When in Beijing you really need to try a #Beijing style hot pot. One of the most famous restaurants that serve this is Dong Lai Shun #BeijingRestaurants which has a history that dates back over 100 years with the original location frequented by controversial leader Chairman Mao Zedong.
The idea behind the hot pot is simple. Numerous assorted raw ingredients are cooked at the table in a pot of simmering hot soup which is then dipped into a variety of sauces before consumption.
There are a variety of vessels that can be used for cooking the soup in. At Dong Lai Shun you have a choice of cloisonne or copper hot pots and a choice of various soup bases. Cloisonne pots are the more ornately decorated of the pots whilst the copper ones are less expensive and upon looking around the dining room seemed to be the more popular choice. The pots have a chimney protruding from its middle with metal flaps at its opening at the top to help regulate the temperature of the liquid in the surrounding bowl. During your meal a waitress comes over to check up on the heat of the pot and adds more water when necessary whilst adjusting the covers accordingly.
I went for the more expensive 'supreme hot pot' broth in the cloisonne vessel which was a simple broth flavoured with prawns, squid, baby cuttlefish and scallops, tripe, dried chinese dates, leeks, ginger, goji berries. I also ordered the 'supreme lamb chops' as my protein of choice which arrived as paper thin slices of marbled meat. Various dipping sauces include a sesame sauce, spicy sauce, sesame oil and garlic, and a sugar/garlic sauce. I chose the spicy chilli oil paste.
On tasting the soup I was a bit disappointed as I was expecting more flavour especially since I paid for the 'supreme' broth in the cloisonne pot. The flavour of the soup was way too subtle for my bold palate. Luckily that's where the dipping sauce comes in to help enhance the flavour of what could otherwise have been a totally bland eating experience.
Hot pots are super popular in #China and there are different regional variations. For example, in Sichuan province the addition of chillies and sichuan pepper takes the broth to another level. Also, because all the ingredients are cooked in the soup before eating, hot pots are a really healthy option as it's virtually oil and fat free.
If you're looking for a fun and entertaining way to dine with family or friends then a hot pot meal may just be the answer.
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