The Search for Authentic Hotpot
When I first arrived in Melbourne from Singapore, my first meal was hotpot at Dragon Hotpot on Swantson Street. Surprisingly, it was more than decent and it felt like I had never left my home country in Southeast Asia.
Hotpot is more than a hearty meal or a cosy way to warm up in the winter, but a social activity that has brought me closer to friends and family. The shared journey between participants: From choosing broths that everyone will enjoy, picking ingredient non-negotiables, helping each other cook, to talking for hours as slices of meat disappear from broth to mouths, brings me comfort and nostalgia.
My initial fears of homesickness for authentic Chinese food were for naught, as a quick walk in Melbourne revealed numerous Chinese restaurants, attributed to Melbourne’s rich Chinese community of students and migrants.
This discovery made me curious about the hotpot places that Chinese locals went to when they craved the taste of home. Which was the most legit? Were they overhyped? Are they actually spicy? This is the guide to the top rated hotpot joints in Melbourne rated by the Chinese community to be the closest to the real thing, helping you experience the joy of sharing a pot with your loved ones.
Understanding Hotpot
When entering a hotpot restaurant, the endless options may seem overwhelming, but it isn’t that complicated.
Broth First, Always
Probably the most confusing and divisive part of hotpot, the broth selection. Most menus have three core styles you can choose from. If your group has different preferences or spice tolerances, opt for the split pots ranging from two to four sections and adjust the spice level accordingly:
Sichuan-style broths heavy on chilli and numbing pepper.
Meat or bone broths that taste clean and herbal.
- Fish-based broths that are lighter but still rich in flavour.
All About The Sauce
A good hotpot place has a proper sauce station where you build your own mix. If you’re unsure what to pick, the combination of sesame oil, fresh garlic, coriander/spring onion, soy sauce and chilli never fails. Some places have recommended sauce recipes for the curious.
The Sichuan Classics
1. Panda Hotpot (Victoria Street)
Immediately you’ll notice the enormous dragon suspended from the ceiling as people dine, a whopping 1.5 tonnes, and then the all wooden interior of ornate wooden screens, tables and chairs that make you feel like you’re in a wuxia period drama. Boasting Melbourne’s biggest hotpot restaurant, their menu features not one, but two Sichuan soup bases. Our CEO Roslyn Foo, is an enthusiast for them as she loves the way they prepare the offal, the closest she’s had to her experience Chengdu, Sichuan. Coupled with nightly traditional Chinese performances while you dine, it’s no doubt the best place to introduce non-Chinese friends to their first experience with Sichuan hotpot.
2. David’s Hot Pot (La Trobe Street)
Combining traditional Sichuan ingredients with premium Australian beef tallow, they built their reputation on their classic Sichuan beef tallow broth that possesses unique depth and gloss, thanks to their sustainably sourced local ingredients. Though I am more partial to a tomato base, their beef broth was so rich and creamy that it made me switch sides, now it being my go-to order which I spike with sauces.
3. Dainty Sichuan Hot Pot & BBQ Buffet (Lonsdale Street)
There’s one thing you need to know about this place: their spice is no joke. Reviews rave about their endless Sichuan and Chongqing spicy dishes, one even saying it’s where they go for a spicy noodle fix. For the chilli-shy, there’s plenty of other buffet options such as BBQ, sushi, and dessert cakes. They frequently offer complimentary oyster and salmon as well, making it an excellent all-you-can-eat option for those who want to cry from the spice.
The Premium Experience
4. YX Hot Pot (Bourke Street)
Ever wondered what a cyberpunk Chengdu restaurant looks like? The dimly-lit interior which resembles wet markets juxtaposed with moody neon signs gets constant mentions in reviews, making it one of the most photographed hotpot spots among Chinese Gen Zs. Not just appearances, the futuristic Chinatown blends traditional Sichuan cooking techniques, Australian produce and a rebellious spirit, the place to go for a modern Eastern broth fusion with a grungy aesthetic.
5. Haidilao (Emporium)
Haidilao is the hotpot chain worldwide, and like many others, I can’t resist visiting one whenever I visit a country. The chain is often used as a benchmark for their stellar service by Chinese people and I can confirm that it has yet to change after my visit. In Singapore, Haidilao is my personal favourite, especially the sweet tomato broth packed with flavour. The upside of a global chain is that it’s consistent and reliable, especially for group dinners and celebrations where one wants to feast like a king.
Niche Broths For the Experienced
6. Fishpot (Bourke Street)
A seafood explosion is what you can expect when you visit, with their entire hotpot menu built around fish-based broth and a line-up of seafood. Diners say that their signature tiger grouper is unbelievably rich and milky that you can drink it on its own. Their seafood is also noted to be incredibly fresh, even featuring live seafood platters and premium wagyu for those that want some meat. For those looking for something new, craving a bowl of fish soup from their hometown, or can’t handle spice well, this place is for you.
7. Happy Lamb Hot Pot (Exhibition Street)
Bringing Mongolian-style lamb broth, locals highly recommend the place for a rich, meaty, soup that has a clean and herbal taste unlike the typical Sichuan-style. Renowned for their all-you-can-eat menu that features an impressive lamb variety, and every review shouts out their lamb skewers, making it Halal-friendly for Muslim diners or for those that have low spice tolerance.
Honorary Mention: Malatang
While technically not a hotpot in the traditional definition of everyone crowding over one big pot, Malatang restaurants are extremely popular among Chinese circles and offer hotpot soup bases for solo diners. They use a build-your-own mode: you pick your ingredients and broth, pay by weight and get your own single-serve bowl.
8. David’s Master Pot
Not to be confused with David’s Hotpot, David’s Master Pot is their malatang spin-off branch, spanning seven locations across the CBD. The signature beef tallow soup remains unchanged and their ingredient offerings are mostly the same, save for a few premium ingredients. Fast, convenient, perfect for solo diners, and with long opening hours past midnight, the chain is widely popular with Chinese students looking for a quick meal between study sessions.
9. Dragon Hot Pot
My first taste of authentic hotpot in Melbourne and my favourite, the chain has ten locations and has the longest opening hours, stretching until 2:30am. Boasting over 100 ingredients to choose from, I find myself spoiled for choice and end up over-ordering every time without fail. Using marrow bones cooked for over 12 hours, the joint’s signature broth is uniquely thick and golden. Their numerous locations sprawled across the CBD and opening hours are perfect for late dinner plans for tired students and workers.
My Singaporean Picks
Ironically, I would recommend visiting both malatang spots, despite it being a hotpot guide. In Singapore, hotpot restaurants like the global chain Haidilao or specialty broths like Fishpot are usually reserved for special occasions like birthdays, Chinese New Year, or reunion dinners. After all, it can get fairly expensive which makes opting for hotpot broths in a malatang context more commonplace, with many getting their fix at least once a week. Despite that, the sharing and social aspect still remains, with friends and families splitting one or two massive bowls between themselves.
Either way, I’d recommend a compulsory visit to Haidilao to get the true China Chinese experience and a dedicated photo-taking visit to YX Hot Pot for Gen Zs who want a truly unique dining experience, immaculate vibes, and a new Instagram post.
