Tanghuo Kungfu is a growing chain known for its fast-casual, highly customizable approach to Sichuan-style malatang, a popular Chinese street food that allows diners to build their own hot pot experience from a wide array of ingredients. With existing locations in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, Carrollton, Texas, and other markets, the brand has developed a following for its interactive format and bold, spice-forward flavors. The incoming location will take join a bustling Asian dining hub that includes neighboring concepts like Shan Xi Magic Kitchen and Yun Tea House.
At the core of the concept is a self-serve ingredient bar featuring more than 90 options, ranging from leafy greens, mushrooms, tofu, and noodles to thinly sliced meats, seafood, and specialty items like fish tofu, quail eggs, and rice cakes. Diners select their ingredients, which are then weighed and priced by the pound before being cooked in one of more than a dozen broth options. Signature preparations include the classic mala broth, known for its numbing Sichuan peppercorn heat, as well as bone broth and other milder alternatives. For those looking to skip the soup, the restaurant also offers mala dry pot, a wok-tossed, spice-laden stir-fry version of the same customizable concept.
Beyond its signature hot pot and dry pot offerings, Tanghuo Kungfu’s menu at other locations includes a range of appetizers and small bites such as Taiwanese-style crispy chicken, dumplings, fried skewers, and noodle dishes, rounding out the experience for both casual diners and late-night crowds. The concept is also known for extended hours in other markets, with some locations operating until the early morning. Public records show that a beer and wine license application has been filed for the Kearny Mesa outpost, indicating plans for on-site dining with alcoholic beverage service.
Tanghuo Kungfu Hot Pot is expected to open later this year at 4344 Convoy Street, Suite N, in San Diego’s Kearny Mesa neighborhood. For more information, visit tanghuokungfula.com.
Originally published on March 17, 2026.
