Get Your Last Hot Pot of the Season in at These New Feast-Worthy Restaurants
The countdown to solid spring weather has arrived, which means so too has the amount of time that we can reasonably enjoy hot pot without stepping outside and melting into the sidewalk as a sweaty mess of meat and chili fumes. Beijing's restaurateurs seem to have realized this, with three new options having popped up on Dianping before the city itself becomes one oversized hot pot.
Crane Yard Hot Pot
Located on the second floor of Sanlitun's Topwin Center, Crane Yard Hot Pot is going up against some tough competition, flanked by a myriad of established hot pot restaurants including the ever-popular Coucou two floors up. Nevertheless, Crane looks to set itself apart with a series of prime beef from around the world such as Australian, New Zealand, US cuts, as well as homegrown yak meat. The decor can best be described as modern Chinese with traditional elements like wooden screen dividers, stone lamps, and open brick walls. Meanwhile, their signature golden hot pot adds a touch of class to proceedings and there are master noodle makers on hand for a bit of pizzazz à la Haidilao.
Average price per head: TBA (expect RMB 150-plus)
2-10, 2/F, Topwin Center, 1 Nan Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
鹤院儿火锅：朝阳区南三里屯路1号通盈中心2楼2-10号
Greedy Three Kingdoms Hot Pot
Seemingly unsatisfied with just rolling out ornate golden hot pots for feasting, Greedy Three Kingdoms Hot pot on Guijie has gone one step further, getting their hands on an imposing imperial throne for you to languish (or take selfies) on post-glut. Otherwise, in terms of adornments, the restaurant's atmosphere is not wholly dissimilar to Crane Yard, though rock pools overflowing with mist, murals depicting ancient horse-bound battles, and resplendent red lanterns lend the space a more rustic charm. The menu too has a more modest bent, with a focus on morsels such a mala liver, juice-filled meatballs, and brown sugar glutinous rice cakes. That's not to say that they don't have choice cuts as well, with the Diao Chan spicy beef, named after one of China's "four legendary beauties," coming especially recommended. Make sure to take advantage of the 2-3 person 50 percent off deals on Dianping.
Average price per head: RMB 103
160, Dongzhimen Neidajie, Dongcheng District
饕三国火锅：东城区东直门内待解160号
Rijin Hotpot
We return to Sanlitun for our final entry on this hot pot roundup bonanza, Rijin, which also happens to be the most decadent. Set against a backdrop of clean wooden tables, brown leather booths, and filament bulbs hanging overhead, this is where you go if you don't know what you want to eat but you know you want to eat a lot of it (see: picture at top). The menu is brimming with prime Australian beef platters, oysters, sushi, and fresh seafood picked straight from the tank as well as ice cream for dessert and a bunch of beers, including Goose Island and Pilsner Urquell, on tap. For vegetarians, this is not, for while there may be some greenery awkwardly lingering deep in the menu, judging from the pictures on Dianping, nary a leaf passed these diners lips.
Average price per head: RMB 196
1305, 3/F, Bldg 1, Sanlitun Soho, 8 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District
日进：朝阳区工体北路8号院（三里屯SOHO1号商场3层1305）
READ: When the Spice is Right: What La Is this La?
Images: Dazhong Dianping
