The Hot Pots: Cheap Chinese Food in Rowland Heights, California

The variety of Chinese food found in California is pretty amazing. There is a myriad of wonderful places to eat everything from Cantonese Dim Sum to Beijing Hot Pot and more. I really enjoy visiting the area, partly thanks to the many different places I can get delicious Chinese food at. Most of the restaurants are pretty affordable, including one I recently found in the Life Plaza shopping center at Rowland Heights, called Hot Pots. No, it is not an actual hot pot (shabu shabu) place, the name is somewhat misleading. Rather, this place offers a small array of affordable Chinese food, all prepared very quickly.

The Life Plaza area shopping center is pretty swell, but has horrible parking. I've been there several times, trying bubble tea or other treats at the various eateries located inside, but I have never had a full meal there, until this latest visit. We had eaten a large lunch, so we didn't need a huge dinner, but we still wanted to find something to eat, and not just a boba tea drink. We walked into the main food area, at the far end, just as the people were starting to trickle in for dinner. This part is setup; much like a food court in a mall, but you actually sit down and order from a menu, unlike ordering at a counter at malls. We were seated quickly and proceeded to order a large bowl of noodle won ton soup with the Chinese brocoli ('gai lan') inside. The menu had several different dishes available, all of the 'fast' Chinese food variety, but all still considerably fancier and more authentic than a place like Panda Express.

Our bowl of won ton soup arrived quickly and we set ourselves about eating and drinking/slurping it. The won tons were good, the noodles were decent, the gai lan alright and the soup a little strong. Still, it was a bargain at around $6.50 with tax, for two people. Unlike some other Chinese restaurants of similar size, this place did accept Credit Cards with no additional fee or minimum price.

So, if you are in Rowland Heights and you need a quick, affordable meal of Chinese food, check out the Hot Pots in the Life Plaza shopping center. Most likely, you'll appreciate it like we did!

The Hot Pots

1388 Fullerton Rd #123

Rowland Heights, CA 91748

626-839-3297