Travel

A Tasty Treat for the Rainy Season: Planning a Hearty Hot Pot Feast with Your Best Buds!

The rainy season has arrived in Saigon, and what better way to spend it than huddled over a steaming hot pot with friends? Gather your crew and indulge in the ultimate comfort food at these renowned hot pot restaurants in the heart of Saigon.

Administrator

15 July, 2024

Saigon is known for its scorching heat, which often drives people indoors to seek refuge in air-conditioned comfort. However, today brings a surprising change with a slight chill in the air and an unexpected shower that washes away the summer heat. On such a pleasant day, what could be better than gathering with friends and family to enjoy a hearty hot pot?

During the hot summer days, it can be challenging to decide on a meal that provides relief from the heat. But today’s cooler weather makes hot pot the perfect choice. Saigon has recently seen a surge in street-side hot pot restaurants, offering a range of unique and captivating flavors just waiting to be discovered and savored.

1 Spicy Couple Hot Pot

Saigon, a vibrant city, captivates visitors not only with its alluring tourist spots but also with its rich and diverse culinary scene. Among the myriad of options, Spicy Couple Hot Pot stands out for its unique combination of flavors, offering diners a novel taste experience.

What sets this hot pot apart is its name and the pot’s division into two separate compartments. Each compartment contains a different broth, usually a mild and a spicy one. This combination blends the flavors harmoniously, allowing diners to explore and indulge in a multitude of tastes.

The broth for this hot pot is carefully simmered from bones and vegetables, resulting in a naturally sweet taste. The accompanying ingredients are diverse, ranging from fresh seafood like shrimp, squid, and fish to various meats, vegetables, and mushrooms. Diners can select their preferred ingredients to dip into the broth, relishing the subtle fusion of flavors.

Spicy Couple Hot Pot not only captivates diners with its distinctive flavor but also with its intriguing way of enjoyment. Patrons can choose to dip their ingredients into one or both compartments, depending on their preference. The combination of mild and spicy broths also offers a novel taste experience, making each meal a memorable occasion.

Spicy Couple Hot Pot

Recommended Restaurant:
Spicy Couple Hot Pot – 213 Tran Tuan Khai, Ward 7, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City

Estimated Price: Around 200,000 VND per person

2 Cambodian Beef Hot Pot

The name “Cambodian Beef Hot Pot” sparks curiosity among Saigon diners due to its unique flavor and presentation. Unlike regular beef hot pots, this dish uses only beef brisket and tendons simmered to tenderness, imparting a rich and delicate sweetness to the broth. The broth is light and infused with a hint of familiar beef stew flavor, paired with enoki mushrooms for a distinctive dining experience.

The highlight of this hot pot is the slightly misshapen aluminum pot simmering over a charcoal stove, evoking a rustic feel and nostalgic memories. Dining on Cambodian Beef Hot Pot allows patrons to not only savor delicious flavors but also immerse themselves in the unique culinary culture of Cambodia in the heart of Saigon.

To fully appreciate this dish, it is recommended to accompany the hot pot with bread and assorted vegetables such as water spinach, mustard greens, and shredded banana flower. Cambodian Beef Hot Pot promises a tasty and intriguing meal, especially on cooler days.

Cambodian Beef Hot Pot

Recommended Restaurant:
Cambodian Beef Hot Pot Vuon Chuoi – 128 Vuon Chuoi, Ward 4, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City)

Estimated Price: Approximately 170,000 – 210,000 VND for 2-3 people

3 Frog Hot Pot

When it comes to Hanoi’s cuisine, one cannot overlook the famous Frog Hot Pot. Recently, this dish has gained popularity among Saigon’s youth, becoming a sought-after delicacy for food enthusiasts.

The appeal of Hanoi-style Frog Hot Pot lies in its natural and refined flavor. The broth is prepared by simmering bones with pickled bamboo shoots and spicy chili sauce, resulting in a refreshing sour and spicy taste. The frog meat, seasoned to perfection, is lightly stir-fried before being added to the hot pot. Additionally, the dish is accompanied by fresh vegetables such as water spinach, shredded banana flower, and water mimosa, enhancing its richness and completeness.

Indulging in Hanoi-style Frog Hot Pot is like experiencing a culinary symphony, where the sweetness of the broth, the spiciness of the chili sauce, the sourness of the bamboo shoots, the crispness of the frog meat, and the freshness of the vegetables come together in perfect harmony.

Frog Hot Pot

Recommended Restaurant:
Sau Hieu Frog Hot Pot – 429/9 Quang Trung, Ward 10, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City

Estimated Price: Around 100,000 – 200,000 VND per person

4 Street-Side Haidilao Hot Pot

Are you a fan of Haidilao Hot Pot but hesitant due to the high price tag? Then, you must try Hong Kong A Fat Hot Pot, the perfect street-side alternative that offers a comparable experience at an affordable price.

Located in Saigon, A Fat has quickly become a favorite destination for hot pot enthusiasts, boasting eye-catching, modern decor and a diverse menu. The highlight is their four distinctive broths, catering to all taste preferences, with the refreshing Saiwan green broth and the spicy Sichuan broth being the most popular choices.

The A Fat hot pot broth boasts a characteristic spicy kick, blended with nutritious ingredients like red jujube and wood ear mushrooms, for an unforgettable dining experience. The dipping options are also abundant, ranging from fresh vegetables and greens to various meats, octopus, and seafood. Additionally, you can create your own dipping sauce to personalize your hot pot experience.

With its reasonable prices and exceptional quality, Hong Kong A Fat Hot Pot is the ideal choice for those who crave the delicious flavors of Hong Kong without breaking the bank.

Street-Side Haidilao Hot Pot

Estimated Price: Approximately 150,000 – 300,000 VND per person

The above recommendations offer a selection of mouthwatering, unique, and trendy hot pot options currently favored by Saigon’s youth. As the rainy season approaches, grab your best friend and head out to enjoy a hot pot while savoring the cool weather after a hard day’s work!

Frequently asked questions

Hot pot is a style of communal dining where a group of people cook a variety of ingredients in a shared pot of boiling broth. It’s a fun and interactive dining experience that’s perfect for a rainy day get-together with friends. Everyone can customize their meal by choosing from a selection of meats, seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients to cook in the broth. It’s a hearty and comforting meal that’s sure to warm you up on a cold, rainy day.

Preparing ingredients for a hot pot is simple. First, select a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables that your guests will enjoy. Thinly slice the meats and cut the seafood and vegetables into bite-sized pieces. You can also provide a selection of mushrooms, tofu, noodles, and dumplings. It’s a good idea to have a variety of dipping sauces and condiments available as well, such as soy sauce, chili oil, and hoisin sauce.

There are many different types of broth that can be used for hot pot, and the choice is ultimately up to your personal preference. Some popular options include a rich and savory beef broth, a spicy and numbing Sichuan-style broth, or a more mild and fragrant chicken or vegetable broth. You can also offer multiple types of broth in your hot pot to give your guests a variety of options.

To set up a hot pot at home, you’ll need a portable gas stove, a large pot, and a heat source. Place the gas stove on a stable surface in the center of your dining area and place the pot on top. Fill the pot with your chosen broth and heat it to a gentle boil. Provide your guests with small plates or bowls for their selected ingredients, as well as chopsticks or forks for eating. It’s also a good idea to have some aprons or bibs available to protect clothing from any splashes.

Food safety is important when hosting a hot pot dinner. Always use fresh, high-quality ingredients and make sure that meats and seafood are properly refrigerated or frozen prior to the event. During the meal, ensure that the broth remains at a rolling boil to kill any bacteria. Provide your guests with separate plates or bowls for cooked and uncooked foods, and encourage them to only take as much as they can eat to avoid cross-contamination.