"I 've eaten a lot of hot pot around the world. Most Americans don 't know that in many parts of Asia, hot pot is as common as a family Sunday dinner and hot pot restaurants can be more numerous than McDonalds. In fact, it is not uncommon to zip into a hot pot restaurant and have a quick lunch. I 've also eaten at a lot of hot pot restaurants in the U.S. and in most cases you find a lot of unauthentic things. That is why Hot Pot City has now become my favorite.Before getting to the food, I 'll mention the restaurant itself. Unlike most hot pot places, this is a place to take a group or a date for a pleasant evening. It 's big, but not huge. It 's well-lit, nicely decorated, and decently spaced out. It has open areas and more intimate corners. The pleasant, low-level background music compliments the nice ambience. It is also impeccably clean (unlike most hot pot restaurants . The tables, floors, and restrooms are spotless. The tables and booths are spacious and well-maintained. Unlike some hot pot restaurants, the induction heaters are recessed into the table tops and located further away from you. I mention these things because the majority of hot pot restaurants seem to aspire to vibe somewhere between a sports bar, a Waffle House, a Chuck E. Cheese, and a karaoke bar. This is none of those things. It 's a very nice, sophisticated, bistro setting.OK, now for the food. Simply: It is among the most authentic I 've come across here. Mind you, there are hot pot traditions in a lot of Asian countries and there are lots of variations. Still, the ingredients and condiments reflect much of what you would find overseas. Incredibly fresh.Hot Pot City (HPC is a fixed price, all you can eat. As of this writing (5/3/23 , weekday lunch is $22.99 and all other times during the day and week are $33.99. (Children get 50% off. Not the cheapest hot pot out there, but by the time you finish reading this, you 'll know why it 's a better value than most. Like many hot pot restaurants, you order food, drinks, refills, and summon your waiter from a simple touch panel at the table.The menu variety of hot pot ingredients surpasses even larger hot pot restaurants. A choice of TEN different soup bases, including an option for half and half. Traditional thinly-sliced premium beef, pork, and chicken are included, along with an array of traditional offal. (Hey! Don 't knock it, til you try it! Similarly, shrimp, fish, squid, octopus, mussels, and clams are also included as are the traditional soup favorites beef balls, fish balls, lobster balls, fish tofu , imitation crab stick, mini sausages, and SPAM. One notable item that you rarely see on any hot pot menu are fresh, handmade pork and cilantro meatballs. (There are also 12 special traditional meat and offal selections available for an additional charge. Likewise, they out-do most other hot pot places with a choice of NINETEEN different vegetables, four varieties of tofu, four varieties of noodles, rice, and even Chinese youtiao (deep fried bread sticks . Compare this to most hot pot places and in most cases they simply can 't come close to matching HPC. BUT, there is still a lot MORE that comes included with the price.There is a modest, but nice six-item hot/cold appetizer bar included. On the day I went there, it included cucumber salad, chilled spicy Asian chicken, fried rice, lo mein, spring rolls, and French fries. Fresh kimchi is included and there are 5 special hot, made-to-order appetizers, at an additional cost.Hot tea, iced tea, and soda are included, at no extra charge. Bottled juices, herbal tea (Red Bull , coconut milk, and soy milk and available for a low additional charge. Specialty tea drinks are also available for under $4. Premium Asian beer, sake, and rice wines are available, by the small and large bottles.Guess what? Dessert is included, too! Black sugar ice pudding, shaved ice, snow fungus soup , and self-serve vanilla matcha ice cream.When you add it all up, it i"
