Hot pot is the perfect option for group dining: it's a fun, interactive and communal experience that gets everyone involved. There are many different types but we've focused on Sichuan and Mongolian hot pot; here is your hit list for the best hot pot in central London. Hot pot - a beginner’s guide Unfamiliar with hot pot? No worries - just run through our beginner's guide first. First, choose your broth base, or bases. Options will run from a light and non-spicy chicken, mushroom or tomato broth to a darker, oilier, spicy broth; Sichuan hot pot will have at least one spicy option containing characteristic numbing Sichuan pepper and chillies. Most restaurants will offer flexibility with a yin-and-yang divided hot pot of two, three or four broths, so those who love their soup spicy can share a table with those who like the heat dialled down a little. Next, choose a selection of prepared proteins, vegetables and extras: traditionally, expect a menu containing everything from lamb, beef, pork, seafood and tofu to duck’s blood, tripe, beef tendon and brains. Obviously the larger your group, the more ingredients you can choose immediately, but - to keep it Cheapo - don’t get carried away and be tempted to overdo it at this stage. You can always order more as you go. Now everyone gets involved. Wait for the soup to come to the boil and then everyone around the table can add their ingredients piece by piece into the simmering broth until cooked. You will be given two sets of chopsticks (or other utensils) to prevent cross-contamination; one for picking up raw ingredients and retrieving cooked items from the soup to your bowl, and a separate pair to eat with. You should also have a wire mesh ladle or slotted spoon, which are useful for fishing out ingredients that need a longer cooking time. Don’t overcrowd the pot as the ingredients are designed to cook very quickly. Root vegetables, meatballs and seafood will take around 3-5 minutes or longer but thinly-sliced meat should be ready in less than 30 seconds - check that the colour has completely changed. To avoid overcooking, it is best to hold the meat with your chopsticks and swish it around in the soup until it is done, rather than dropping it in and then trying to find it and fish it out in time. As you cook the meat and vegetables, the broth will take on some of their flavour and become more developed and complex. Noodles are best cooked at this later stage; keep stirring to prevent them sticking together. Don’t leave it too long, though - if your broth reduces too much, the wait staff may come and top it up to prevent it becoming too salty. Spongy-textured ingredients like fried tofu will absorb a lot of of the hot broth, so be careful not to burn your mouth; leave it for a few seconds to cool before eating. Traditionally nomadic herders, Mongolian cultural influences can be seen in their hot pots. They tend to primarily feature lamb, which may be grilled before adding to the hot pot to develop the flavour, plus have a clear broth and a smaller range of vegetables and extras. Sichuan hot pots will have spicy, flavoured broths and a wider choice of ingredients, plus a range of dipping sauces to customise them. The best hot pot in central London Haidilao Part of the largest worldwide Chinese hot pot chain, you can immediately tell this is not their first rodeo. We were given a number of items as soon as we were seated: an apron to prevent drips and splashes, a band to tie our hair back, a fabric bag for our coats and bags to prevent the steam from the simmering broth making them smell, and an iPad to look through the extensive menu and order. Cheapo Top Tip: There are certain codes and phrases that will land you a free toy or some snacks, although not all of them seem to work in London. Try ‘this little angel/fairy is here for hot pot’ to get a fairy wand, or ‘Do I look like a child?’ to nab a different toy. If you tell staff ‘Your soup base is delicious’ or ‘Your snacks are so tasty’ they should bring you some packets for free. You only get one code per visit though, so choose wisely. It’s worth ordering the noodles just for the performance noodle pull; noodles will be stretched tableside by being snapped, twirled and rippled like the ribbon in a rhythmic gymnastics display. The sauce station is also absolutely worth it, as this gives you access to a wide range of ingredients to build a dipping sauce to customise your meal; there are a couple of recipes displayed to inspire you if you are a hot pot rookie. Piccadilly, Greenwich Cheapo Top Tip: If you’re looking for a post-midnight feast, the Piccadilly site is open daily until 3am; check out our other late-night dining suggestions for central London. Shu Xiang Ge This restaurant claims to be London’s first authentic Sichuan hot pot restaurant and prides itself on staying traditional. It's on the basic side and customer service can be a bit hit and miss but the flavours are certainly there; we recommend you treat the spicy broth with the respect it deserves. I see many, many chillies in your future. Chinatown Happy Lamb Hot Pot As the name suggests the key ingredient of this Mongolian hot pot is lamb, although they do have an optional side hustle of beef. Bone broths are simmered for over 6 hours to develop flavour and include 36 fresh ingredients such as healthy-eating favourites goji berries, jujubes (or Chinese red dates) and ginseng. Holborn, Bayswater Cheapo Top Tip: You can claim a 10% discount on food with a valid physical student, NHS or Army ID from Monday-Friday. Hotto Potto This Sichuan hot pot has a great BBQ selection and a handy mixed platters for those who struggle with the amount of choice. The menu includes recommended cooking times (although five minutes seems a long time for fresh scallops to us, but you be the judge). If you're planning a night out, you might be swayed by the fact that it has private karaoke booths. Aldgate XiongQi Hot Pot This is a great group option to escape the culinary wilderness that is Leicester Square. A poster on the wall has suggested cooking times and knowledgeable staff are happy to give advice. Leicester Square Chilli Cool A casual restaurant with a separate area for hot pot; Chilli Cool is, ironically, famous for the fearsomely authentic levels of chilli and Sichuan pepper in their dishes. Bloomsbury Da Long Yi Hot Pot Worth a visit just for the amazing flavours and mouthfeel of the spicy butter hot pot, made with over 20 spices and simmered for over 4 hours. It's Sichuan hot pot but there are gentle herbal broth options for the faint-hearted. Fitzrovia Looking for other dining options in central London? We've got you for late night dining, pre-theatre dining, set lunch deals, Sunday roasts and more.
A Cheapo's guide to London
A Cheapo's guide to London
A Cheapo's guide to London