With nearly 2,000 years' history, hot pot is a great creation by Chinese and has spread to many other countries. It is extremely favored by Chinese people. Especially in winter, hot pot is an ideal choice for a warm family gathering or a party.

There are many kinds of hot pot in different regions of China; however the dining customs are similar. Usually there is a copper pot in the center of the table containing a simmering soup base. Various food materials are placed into the pot, including sliced mutton, beef, chicken, leafy vegetables, mushrooms, glass noodles, frozen bean curd, and seafood. The foods are cooked only a few seconds after placing into the boiling soup. Then they can be eaten with a dipping sauce.

In Shanghai, there are a great number of hot pot restaurants. Sichuan, Beijing and Guangdong hot pots are the most popular styles. Sichuan hot pot has a spicy soup base while Beijing non-spicy. Guangdong hot pot features fresh and expensive seafood. Many of the hot pot restaurants serve self-help sauce. It is fun to mix oil, sesame butter, peanut butter, preserved bean curd and caraway to suit your own taste.

 Recommended Hot Pot Restaurants:

 Hong Chang Xing Mutton Hot Pot
Chinese name: 洪长兴羊肉馆 (hóng cháng xīng yáng ròu guǎn)
Specialties: This restaurant opened in 1891 is really a representation of Shanghai hot pot. The food materials are boiled in the plain water in the copper boilers and then dipped into the sauce mixing peanut butter, preserved bean curd and caraway. Instant-boiled mutton here is the most popular. In addition, the shashliks are also worth trying.
Address: 10F, No. 288, North Guangxi Road, Huangpu District (near East Nanjing Road)
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 22:00
Average cost per person: CNY 70 - 80

 Dong Lai Shun
Chinese name: 东来顺涮羊肉 (dōng lái shùn shuàn yáng ròu)
Specialties: This is an old authentic Beijing hot pot restaurant. The decoration and the food show traditional eating habit in north China. Soup with ginger, scallion, and dried shrimps in it fills the copper boiler on the table. The instant-boiled mutton is terrifically tender and delicious.
Average cost per person: CNY 50 - 100

Lao Ximen Branch: 1F, Shen's Garden, No. 567, South Xizang Road, Huangpu District (the intersection with Middle Fuxing Road)
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 4:00 (the next day)

Shimen 2nd Road Branch: No. 215, Shimen 2nd Road, Jing'an District (near Xinzha Road)
Operating Hours: 10:00 - 22:00

Pudong Branch: 5F, Sanxin Building, No. 579, Zhangyang Road, Pudong New Area
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 22:00

Xujiahui Branch: No. 235, Guangyuan Road, Xuhui District (near Huashan Road)
Operating Hours: 9:30 - 14:00, 17:00 - 2:00 (the next day)

 Hai Di Lao Hot Pot Restaurant
Chinese name: 海底捞火锅店 (hǎi dǐ lāo huǒ guō diàn)
Specialties: The most laudable thing of this restaurant is the service. Free soybean milk, fruit, and snacks are available when you wait before dining. Glass cleaning cloth, towels, and elastics are provided to bring you convenience while dining. Additionally internet access, shoe polishing, and nail beautifying services are also free of charge. The food here is excellent especially the instant-boiled beef.
Address: No. 1100, Wuzhong Road, Minhang District (the intersection with Wanyuan Road)
Operating Hours: 9:00 - 23:00
Average cost per person: CNY 60 - 100

 New Flower City Abalone Seafood Chafing Dish
Chinese name: 新花城鲍鱼海鲜火锅 (xīn huā chéng bào yú hǎi xiān huǒ guō)
Specialties: This is a high-class hot pot restaurant famous for its luxury food materials. Fresh abalone and fish are the signature dishes. Instant-boiled beef, lobsters and fish balls are tasty.
Average cost per person: CNY 300 - 500

Donghu Branch: No. 58, Donghu Road, Xuhui District (near Middle Huaihai Road)
Operating Hours: 17:00 - 22:30, 24:00 - 4:00 (the next day)

Hongqiao Branch: 201, Area A, L.A. Square, No. 1665, Hongqiao Road, Changning District (the intersection with Shuicheng Road)
Operating Hours: 17:00 - 4:00 (the next day)

Huashan Branch: No. 486, Huashan Road, Jing'an District
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 22:00

 Faigo Hot Pot
Chinese name: 辉哥海鲜火锅 (huī gē hǎi xiān huǒ guō)
Specialties: Faigo has a quiet and elegant environment. The main dishes here are fresh seafood airlifted from Hong Kong. Boiled beef, abalones, meat balls, and fish are tasty when being dipped into the special seafood sauce. However, Faigo is a little pricy.
Address: No. 795, Julu Road, Jing'an District (the intersection with Fumin Road)
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 2:00 (the next day)
Average cost per person: CNY 300 - 500

 Hotpot Shanghai
Chinese name: 鲍鱼火锅 (bào yú huǒ guō)
Specialties: This is a luxury hot pot restaurant. The tableware and the food are all in dainty presentation. Fresh abalone and Kobe Beef are main dishes here. So you can imagine the high prices.
Address: No. 2378, Jianhe Road, Changning District (near Hongqiao Road)
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 22:30
Average cost per person: CNY 700 - 1000

 Mi Ai Zhou Seafood Porridge Hot Pot
Chinese name: 米爱粥海鲜火锅 (mǐ ài zhōu hǎi xiān huǒ guō)
Specialties: Instead of soup, this restaurant has porridge in the hot pot. After boiling the palatable beef, mutton, fish and oysters, the porridge thus becomes a yummy.
Address: 7F, Cloud Nine Shopping Mall, No. 1018, Changning Road, Changning District (near Kaixuan Road)
Operating Hours: 10:30 - 14:30, 16:30 - 21:30
Average cost per person: CNY 60 - 100

 Colourful Hotpot
Chinese name: 鼎采香 (dǐng cǎi xiāng)
Specialties: The special layout of this restaurant is designed by a Swedish designer. Every diner can have his own pot here. Shrimps, mutton and beef are all fresh and delicious however with a little high price.
Address: No. 99, Yandang Road, Luwan District (near the intersection with Nanchang Road)
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 14:30, 17:00 - 2:30 (the next day)
Average cost per person: CNY 150 - 200

 Kuo Bee Pen Da
Chinese name: 锅比盆大 (guō bǐ pén dà)
Specialties: This restaurant is famous for its curry hot pot. The food tastes delicious when boiling in the dense curry soup. Shrimp balls are highly recommended. However, the dishes here are served in very small plates.
Average cost per person: CNY 90 - 140

Huashan Branch: No. 301, Huashan Road, Jing'an District (near Changshu Road)
Operating Hours: 11:30 - 4:00 (the next day)

Xuhui Branch: No. 567, Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District (near Xiaomuqiao Road)
Operating Hours: 10:00 - 24:00

Zhangyang Branch: C3-C4, No. 601, Zhangyang Road, Pudong New Area (the intersection with North Nanquan Road)
Operating Hours: 10:30 - 22:30

 Dolar Shop
Chinese name: 豆捞坊 (dòu lāo fáng)
Specialties: It is an authentic Macau hot pot restaurant. Unlike other noisy hot pot restaurants, the environment here is caliginous, quiet, and comfortable. Every diner has his own small pot and self-help sauce. Vegetables, meat, shrimps, and many other materials are all served in delicate vessels.
Average cost per person: CNY 80 - 140

Pudong Branch: 9F, Pudong International Food Center, No. 601, Zhangyang Road, Pudong New Area (near North Nanquan Road)
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 22:00

Jing'an Branch: 20/21F, Bailemen Hotel, No. 1728, West Nanjing Road, Jing'an District (near Huashan Road)
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 23:30

Tianyaoqiao Road Branch: 3F, No. 363, Tianyaoqiao Road, Xuhui District (near East Nandan Road)
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 24:00

West Tianmu Road Branch: 20F, Xinmei East China Hotel, No. 111, West Tianmu Road, Zhabei District (near Meiyuan Road)
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 22:30

 Hot Pot King
Chinese name: 来福楼 (lái fú lóu)
Specialties: Simple environment and various food make Hot Pot King popular. The special beef, prawns, fish balls, and shrimp balls are recommended. You can also try the delicious snacks served here. Usually, there is a discount for lunch.
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 24:00
Average cost per person: CNY 70 - 100

Ascendas Plaza Branch: 2F, Ascendas Plaza, No. 333, Tianyaoqiao Road, Xuhui District (the intersection with Nandan Road)
Lippo Branch: 3F, Lippo Plaza, No. 222, Middle Huaihai Road, Luwan District
Huaihai Branch: 2F, No. 1416, Middle Huaihai Road, Xuhui District (near West Fuxing Road)

 Feng Hua Hot Pot
Chinese name: 丰滑火锅 (fēng huá huǒ guō)
Specialties: This restaurant is similar to the forenamed Dolar Shop. You can have your own pot and self-help sauce here. The recommended dishes include instant-boiled prawns and crabs.
Average cost per person: CNY 70 - 100

Zhaojiabang Branch: 1F, Building 2, Golden Bell Plaza, No. 680, Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District
Operating Hours: 11:30 - 14:00, 17:30 - 21:00 (on weekdays); 11:00 - 22:00 (on weekends)

Bailian Zhonghuan Branch: F10, 4F, Bailian Zhonghuan Commerce Plaza, No. 1288, Zhenguang Road, Putuo District
Operating Hours: 11:30 - 22:30