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The Best Hot Pot Restaurants in Toronto
The best hot pot restaurants in Toronto aren't easy to find. While there are a growing list of Korean BBQ and AYCE sushi options city-wide, restaurants specializing in traditional Chinese hot pot still number at a relatively minute list. For those unfamiliar, hot pot is essentially a fondue pot, but instead of cheese, chocolate or hot oil, the pot is filled with a savory soup base. And instead of dipping bread, cubed beef or pieces of fruit, Chinese hot pot is all about dipping a wide assortment of raw meat, vegetables, and seafood until the simmering pot cooks it just to your liking.
What distinguishes good hot pot restaurants from the rest usually comes down to the quality and freshness of the ingredients as well as the taste and variety of the dipping sauces that land on your table. The choice of soup base is also a key factor. It can make or break the entire meal. Most hot pot restaurants will give you a big list of vegetables and protein to choose from while the soup bases might range from a simple chicken broth to more complex sweet coconut or hot and spicy varieties.
Prices generally hover in the $18.99-$20 range per person and, yes, it's an all-you-can-eat feast. Fun fact: In Cantonese, hot pot is pronounced Da-Been- Lo.
Here are the best hot pot restaurants in Toronto.
Writing by Austin Miao, with contributions form Amanda Yiu. Top photo by kaeko in the blogTO Flickr pool
Little Sheep
With restaurant locations around the world including China, United States, and Canada, Little Sheep is one of the leading hot pot connoisseurs. Serving the highest quality of meats and fresh vegetables, it's no wonder that they're always busy every night of the week. Whatever you decide to cook in it, their hot and spicy broth is sure to deliver a kick. At $18.99 per person for all-you-can-eat, it is definitely a must try for every hot pot fanatic. Located at Warden Avenue south of Finch. More »
I Cook Buffet
For those who don't like to share their food this is the place for you. With a more unique spin on hot pot, I Cook Buffet at Warden Avenue and Steeles allows each diner to choose their own flavorful broth from a wide selection (some free, some for a small additional cost) and have their own pot set right in front of them. With a station allowing you to concoct your own sauce, it makes for a more fun experience for first timers venturing into hot pot. Don't worry about the buffet running out of food. This restaurant gets so busy on weekends and staff are always stocking it with fresh grub. Bonus! There's also a drink fountain so you need not worry about being parched during your meal. More »
Kim Tao Hot Pot
A hidden treasure, Kim Tao has been in the business for a while. It's a hotspot for younger diners who like to indulge in late night hot pot adventures (open till 3am). All you need to do is fill out a food order form and delight in fresh meats and seafood while also enjoying the company of comrades and endless amounts of ice cold beer. Do not let the location near the Buttonville Airport fool you. Kim Tao gets super busy on weekends so arrive early and stay late. More »
Hipot Hot Pot Restaurant
A recent addition to the GTA's hot pot culinary landscape, Hipot attracts Richmond Hill locals to its clean and comfortable digs. The big selling point? Hipot offers half a lobster for free when you order the seafood pot. Not into seafood? The quality of the meat is excellent here and all the fish and meat balls are hand-made. More »
Lucky Season Hot Pot
Also newly opened in Richmond Hill, Lucky Season hot pot has a clean, spacious, and comfortable setting. For all you can eat options, you can choose from beef hot pot ($18.99) or a seafood hot pot ($20.99). This restaurant will only get better with time and experience in the business. More »
Made In China Hot Pot
There is more to hot pot at this Midland Avenue destination. With cheap breakfast, lunch and teatime specials, Made in China offers a Hong Kong diner feel when indulging in the wide range of Asian offerings. For under $20 a person, you can get all-you-can-eat dinner hot pot and pick from many different types of meats, seafood and veggies. It's also worth going just to check out its spunky interior decor such as their bird cage ventilators. More »
Shaanxi Restaurant
Shaanxi Restaurant near Leslie and Highway 7 serves Sichuan-style Chinese cuisine. Half of their menu is comprised of spicy dishes including chicken in chili pot. A bowl of special hand-made noodles is $4.99 but hot pot aficionados will want to get the all-you-can-eat hot pot for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is nice and clean overall and the waitresses are friendly. More »
Rolling Pot Shabu Shabu
Rolling Pot is a popular hot pot restaurant found next to Pacific Mall. With dinner pricing starting from $18, you can cook all the meat, veggies and seafood you want in your own individual shabu shabu hot pot bowl. Everything is customizable, from the food to the soup base to your own sauce. The place is usually packed in the cold winter months, so service is busy and may not always be attentive. More »
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Ematei's is very good.
I know a lot of suburban folks get offended when we downtowners say that, but who told you to move out to Richmond Hill? I know the rent/mortgage is cheaper, but in return, you don't get to live in Toronto anymore. The 3rd place on the list is near Buttonville Airport. Is that REALLY Toronto? I know suburbanites try to convince their friends it is, but deep down inside, they know better.
I understand that these lists are voted on, so I can't blame the site too much, but there must be a limit. I think that everywhere on these lists should be easily accessible with the subway, or (only) ONE bus/streetcar connection, from a subway station.
Or give us a separate Toronto list, to go along with this Best Hot Pot Restaurants in The GTA list - even if it's a short list!
blog to needs more austin
Most Toronto people know a lot of our most authentic Asian cuisine (and other ethnic cuisines) is now outside the downtown, so get over it unless you want BlogTO to give us their subpar recommendations just because you won't have to take a bus! We are lucky to have restaurants that are so authentic in the city!! :) I, for one, will enjoy.
That said, I DO hope Little Sheep is better than it is in China (it is a MASSIVE chain that was just purchased by KFC's parent company). When I ate there in Shanghai it is the only hotpot I have had that gave me a terrible headache....I suspect MSG. :-(
NO ONE EATS HOT POT IN SUMMER.
Its like posting the best ice cream shops in the dead of winter.
prince bakery- renders satisfying at best.
little sheep- does not serve with any msg or preservatives.
it is a bit of a trek to many of the restaurants, but everyone knows a lot of the best authentic asian cuisine is located in markham, scarborough, richmond hill.
As Julia says, it's well known that the best Chinese food in the GTA isn't in the city anymore, but in Richmond Hill or Markham.
Finally, no one in their right mind should be having hotpot in the summer.
I'm pretty sure the commute to Niagara Falls is closer than some of these places.