EAT@Xialongkan: Hot pot that is soul stirring!

THIS CHINESE NEW YEAR'S...STEP OUT FOR HOT POT!

I discovered Hot Pot only after moving to Paris. It was a cold, February evening in 2022 and Ken (who was a friend then) invited a few of us to join him for Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year celebration. Since then, there has been no looking back. Xialongkan is one of our favorite places for hot pot. I find it tough to pronounce it's name so its good that now the serving staff at the restaurant has the pronunciation simplified on their t-shirts.

But what exactly is hot pot?

Hot pot, also known as steamboat, is a dish where in various varieties of simmering soup are placed in front of you along with an array of meats and vegetables to add to the soup and quickly cook and eat right at the table. Hot pot is a flavorful broth traditionally served inside a large metal pot. There are 6 main types of hot pot across China, like Chongqing hot pot, Beijing hot pot, Yunnan hot pot, Taiwanese hot pot and so on - each with flavors unique to them.

Hot pot originated during the Zhou dynasty and is considered to be hundreds and some say at least two thousand years old.Tripods made of bronze are considered to be the earliest utensils for boiling the soup. This style, over the centuries turned into a way of communal eating and is one of the most popular ways to celebrate community in China and has now entrenched the western world.

So, if you are in Paris this Chinese New Year, do stop by for hot pot at any of the many places. I highly recommend Xiaolongkan, but do reserve in advance.