r/HoustonFood • u/Organic_Goat_757 • 1d ago
Sichuan hot pot recommendations
Hello
Me and my wife are planning to try Chinese hot pot for the first time specifically sichuan hot pot, where can I find the best place here in Houston, I have seen a place called old alley hot pot but I’m not sure how good or bad it is.
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u/march20rulez Thicc Nancy’s Nostalgia 1d ago
for first timers, i'd probably recommend happy lamb. its a bit simpler and the broths are not as intense.
my favorite is liuyishou but the broth is strong and can be too oily.
I wouldn't recommend old alley hot pot (i think this is xiao long kang?) for first timers cause i believe its a la carte whereas the others are AYCE which i would say its better to try and figure out what you like and hit up more ingredients
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u/blackonblack77 1d ago
Old Alley recently changed to AYCE
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u/march20rulez Thicc Nancy’s Nostalgia 1d ago
oh ok dope. in that case i think old alley would be fine. i really like the tomato broth there to alternate from the spicy broth but its not for everyone
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u/VetteChef 1d ago
Happy Lambs broths are very bland and their selections are much smaller. For someone specifically looking for Sichuan, there are much better options out there.
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u/march20rulez Thicc Nancy’s Nostalgia 1d ago
yeah thats kind of the point. if OP was experienced with hot pot, i'd go elsewhere. i've taken others to places like liuyishou and xiaolongkang for their first time and the broth was too much for them
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u/VetteChef 1d ago
I get that, but Happy Lamb is a terrible recommendation for someone specifying Sichuan (they advertise as Inner Mongolian) and the best place in Houston. Why ignore the request to recommend a middling chain that has a much smaller buffet selection than most for them to "hit up more ingredients."
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u/march20rulez Thicc Nancy’s Nostalgia 1d ago
just going off of my experience with what people have asked for. the authentic Sichuan experience is pretty overwhelming.
Like i said, if they had done hot pot before and has an idea of what their palate can handle then i would say liuyishou. but for someone who has never done hot pot before, having the ingredients laid out and visible is a lot more forgiving first time experience than ordering from a tablet
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u/ChanimalCrackers 1d ago
Xi hot pot (Sugarland or Katy) uses some more Chinese ingredients for their hot pot. I know they use old Eagle tea (translation from Chinese, not sure if that’s the English name) in lieu of water.
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u/Gah_Duma All good restaurants are outside the loop 1d ago
Old Alley is the best one, but it might be too intense for beginners. Liuyishou is second.
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u/VetteChef 1d ago edited 1d ago
For Sichuan specifically, I recommend Shabu En, their Sichuan broth is very good with lots of peppercorns.
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u/Gah_Duma All good restaurants are outside the loop 1d ago
Wtf? How many Sichuan broths have you eaten in your lifetime? The Japanese places don't do Sichuan very well....
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u/fcimfc pepperoni is overpowering and for children and dipshits 1d ago
Liuyishou