Tuesday, March 1st, 2022:
18 Cozy, Comforting Hot Pot Restaurants in NYC.


Sofrito Lovers,


During the winter, I gorge myself on soups, stews, asopaos (Puerto Rican style gumbo), and hot pot!  


What is hot pot?  It's a traditional Chinese meal, in which a flavored broth is brought to a boil within a large metal pot, and then you add raw ingredients like meats and veggies.  You let those ingredients cook, then you remove them from the pot and dip them in different sauces.  You're not supposed to consume the broth, but I cheat every time.  It's an ancient communal way of dining, sharing, and being creative.  It's a shared experience that encourages conversation and exploration.


Eater.com has compiled a list of some popular Hot Pot spots throughout NYC.  If you've never enjoyed the hot pot experience, then it's time.  So, the next time you're in the city, you must check out one of these eateries.  My personal favorite is Hou Yi Hot Pot on Hester St. (number 4 on the list).  It's very mom'n'pop and the food is outstanding!


Go taste for yourself!  ¡Buen Provecho!



18 Cozy, Comforting Hot Pot Restaurants in NYC


Dip meats and veggies in bubbling vats of broth to keep warm all winter long

by Caroline Shin and Eater Staff Updated Feb 28, 2022, 5:16pm EST


New York City’s hot pot restaurants are finally back to being a mostly indoor activity. Just like other restaurants striving to stay in business the past two years, many hot pot establishments got creative at the height of the pandemic. They introduced portable gas burners, outdoor tents, and even carefully compartmentalized takeout packaging. But as regulations waned, more New Yorkers are back in dining rooms where they can dip their meats, vegetables, noodles, and dumplings into bubbling broths far from the cold and wind.


This winter, NYC boasts an assortment of hot pot options including mouth-numbingly spicy Sichuan, lamb-centric Mongolian, wagyu-focused Japanese, and a loaded spicy Korean one in Woodside where a whole lobster is the centerpiece.


Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.