Zhao Er Hotpot Main Store
· Zhao Er Hotpot is very famous locally. It is a traditional old hotpot with average environment and service, but it excels in taste. The red soup base is free of charge. Bamboo shoots, fresh tripe, goose intestines, and old meat slices are must-orders at every table. It is affordable and good value for money. There are usually many people during meal times and holidays, so it's best to go early to avoid waiting.
Deng Mangzi Old Hotpot
A popular old hotpot restaurant frequented by many locals. The air inside the restaurant feels spicy. The broth made from old oil has a strong flavor, and dishes like duck intestines, old meat slices, and crispy meat paired with bamboo shoots are exceptionally delicious. This place is also a well-known 'fly restaurant' in the area. Although the environment is old and narrow, it has a strong local flavor. If you want to have dinner, it's best to arrive before 4:30 PM, otherwise, you will have to wait for a long time.
Zhu's Fatty Hotpot
· Located near Hongya Cave, it is always packed during meal times, with three floors full of tables and many people waiting in line. The ingredients for the hotpot are very fresh, and the specialties here include crispy meat, duck blood, kidney slices, and old meat slices. The hotpot base is sold separately and can be taken as a souvenir. The flavor is quite spicy, and there are often vendors in the store selling cold cakes to alleviate the spiciness.
Qi Hotpot
One of the most popular restaurants in Chongqing, mainly focusing on hotpot, and is loved by many diners. The average price per person at Chongqing Qi Hotpot is around 31-56, and there are occasional group buying discount activities. Friends who like hotpot can check out the group buying information before going.
Wai Guan Liang Xin Lao Hotpot
It was renamed 'Old Classmate Wai Guan Hotpot' after becoming popular through a movie. Be sure to make a reservation in advance to reduce waiting time. The signature dish, Sister-in-law Bean Sprouts, is made by the owner and sold in limited quantities daily. In addition to the signature dishes Sister-in-law Bean Sprouts, One-hour Beef Tripe, and Dongzi Pickles, other recommended dishes include Crispy Pork and Pumpkin. The Crispy Pork is delicious on its own, and the Pumpkin should be cooked in the spicy pot.
Laozihao Dongting Hotpot (Air-raid Shelter Branch)
The first cave hotpot in Chongqing, highly favored by locals. This Dongting Hotpot has two locations: one inside an air-raid shelter and the other a regular storefront hotpot restaurant. The ingredients are very fresh, with goose intestines, thousand-layer tripe, and eel fish receiving high praise. The freshly fried crispy meat and brown sugar glutinous rice cakes are worth trying.
Memory Old Stove (Xinyang Plaza Branch)
Located right at the entrance of Ciqikou in the street-side shops, it is an authentic old hotpot that locals love to visit. The environment is particularly interesting, exuding a nostalgic Republican era vibe, as if traveling through time, with dim lighting, a fence-style cashier counter, oil-paper umbrellas hanging overhead, and retro napkins. The prices are moderate, so it's best to go early.
Chongqing Qinma Hotpot
This Qinma Hotpot restaurant breaks through the traditional hotpot dining environment and creates a splendid hotpot garden town, known as 'Chongqing's most eye-catching restaurant.' The environment is meticulously decorated, with ginkgo leaves pasted on the glass windows, giving it a very fresh and clean look, making it perfect for friends to gather and take photos. In addition to the traditional large pot, there are also relatively clean and hygienic small pots, and the taste is equally good. The spicy flavor of the broth is strong enough, and the vegetables are relatively fresh, but the shrimp paste is not recommended as it contains too much flour. Overall, the prices are quite reasonable, following a 'civilian' route; the service is also very enthusiastic.
Deng Mangzi Old Hotpot (Luzumiao Branch)
A popular old hotpot restaurant frequented by many locals, where even the air feels spicy. The broth made from old oil is very flavorful, and dishes like duck intestines, old meat slices, and crispy meat paired with bamboo shoots are exceptionally delicious. This place is also a well-known 'fly restaurant' in the area, characterized by its old, narrow, and small environment, but it has a strong local vibe. If you plan to have dinner, it's best to arrive before 4:30 PM, otherwise, you might have to wait for a long time.
Liu Yishou Hotpot (Guanyinqiao Branch)
The restaurant environment combines ethnic and modern styles, with the beautiful scenery of Jialing Park at Guanyinqiao just outside the window. The restaurant offers different types of hotpot bases to choose from, a wide variety of self-service dipping sauces, and fresh and ample ingredients for dipping. Must-try items include duck blood and marbled beef. Most of the waitstaff are hearing-impaired, which is the restaurant's most distinctive feature. Don't worry about communication barriers during your meal; their enthusiastic and attentive service will put your mind at ease. However, if you visit during busy times, you may need to be patient and wait a bit. Special performances in the evening will add some fun to your dining experience. If your phone battery is low, the restaurant also provides charging services. However, it can be a bit noisy, so those who prefer a quieter dining environment should take note.
Yu Wei Xiao Yu Hotpot (Pipashan Zhengjie Branch)
Authentic old-style hotpot, it is the NO.1 in Chongqing's hotpot scene and has been featured on 'A Bite of China'. The special beef tallow red soup base is fragrant but not greasy, and the ingredients are very fresh. The tender beef, goose intestines, and tripe are must-orders at every table and are loved by many customers. It is very popular, so it is best to book in advance, otherwise, visit before 3 or 4 PM.
Little Swan Hotpot (Hongya Cave Branch)
Little Swan, as an old brand of hotpot, is quite famous in Chongqing. The restaurant's environment is spacious and elegant, with a great location where you can overlook the river view from the window seats. The dishes are fresh, and besides hotpot, there are also stir-fried dishes that are spicy and delicious. The signature dishes are boiled fish and Gele Mountain spicy chicken. However, the prices are relatively high, and the cost performance is average.
Kong Liang Eel Hotpot (Nancheng Avenue Branch)
The broth has a bright red color and a thick consistency, with a rich and mellow taste. The flavors are well-balanced, emphasizing both freshness and aroma, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste. It has pioneered a unique hotpot flavor style, forming the Kong Liang hotpot flavor school.
