Came here 2 times already but I definitely have to say the second time is way better than the first time. We didn't have to wait for the first time however, the second time we had to wait 20 mins on a weekday around 1pm. Place doesn't look that clean to dine in and no good service here but they're Chinese grannies so that's expected. After ordering, it takes about 20 to 30 mins wait for food to come so be patient. I think cash so being cash! The first time we came, we order 1 mushroom chicken, 1 spareribs with Chinese sausages & bean sprouts mui. We didn't like the chicken cause it tasted blend & bottom where the rice crisps were hard since usually it's crispy. The kids loved the vegetable, however it was too oily. Like you can see all the grease dripping off each time you put it in your mouth. Second time around, we only had 2 spareribs with Chinese sausages since we like the most. This time around, the spareribs were super soft and flavorful. The crispy rice at the end were also super crispy like chips. However this time around it is smaller so I think they have a L & S pots. I would definitely recommend the small pot since it makes the rice more crispy. Somehow the big ones just don't make it crispy or maybe just that day? Overall I highly recommend this place.

The food was exceptionally delicious. We ordered two rice dishes and seafood. The food came out hot and steaming. The only complaint I really have is the cleanliness of the place. It's nice that they have a lot of good food and when all Asians are there that's always a good sign. Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian options only

This place is CASH only!!! Ordered two clay pots, which took about 20-30 minutes to make. That is generally how long it tastes to make clay pots so that everything is cooked, but not burnt. The Chinese sausage and spareribs were good. However, the Chinese bacon was too fatty for me and the chicken wasn't marinated enough so it was tasteless. They give you a bottle of soy sauce after the claypot arrives so you can control how much you want to put on there. I also got a big chicken bun, the size of a palm for only $2.50! Overall I liked this place and would return in the future!

A Hidden Gem for Clay Pot Rice Lovers After returning from Hong Kong, I was craving authentic clay pot rice, but my search around the Bay Area often left me disappointed, overpriced and mediocre at best. I typically avoid Chinatown for Chinese food, as many spots cater to tourists and lack authenticity. However, this unassuming little restaurant defied my expectations. Let's address the elephant in the room first: it's your quintessential old-school Chinatown eatery. The tables and floors are sticky, there are mouse traps here and there, and cleanliness isn't exactly a priority. But if you can look past the ambiance, you'll find some of the best clay pot rice in the Bay, rivaling the flavors I experienced in Hong Kong. I tried two dishes: the classic Chinese bacon clay pot rice and the Four Treasures, featuring "yellow skin" chicken, spareribs, Chinese sausage, and Chinese bacon. At just $13.50 each, the portions were generous. Something you rarely see anymore, especially when most clay pot rice dishes elsewhere hover around $20 or more. I have to admit, I'm usually wary of Chinese sausage and bacon due to their funky aftertaste when poorly made. But this place wowed me with its quality. The Chinese sausage was juicy and tender without being overly fatty, and the bacon was thinly sliced, avoiding the overly fatty texture I dislike. The spareribs were tender and flavorful, with the meat easily separating from the bone. Even the scallions were vibrant and aromatic, adding a perfect touch to the dish. Now, let's talk about the star: the rice. This wasn't just any rice, it was fresh-crop rice with a slightly translucent appearance, a delightful chewiness, and a rich flavor. The grains were distinct and not clumped together. And yes, they nailed the crispy rice layer at the bottom of the pot. Waiting for it to crisp up is key, and they achieved it by perfectly oiling the pot. Unlike other places where the bottom layer is more gummy than crispy, this was a textural delight. The soy sauce deserves its own mention. They use the proper sweet soy sauce in a bottle, which is already great, but it would've been perfect if served warm in a bowl, like the traditional way. Overall, this spot delivers some of the best clay pot rice I've had in the Bay Area. While a few places attempt it, they often fall short on authenticity or execution. If you're a fan of clay pot rice, don't let the interior scare you off. It's worth it. Pro Tip: Parking is a challenge. Even on a Sunday evening after 7pm, street parking was nearly impossible to find. The nearest parking garage is less than a 10-minute walk, so plan accordingly. Whether you're here for the clay pot rice or their other traditional Chinese dishes (which looked just as tempting from what I saw others ordering), this place is a must-try for anyone chasing real flavors.

The wait was long. Because the locals were already in line. Service was slow. Because the 1.5 waitresses were hostessing and serving the plentiful clientele - another point for authenticity ;) And the food itself was phenomenal. A MUST if you like crispy rice (on the edges) that's flavored from the tender meat. Pairing it with soup on a cold fall/winter lunch or dinner is a must do when in Chinatown. We hit the lunch rush at 12:30 on a Monday but it trickled down an hour later so head then if you're able to. Still crazy how crowded it was on a weekday but seems like they're all regulars at Ma's. Btw bring cash - how many points for authenticity is that? Why aren't you making plans to head on over already?

If you're craving clay pot rice, come here for authentic cuisine at a reasonable price. Came here on a Saturday night and it was packed -- for a party of 2, we waited about 30 minutes for a table. We got the Chinese bacon, sausage, and chicken clay pot and the eel clay pot, both small. Definitely was plenty for two people, but maybe if you have a bigger appetite, a large might be better suited. Chinese bacon, sausage, and chicken clay pot: 4/5, i liked this one a lot because of the Chinese bacon. I didn't love the chicken texture, but the flavors of everything were good. We left the rice on the pot too long so it burned a bit more at the bottom, but that's our fault. Eel clay pot: 5/5, loved this one! I loved the soft eel texture, and they were generous with joes much eel they gave us. It was flavorful but not oversauced, and we nailed the timing on the crispy rice here so we got most of it out. They're cash only, and this is definitely not the cleanest place, but it is a truly authentic place. Even as busy as the restaurant gets, you can usually flag down a server to get help.

A tiny true hole in the wall with menu that mostly regional cuisine of Taishan. Even though the restaurant's has dimsum & cafe on its name and general Chinese fare, but most people comes here for the traditional Taishanese clay pots. This place is only for those who's willing to put any expectations and standard out of the door and brave enough to be the only one in the whole room who are not speaking Cantonese / Taishanese. It will be culture shock to some non Taishanese people to eat here but at least give it a try if you're curious about their traditional clay pot dish. I've had the Eel clay pot, nothing to write home about. But at least I've had it.