling like garlic and ginger... and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
(5)Jamie M.
The best unexpected food place in Joliet! The food ( especially the number 8 on the menu) is so delicious it will have you craving it all day! When my sister and brother-in-law take me here we plan out which day in the week we will go, and my stomach growls all day waiting for it. The hand made noodles are what makes the meals, you have to try to potstickers! Don't come here and not try them, they are the best I've had. The atmosphere is calm and personal, and that's how you feel here. It's a small place with a big bite! You will keep returning to this place, I've been there three times and each time the food gets better!
(5)Tim T.
Guess Im lazy. I use my phone to quick tip since it wont allow me to review. However sometimes you run across a place that forces you to review it!! Hot Pan is such a place. Was here recently for lunch. Small, tucked in a shopping center that no one knows about. I liked the booths..similiar to a fondue restaurant. The beer menu is unequaled! Many bargains of micro brews to be found at reasonable prices! Our server was very friendly and attentive. We ordered the dumplings pan fried(pot stickers) Best Ive had in a long while! We each had the Dan-Dan noodles and they were spicy,tasty, and very enjoyable. Daisy the chef came by to see how we were doing? Shes a fabulous chef,quite cheerfull. All in all, we will be back again as I sure many yelpers are discovering how GOOD this place really is. Very affordable too.
(5)Anthony A.
New restaurant that is trying. Owner knows her noodles but struggling with the help. Dumplings WAY tastier than normal but slightly burned. Noodles definitely homemade so loved that. I am all for trying again as Joliet lacks ethnic food I crave.
(4)Bobby S.
I had the number 8, homemade noodles with strips of meat. Yummy, yummy in my tummy. I was talking to Daisy ( the owner and head chef ) and told me her favorite is the number 19, Lo mien noodles served cold, Szechuan style. I am getting that next time.
(5)Moe N.
Food is really good.The pan fries noodles with fresh vegetables and your choice of meat is delicious. I've been here a coupe of time and the food has been consistent. The dan dan noodles are really spicy but really good. The shrimp pot stickers were really good, but the vegetable ones were not as good. The atmosphere is creepy, its dark and old looking, not as clean and most places but the food is top notch.
(4)Colin K.
Real Chinese home-cooked noodles, pure and simple. Except for the complex, subtle, and savory broth, that is. I dined here with my family, and all five of us raved about our dishes. The simple menu of noodles, rice, or dumplings actually includes some veggies with your protein of choice, per Chinese custom. The setting is simple, the menu is straightforward, and I could eat the Dan Dan noodles every night. Oh, and I forgot to mention the craft beer list! I want to think of negatives... The chef took a little while to cook, but not so long that we minded. That's about it!
(5)Kelly T.
My boyfriend told me nothing be fantastic things about this place- I came in my very first time on Friday night and the food; service and owner was phenomenal!! I'm so glad he introduced me to this Chinese place- very warm environment & owner treats you as if she's known you forever! No question that I'd defiantly come back for more! Thank you!
(5)Jonathan F.
It's time I write a review for this place, sorry it took so long but, I've finally figured out how to put it. The first time my wife, baby and I ate here we loved it, I should also say it was in January after we moved here from the Phoenix area and I started my new job the very next day. We ate there it was small, quaint and reminded us just enough of the incredible China Magic Noodle in Mesa, Arizona. (If you get the chance go to China Magic Noodle in Mesa, AZ. The noodles are handmade to order and you know this because they are made in front of you). So the first time was fine enough. I got noodles with short ribs and my wife got the dan dan noodles. We got the chicken potstickers and had a general nice meal. The baby loved the potstickers we all did. Now I know what you're thinking why the one star if we have well the one star came the next day. As I was leaving my first day of my new job in Joliet my wife told me she wasn't feeling well and had it coming out of both ends...the babies diapers were also a lot messier than usual. When I got home it started on me. I threw up my days lunch in our basement sink while I was doing laundry. At one point it was so bad that I fell asleep on the bathroom floor and woke up the next day with sore ribs. Our guess it wasn't food poisoning but, the norovirus which according to wikipedia is transmitted by fecally contaminated food or water; by person-to-person contact. I almost called in sick for my second day of work but, knew that wouldn't go over so well. So There I was going to work green surviving on Gatorade and jello for a few days. We thought about what the three of us could have eaten to give us this kind intestinal torture...the chicken potstickers. We took this as a great sign to never go back to Hot Pan again. Fast forward to two weeks ago, we wanted asian food badly and decided well maybe we should try it again. We ordered the same noodle dishes, and this time went with the pork dumplings and "shrimp" potstickers. We got this take out, when I walked in there was a group leaving who had obviously been sitting at the bar since when I walked in the bar was disgusting. There was no effort made to clean it up as my food was being packaged and handed to me. The food was not as good as we remembered the dumplings were bland and I put "shrimp" in quotations because if there were shrimp in there there was maybe a tail between the whole order. There was a lot of cabbage and other filler but, no shrimp. The noodles didn't taste fresh or handmade and the Dan Dan noodles were just spicy no actual flavor, just spicy. The good news is we didn't get sick. Sure there was some quick release the next morning but at least we didn't have violent illness as a result. Call this spiteful if you want but I can't let this place be the #1 rated Joliet restaurant. I won't be going back here if you like it and haven't gotten sick then more power to you but spare yourself and go to a different restaurant.
(1)Monica B.
I ordered the shrimp Lo Mein and the shrimps were real small and still had the vein in them- gross and cheap ! The Lo Mein itself was flavored very well with alot of ginger, but I like my shrimp at least normal size and deveined, so I won't be back.
(2)Ivonne R.
If you don't mind grease, you should come to this place. I think the noodles could be better (if it's cook with less grease), but I would still go for the fresh dumplings (boiled). Went there twice, once on my birthday last year and there wasn't a lot of people there so the service was good. The second time was yesterday, the owner was the only one serving on lunch time. So you can imagine how busy she was, cooking, hosting, waiting during a quite busy lunch rush. I wasn't being picky since I was hungry so whatever... But the glass that I had for my ice water was crusty, luckily they have straws if not I wouldn't drink out of that glass. Service was O.K. since she was all by herself. I will go back only if I feel like eating fresh dumplings.
(2)Liz W.
I had an amazing lunch at Hot Pan Noodles & Dumplings today. We had the pork pot stickers along with the short ribs and chicken noodles. Everything was fresh and amaziing. Everything is prepared in an open kitchen. The waiter was very informative and answered our questions on what to get. The prices wee very reasonable and I was happy to support a local restaurant. The only thing I thing they could improve is to step up the ambiance one notch. I will go back to Hot Pan and will recomend the restaurant to others.
(4)Rick F.
Owner is chef. Interacts with costumers. unique dining experience. Cool waitress. Decent prices, large portions, served quickly. Quality meal. Recommend.
(4)Rick D.
Very good food. Been here three times and have had good food each time. Only problem is its kinda pricey for a family.
(4)John S.
Words can't describe!!! Had the Dan Dan Noodles. Great flavor and spicy. Handmade dumplings. All is made fresh so a little wait but oh so worth it! Will be back.
(5)Daryl C.
We stopped in Joliet to rest during out drive cross country. We pulled in fairly late and just wanted something good, quick and east to eat. As per usual I found this on Yelp. I called in my order, drove to pick it up and was very happy with what I got. The food was tasty, hot and just what I needed after a long day on the road.
(4)John K.
We discovered Hot Pan and couldn't wait to try it. The first time was a Friday night, we dined in, it was a long wait but IT WAS WORTH IT. The food was phenomenal. So flavorful and delicious. Hubby had the Dan Dan noodles and they were very spicy. The following week we went back but ordered for take out. The food was hot and delicious. I had the mushroom noodles and it was fantastic! Dumplings are very good as well. Definitely going back.
(4)Rick M.
Every bit a good as the reviews. Noodle soup was awesome. Great beer list.
(5)Mike S.
Love the noodles and pot stickers. I like to sit at the bar and watch as they prepare the food. Sometimes the owners are a little cranky but the food is always good.
(5)Kathryn G.
We went here because of a living social deal and now we are hooked. The food and service were awesome. We got dumplings for an appetizer. I got pan fried noodle dish and hubby got a steamed noodle dish and we are sooo happy with everything. We will go again and again.
(5)Jason N.
Great place for noodle dishes! I came in here around 1:00 PM on a Monday, and the place was almost empty. That really is a shame, since the dish was very tasty. I ended up getting the stir-fried noodles with meat and vegetables, without any appetizers. I am glad that I skipped on the appetizers, as the dish was enough for two people. Despite the strip-mall location, the booths here were very nice, and the restaurant was quiet. If I am in the area again, I will definitely be coming back. 5/5
(5)Sandi P.
Fantastic place for homemade noodle dishes freshly prepared. We learned about Hot Pan, which is only 5 minutes from our house, through a Living Social offer and were anxious to try it out. There is not exactly a wealth of authentic Asian food in the Joliet area! First off, we were very surprised and pleased by the great variety of beers available at a very reasonable price. We tried the fantastic pan fried pork pot stickers with pork that were served with a very tasty soy based sauce. For entrees, I had the pan fried noodles with shrimp, a large bowl of medium noodles stir fried with lots of little shrimp, mushrooms, carrots, greens in a mild sauce with black beans. There was some very fiery hot chili sauce on the table to add to your noodles if you wanted more heat (you can also ask them to prepare the dishes with more kick). Hubby had the homemade noodles with spareribs- fantastic. you could really tell that the noodles were freshly made. next time, I will get a dish with the homemade noodles for sure. Service was very personable and we had a chance to chat with Daisy, the owner/chef who definitely takes pride in her noodles, and rightly so! A great find in our neighborhood!
(5)Tricia L.
The Dan Dan noodles are laced with crack. Either that or the fact that the noodles are handmade makes them so addicting. This place is definitely worth a try, a gem in Joliet. If you go once, it will become a quick favorite.
(5)Em H.
Holy gawd, eat the noodles. The noodles are home-made, and I could not stop stuffing them in my face hole.
(4)Jason And Jovaughn J.
We went here again last night and tried a new dish for us, Dan Dan Noodles w/chicken, and Daisy did not disappoint. Keep up the good work!
(4)Tomasz B.
Everything here is fantastic. The dan dan noodles are my favorite. Flavorful and not overpoweringly spicy. The dumplings are the best I've ever eaten. Everything is fresh and you can tell it's made with pride. They even surprised me with a decent craft beer menu :) I've since brought several other friends and they've all been impressed. Please don't change a thing!
(5)Johnny T.
Tried the fried rice this time. Never had a fried rice dish that had big chunks of broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, and celery. Very filling too.
(4)Sara D.
Overall good experience. Different than expected, but there's really nothing else like it in the area.
(3)George K.
This was definitely a surprise. The location is in the strip mall in front of the Dominics on Caton Farm Rd & Essington. Some of the best noodles I've had and the dishes were tasty and in good portions. Dumplings were delicious! Definitely would recommend you check this out.
(4)Stefanie F.
I was pleasantly surprised with the atmosphere, delicious food and beer menu. Overall a very positive experience! Come hungry!
(4)Ben B.
The food was not bad but the service was SLOW! This appears to be a one woman show. She seats you, waits on you, cooks your food, and runs the cash register and cleans. The one thing that was most disturbing was all the cross handling .... such as cooking your food and then stopping to take someone's money and then cooking again then taking dirty dishes then cooking again with no washing or sanitizing in between. Her hands were visibly dirty and in need of a good washing. All I can say is good food or not good service and cleanliness is very important!!!
(2)Courtney S.
Yummmmmm! Im addicted. Cant believe how good this place is. My friend and I went here last night for dinner and again this afternoon for lunch. Everything is amazing. We get boiled pork potstickers and the sauce is so yummy. Then 2 number 8's which is noodles with meat in a broth. We ask for extra meat and veggies for a small upcharge. And to drink we love the Jasmine Iced tea. I love the high back booths. We actually saved two women who walked in and were going to leave and said "you should really stay and try it, its realllllly good!" We told them that we came here for the first time yesterday and were back again for lunch. I craved it. We could hear them saying how good everything was when they got their food. hahha! It's irresistable. Needless to say not enough people know how great this place is and hopefully word of mouth will spread.
(5)Kevin J.
This place is fantastic. The Dan Dan noodles are unbelievable. Paired with a goose island ginger soda it was a wonderful combination. My girlfriend ordered the noodles with shrimp and an iced tea and all together it was under 25 dollars before tip. Great food and well worth the wait. The dining room itself is very nice. Comfortable chairs and nicely polished wood tables add to the atmosphere. I will recommend this place to anyone and everyone.
(4)Suzanne D.
AMAZING!! Just ordered from Hot Pan for the first time, and will keep coming back! Definitely try them! Prices are reasonable, portions are good sized, and the food is delicious!
(5)Eduardo A.
Went here Feb 12 for my mothers bday for the first time, actually it was her second but anyway this place is amazing. We had all the potstickers the pork, shrimp and I think chicken fresh to order with this amazing dipping sauce YES! I had some fried noodles with some pork and some vegetables EXELLENT! This is a great place if you want some really really great fresh cooked to order food. A must go!!!!
(5)Greg M.
I decided to post a second review of Hot Pan now that I have eaten here several times. The owner/chef, Daisy, makes great noodles, dumplings and Hot Pan every time and the food has been consistently good whether we have eaten in or ordered take out so order with confidence and enjoy. If you want distinctive chinese noodles and dumplings you need look no further. The one issue that needs addressing as more people find this gem is staffing. Daisy is a whiz behind the Wok but too often she strays from the kitchen to do the job that a waiter, waitress or busboy should be doing. As Colonel Sanders said, "you do one thing and you do it right". The faster her staff can get the food and drink to the table the more we can eat and the more she can sell! It's a win win situation. The quirky service is the only thing keeping me from rating this five stars.
(4)Heather M.
This is by far my favorite place to eat in the area. The food is unbelievably delicious. The owner is a very friendly woman that makes her own noodles and dumplings (potstickers if you choose them pan fried) from scratch. You can't go wrong with pork potstickers, and any of the noodle dishes. My go to favorite is the noodles with mushrooms (spicy) and a spicy ginger soda. The ginger soda with the spiciness of the broth in the noodles is amazing. We have recommended this amazing little place to friends and family and every single person we have brought in has loved it as much as we have. We are lucky to have a small business owner put this much effort into her food. There are no other places like this is an area flooded with bland chain restaurants.
(5)Michelle R.
First off let me say I love this place! The price is right, it's close to home, the beer list is AMAZING,and Daisy the owner is a sweet heart! My husband and go mainly for the HOT PAN..I like it HOT he doesn't and they can divided it so we both get what want. This also comes in handy since he likes shrimp and I'm allergic. The pan fried dumplings and Daisy's sauce are out of the world awesome. With hot pan..it's mainly sit long talk much and enjoy the food. But don't be afraid to ask questions ..Saturdays can get busy ..we went in last night for my birthday...and first thing Daisy said when she saw us was " you made it ..Happy Birthday" it's the small things like that ,that will keep us coming back and bringing friends with. If your looking for upscale taste with that mom and pop restaurant feel..this is it! Sundays and during the week are much more relaxed and you can truly enjoy every taste..EVERYTHING is made from scratch..the portions are nice and so is the price...Hey and he dinner is done pay a slot machine..above all else go for the food..
(4)Jasmine K.
This is my favorite food in Joliet, hands down! I need to order from here at least once a week. The dumplings, both fried and boiled, are amazing! The dumpling sauce is, by far the best I ever had. The spice level in the Dan Dan noodles always satisfies my spicy palate. I also order the handmade noodles with chicken, or beef, and vegetables YUM. I'm drooling right now just thinking about it! I like to go in every once and awhile too because their beer selection is great. I love that it's not all shiny and new, I come here for the food not the surroundings. I'm moving out of state in a few weeks and leaving this place behind is breaking my heart and probably one of the hardest things to let go of!
(5)Jeana C.
What caught my attention to this place was the housemade noodles and dumplings they advertised. Anything "homemade" catches my attention. I ordered the boiled pork dumplings and seafood noodles in broth. I felt like the dumplings and dipping sauce were on the bland side and didn't have much character. This is coming from a person who has eaten dumplings of all kinds all of her life. The noodles, however, were very flavorful. It's unique in the sense that their broth is made with fermented black beans and lots of garlic which was good but it was just not for me. The best part I thought were the noodles. I loved the texture of it.
(3)Edward B.
My partner and I had dinner here today and it was excellent. I bookmarked Hot Pan because of a mention on the Smokin' Chokin' Chowing with the King blog ( blogger.com/profile/0536… ). This is a hole in the wall in a strip center, and as long as that's what you're expecting - and great noodles and dumplings - you'll be good. One surprise I wasn't expecting - they have an excellent bottled craft beer selection for such a small restaurant. To the food.... We ordered a mix of dumplings/potstickers (2 each of beef, pork, chicken and shrimp), seafood combo handmade noodles and seafood combo fried noodles (lo-mein, essentially) and jasmine iced tea. The iced tea was great. The dumplings were very good and the shrimp ones were excellent, but the sauce they're served with? It was exceptional. I wish I could buy it to take home. The noodles were extremely good. The handmade noodles themselves were better than the not-handmade pan-fried ones, but the pan-fried dish had more intense flavor. Even so, the handmade noodles were my favorite, especially with some leftover dumpling sauce added. I wish this place were near where I live, because it would be a regular stop for certain. It was a very nice experience.
(5)Christa L.
Been coming here since they opened its outstanding comfort food! The owners cook everything from scratch and on the spot......super nice people! Nothing fancy but they have a great beer menu also. We always leave feeling warm and full great hidden gem.
(5)Amy E.
I was disappointed with Hot Pan! Initially, I was very excited about this type of restaurant in the area, but the food was a let down. Not much flavor at all, just lots of oil and very salty. We gave it a try twice, but both times were the same. Also, I could not get past the uncleanliness of the place. Everything I touched was sticky. All of their condiment bottles on the tables had dried stuff dripping down them. The table tops were even sticky. This place needs improving.
(2)Thorsten H.
Thanks to Yelp we found this place while traveling. We were incredibly hungry and tried quite a few items from the menu. Everything was great, we really enjoyed ourselves. I'd come here again without hesitation. I'd like to specially mention the very nice and very clean restrooms. We have seen restrooms on our tour which were horrible, this here was in perfect condition.
(5)Patty L.
I'm giving this a 1 star due to unprofessionalism I just experienced 8/22/2015, 230pm for pick up order. The food itself, awesome! I've picked up twice and ate in 3 times, food is great. What I experienced today was unbelievably unprofessional and awkward to other patrons in the facility dining and picking up. I assume he person cooking was the owner? She had short black hair, glasses and very thin. I walked in and there was a couple waiting on food and I was there to pick mine up. The husband I believe seen me and asked "pick up?" I stated yes. He went over to counter, lady said $26.30, he rings me up, I pay & hands me a bag, well I know it's not mine bc it had soup. I sd "I don't think that's mine? I had pot stickers". He was confused, I just wanted my food and then looked at receipt & new it wasn't what I paid for but it wasn't a huge difference. So the lady starts to SHOUT at him like he was a 5 year old! He just wanted to correct it so everything was correct & then she still berates him in front of patrons! Then she thinks she is in the right and makes a mockery of him to another patron! I was so uncomfortable and felt horrible for the man! It was such an easy fixable non shouting situation that was handles HORRIBLE in front of guests! She was so RUDE! This is why Asian people have such a bad rap, because of this behavior! I'm Asian I know! I'm not sure if I'd done in if she is in the facility. It's an awkward feeling to treat your own staff/partner/or husband (if they're married) like that in public.
(1)Christopher J.
I was referred by a friend about this hidden gem in Joliet. I stopped in last Friday night for dinner with my fiance. It maybe a small place but bring a big appetite. Everything there is made from skratch. Handmade dumplings and noodles made everyday. Who else does this? Hot Pan does! Their food is so good it's like Chinese comfort food. I will definitely be a regular at this establishment. The owners are friendly and the prices are affordable.
(5)A A.
I just discovered this treasure of a place. Everything is fresh and made to order. Great establishment with great customer service from the owner/s. I believe their house specialty are their soups among other items. I had the shrimp noodle soup and catered a bunch of food and it was truly a big success. Definitely will be ordering more from this great find! Can't wait to try their hot pot when we dine-in in the future!
(5)Chuck B.
Great noodles & dumplings! Fast, friendly service & reasonably priced! $1.50 beers too!
(4)Wes G.
I was pleasantly surprised when I tried this place on Friday night. The noodles were really good (and cheap), and they had a nice little selection of craft beer (including two of my favorites that are very hard to find in this area). I'll definitely be eating here regularly.
(4)Chris S.
I'm from out of town and this place is awesome. 150 beer Is awesome. Open kitchen added bonus. And the food was amazing and prepared In under 15 minutes. 5 star's
(5)Angela P.
Hot Pan Noodles & Dumplings is a small, hole in the wall restaurant located in a strip mall near Louis Joliet Mall. The interior of this place is cramped: about four or five booths with a small aisle separating the booths from the bar/take-out counter. Then there are a few video poker machines jammed into the corner. It's dark in here, as if there's really something seedy and suspicious going on. Despite the claustrophobic interior, the kitchen is visible to diners and everything looked cluttered, but clean. Their menu is limited: noodle dishes, rice, dumplings/potstickers, and smoothies only. The man who took my order was friendly, but the woman who appeared to do most of the cooking had an expression on her face as if she were being held hostage. And whenever he asked her a question, she ignored him. It's a weird dynamic here. There is nowhere to wait for your order, so I recommend calling it in. I just waited in my car for 10 minutes until my food was ready. Anyway, I ordered a few things: Dan Dan Noodles with chicken Fried Noodles with shrimp Pork Potstickers 2 smoothies (not tapioca) Total cost = $37 We are used to ordering from other Chinese places in our neighborhood, and we get a lot more food for a few bucks less. We did get a lot of food, but $37 for Chinese (okay, $30 without the smoothies) is a little overpriced. However, the food was very good. I loved the Dan Dan Noodles - a little bit oily, but very spicy. The potstickers were much better than Katy's, somewhat crisp on the outside and very well seasoned pork on the inside. The smoothies don't have tapioca, but they are damn good. We had a mango pineapple, and a blueberry raspberry, and both were almost a meal in themselves. They're huge (only one size) and made with real fruit and yogurt. No ice chunks or random juice here. For Chinese food, I feel it's a bit overpriced. For something a little different than your typical General Tso-such-and-such, it's worth making your way here. It's not a 3-star, and it's not 4-stars. It's somewhere in-between.
(4)Hereford J.
I've been here 3 times now. It has a dingy outward appearance, and whoever decorated the interior is very confused on what they were decorating. You can't tell if you're in a bar, 1-star casino, arcade, or dive. The owner isn't the friendliest of hosts, but he gets the job done in a timely manner. The flavoring of the food is mediocre; a lot of oils and soy sauces. If you order a meal that contains meat, be prepared to have it packed with much more vegetables than meat. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that Joliet has an oriental place for cuisine other than your typical Chinese-American take out, but after eating at many authentic oriental restaurants and take-outs around Chicagoland, I'm just not impressed. Advice: 1) Redecorate 2) Be friendlier to your customers ( i know foreign restaurant owners that barely speak english that know how to great customers) 3) Use less oils and sauces in the food, and incorporate more authentic spices to bring out the natural flavors of the meats and veggies 4) The texture of your noodles are on point! I just wish you had more variety in your menu that used different types of noodles
(2)Jon P.
So far I'm not hugely impressed. I've driven past hundreds of time and it's outward appearance is more like a hole in the wall bar than a five star restaurant. If it hadn't been for its high marks on Yelp I would've never even given it a first try. Soooo I did give it a try, for lunch, and I brought some business associates along for the experiment. First impression, empty, hodge podge restaurant with nine inch nails on the cable music channel on the TV directly above three video poker machines. Odd smell that I can't quite identify but will return to later. Middle aged Asian lady tells us to sit anywhere than disappears. One page laminated menu that is so sticky that I do not touch it again after the realization of how filthy it is. The lady finally returns to take our order after 5 minutes and she recommends the dumplings and the fried noodles. We order what she recommends and she proceeds into the kitchen to prepare our meal. What we ordered: Iced tea: Aka brown water in a dirty pitcher. F- Beef dumplings: potstickers. Taste good but SUPER Greasy! B Fried noodles with beef: very little beef but ample soy sauce and SUPER Greasy! C- So that smell I couldn't identify.... Oil, lots and lots of oil. :( So, given the high marks others have given this place I will try it one more time. But I don't hold out much hope. For those that gave five stars.... You need to get out more!
(2)Kathryn K.
I tried this place tonight because of the reviews on yelp. I got the lo mein and an oder of dumplings. The food was ok, but considering my bill for the take out - one entree and one appetizer was $17, i expected better than average. There was only about one ounce of meat and one ounce of vegetables. It was all noodles. At those prices i expect more. Next time, getting PF Changs from the freezer section of the grocery store.
(2)Karen S.
Tasty surprise inside - I would definitely recommend you try this place for a tasty change of pace -
(4)Jesse G.
There's not much to add that others haven't said. Yes, it's anonymous from the outside and dark on the inside. I've only ever seen two employees -- the husband and wife owners -- but the food is really good and like others have said, there's an impressively large craft beer menu that seems completely out-of-place in both the area and for the type of food being served (not that I'm complaining). The menu is pretty small but the good thing is that everything they make is really good. I've (twice) had the dan dan noodles and the dumplings. The dumplings are probably the best I've ever had. It's not even on the same level as typical potstickers, no matter what fillings you get. The noodles themselves (without sauce) have the perfect texture and you can tell they make them there. The sauce is REALLY spicy, and this is coming from someone who really likes spice. They weren't so bad that I couldn't eat it but I did have to take frequent breaks. It's also a mess so don't eat this stuff in dress clothes. Overall I like the place a lot and it's one of those cool small restaurants with a ton of character that every city should want.
(4)Paige T.
new to the area, so a friend and I decided to explore somewhere new. all I have to say that we were beyond pleasantly surprised!! the outward appearance is... well... confusing. you can't see anything from the outside in (we initially thought they might be closed). it had a strong bar/takeout-only look to it. when we walked in we were surprised by the cozy interior. we were pleasantly greeted by a man who's name I can't remember. we chose I big U shaped booth and started scrolling through a massive book (which wasn't the menu but instead a beer list). 70 beers?! holy cow!! I loved the beers listed and was impressed. I also enjoyed the bottled soft drinks (we made sure to save our bottle caps). the beer list was in this extravagent leather-like book but the menu was a small take-out pamphlet. I would advice show casing your food along with your beers, especially if you work so hard to make delicious handmade noodles! we ordered stirfry, fried rice, and dumplings. the man held conversation, took our orders, and proceeded to make our food himself in plain sight (which I loved, no secrets just good food). the food came quickly. Best Chinese food I've had in a very very long time. the food was in short delicious and refreshing. instead of weighing you down and filling you up like most Chinese food restaurants, we felt energized and comfortable after eating so much!! hands down a new favorite of mine!! Excellent job, I can't wait to come back!!
(5)Tessa O.
This place looks unassuming but don't let it fool you! The food is seriously yummy. I tried the pork dumplings with veggie fried rice. The portion was so large I didn't think I could finish everything, but I ended up wanting to finish my plate because everything was so delicious. Everything came out fresh and hot and the service was quick. You can just hang and watch a game, or even gamble a little on their games! Their impressive lineup of craft beers doesn't hurt either. Wish I lived in the area so I could come back again.
(5)Jessica T.
If you want Chinese food in Joliet, this is the place to go! The noodles are always perfect, there is a lot of customization on the menu, and it's all sooo tasty. The house-made hot sauce is especially notable and very spicy, amazing!! The beer menu is even longer than the food menu.
(5)Reanna M.
I have eaten here several times and it never disappoints! The chicken dumplings are amazing! So are the noodles with beef and vegetables. Very tasty! The interior is under construction it seems so no judging by appearance! Go there and enjoy!
(5)Jesús R.
I have been to this place twice, yes, I agree, the place does not have the Forbidden City architecture and does not have the Mona Lisa in its walls, but the food was just delicious. First time I order steamed dumplings, chicken, they were really good, especially the sauce, I also ordered the seafood bowl, I added some of their spicy sauce and... it was just more tasty (yes, I am Mexican and I need some hot stuff). I would definitely encourage people to go and try their food, I will pay a 3rd visit in 2 weeks, once I am back to the city.
(4)Ken M.
This place is great. I do agree with past reviews regarding the outward appearance and lackluster interior decoration. That said, I love going here. Great noodles and even better dumplings. My wife and I have been here a handful of times and it will continue to be on our list of regular restaurants for dinner. If you have a chance, stop in and try it. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Gen-Gen G.
I was driving to the local mall for a quick bite when I chanced upon this place. I knew it had to be better than mall food. Almost anything is (except for Cinnabons and Mrs. Fields Cookies). It was late afternoon, I'm guessing between the lunch rush and the dinner rush, because this place was empty which was okay by me. It looked like I was disturbing the manager/host who was trying to work on his laptop in the front, but he explained the menu nicely enough and suggested some items. I went with the homemade beef noodles and some pork "pot sticker" dumplings along with a strawberry ale. The noodles were great. The dumplings were good, but (being asian and having had many, many dumplings in life thus far) were not as good as some of the home cooked ones I've had. Close. Definitely worth another try. But, the service. *sigh* Now admittedly, I was there between rushes, but I felt like I was in the dining room while "Mom" and "Dad" were fighting in the kitchen. After my food arrived, "mom" and "dad" must have taken their conversation to the back, because I didn't see anyone for a while. When the host returned, it wasn't a cordial "how do you like the food?", but a more hostile "need anything?" So, nope. Don't need another ale. Don't need another order to take home. Just the check and I'll get out of your way. I hope this place can work out whatever it is that is killing the mood, because I can easily see this place as being *the* go to noodle place. Just like you'd have your favorite hot dog/hamburger spot or your favorite pizza place, this would be the place for noodles or dumplings... if it were more inviting.
(3)Jo Ann B.
I chose this restaurant for a quick bite to eat on our way to the casino. From the outside, it looks like a dive bar.... Tinted windows with neon signs. On the inside there is a mix between booths, and one or two tables. It is very small and has the feel of being in a friends basement. There are two large TVs in which they had music videos playing. Not exactly the type of music I would choose for a relaxing dinner, Nine Inch Nails, etc. There is a long hallway with a series of little doors. One was an office that was a cluttered mess. It is right off of the kitchen and had no business with the door open. There were two closets/pantries I believe, yet there were pineapples stored in an open box in the hallway. The bathroom needed cleaning. We were seated in a booth with menus on the table. The menus were all sticky! Both of them! Our order was taken by Daisy, the cook. She waited, bussed and cooked. No hand washing was done! The food was good. I don't have any complaints about the food minus the hand washing. Daisy is a good cook and could do so much better than this place. There was a man sitting in the front of the restaurant when we arrived, the owner maybe? He was on his laptop and would jump up every now and then to answer the phone or check on what Daisy was doing. I have to point out again that he helps without take out orders but does not wash his hands. There are also two slot machines that seem completely out of place. The place makes you feel like the owner wished he owned a bar but got stuck with a Chinese restaurant. Very strange. I would not return first because of the lack of proper hygiene and food sanitation, secondly because of the lack of customer service. Tip for the owner, greet your customers, ask them how their food was, thank them for coming and work in the office... Not at a table next to where your customers are trying to dine.
(1)Angela J.
Hands down Hot Pan has the Best noodles and dumplings ever. The owner is a awesome lady. I can always trust to get fresh delicious food when I come here!
(5)Cassie M.
This place is not a good place for dumplings, especially pork dumplings.. The meat looked like tuna and had a really bad taste to it. The homemade noodles weren't bad, just make sure you ask for extra noodles because they give you more cabbage than anything else. Overall I would not recommend it. If you want really good dumplings go to En Lai, right behind this place!
(1)Steve G.
Good Stuff!!! Was excited to try this place. Everything is homemade and I finally found a dish that is spicy and good. The Dan-Dan noodles are incredible, the aroma is enough for the dish, I don't even have to eat it. I never smelled a dish so delicious, I want to bottle it and use it for colognue.
(4)Scott D.
The menu was diverse enough for everyone in our group. Our server was able to help us with any questions since we were not familiar with all the offerings. The beer selection was better than most places that advertise their beer selection. If you want great food with no frills this is an excellent choice.
(4)Tim L.
Had it for take out. Wasn't anything special. Dumplings were as tasty as any other dumpling I have had in the past. Went with pork ones. The dipping sause was very tasty though. Not for those that can't handle garlic. My main dish was the fried noodle with meat and veggies. Mostly noddles, pretty much no meat. Like I said nothing special.
(3)Michele R.
Ya know that craving you get for a dish you have at a restaurant that you just can't make at home? That's what Hot Pan did to me! I had the #16 noodles with shrimp and vegetable dumplings and I will be going back for more this week! I'm a huge fan of the fact that the noodles/dumplings are homemade, they freshly chop vegetables, and that they grind their own meat. Can't wait to try the hot pot.
(5)Jim V.
I wish this review was fake, however, it is not. I went here on a Saturday night at 7 with my wife. The owner seemed like she could care less that we were there due to her being more concerned and occupied with the couple playing video poker. When we were finally able to attempt to place a drink order, the owner walked away before my wife could say she wanted some hot tea. In that time, I decided we were not going to eat here. I paid for my beer and we left. Maybe I'm being too critical...you can have the most amazing food in the world, but if you can't make your customers feel like you want them there then you don't deserve my money. What made this place for me the first time was the atmosphere. Laid back, good music, inviting...now, it was gone. The difference? The first time I went here the owner wasn't there.... I don't think the excuse of "having a bad night" can apply here because my wife told me she was treated the same way by the owner when she picked up some take out a couple weeks ago. As we left, the guy that made our first trip so nice was sitting outside on the curb. Too bad...we won't roll the dice and go back just for the chance the owner won't be there. The food is good, but not good enough to make me go to a place where the owner doesn't seem to appreciate your business.
(1)Dylan T.
Stopped by on my way home for a quick dinner. Found this place on Yelp. Ordered the Dan Dan Noodles and pork dumpling. The noodle is good. She definitely knows how to make noodle from scratch... Unfortunately not the flavoring. The dumpling doesnt have too much meat in it and somewhat greasy. Dipping sauce? Ummm.... Not my fave. Not impressed at all and wouldn't come back. Service was OK. I give 3 stars for the noodle only.
(3)Ness M.
Whenever I am home, I have to go to Hot Pan. My family and I always order the Dan Dan Noodles and Shrimp Pan-Fried Dumplings. The noodles come spicy but they also have a jar of chili flakes in oil which is really spicy! They have a good beer selection, too. My family and I always try something new. This place is a must try and I miss it when I am not home for the holidays.
(5)James P.
Had the #9 spare ribs and noodles after reading good reviews of it. Good flavor, tender meat. But broth was very greasy as other people have commented. And I didn't mind the stove being in open view. The bad thing for me was that there was so much smoke in the dining room from cooking right there, it was incredible. The other guests eating didn't complain.... So maybe that's normal at this restaurant. I probably won't come back.
(3)Adam J.
This place is amazing. Everything is homemade...everything. I had no idea what to get because everything looked great. So I played restaurant roulette and had the guy bring out what he thought was best. It was far and away the finest Asian dining experience I've ever had. The noodles were superb and the pot stickers were unreal. This is most likely the highest quality food in or around Joliet. Where's Guy Fieri when you need him?
(5)Doran P.
I live about thirty minutes from Joliet and pass by there once in a while, but don't really make a special trip to Joliet very often. Once in a while for the beautiful old greenhouse at Pilcher Park and once in a while for Vietnamese food at Hue Palace, but that's about it. Now I have another reason. I actually found out about this place on Yelp and it sounded interesting because they have homemade noodles. So we came here so I could try the noodles. I didn't realize that the owner, who cooks, is from Szechuan province or that they served Szechuan style hotpot and dan dan noodles and my favorite, Szechuan style cold noodles. The hot pot is $16.99 for all you can eat and it was a really great meal. You get a big pot of hot spicy broth and a tabletop heater and you cook your own meat, vegetables, and other stuff in it. Since we made the long drive, I had to order some noodles too, so I had the dan dan noodles. The noodles and spicy sauce were both incredible. I didn't get to try the cold noodles but it sounds like they may be even better than the others. I will definitely be making another trip for that reason alone. Otherwise, this is kind of an unusual place in an unlikely location and not like any Chinese restaurant I've gone to before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, we enjoyed talking to the owners, and the food was delicious. I wish I had known about it sooner.
(5)Debbie S.
Worst Chinese food I've ever had and I don't say that lightly! I worked in a Chinese restaurant for years when younger so I have an appreciation of all types. The noodles we're very flavor less and the pot stickers were really nothing special, seemed like they had been reheated and several had edges that were so hard that they were inedible.. Their packaging for carry out left slot to be desired too.. I've been trying to find a decent Chinese place since moving to Plainfield and after seeing the reviews, really wanted to love this place... Guess i'll keep hunting
(1)Morris N.
From the outside, it's all tinted with a couple of neon beer signs. It looks more like a shady dive bar than an Asian restaurant. Inside the ambiance is a bit strange. Owner was playing some industrial/alternative rock the one time we dined in which didn't quite go with the atmosphere. There are a few slot machines lined up along a wall. Near the back by the restrooms, there was a pull-up bar and some stretch bands like someone works out during non-peak times. The tables and menu were all sticky probably from a few years of grease. The kitchen is open to the dining room which didn't look any cleaner. And no I did not see either owner wash their hands prior to food handling. Customer service was non existent. Food was OK, but I've had better. Ironically we ended up at this place based on Yelp reviews. I would not recommend this place just based on the lack of proper food sanitation and poor customer service.
(1)Vernon J.
I went here on the suggestion of my brother, who like me likes good food. I was first impressed with their beer selection which was loaded with great hoppy IPAs' and a bunch of great microbrew selections Brian and Daisy are amazing people getting into the occasional conversation. I ordered the pot stickers and was very pleased with both the pot stickers and dipping sauce. For my main dish I ordered the Dan Dan noodles. When they talk about the homemade noodles they don't lie. The noodles are so good and the broth is amazing. The heat in the broth is great. Not napalm, but a building spicy heat that doesn't overwhelm the savory broth. The place has high backed booths for privacy and comfort.. The portions are huge so be prepared to have some to go with you. I look forward to trying the Hot Pot when I go back again, and I will be going back here.
(4)Mei Ling W.
We stopped here after driving past and seeing the sign. The owners are so friendly and made us feel comfortable when we walked in. We had Dan Dan, pork fried noodles, and 2 shrimp and pork dumplings. The Dan Dan noodles were over 2 feet long! I cut them to make it manageable. The food was good and simple, but I have to say I liked it even better the next day as leftovers. The only thing that could be improved is the dumpling wrappers were a bit thick and doughy, but they were still very good. I will definitely come back!
(4)Toni F.
We were in the area and I checked Yelp to find a good chinese restaurant close by and the reviews for Hot Pan were all pretty good. Once again, Yelp came through! We were reluctant to go in at first - the place was a dingy little storefront, empty on an early Saturday evening but we thought we'd give it a try and we're so glad we did!! Homemade noodles and dumplings all with assorted meats and vegetables, either steamed or pan fried. I had the fried noodle with pork and vegetables which was outstanding! We also had the fried rice and egg and it was delicious. My husband had the vegetable and noodle soup and pan fried shrimp dumplings (pot stickers) and he really enjoyed them both. The prices were reasonable and the portions were generous. I'm so glad my brother and sister-in-law just bought a house in the area, Hot Pan will be on our agenda whenever we visit them for sure!
(4)Laura M.
This was my first time going to hot pan and I was overall pleased. The sign is a little dim so it was a little difficult to find. The space is small, but comfortable. Only two people were working so the wait was longer than expected. The dumplings were amazing! My Order of homemade chicken noodles was also good. My girlfriend ordered the dan dan noodles and were a bit too spicy. Fortunately, the waiter noticed and asked if she wanted to change the broth. The service and food was overall great.
(4)Mv B.
This place as a cool all you can eat option where you cook your food in 2 different broths. The spicy one is really hot but really good. You can choose from different noodles, vegetables and meats. I had the Dan Dan noodles the first time and it was super hot, almost inedible. If you tell her to make it less spicy, she will. Very nice people working there. Come hungry. It is small but has good food.
(4)Sarah C.
Yum! We stopped in here on an early winter day and had a very tasty lunch. We ordered the pork potstickers and the dan dan noodles. Everything was fresh seasoned perfectly (we asked for extra spicy -- yum!). The servings are large enough to split. There was a HUGE beer menu, but we opted for spicy gingerale, which hit the spot with the spicy lunch. The owner, Daisy, prepared everything in an open kitchen and we could really tell the difference with the fresh noodles and dumplings. Delicious! And everything is extremely reasonably priced. It's a friendly, homey atmosphere -- if I lived closer, I'd be a regular!
(5)Steven R.
The food here is very good. The homemade noodles and dumplings are delicious and very different from your average Chinese restaurant. The decor could be better. I could do without the televisions and video gaming machines sitting across from our table. Service could also be better...the owners seemed stretched in a lot of different directions.
(4)Darla W.
We walked in around 2pm and stood by the counter for 5-10 minutes before someone came through the back door and seemed less than interested in serving us. I ordered potstickers and a few noodle dishes and it was anything impressive. I was looking forward to good noodles and great appetizers but this was not up to par. The place is very dark and gloomy, I think they are more interested in the electronic gambling customers more than people who come to try their food.
(2)Lisa L.
Was going to our usual place that was closed and looked on Yelp to see what was in the area and Hot Pan popped up. I read the reviews so decided to give it a try. It isn't fancy but the service was friendly and the football game was playing on multiple large tvs so that was a plus right away. Large selection of different beers. We had the shrimp pot stickers and the shrimp noodles and the spare ribs noodles. Everything was cooked to order and it didn't take too long. Food was extremely flavorful and tasted very fresh. We will definitely try again! Try it out.
(5)Jay L.
Excellent tasting, fresh and made from scratch food! The home made noodles are so flavorful and tasty. I had the noodles with beef. Fresh veggies mixed throughout. The dumplings are also great. We will be back without a doubt.
(5)Soo Jin M.
Most of these ratings must be fake. All the food was greasy. Dan Dan noodles just taste spicy, no other taste. The seafood noodles had a ton of grease and various minced up veggies (?). Shrimp dumplings had a weird taste to it. Also greasy. Never going back. I didn't know how to respond to the owner so I'm updating my review.. I didn't eat at the restaurant so I might've been pleased that the food was ready? And sesame oil tastes like sesame.. the grease tasted more like chili oil..
(1)Susan C.
Huh? Sorry, but some places aren't meant to have opened, exposed kitchens. A clear, stay away sign for me is the video poker machines. I left, went to the Mexican place next door, & was also disappointed. That'll be a review for another day.
(1)Joe C.
# 9 Spare rib noodle bowl. It is amazing. I think the food is great, however, the place is DIRTY. Overall, the food keeps bringing me back, but I think they need to bring in an external service to clean for them. The stove is in direct sight of where you sit, and where you order, but has layers of grime on it. Now don't get me wrong, The freshness of the ingredients never seems to be an issue, the service is good, I just think they need a good professional cleaning crew to come through regularly.
(3)Alice J.
This place is great, different, personal and quirky. Great choice of beer and wine. If you want bland, generic and corporate food, go to the chain food restaurants. Relax, it will take longer than fast food, Get to know Daisy the owner, she is different, so what she is working her butt off. Her husband or boyfriend, is friendly and easy going. The restaurant is casual, and an interesting hodge podge, but quaint and inviting. Food is delish, they will make it right in front of you if you are at the bar in front of the kitchen area. Noodles dishes are fresh and yummy. Pot stickers are wonderful. Try it and open your mind. Not every restaurant should be the same. Just don't go when you are in a hurry or crazy starving cause it will be a bit longer. Well worth the money and very unique than the typical Chinese take out.
(5)Allison D.
Hands down the best Asian cuisine EVER! All meals made fresh when you order. Tastes just like home cooking. Absolutely amazing noodles, dumplings and pot stickers. Everything here is delicious so you really can't go wrong with any meal choice. Fresh quality ingredients. Not your typical greasy Chinese food restaurant. Small dining area. Seems most people do carry out. Generous portions of quality food!
(5)Jessica H.
We love this place. The noodles are very fresh and you can taste that they are home made. The veggie dumplings are our favorite. The menu is small, but fresh and delicious. I have eaten here a lot, especially when I am trying to cut back on meat but want some dumplings. I recently tried the smoothie and it was pretty good also.
(5)Kat B.
The noodles are amazing! I have been here a few times since we moved to plainfield early this month and I've never been disappointed. The dumplings are fantastic and the noodles are some of the best I've ever had. The texture is always perfect and the flavor is always spot on. The service was alright, but considering the fact that one lady appeared to be serving, working the register, and cooking all the food I didn't mind. I would highly recommend trying this place. As long as you don't mind sitting next to a few video lottery machines.
(4)Suzanne P.
A regular place for us. The pot stickers are the best. (we prefer the vegetables ones) The owners are very nice. We tend to get the fried noodles. They are a little heavy handed on the oil sometimes.. but we look past it.. The homemade noodles are excellent and just a different take on the usual chinese... It's a nice option in the "food wasteland" of joliet/plainfield/shorewood area where we need more independent quality restaurants.
(4)D B.
Dined here during lunch a while back. Better noodles than most, however, I agree with a lot of comments regarding terrible service. I had to get up from booth and ask for things such as bill, order food, and soy sauce. Not sure if it was understaffed or normal service. A weird setup I might add with a sudo bar/gambling area. I doubt i would go back as I was just in the area.
(3)Lila G.
I have been here twice,the first time was great,we had good service and food! However,this second didn't go so good. The food was good and flavorful. Our server was horrible she seemed uninterested and not nice. She didn't really engage with us or treat us well and that is why she only got a $1 tip!!! (she is the older woman).
(2)Manda B.
Will definitely return. Excited to try more! Super friendly people working there. My family enjoyed it.
(4)Kay S.
I did like the Hot Pan, I've gone there 3 times now,... but will never return again. 1st Time: food was tasty (Dan Dan Noodles) but we were not warned that the noodles would be EXTREMELY spicy, the owner said, "they aren't that spicy," and don't get me wrong, I love spicy food... this heat was unbearable. 2nd time: My boyfriend got sick (he had the Dan Dan Noodles) 3rd time: (My first meal of the day) My boyfriend and I ordered the "Hot Pot." I got soo sick (nausea, vomit, chills) I will not return; all that I once thought good of this place is now gone. I'm cannot ever bring myself to eat there again. Other things I observed: The service is quite terrible (your server is also the cook and a buser) and I never see anyone wash their hands between cooking and servicing other customers. Also, what I found awkward was that they do their business in the dining room...very weird. It's almost as if the owners treat the place as their home, only I'm a paying customer, I prefer not to watch people conduct business on a laptop on a table cluttered with papers, and ask if I want a refill on my Jasmine tea while still sitting... This is one disorganized business and they aren't very polite. The three times I have been there, the place has been pretty empty, probably for the same reason I will not be going back.
(1)Richard F.
This place is very unassuming at first glance.... but upon entering you are greatest warmly by the owner as well as heavenly aromas of home cooked Asian cuisine. The only drawback was there was a slight wait... but let me tell you when the food arrived the wait was well worth it!!! The noodles are fresh handmade mouthfuls of heaven. Everyone in my group ordered something different and each of us could not wait to let one another try what they ordered, no one was disappointed everything from the noodle dishess to the rice dishes to The dumplings were fantastic. The dishes all left everyone wisheing they had more room to eat more. (I, in addition to taking home a few left overs...got a side order to take home to my fiance). I cannot stress enough that if you are looking for quality authentic homemade Asian food, look nowhere else but HOTPAN!!
(5)Jody R.
We were driving by and decided to check out this newer place. Its in a strip mall front, with about 10 tables inside. One of the features on the menu is something called "hot pot" which is a broth simmered on a safe heat-less induction cooker at the table. Meat and vegetables are loaded individually into the hot cooking broth by chopsticks or the stainless steel utensils provided. The server will bring you small portions of uncooked food as you request it. Choose meats vegetables, tofu, dumplings, noodles or fish from the from the list of fresh foods at your table. You have two hours at the cost of $16 per person. We decided to try the noodle dishes instead. The best way to describe our experience was incredible tasting Asian food that will require your patience for service. The night we went they had 3 large groups doing the hot pot and the two of us. Employees consisted of the owner / chef, a bus boy, and a child taking orders at the table. I hope this business survives as the food tasted incredible, but unless they hire some staff and get a business plan I fear not everyone is as patient as us. I understand times are tough for small businesses and especially restaurants. Our dinner took a little over an hour. From the point we sat down till we were served our food it was about 30 minutes.
(4)A H.
Would definitely go again. The kids loved it, even my picky who doesn't like Chinese food. The only negative is the portion of vegetable and meat you receive in a dish. The meat and veg are sliced very small. You do not receive the amount you may be used to in regular takeout. I will definitely have to order double veg and double meat for the hubs, next time we go.
(4)Anne N.
I stopped in for lunch today- What a great addition to our community! Not only were the noodles and potstickers fresh and deliciously cooked to order, they were sauced and spiced just right! And quantity! I took more than have of my noodles home! It's an intimate and charming storefront where you can watch the owner work her magic in the open kitchen. The woman who owns the place also does all of the cooking and sometimes serves too! It's wonderful to see someone who cares so much about the quality of the products she puts on the table infront of her customers. This place has a winning combination of quality and service- I'll be back! I took a to-go menu for my coworkers and plan on bringing carry out home for our family dinner very soon!
(5)Sarah B.
This restaurant was recently on Living Social, and I thought I would try it out since it's right in my back yard. I am so glad I did! The food was out of this world! So fresh, and delicious. I have never written a review about anything before, but I really want this place to succeed. It's such a little restaurant in a not so noticeable place. They make everything from scratch. So you will wait a little bit to eat, but soooo worth it!
(5)Tamara M.
Finally stopped by today. WOAH!!! The noodles are out of this world! The owner was wonderfully professional and very pleasant. Very pretty place as well. Can not wait to go back!
(5)Mandy B.
Don't be deceived by it's location or that it appears dark from the outside...this place is fantastic! The food is SO flavorful, made fresh, and service is very personalized! My boyfriend had the Dan Dan noodles and I had the Seafood noodles...never knew what cuttlefish was, but it's pretty tasty! I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)Lauren N.
This place is a nice surprise to the area. We started going here when they opened and have been coming back ever since. There is nothing here that I do not like and the portions are always so big that I can make two meals out of a dish. Try the pork pot stickers, they are some of the best that I have ever had. For the main dish I usually stick to the #8 noodles with beef. The beef and veggies are always tender with the addition to the beef broth and noodles make this a delicious meal. I have yet to try the hot pot but, I am hoping to test it out soon. One of the menu items I wish that Daisy would bring back would be the beef noodle soup :) Overall, I recommend making the trip out to this restaurant, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Paul K.
Amazing and delicious food. There is no place quite like this in the area. The food is so flavorful you just can't stop eating it. The beef potstickers and dan dan noodles were are favorite and would recommened them to everyone. Service was great, prices were very reasonable, portions were big, and the beer selection was surprisngly better than than most "upscale" restaurants. Definately can't wait to go back.
(5)Kevin H.
We recently discovered Hot Pan Noodles and were shocked by how amazing the food is. The noodles are homemade and the potstickers are to die for. The portions are just right and you can't beat the prices. We've eaten here about 5 times in the past month and it's been amazing every time. We haven't tried the hot pot yet, but the noodle dishes are amazing. They also have a nice selection of drinks. The service has been outstanding and we'll definitely be coming back often.
(5)