Do you know how to make a hot pot? This steamy DIY-style feast is a favourite amongst those who know it, but can be a confusing experience for those who don't, so let us explain. Basically, the hot pot involves having a pot of boiling broth with its own burner. on the table in front of you. You'll order a few plates of raw meat and veg, which you dip into the soup for a few minutes to cook (you may want to practise your chopstick skills for this), before putting them straight into your waiting mouth.
Depending on the style of hot pot, there's a whole host of other optional steps, from choosing your hot pot soup base to mixing your own dip at a sauce bar, so we'd recommend taking a familiar friend along for your first foray. . And to send you on your way, here's where to dip a slice of marbled wagyu into a hot pot in Brisbane, whether you want spicy Szechuan soup, all-you-can-eat hot pot or Japanese shabu shabu.
HaiDiLao
Sunnybank
The opening of HaiDiLao in Sunnybank this year was a big deal for hot pot lovers. The restaurant chain is ubiquitous in China, with over 176 locations in 53 Chinese cities and a large international footprint to boot. After opening in Sydney and Melbourne, the restaurant has now landed in Sunnybank, and is definitely worth a visit. Here you can choose to have one, two or four different soup bases in the same pot (with dividers), there's a handy cheat sheet on the wall to help you mix your sauces, and you can order everything from marinated beef to quail. eggs to tofu skin rolls and bok choy for dipping from a handy iPad. You'll find HaiDiLao on the upper level of the market square.
Shabu House
City of Brisbane
If it's Japanese fondue you're after, Maison Shabu is the place to go, and you'll want to work up a big appetite because this place is all-you-can-eat. For between $35 and $46 per person, depending on when you go, you can choose your soup base (there are flavours such as tom yum, miso and fish), then help yourself to a selection of meat, vegetables and noodles from the buffet. As an added bonus, while you're waiting for everything to cook, you can head to the sushi and hot food bar, all included in the price per person.
YX Mini Hot Pot
Sunnybank
Save your visit to YX Mini Hot Pot for payday, as this place is a bit of a buzzkill. On the plus side though, everyone here has their own individual stock pot with their own burner, meaning you don't have to share (ideal for anyone who doesn't yet share their meals after Covid). It also means you can get a bit adventurous even if your dining companion doesn't like pork stomach slices and beef tripe, or simply stick to familiar bites like chicken slices and fish fillet basa. Keep an eye on the robot waiter too.
Seafood fondue buffet
Sunnybank
Seafood Fondue Buffet combines an all-you-can-eat buffet experience with individual broths, which are presented in colourful pots for you to cook in. There are seven different soup bases to choose from, but don't delay choosing between the potato curry and spicy butter, as you only have two hours to indulge. Once you've chosen, head to the buffet for fresh ingredients, sauces and even spices to add to the pot - with 150 different types of food to choose from, the combinations are endless.
Where to stay
When it comes to indulgent dining experiences, Brisbane offers not only a delectable range of hot pot restaurants but also a selection of luxurious accommodations. Queensland boasts a collection of exquisite 5-star hotels and charming boutique establishments in Brisbane that complement your gastronomic adventures perfectly. After savoring the rich flavors of hot pot cuisine, why not to choose the comfort of a stylish Queensland 5 star hotels on www.hotels-wales.com, where you can immerse yourself in opulent surroundings and impeccable service. Alternatively, boutique hotels in Brisbane offer a unique and intimate atmosphere, ensuring a memorable stay that mirrors the authenticity and charm of Brisbane's hot pot scene. Whether you're indulging in the steamy delights of a hot pot or unwinding in the lavish embrace of Queensland's finest accommodations, your culinary journey in Brisbane promises to be an unforgettable one.
David's potée
Calamvale
A bourne Melbourne brand, David's Hotpot is famous for its beef 'barbies' - thin slices of beef that come draped over a barbie doll, a bit like those toilet paper trolleys your nan used to have. Sticky? Yes. A fun novelty we'll be travelling for? Yes, that too. You can customise your soup base of choice, from mildly spicy to insanely spicy (that's literally what's on the menu) and choose from a range of traditional and not-so-traditional meats.
In the Jin
Macgrégor
Another hot pot that first hit Sydney before coming our way, Dans le Jin is all about the flavours of Sichuan. Things are a little more old school here, so you'll make your order by ticking boxes on a paper menu. Choose your soup bases, then decide between dipping meats like your basic pork belly slice and fish meatball, and more options like lobster tail and abalone slice, as well as noodles and sides. The menu even tells you how long to cook, which is handy if you're a beginner.
Port sound system
Hamilton
One for the total virgins who have no idea what they're doing and are a little apprehensive about it, Sono Portside is here to guide you through their style of Japanese fondue. Choose from one of four hot pot options to make your life easier: wagyu sukiyaki, wagyu shabu shabu, live abalone shabu shabu or Alaskan king crab kani tonyu nabe. All served with fresh vegetables, the staff will demonstrate the cooking process and even add rice and eggs at the end to create zosui, or rice soup, which is arguably the best part of Japanese fondue (if you know you know).
Bishamon
Spring Hill
Another Japanese fondue option without a complex ordering system, Bishamon has been in business for over 17 years, so they've definitely nailed it. Opt for wagyu beef or shabu shabu or sukiyaki pork (with a sake and sweet soy sauce broth), ton nabe pork (with sweet miso soup) or udon suki, which comes with a mixture of seafood, wagyu beef, pork AND udon noodles. You'll need at least two people to order, so don't dine here with a hot pot opponent.
