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On the corner of Valley and 7th in Alhambra is a restaurant that usually has a line out the door by 7pm daily. You wouldn’t know it by the name, but Jazz Cat Cafe is the place to go for some good hot pot. There is a slight twist. This is not your old-fashioned hot pot where everyone shares. Instead, each person gets a mini hot pot, and while you can still share, you don’t have to if you don’t want to.

First, you choose from one of the many soups for the base of your hot pot. For first timers or the less adventurous, I would recommend the Jazz Cat Soup. It’s a very basic broth. The more popular soups are the Hokkaido Miso Soup and Thai Lemongrass Soup. The Hokkaido Miso Soup uses Hokkaido milk, so the soup is very rich in flavor. Hokkaido is very well-known for its milk. There is almost a sweetness to the flavor. While the soup does not retain the sweetness, the distinct flavor of the milk is present. The Thai Lemongrass Soup is perhaps the most aromatic soup offered at Jazz Cat Cafe. The broth itself is very light and simple. If you’re having hot pot during the summer, this is the soup you want to order. It is so popular that Jazz Cat Cafe sells out of it some times. Personally, I am partial to the Hakkaido Kelp Soup (pictured on above). It is another light broth, but I find it to be surprisingly flavorful due to the addition of the thick slices of kelp. Not everyone enjoys kelp, however, so I am definitely selective about who I recommend this soup to. The price range is about $11.95 to $15.95, depending on what meats you want with your soup. Your choices are: chicken, beef, pork, lamb, shrimp, and assorted seafood. You could also opt for a veggie only plate, as well as order add-ons, such as udon noodles.

A typical plate includes your chosen meat, cabbage, cellophane noodles, bok choy, broccoli, pumpkin, carrots, tofu, fish paste (which will turn into fish balls after being cooked in the soup), and an egg for you to poach. There is also a little bowl of rice, but you can substitute it for additional cellophane noodles or onigiri (rice balls wrapped with seaweed). Your order will be brought to you on a tray with the mini hot pot, and under the hot pot is a little dish filled with a flammable jelly that they will light up for you. Once your soup gets a good boil going, it’s time to start cooking the food. Something you need to be cautious about: fire burns! One of my friends is unfortunately forever teased for accidentally setting her napkin on fire at Jazz Cat Cafe. The funny thing is when she went there on another occasion, she was retelling the story when at that exact same moment, a woman at another table had her napkin catch on fire. At my first visit to Jazz Cat Cafe, I am pleased to say I did not set anything on fire, though I did burn myself a couple of times when the flames from the pot across from me leaped towards me. If you sit near the edge of a table, be aware when people walk by you, the flames will move.

No alcohol is served here, but Jazz Cat Cafe offers an assortment of beverages. In truth, I’ve only tried two - the Brown Sugar Milk Tea and the Hokkaido Milk Tea. A friend let me sample his Brown Sugar Milk Tea on my first visit, and it’s okay. Nothing to write home about. The Hokkaido Milk Tea, on the other hand, is what I order every time. Remember what I wrote above about Hokkaido milk? That sweet flavor that was overpowered in the soup is very present here. I happened to order this on my first visit, and while I know I should venture out and try some of the other drinks on the menu, I have not been able to resist the Hokkaido Milk Tea. Now, the photo is a little deceptive. The milk teas are served in carafes, but they are short, small ones. Nevertheless, one carafe is more than enough for me. The milk teas are $4.50, but you get a discount if you order food.

Tips: Jazz Cat Cafe definitely gets busy during peak hours. If you’re going for dinner, try showing up around 5-5:30pm, otherwise you’ll be battling for a space in the parking lot or on the street. The wait for a table can also take quite some time. Service is overall good. Since they get so busy, the staff will typically not notice you unless you flag them down. Once you request something, they are quick to respond. For instance, if your fire has died out, they will put more flammable jelly in the tin for you and light up your hot pot again. Alternatively, if you’re done cooking and want the fire out, they’ll extinguish the flame. If you can’t finish your hot pot, containers are available, but everything must be cooked. You are not permitted to take home anything raw. Jazz Cat Cafe is worth a visit, but you should either hurry before the summer heat hits us in full blast or wait until fall/winter to check it out.

Jazz Cat Cafe
640 W Valley Blvd
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 293-8999
Hours: Sun - Thurs 11am-12am, Fri - Sat 11am-1am

By Pauline (see more of her posts).