YGF Malatang
The San Diego branch of Yang Guo Fu, one of China's biggest malatang chains, in Independence Square on Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Fill a bowl from a long fridge of meats, seafood, tofu, veggies and noodles, pay $13.99 a pound, pick a broth and they cook it for you — then finish it at a free sauce bar. Bright, clean and self-serve, with free fruit tea.
- Build your own bowl $13.99
- Parking: Easy: usually plenty of spaces, though some are tight and lunch can fill it
- Details checked Oct 2026.
7317 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111
YGF Malatang is a mid-priced hot pot spot in Independence Square on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in the Convoy District in San Diego's Kearny Mesa. Regulars order the Classic herbal beef bone broth — the one regulars come back for; medium spice if you want the Sichuan-pepper tingle and the Tom yum broth for something sour and hot, or sweet and sour tomato if you want zero heat. Parking is easy.
Parking at Independence Square
Easy- Cost: Free for customers
- Fills up: Fri, Sat, Sun 5–8pm · Easiest: weekdays 3–5pm
- Shared with: PT Eatery, Lolita's Mexican Food, Itacho Sushi, Yuk Dae Jang
Big Independence Square lot shared with Lolita's and PT Eatery — usually plenty of spaces, though some are tight and lunch can fill it.
Park once, walk to
- SPOT KTV Karaoke · 1 min
- 99 Ranch Market Grocery · 2 min
- Wushiland Boba Boba · 2 min
Independence Square guide Every lot on Convoy
Fill times estimated from Google's Popular Times for the spots in this lot. Walk times are estimates.
Good to know before you go
Cost & paying
- $13.99 a pound, plus $2.99 if you pick the beef bone broth — heavy items like meatballs and frozen tofu add up fast; a full bowl can feed two
- Free fruit tea with refills; some reviewers also got free edamame
Waits & timing
- Dine-in, takeout and delivery; weekdays close 3-5pm between lunch and dinner, weekends open straight through
- Gets packed at peak dinner — there's a tablet waitlist at the door; staff walk first-timers through the steps
At the table
- How it works: grab a bowl and tongs, fill it from the fridges, have it weighed at the counter, choose a broth and spice level, then mix your own sauce while it cooks
- The spicy dry mix (no soup) runs salty for some people — ask for less sauce
- Shares the room with Bei Yuan Tea, so boba is right there
Dessert or tea after YGF Malatang
- Wushiland Boba Get: Roasted oolong milk tea with mini boba
YGF Malatang vs other Convoy hot pot
| Spot | Order | Price | Latest close | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YGF Malatang | Classic herbal beef bone broth | $$ | 9pm | Easy |
| Liuyishou Hot Pot | Sukiyaki broth | $$$ | 10pm | Medium |
| YinTang Spicy Hot Pot | Original beef bone broth | $$ | 9:30pm | Brutal |
| Yonny Mini Hot Pot | Signature suancai fish with snakehead | $$ | 10pm | Medium |
YGF Malatang: quick answers
What should I order at YGF Malatang?
Regulars order the Classic herbal beef bone broth (+$2.99) — the one regulars come back for; medium spice if you want the Sichuan-pepper tingle, Tom yum broth for something sour and hot, or sweet and sour tomato if you want zero heat, Fresh noodles in your bowl — but one portion is plenty, they swell.
Is parking easy at YGF Malatang?
Parking is rated Easy for this lot at peak times. Big Independence Square lot shared with Lolita's and PT Eatery — usually plenty of spaces, though some are tight and lunch can fill it.
What should I know before going to YGF Malatang?
How it works: grab a bowl and tongs, fill it from the fridges, have it weighed at the counter, choose a broth and spice level, then mix your own sauce while it cooks. $13.99 a pound, plus $2.99 if you pick the beef bone broth — heavy items like meatballs and frozen tofu add up fast; a full bowl can feed two. Free fruit tea with refills; some reviewers also got free edamame.
Where can I get dessert or boba near YGF Malatang?
Wushiland Boba (boba, 3 min walk).
Does YGF Malatang take reservations?
Gets packed at peak dinner; there's a tablet waitlist at the door; staff walk first-timers through the steps.
YGF Malatang hours
| Mon | 11:30am–3pm, 5pm–9pm |
| Tue | 11:30am–3pm, 5pm–9pm |
| Wed | 11:30am–3pm, 5pm–9pm |
| Thu | 11:30am–3pm, 5pm–9pm |
| Fri | 11:30am–3pm, 5pm–9pm |
| Sat | 11:30am–9pm |
| Sun | 11:30am–9pm |
How to find it
Details checked October 2026. Wrong hours, closed, or changed? Report a problem