New Xiaoyun Lu Hot Pot Restaurant Celadon Won't Leave You Smelling Like Hot Pot
Hot pot is always a good idea. It is a classic Chinese cuisine that is comforting, filling, and the ideal interactive meal to enjoy together with friends and family. There are already plenty of fantastic hot pot joints in Beijing, but Celadon (青瓷川粤火锅 qīngcí chuān yuè huǒguō), is a new and strong contender serving up authentic Sichuan and Guangdong-style hot pot.
READ: See all of our hot pot coverage here
In its essence, hot pot is a DIY concept, so the most essential part of it is the quality of meat and ingredients. Second most important are the broth and the sauce. Celadon makes sure these vital components are not an issue by using imported meat, fresh vegetables that they grow themselves, and a broth that has been boiled for 12 hours.
Yet another important aspect to eating hot pot is the exhaust system. Anyone who’s been to Haidilao knows the struggle of having to wash everything you have been wearing that has been tainted with the strong smell of hot pot vapor. Well, Celadon has a central air system that is strong enough to ensure you leave the restaurant without even a hint of hot pot hanging around you.
Upon entering the establishment, customers are greeted with a chiller filled with mushrooms that Celadon grows themselves. The decor is playful; the walls, furniture, and dishware are covered in white and blue china patterns, but, surpisingly, no celadon hues in sight.
The broth was half-half, a pumpkin and collagen soup (RMB 78), and the spicy mala soup (RMB 78), so that we were able to alternate between the two quite different flavors. It was evident that a lot of thought had gone into the broths, which were infused with ingredients in the likes of carrots, red jujube, winter melon, organic chicken, and pork feet.
One of Celadon's specialities is their beef: Their superior snowflake beef (RMB 138) was succulent and paired well with both the different types of broths. For those not scared of chili, try the spicy tender beef (RMB 42), which was rubbed in spices and chili oil, and mouth-wateringly tender.
The best of the bunch was the perfectly buttery shredded ox tongue (RMB 68). The tongue is very thinly-sliced and doesn't require much cooking time at all (if you're not sure how long to leave it in, ask the fuwuyuan to help you cook).
Make sure to order a variety of vegetables to balance out the inevitable meat sweats. The white mushrooms (RMB 38) are homegrown, and the fact that they are cut from the stem in front of customers really brings home how fresh they are. The bamboo shoot (RMB 28) is beautifully presented (see below) and iced to ensure crunchiness when cooked. We also recommend the Hakka-style dried tofu (RMB 26), which is able to soak up the flavors of the broth well (pumpkin broth recommended for this one).
Service at Celadon was excellent; the staff were attentive and proactive, and the food was also presented beautifully (if not somewhat over the top). However, we think the best part of our visit to Celadon was the fact that we sat in front of of steaming hot pot for two hours and came out smelling like nothing. This means you can pretend to leave the office to go for a doctor's appointment, stuff your face with hot pot, and nobody will ever know.
Celadon
Daily 10.30am-12pm. 15-7, Xiaoyun Lu, Sanyuanqiao, Chaoyang District (5625 1100)
朝阳区霄云路15号15-7
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Photos courtesy of Celadon
