All Souped Up

Dongcheng | Taiwan Xiabu Xiabu Hotpot

Craving hot broth and quick service on a budget? Squeeze into a communal seat at the bar with built-in stoves, where loners and couples alike scarf down food from their mini pots, oblivious to their neighbors. Service is a brisk order-from-the-placemat kind of deal, but the portions are filling and of good quality. We stuffed ourselves to the brim, had leftovers, and still only paid ¥56/person. A combo meal (¥26), which includes meat, vegetables, and noodles or rice, is enough to scratch the average hotpot itch. Your wallet will love you.

Contact: B1/F Ginza Mall, 48 Dongzhimen Waidajie, 东直门外大街48号银座Mall B1楼, 8447-7726. See online for additional branches around town.

Xicheng | Dolar Shop

For the ultimate hotpot fun, round up your best buds and head to this diner, where free tea and watermelon ease the wait in line. Top-notch service (aprons for the diners in white, baggies to shield spilled sauce from phones) and comfy ambiance make for a boisterous night of cooking, saucing and noshing. The glittering buffet bar of sauces and appetizers had us smiling even before we sat down. Macau hotpot’s specialty is hua (¥38), seafood paste presented in seashells and rolled into balls. Cool down afterwards with a lip smacking fruit bing sha.

Contact: 7/F Joy City, 131 Xidan Beidajie, 西单北大街131号大悦城7楼02, 5971-6881

Jianguomen | Long Island Hong Kong Hot Pot

Elegant? Healthy? These aren’t words usually used to describe hot pot, but this island of tranquility reminds us that organic veggies (sourced from Lohas) do taste better. The delicate fragrance of the Pork Rib and Sweet Corn Broth (¥48) was so beguiling that we had four bowls, in addition to tender beef slices (¥42) from the glass-enclosed kitchen. Attentive waiters pull out all the stops, with various sauces and spoons and the quietly murmured, “Let me scoop out the broccoli for you before it gets mushy.” Comparatively pricey, but well worth the splurge.

Contact: 1/F Dongfang Ruijing,16 Jianguomen Waidajie, 建国门外大街16号东方瑞景1楼, 6569-1616

Larissa Zhou