Nothing beats a hot bowl of soup on a rainy or chilly day. Hot pot – a classic Chinese cooking method wherein more vegetables, spicy broth, and raw meat are cooked in front of you – can give you comfort, satisfaction, and more.
Hot pot does not only warm your tummy but is also an interactive way to eat with family and friends. It offers limitless possibilities, perfect for a winter evening and a spicy detox after a fun night. The dish is so in demand that there has been an influx of Chinese restaurants overseas through the years, especially in Toronto.
Call your hot pot squad and invite them to any of the following best hot pot restaurants in Toronto. These are the best in the area, and sure, they will please even the pickiest of eaters.
1. Liuyishou Hotpot
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Address: 254 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 2C2
Address: 4188 Finch Ave E Unit 14&15, Scarborough, ON M1S 4T6
Address: 650 Hwy 7, Unit #102, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 2N7
Right off the bat, Liuyishou hotpot is the most popular restaurant when it comes to serving the most delicious hot pot. Its success is incomparable, with 18 locations across North America and three in Toronto (Downtown, Richmond Hill, and Scarborough).
This place’s signature hot pot dish is Liu’s House Special Soup. Made with premium beef oil and various delectable hot pot toppings, it is not for the faint-hearted. If you love an extra spicy dish, give it a try.
Their high-quality and fresh ingredients make Liuyishou unique from other hot spot places. Their veggies are crispy and fresh, and their meat is thinly cut. Not to mention the various selection of dipping and hot sauces. With their great selection of veggies, meat, and desserts, it’s not enough to try all of them in one visit.
2. Chine Legendary Hot Pot & Noodles
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Address: 327 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 2E9
Head to Spadina Avenue and dine at this restaurant to transport your senses to China! Also known as Chine Hot Pot, this restaurant offers a luxurious AYCE hot pot experience. After a long day of work or shopping, you definitely deserve a hearty and relaxing meal.
Here, you can choose one of 10 soup bases. You can go for a non-spicy broth like the specialty tomato broth or the killer spicy broth if you can handle the heat. Their AYCE menu includes over 60 hot pot items, such as fresh meats, seafood, veggies, and noodles.
With individual pots placed in front of each diner, you can customize your soup however you want it. You won’t need to fight over who gets to add what ingredients because everyone can put whatever they want in their own special pot.
The place is usually flooded with diners, but that’s the point of being in a hot pot place. More than the food, it’s the socialization among diners that makes this place a hit!
3. Happy Lamb Hot Pot
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Address: 421 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 2W4
Address: 2543 Warden Ave., Scarborough, ON M1W 2H5
Address: 1100 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Unit #17, Mississauga, ON L5C 4E9
Happy Lamb delivers a first-class hotpot experience for a reasonable price. This place is one of the most affordable AYCE hot pot stops in Toronto, offering nicely cooked beef, lamb, broth, and wonton. The service here is very amusing, especially for kids. A robot will serve your food and cater to all your needs.
Happy lamb is also available in various locations in Toronto. Whichever branch you go to, you can always satisfy your hankering with their handmade noodles, soup, and grilled meats. Their signature shabu-shabu lets you enjoy a complete meal with your choice of beef, broth, veggies, and other toppings.
4. Haidilao Hot Pot
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Address: 5328 Hwy 7 Suite 4, Markham, ON L3P 1B9
Address: 1571 Sandhurst Circle, Unit #106F, Scarborough, ON M1V 1V2
You’re not a true fan of Hot Pot if you haven’t heard of the ever-famous Haidilao Hot Pot. This successful buffet restaurant has been making waves in Asia, especially China, and finally invaded Toronto. With locations in Scarborough and Markham, this restaurant will satisfy your hot pot cravings.
Some of their signature dishes are Cattle Stomach, Beef Trachea, and Boneless Basa Fish. They are all made with fresh and delicious ingredients. Their broth is also out of this world, flavourful, and with the right amount of spice.
For a more fun hot pot experience, try “dancing noodles” at their Scarborough or Markham branch for dinner.
5. Beijing Hot Pot Restaurant
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Address: 107 Parkway Forest Dr, North York, ON M2J 1L8
Beijing Hot Pot is probably the most underrated hot pot restaurant on our list. Located at a corner in a shopping plaza at Parkway Forest, this place offers high-quality meats, seafood, veggies, and sauces in a simple broth option.
The spicy broth is the main highlight of this restaurant. It is flavourful, lip-smacking, and has the right amount of heat, ensuring a bold dining experience. Whether you’ve just started to love hot pots or are an expert, you can never go wrong with this little gem.
6. Daimaru Sukiyaki
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Address: 390 Silver Star Blvd, Unit #117, Scarborough, ON M1V 0E3
This Japanese restaurant is the sister restaurant Gyubee, a high-quality AYCE Japanese BBQ joint. So if you’ve been to Gyubee before, you’ll know that Daimaru will be just as good when it comes to hot pot meals.
Their menu offers 3 different sets for people to choose from Basic, Premium, or Wagyu. Most people go for the Premium Set, which allows you to order premium beef, various balls (beef and squid), and creme brulee. If meat isn’t a priority, the Basic Set gives you access to all the fresh vegetables you need. However, if you’re here for the meat and price isn’t a factor, then the Wagyu Set is the way to go.
Remember that AYCE restaurants have a 2-hour limit so pace yourself accordingly!
7. Xiang Zi Hotpot
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Address: 3989 Hwy 7, Markham, ON L3R 5M6
Once you arrive at XiangZi, you will be welcomed with their spacious and elegantly designed restaurant. The place gives you a luxurious vibe as if you’re on a Chinese movie set. As to the hot pot experience, this place is a bit unique because of its buffet concept. Most of the food is self-service – grab the food, cook it, and enjoy it.
Almost all the food you can order at AYCE hot pot places is available here. They will also never disappoint should you want premium a la carte. Whether you want a traditional Chinese dining experience or something more elegant, the place is sure to please you.
8. Ye Skewers Hot Pot
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Address: 3260 Midland Ave, Unit F111, Scarborough, ON M1V 0C7
Address: 15480 Bayview Ave, Aurora, ON L4G 7J1
Hot pot is a fun experience on its own, but this restaurant takes it to the next level by skewering the meat for you! With your favourite meat on a stick, you can now fully enjoy the hot pot without having to fish for cooked meat from the bottom of the pot.
Similar to Chine, you get your very own pot to cook the meat in. The pot is placed on a small burner, and you toss in as much meat as you want.
The style is very much like a buffet-style restaurant where the hot pot ingredients are placed in refrigerated stations. Whenever you run low on veggies or beef, just grab what you need and bring it back to your table to cook.
Beside the fridges full of various types of meat, there’s a sauce station where you can create your own perfect dipping sauce. With all these DIY options, it’s easy to see how this place became a favourite among young people.
Overall, the biggest perk of dining here is that you can be adventurous as you can try eating different things in one setting.
9. Hotpot 9
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Address: 241 Consumers Rd, North York, ON M2J 0E9
Feel immersed at Hotpot 9 with their Imperial China-inspired interior. This restaurant is a must-try for anyone looking for a unique AYCE experience. Ordering here is convenient – tap the QR code, and you’re all set!
Their specialty is their soup bases with innovative flavours you can’t compare to anywhere else. Whether you crave a tangy milky soup, a spicy one, or a fragrant curry flavour, this hotspot stop will satisfy your tastebuds.
So, if you want to be creative or have a good time with friends, dine at Hotpot 9. The food experience is truly one for the books!
10. Vintage Hotpot
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Address: 3355 Steeles Ave E, Unit #1, North York, ON M2H 3S8
With many Chinese celebrities endorsing Vintage hotpot, there’s no denying that it is one of the most established hotspots out there. They have been in the business for over 30 years with hundreds of locations. Their branch in North York is the first overseas restaurant of this brand.
The menu at Vintage Hotpot is available in both printed form and through a QR code. They offer a wide selection of meats, veggies, and desserts, so there are endless options for flavours. You can’t go wrong with their tomato and pork bone soup bases, but spice-lovers know that their spicy house special soup base is the best.
You will enjoy exploring this heavenly spot if you’re an adventurous foodie. Pork intestines, Grass Beef Omasum, Beef Aorta Slice, anyone? Some will say, “no way,” but all dishes are highly delicious and prepared with care!
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