There is perhaps no dish more emblematic of Chongqing than its fiery, numbing hotpot. A culinary icon that embodies the city’s bold spirit, Chongqing hotpot is not just a meal—it’s an experience, a social ritual, and a testament to the locals’ love for intense, mouth-tingling flavors.
Unlike other regional variations, Chongqing hotpot is distinguished by its rich, crimson broth, brimming with fiery chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns that deliver a signature málà (numbing and spicy) sensation. The broth is traditionally made with beef tallow, enhancing its depth and aroma, while a medley of spices like star anise, cloves, and ginger infuse it with complexity. The result is a potent, addictive flavor that keeps diners reaching for more—even as their lips burn and their tongues tingle.
A Chongqing hotpot meal is a communal affair. A bubbling pot, often split into a spicy (hóng táng) and mild (qīng táng) side, is placed at the center of the table. Diners then cook an array of fresh ingredients in the broth: thinly sliced beef, lamb, and pork; offal like duck intestines and beef tripe; handmade meatballs; and an assortment of mushrooms, tofu, and leafy greens. The key is in the dipping sauce—a simple mix of sesame oil, garlic, and cilantro that cools the palate while enhancing the flavors.
Hotpot is more than food in Chongqing—it’s a way of life. Locals gather around steaming pots to bond, celebrate, and even conduct business. The best hotpot restaurants are often hole-in-the-wall joints where the air is thick with spice and the chatter never stops. In summer, despite the sweltering heat, people still flock to hotpot shops, sweating profusely as they indulge, believing that the spice helps "sweat out" the humidity.
For an authentic experience, head to legendary spots like Xiaolongkan Hotpot, Dezhuang Hotpot, or Liuyishou Hotpot, where the broth has been perfected over decades. Street-side stalls and late-night hotpot joints also offer unforgettable experiences, often at a fraction of the price.
The Loquat Park Hot Pot established in 1995, locating on Hot Pot street on Nanshan Mountain. It is on the slope of a hill, containing more than 700 tables inside the loquat garden, and visitors can even pick loquats in May and June during dining. Like the environment here, the ingredients, cooked in an open kitchen, are fresh and healthy, provided by local farmers every day.
| Address: | Wenfeng Main Street Laochang Jinzhu Cun, Nan’an District |
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| Opening Hours: | 09:00 - 00:00 |
| Contact: | +86-23-62483138 |
Located on the “hot pot street” on Nanshan Mountain, there is a hot pot restaurant hiding on a hill inside the green woods. The style of the gate indicates the restaurant is a gorgeous and grand mansion. In the past 20 years, it has focused on making Chinese culture-based outdoor hot pot by broadcasting the caravan culture and land hot pot (initially began from caravan during the journey on land). The restaurant cooks soup by spring water so that the color of the soup is red and bright and is stomach-friendly. Fresh vegetables and horse meat are popular with visitors.
| Address: | Wozigo Bus Station, Hot pot Street, Huangjin Road, Nanshan Mountain Street, Nan’an District |
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| Opening Hours: | 09:30 - 23:30 |
| Contact: | +86-23-62482666 |
In 2004, Yuewei Xiaoyu Hot Pot showed on “A Bite of China” and occupies one of TOP 50 Hot Pot twice in Chongqing. The restaurant uses the spiciest Sichuan pepper “Chao Tian Hong” and the most color-bright Sichuan pepper “Xin Yi Dai”. These condiments make the soup taste spicy and look beautiful. Other selected condiments like star anise, fennel, etc. are cooked with beef tallow, stimulating the diner’s appetite.
| Address: | No. 86, Pipashan Main Street, No. Attached 1, Yuzhong District |
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| Opening Hours: | 09:00 - 00:00 |
| Contact: | +86-23-63512840, +86-15923212506 |
Chongqing hotpot isn’t for the faint-hearted—it’s a fiery, exhilarating adventure. But for those brave enough to take on the heat, it’s an unforgettable taste of Chongqing’s passion, resilience, and zest for life. As the locals say: "If you haven’t eaten hotpot in Chongqing, you haven’t truly been to Chongqing."
So, gather your friends, brace your taste buds, and dive into the bubbling, spicy depths of Chongqing hotpot—it’s a culinary thrill ride you’ll never forget.