Chaos Hotpot

The first time I stumbled upon this hot pot restaurant, the street was alive with people dining al fresco style at tables on the sidewalk. It was bustling and brimming with the sound of happiness and good food. It was an amazing experience.
Now, apparently, they are no longer able to set up tables outside. What a buzzkill. It’s definitely hurting this neighborhood hot spot. I talked to the owner for a good while about it, among other things. He’s opening up another location, so I don’t think the al fresco crack-​down will have a long term impact.
On my last visit, the meal started off with a mystery chip like appetizer. The owner brought out a basket of something he promised my co-​worker and I would enjoy. Only after we agreed to eat it, did he agree to tell us what it was: fried fish skin. I love being surprised like this.
I always go with the peanut satay soup base. It is the most amazing broth I have ever had in my mouth. Utterly to die for good. If you’ve never been to a hot pot restaurant, basically you pick your soup base and then a bunch of veggies and/​or protein that you will cook in that soup right at your table. One thing I love about this part of the world: the vegetable selection. Damn, do the Chinese know how to eat.