10 hot pot restaurants in Hong Kong: At 9 degrees celsius, hot pot is legit again

There's no better way to ward off the winter chills in Hong Kong than with a visit to a hot pot restaurantBy Zoe Li, Hong Kong Editor 17 December, 2009

Hong Kong might not have the giant 'World No.1 Hot Pot' like Chongqing does, but we still got some pretty good human-sized ones.

Hot pot restaurants in Hong Kong got a bad rap this summer when it was found that hot pot restaurants kept their air-conditioning on full blast throughout the sweltering summers just so hardcore fans would keep visiting. Talk about "climate change." Some of us went on a guilt trip and stopped having hot pot meals altogether.

But tonight, that all changes. Forecasts of temperatures as low as 9 degrees celsius means people will be rushing to hot pot restaurants in Hong Kong with clear consciences.

Here are some of our picks for a wide range of restaurants where diners get to sit around a steaming, boiling pot and stick yummy things into it to boil (including cheese fondue).

1. The Soup Bowl -- This cheap and cheerful Western District joint has every ingredient imaginable and is packed with people living nearby on any day of the week. The hand cut beef is a neighborhood favorite.
Sik On House, 56-66 Hill Road, Sai Wan +852 2291 6368

2. Little Sheep -- Yes it's a chain restaurant, but it's so good, Hong Kongers don't care; say "hot pot" and locals think "Little Sheep." The popularity is down to the consistent good quality of the soup base and the mutton. Plus, there's that small exotic factor, since it is touted as "Mongolian-style hot pot."
1-4/F, 16 Argyle Street, Mongkok +852 2396 8816 www.littlesheephotpot.com

3. Tanyoto Hot Pot -- Sichuan-style spicy soup base with fish head; can you handle it? If not, try the non-spicy, appetite-piqueing, tart tomato soup base.
5/F One Grand Tower, 639 Nathan Road, Mongkok +852 2381 2000

4. Him Kee Hot Pot -- Notoriously difficult to get a table; book a day in advance at least. High quality, fresh ingredients, hygienic surrounds. Dumplings and meat balls of a consistently good quality.
1/F, 2/F Workingfield Commerical Building, 408-412 Jaffe Road, Wanchai +852 2838 6116

5. Gyu Jin -- Shabu shabu and sukiyaki, with beef, beef, beef, and more beef.
Shop 22-23, 4/F, Millenium City Phase V, 418 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong +852 2172 6322

6. Sushi Kuu -- Known for its sushi by most, but known for it's Japanese pork shabu shabu by regulars.
1/F, Wellington Place, 2-8 Wellington Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central +852 2971 0180

7. Megan's Kitchen -- We fell for the gimmicky rainbow-colored platter of handmade meat balls, especially the bright yellow mango-stuffed pork ball. For exotic ingredients, check out the new soup base made with soft shell turtle, Tibetan red dates, and Chinese medicinal herbs, a combination that helps combat winter chills. English menu, wine and sake list.
5/F, Lucky Centre, 164-171 Wanchai Road, Wanchai +852 2866 8305 www.meganskitchen.com

8. Chesa -- Luxury cheese fondue at the Pen's signature restaurant. Tasteful, atmospheric Swiss chalet atmosphere, as is expected from the ultimate hotel, and perfect executions of Swiss-French food, including Swiss cheese pot.
1/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, 19-21 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui +852 2315 3169 www.peninsula.com

9. The Swiss Chalet -- Where Swiss expats go for cheese fondue. Gruyere, Emmenthal, Lamdenberger, Vacherin, melted and mixed with white wine. Dip venison and sourdough bread chunks in it. Check out Jason Bonvivant's post about it. 12-14 Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui +852 2191 9197

10. Kim Him Restaurant -- A korean barbecue joint that also offers hot pot. Yes, you read correctly. That means, bulgogi sizzling away on the barbecue plate on the left, fish fillets soaking in the soup pot on the right.
5/F Yau Shing Commercial Centre, 51 Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mongkok +852 2398 3777