A Gastronomic’ Guide to Chinese Hot Pot Lunch Buffets

Although there are lots of takers for Chinese cuisine here in the West, not many are aware of the marvel called Chinese Hot Pot. Here is a little background to help you get acquainted with the specialty.

Chinese cuisine needs little introduction. Patrons of Chinese cuisine are spread across the globe, and some of the biggest fans of this Asiatic culinary style reside here in Houston. Numerous franchise outlets and establishments offer some of the most deliciously cooked Chinese cuisines in the region. However, very few of these establishments provide a Chinese Hot Pot lunch buffet on the menu. If you are planning for an afternoon outing with friends or family, then you cannot go wrong with Chinese Hot Pot buffet style restaurants in Houston.

Introducing Chinese Hot Pot

A short answer to the question ‘What is Chinese Hot Pot?’ is that it comprises of a broth consisting of multiple, cooked food ingredients. A Hot Pot of the Chinese variety, for example, may feature shrimps, dumplings, noodles, vegetables and even different kinds of meat. The broth allows for the flavor from all the preparations to overlap, providing for an aromatic, wholesome meal.

In Houston, there are reputed Chinese restaurants that feature Hot Pot lunch buffets. Gastronomic enthusiasts can expect to be spoilt for choices as they are met with an all-you-can-eat serving of some of the most delicious Chinese preparations in broth, with assorted sauces to accompany every bite.

The Origin of Chinese Hot Pot

Chinese Hot Pot originated centuries ago in China. It is believed that the Mongolian Empire produced the first iterations of the dish. The broth, comprising of multiple items you usually find in a meal, was poured into the helmets of the horse-riders. They would consume it on the go while riding on horseback.

What to expect from a batch of Chinese Hot Pot?

A Hot Pot usually features a large pot that is filled up to a portion with the broth. Different dishes such as mushroom and assorted vegetable salads, shrimps and dumplings are compartmentalized by metal borders. The dishes remain separate, but the broth flows through the whole container, allowing the flavors to overlap.

Of course, there are different variations of a Hot Pot of the Chinese variety; after all, China has eight different traditional styles of cuisine. There are versions of Hot Pot broth that solely focus on seafood, ones that are based on a sweet and sour theme, or in Szechuan style.

As far as the dipping ingredients go, customers usually have an all-you-can-eat, unlimited list of items such as rice cakes, meatball, vegetable salads, noodles, and so much more. There are dipping sauces on the table as well. Most lunch buffet in Houston that serve a Hot Pot worth going back for, offer as many as 20 different styles of sauce to amaze your palate.

Hot Pot in Houston

Few restaurants in Houston serve a flavor-rich Hot Pot lunch buffet. Not every restaurant can provide you with a memorable Hot Pot lunch because the specialty is not easy to cook. Only select restaurants here with kitchen-staff skilled in authentic Chinese can provide you with an unforgettable Hot Pot lunch. It is not an easy job to ensure that the flavor from all the dishes dipped into the broth remains distinct in spite of intermingling in the pot.

So, the next time you are out to eat with friends or family and in the mood for something truly exotic, just head to the nearest restaurant that serves Chinese Hot Pot- you will not be disappointed!