Shancheng Lameizi Hot Pot

I tried hotpot here for the first time, and it was quite satisfying. It can be a bit on the pricey side, but the portion sizes were generous. The DIY sauce bar offers a variety of fun options, making it an excellent choice for large groups or families.

This restaurant is a must-visit if you enjoy spicy hot pot. I usually handle a lot of spice, but even the mild version here was quite intense for me! Be prepared for a long wait on weekends—up to two hours—but they do accept reservations via Yelp, so make sure to book ahead if you plan to visit during busy times. There is a wide variety of sauce ingredients to choose from to complement your hot pot. It was a first for me to see a restaurant offering a bottle of MSG (if you're feeling adventurous!). We opted for the half-and-half with a spicy tomato soup base. Great food, and definitely worth the wait!

This is one of the most authentic Chongqing hot pot restaurants in the area. It's extremely popular and always busy during meal times, so we arrived early to avoid the wait. They had a buffet bar offering traditional Chinese snacks. We ordered a half-and-half pot with mild spice and tomatoes, and we highly recommend this combination if it's your first time trying Chinese hot pot. The restaurant was very clean and beautifully decorated with stylish Chinese elements. When selecting ingredients for the hot pot, we particularly recommend the Angus Beef and Fresh Beef—they were both delicious and fresh. Dipping them in sesame oil and garlic from the sauce bar was a real treat. Plus, parking is free!

I was really satisfied with most of the items, particularly the Fried Tofu Skin, Lotus Root, and Sweet Corn! The Fresh Beef was reasonably priced and high quality. However, I found the flavors of the Angus Beef and Pork Blood to be a bit lacking compared to my expectations. Both the spicy and bone broth soups were outstanding, and the vegetables cooked in the broth were fresh and delicious. The restaurant also offers a variety of sauces and complimentary Chinese snacks. I absolutely loved this place and will definitely return!

It was my first time trying hot pot, and I went with some colleagues from work. It was an incredible experience! I will definitely be returning!