VEGAN HOT POT AT HOTPOT LONDON RESTAURANT REVIEW

VEGAN HOT POT AT HOTPOT LONDON RESTAURANT REVIEW

Have you had a Hot Pot before ? 

If so I don’t think you’ll see a dish like this one in your every day life.  Well maybe but for me this was my first time.

Image: HotPot London 

When I was asked to review the vegan friendly options at HotPot London I knew I had to see and try this for myself.  As I used to be a regular at many restaurants in Chinatown but I never tried a HotPot before.  Even though I was aware that you cook your meal at a pot on your table that you share with friends and family. I didn't know much about the origins of a Hot Pot.

What is a Hot Pot ? 

Hot Pot or ‘huo guo’ is thought to have originated in 

Mongolia and the Jin Dynasty more than 1000 years ago. This communal one pot way of eating, gained vast popularity across Asia for its simplistic way of bringing communities 

together. As the concept of the Hot Pot began to travel, it took on other influences.  Today, there are thousands of exciting regional variations throughout China but also 

Thailand, Vietnam and Korea.

(Above) Tofu and sweet corn served with mushroom broth one of the vegan friendly options available at HotPot London.The dish traditionally includes a broth, a choice of vegetables, meat and seafood **

THE RESTAURANT 

Hot Pot restaurant is a relaxed and comfortable space and can cater for up to 150 covers as well as larger groups for private dining and business meetings. The 4,500 square foot restaurant covers two floors with an area of sophisticated seating booths.

Situated in Central London’s Wardour Street, Hot Pot restaurant at the gateway to China Town, is elegantly decorated in neutral tones with botanical-inspired wall coverings and dark woven panels. These aspects contrast beautifully with polished brass palm wall lights, crackle glazed jade tiles, antique mirrors and crisp linen table lamps.

Hot Pot restaurant is a relaxed and comfortable space and can cater for up to 150 covers as well as larger groups for private dining and business meetings. The 4,500 square foot restaurant covers two floors with an area of sophisticated seating booths.

VEGAN FRIENDLY OFFERING

The Hotpot London restaurant provides a choice for vegans / plant based eaters for who want to sample a vegan hotpot or for those who are in the area and are out with non vegan friends or family. 

The vegan friendly choices include 14 types of vegetables including: spinach, Chinese cabbage, Lotus root, kelp, Tong ho, Winter melon etc.  There are 6 types of mushrooms, a range of tofu including fresh, fried and Japanese, alongside a range of noodles such as Glass vermicelli and Thick ho fun (udon) noodles to choose from.  Whilst the majority of the menu is mostly gluten free.

MY MEAL

Myself and my guest ordered a twin hotpot featuring a tomato broth and a mushroom broth. Whilst also ordering the fresh vegetable selection, Japanese Tofu and udon noodles to our pot.

BROTHS :

Two of the five broths available are gluten free, clear and labelled vegetarian, which is also suitable for vegans also.  Aside from a small selection of marinated and spiced ingredients.

Myself and my guest ordered  both of these vegan friendly broths which are marked as vegetarian but the staff will reassure you that it is vegan. If you ask them and the ingredients are also clearly stated on the menu.

Tomato broth

This broth was slightly spicy as it was filled with fresh ginger, it was my favourite out of the two broths.  It is a warming dish which must be a hit with diners due to it soothing yet zesty taste and for it’s health properties. As it is full of vitamin C and antioxidants which are great for boosting the immune system.

Mushroom broth

This broth features a range of mushrooms which provide this dish with the goodness of vitamin D . This is a rich yet savoury broth. 

VEGETABLES AND TOFU:

The Japanese Tofu soaked up the flavours of both of the broths and I would recommend this choice as part of a healthy protein packed meal option.

I enjoyed eating the fresh vegetable selection which included enoki mushrooms, oyster mushrooms and pak choi which complimented the lotus root and Udon noodles. This combination brought an authenticity to this delicious yet slight adapted version of the traditional Hot Pot meal. 

I also noticed that the other guests seated at nearby tables ordered mainly vegetarian dishes. Which is probably a sign of our times.

DRINKS:

There is an extensive drinks menu with a great range of vegan friendly cocktails and mocktails. 

My guest had a passionfruit mojito mocktail which she stated was the best she ever had. 

I opted out of consuming a drink as I am a slow eater.  So I focused on finishing off the delicious soup.  As we ordered the twin bowl which is really enough to feed four people.

CONCLUSION:

The Vegan HotPot at HotPot London was absolutely delicious, I particularly enjoyed the Vitamin C sweet tomato broth.  I would recommend ordering the twin bowl with both the Longitivity mushroom broth and Vitamin C sweet tomato broth as it was great to have a wide range of meals at one sitting.  The staff are friendly and highly attentive, therefore I would recommend HotPot London to Plantbased eaters as it has a great range of vegan budget friendly choices.

Have you been to HotPot London or tried a Vegan HotPot? if so let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading

Bee x 

* I dined with a guest at HotPot London free of charge in exchange for a review but all of my views are my own.*

** = This is a non vegan restaurant that serves seafood and meat.  It features also has a tank which had a crab on display in an area which is slightly tucked away and situated away from the dining area. This may come as a surprise for any one who has never visited a restaurant that serves a wide range of seafood or has never visited a restaurant which has a live crab or another crustacean on display.

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