TOP 5 Alternatives to Sichuan Hot Pot

Article By XIANEASE

There is a certain passion that many people have for spicy, Sichuanese hot pot. We get it. But after a while, all of them start to taste the same. In order to escape from the monotony of repetitive hot pot experiences, we have compiled a list of the Top 5 alternative hot pot flavors that you can try here in Xi’an. If you have a chance to try some of these, let us know by messaging us at food@xianease.com

01 Beef Hot Pot
潮汕牛肉火锅

Walking in to one of these hot pot, you might mistake it for a butcher’s shop. This style of hot pot comes from ChaoShan in Guangdong. As fresh beef is the star of the show, you will see them slicing up fresh cuts out front. The real secret to this style of hot pot is to avoid the cuts that would normally be good for a steak (filet, sirloin, etc.0 and go for the leg cuts, which taste better boiled. Beef hot pot is a great choice to warm you up in the cold winter months.

潮汕林记牛肉火锅
群贤路与南二环交界中海华庭底商118号
Qunxian Road and S.2nd Ring Road, Zhonghai Huating Commerce-subjacent No.118
Time: 11:00 – 04:00 Tel: 135-5643-0005

02 Ice-Boiled Lamb
Hot Pot
冰煮羊

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This Inner Mongolian specialty hot pot has an interesting twist to it. The lamb, water (bottled Nonfu Spring Water, and seasonings are set to boil with a near full pot of ice for 15 minutes.  While the exact reason for this is not clear, it might be to have a gentler boil, resulting in some of the most tender lamb you will have anywhere. In lieu of the typical self-served dipping sauce, this is typically served with a house-blended sauce and homemade chili oil. Perfect paired with a cold bottle of Wusu beer.

锡林阿玛冰煮羊
科技路305号高新大都荟7号楼都荟里4门6层
Keji Road No.305 Xi’an Daduhui Building 7 Block A Gate 4, 6F.
Time: 11:30 – 23:00 Tel: (029) 8869 6357

03 Tomato Hot Pot
番茄火锅

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This hot pot challenges the idea that water is the only medium for hot pot. The base for this version is a tomato soup, liberally seasoned with various other vegetables. The restaurant mentioned below serves up organic vegetables, many of which are grown on-site in their hydroponic “garden”. You can have a typical spread of different meats (lamb, beef,etc.) or you can go for their selection of organic mushrooms.

番食园鲜食火锅
高新一路与科技四路交叉口东北角
Northeast corner of the intersection of Gaoxin 1st Road and Keji 4th Road
Time: 10:00 – 22:00 Tel: (029) 8956 8831

04 Chicken Hot Pot
打边炉

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This version of hot pot hails from Hong Kong and is sometimes called HuaJiaoJi 花胶鸡. This hot pot contains tender chicken and a bright yellow sauce that mainly gets its color from vegetables, including pumpkin. The restaurants are often decorated in the style of a Hong Kong street market. Pots com with either half or a whole chicken stewed inside.

禧街香港打边炉
怀德巷23号唐延鑫苑底商
Huaide Xiang No.23, Tangyan Road North Section.
Time: 11:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 22:30
Tel: 173-9160-0245

05 Stone Pot Fish
Hot Pot
石锅鱼

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Stone Fish hot pot originates in Yunnan, and is a very distinctive experience. After selecting your fish, it is cleaned and prepared before being placed in an empty stone bowl in the center of your table. A thatched wicker cone is then placed on top and the server flips a switch. Suddenly, there is a rush of sound from a hidden valve and the pot disappears in a cloud of steam. In roughly a minute, the valve is closed once more and in your stone bowl is a delicious fish soup. After a bowl or two of the soup, you can use the soup like a regular hot pot. It is definitely worth trying.

云南生态石锅鱼
建国路31号金顶人家1楼北3号
No.31 Jianguo Road.
Time: 11:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:00
Tel: (029) 8745 1793

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