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

Shanghai

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