8 places for hot pot in Philly, ranked from best to worst
Philadelphia is home to several great restaurants that offer the communal soup-eating experience that is hot pot.
Hot pot is a dish originating in China that’s essentially soup—a tasty broth full of vegetables, meats, noodles, and soy foods, the final mix depending on what you like best. Although hot pot has been around in China for thousands of years, sharing a hot pot meal with friends and loved ones is becoming more and more popular in the United States.
While you can order hot pot on many a Chinese menu, a hot pot restaurant is something special, as you cook your own food at the table in a simmering pot of broth. The social experience that accompanies your dinner is just as comforting as the food. And in Philly, you have numerous and diverse opportunities to try hot pot, from Korean barbecue fusion to hot pot made in the traditional Sichuan style.
We ranked the eight hot pot places in Philly where you and your friends and family can cook numerous vegetables, meats, noodles, and soy-based foods like tofu—perhaps some ingredients that are new to you. Still, we encourage you to try out these hot pot places for yourself. After all, creating your own hot pot restaurant ranking sounds like a great excuse to eat hot pot every week.
1. Kungfu Hotpot – Chinatown
A classic hot pot standby, Kungfu Hotpot is a popular Sichuan hot pot restaurant in Chinatown with a diverse menu, including premium extras like lobster and a large salad bar. And though it’s a classic Chinese restaurant, it doesn’t only have Sichuan options—one of the best broths is Kungfu’s tom yum, a Thai broth made with lemongrass. Note that because of Kungfu Hotpot’s popularity, there’s often a wait, but you can reserve a table in advance via Yelp.
2. Feng Hotpot – Midtown Village
Feng Hotpot has had a limited time to earn reviews and accolades, as the Sichuan hot pot restaurant only opened in January. Still, it’s quickly becoming a Philadelphia favorite for its authentic hot pot experience and menu of more than 100 fresh items—including a host of vegetables, various tofu varieties, and a wide range of meats. You can customize your order via a tablet at your table, so you can be sure you make your hot pot just the way you prefer. And unlike many hot pot places, the Midtown Village restaurant lets you take your leftovers home.
3. KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot – Multiple locations in Philadelphia
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is an all-you-can-eat restaurant that combines Chinese hot pot with Korean barbecue—both experiences of cooking your own food at your table. Each table features individual burners for hot pot as well as a grill, so that you can create hot pot in addition to barbecue masterpieces. There are three locations in Philly—one in South Philly and the other two in Northeast Philly, so KPOT is always easily accessible for your next group hang.
4. Chubby Cattle – Chinatown
Chubby Cattle is the most popular hot pot restaurant on Yelp and is an ideal restaurant for special occasions. It’s a bit more upscale, especially since it transitioned from traditional hot pot to shabu-shabu (Japanese hotpot) and all-you-can-eat Wagyu beef. This does mean that the focus is on beef, rather than on other meats and vegetables. Chubby Cattle is a popular chain across the country—the restaurant group, Chubby Group, is responsible for more than 30 restaurants nationwide, including 15 Chubby Cattle restaurants.
5. Nine Ting – Chinatown
Nine Ting, a cozy spot in the Chinatown neighborhood, offers a private room for large groups and serves all-you-can-eat hot pot alongside Korean barbecue. Though the menu is large, the restaurant isn’t too tough on your wallet—after all, you not only get to cook your own food, but you can also BYOB! And on your birthday, you eat at Nine Ting for free. Choose either hot pot or Korean barbecue—or both for just $5 extra.
6. LàTAO Hotpot and BBQ – University City
LàTAO Hotpot and BBQ, in University City, is a convenient and delicious restaurant for both hot pot and Korean barbecue. It’s not only an all-you-can-eat place with dozens of veggie, meat, noodle, and tofu options, but LàTAO also has a full bar where you can order a lychee martini or other fruity (and not so fruity) drinks.
7. Seafood Hotpot – Chinatown
Seafood Hotpot is a Chinatown hot pot spot that offers some premium seafood you might not find at all other hot pot places, namely crab legs. You can even order Cajun-inspired hot pot and have your own mini Cajun seafood boil, right at your table! Seafood Hotpot is the place to head if you’re looking to focus your hot pot experience on seafood flavors. The restaurant is also more affordable than some of the swankier hot pot restaurants on this list.
8. MLBB Hot Pot – Chinatown
MLBB Hot Pot—Ma Lu Bian Bian Hotpot—is a relatively new addition to Philadelphia’s Chinatown, having opened just last year. The menu features several different broths, a variety of vegetables and meats, as well as a selection of hot pot skewers. Plus, the vibe is contemporary and fun, as the interior of the Sichuan-style hot pot restaurant is covered in neon lights. The restaurant is an import from China; MLBB Hot Pot is a popular hot pot chain in the country. In fact, there are more than 1,000 locations around the world.
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