Photo: Diao Yu Tai Hotpot
Cover Photo: Diao Yu Tai

If you haven't jumped on the hot pot trend, it's time to start

Hot pot restaurants have mushroomed all over the city, drawing us in with its promise of a hearty meal and a convivial communal dining experience. Many of them play this factor up with karaoke facility and even a fully stocked bar. There is no better way to spend a rainy evening than huddled over a steaming pot of broth, coating a selection of sliced meats and traditional fixings into experimental dipping sauces.

The Klang Valley has no shortage of hot pot haunts, many of them livening conventional dining experiences with karaoke facilities and even fully stocked bars.  Here are some of the finest hot pot restaurants in the area to check out, should the urge to dunk food into steaming broths hits.

See also: The History Of Hotpot

1. Diao Yu Tai Hotpot

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 5 Triple pot (Photo: Diao Yu Tai)
Photo 2 of 5 Pork shoulder (Photo: Diao Yu Tai)
Photo 3 of 5 Black Angus Chuck Rib (Photo: Diao Yu Tai)
Photo 4 of 5 Deep Fried Pork Belly (Photo: Diao Yu Tai Hotpot)
Photo 5 of 5 Clase Azul Reposado premium tequila

A newcomer on the scene, it serves authentic Chengdu-style hot pot overseen by 18-year veteran chef  Reno Foong Keng Yew who specialises in Chengdu, Cantonese and Szechuan cuisines. The broths pack a punch, even the non-spicy pork bone soup that is delicious on its own. There are also ready-made dishes to snack on.

A well-stocked bar sits on site, offering a luxurious selection comprising rice wines, Generous Gin Classic from France and Clase Azul Reposado tequila from Mexico. Want to make it a party? Book one of the karaoke rooms, where you can eat, drink and sing to your heart's content. 

Diao Yu Tai Hotpot
Address: Ground Floor, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, Menara Lien Hoe, 8, Persiaran Tropicana, 47410 Petaling Jaya. +6010 303 1888 

2. Her Ping Hotpot

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Photo: Instagram/@her_ping_hotpot
Above Photo: Instagram/@her_ping_hotpot

If the broth makes or breaks a hot pot experience, then Her Ping Hotpot's selections will keep you coming back for more. In addition to the usual mala and pork broths, it also serves the rather refreshing chicken coconut broth and even bak kut teh broth, for those who want to get the most out of this beloved local delicacy.

Her Ping Hotpot
Address: Unit No G-7, Mont Kiara Merindin 19, Jalan Duta Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. +603 6211 1772 

3. Fei Fan Hotpot

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Photo: Fei Fan Hotpot
Above Photo: Fei Fan Hotpot

Fei Fan Hotpot's spicy mala soup is known as one of the spiciest dishes in the Klang Valley, certainly not for those with a weak stomach. Don't be disheartened though, it also serves two 'safer' options: pepper pork or pork bone broth.

Fei Fan Hotpot 
Address: 163 Retail Park, Unit #9, 8, Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. +603-6419 4928

See also: A Taste of Home: Andrew Wong Of A.Wong In London Shares His Hong Kong Hotspots

4. Hotpot Kitchen

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Photo: Hotpot Kitchen
Above Photo: Hotpot Kitchen
Tatler Asia
Photo: Hotpot Kitchen
Above Photo: Hotpot Kitchen

For a dry version of hot pot but still loaded with spices and flavours, check out Hotpot Kitchen. What this means is that you pick your ingredients and everything will be cooked in the kitchen rather than cooking them yourself in a steaming pot at your table. You will also be asked to choose your preferred level of spiciness so that the chefs can tailor the food to your taste. 

Hotpot Kitchen
Address: Level 2 S-045A, Mid Valley City, 58000 Kuala Lumpur. +6012-217 8092

5. FWF Hot Pot

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Dishes at FWF Hot Pot (Photo: FWF Hot Pot)
Above Dishes at FWF Hot Pot (Photo: FWF Hot Pot)
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Handmade bamboo shrimp paste (Photo: FWF Hot Pot)
Above Handmade bamboo shrimp paste (Photo: FWF Hot Pot)

FWF Hot Pot’s origins are steeped in history, with its name stemming from the first-ever hot pot restaurant—Feng Wang Fu. The restaurant brings authentic Cheng Du-style hotpot to the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Their signature spicy mala soup is a must-have, offering the mind-numbing spice hot pot aficionados crave. Find traditional hot pot fixings alongside its specialities, like duck intestine, snowflake beef slices, and handmade bamboo shrimp paste. 

FWF Hot Pot
Address: Jln Bukit Bintang, C1213-G, 55100 Kuala Lumpur. +6011-3984 1230

6. Shu Daxia Hot Pot

With over 650 outlets in China and across Southeast Asia, Shu Daxia hot pot is well-loved throughout Asia. Expect only the finest Sichuan cuisine has to offer. Its menu offers both classic mala soup and milder broth options for those with lower spice tolerances. Beauty collagen soup, which is only growing in popularity, can also be found here. Fortify your order with tai chi mashed shrimp, handmade ebiko shrimp balls, and marinated pork ribs. 

Shu Daxia Hot Pot
Address: 340, Jln Tun Razak, Kampung Datuk Keramat, 55000 Kuala Lumpur. +6011-1204 1268

7. Lamei Hot Pot

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Butter carving (Photo: Facebook / Lamei Hotpot)
Above Butter carving (Photo: Facebook / Lamei Hotpot)
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Hot pot fixing dipped in customisable sauce (Photo: Facebook / Lamei Hotpot)
Above Hot pot fixing dipped in customisable sauce (Photo: Facebook / Lamei Hotpot)

Lamei Hot Pot is best known for intertwining soulful meals with the theatrical. Served solid, adorably shaped flavoured butter imbue steaming broths with a distinct silkiness. Its signature proves its pork bone soup, laboriously stewed for 18 hours. Popular accoutrements include crispy pork, snowflake pork belly, and handcrafted shrimp balls. 

Lamei Hot Pot
Address: G/F, OB2.G.U3A, Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall Jalan PJS 11/28,Subang Jaya, Sunway City, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. +6012-552 8166

8. Coca Restaurant

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Photo: COCA Restaurant
Above Photo: COCA Restaurant
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Wagyu Ribeye (Photo: COCA Restaurant)
Above Wagyu Ribeye (Photo: COCA Restaurant)

Head to Coca Restaurant for a taste of Thai hot pot complete with a choice of tom yum or southern Thai assam pedas, better known as Gaeng Som, broth. Complement this with a serving of the mouth-watering Chef Pitaya's Crab Cakes. 

COCA Restaurant 
Address: Level 3, Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC), 285, Jalan Maarof, 59000 Kuala Lumpur. +603 2011 3575 

See also: Elizabeth Thea on Cherished Chinese New Year Traditions

9. Beauty in The Pot

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Photo: Facebook/美滋锅 Beauty In The Pot
Above Photo: Facebook/美滋锅 Beauty In The Pot
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Photo: Facebook/美滋锅 Beauty In The Pot
Above Photo: Facebook/美滋锅 Beauty In The Pot

It's all in the name—Beauty in the Pot serves the hugely popular Beauty Collagen Broth containing dried scallops and pork bones. It goes well with a selection of premium ingredients from abalone to Nagano pork collar.

Beauty in The Pot 
Address:  Lot T-201B, The Gardens Mall, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur. +603-2202 1599

10. The Croc Pot

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Sliced meat at The Croc Pot (Photo: The Croc Pot)
Above Sliced meat at The Croc Pot (Photo: The Croc Pot)
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One of The Croc Pot‘s offerings (Photo: The Croc Pot)
Above One of The Croc Pot‘s offerings (Photo: The Croc Pot)

Nestled in Kuchai Lama, The Croc Pot prides itself on being one of the largest hot pot eateries in the Klang Valley. Indulge in a bowl of broth alfresco or in one of their private rooms. Innovative soup bases can be found here, from black truffle mushroom soup to sour spicy soup. Its menu is as impressive as its interior, boasting an assortment of seafood, vegetables, and meat platters. 

The Croc Pot
Address: Lot, 14080, Jalan Kuchai Lama, Kuchai Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur. +6013-639 7272

11. HaiDiLao Hotpot

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Photo: Instagram/@myhaidilaohotpot
Above Photo: Instagram/@myhaidilaohotpot
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Xiao Hai (Photo: Instagram/@myhaidilaohotpot)
Above Xiao Hai (Photo: Instagram/@myhaidilaohotpot)

A household name here and globally, HaiDiLao comes straight from the kitchens of Sichuan. It's known for its custom broths—the Sichuan mala and pickled broths are legendary, but the milder Three Delicacy broth offers a nice counterbalance. 

HaiDiLao Hotpot 
Address: Lot 10.104/105.00 & P10.101.00, 10/F, Pavilion Elite, 168, Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur. +603-2110 5210

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