Jordan McCraePicture this – it’s a chilly night in Auckland, and you’re craving something to warm your soul. This was literally me just months ago, so imagine the disappointment I felt in my bones when all I had that night was cheap instant noodles!
Kidding – they’re not that awful! But compared to the vibrant hotpot eatery in my neighborhood, it’s almost nothing. So I thought, maybe I can compile the best hotpot venues in the city and we’ll all have that go-to spot for a comforting meal.
See if you have any favorites on the list!
Special Pot
– Media by shiddaebae
Address: 155 Symonds Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 309 9118
Operating hours: Monday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Saturday – Sunday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Price: $
If you want authentic hotpot in Auckland, then Special Pot should be on your list.
Tucked away in Eden Terrace, this place is all about classic Chinese cuisine bursting with tasty flavors. And yes, their hotpot is a famed dish, attracting locals within and around the area.
Their hotpots, like most, let you customize everything from spice level and ingredients.
One of their best sellers is The Mala Pot, packed with spicy sauce straight from Sichuan. Add in some finely chopped beef, and you’re golden!
And of course, you can’t skip the sides – their fried dumplings are a hit. Complete your meal with their dumplings and beef noodles and you’re all set for a proper eat-out.
On top of it all, you won’t go hungry at Special Pot, thanks to their generous portions that come at wallet-friendly prices. If cheap and tasty is what you’re after, they’re here at Symonds Street.
Hotpot Duke
Website: https://hotpot-duke.business.site/
Address: 660 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1041, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 22 505 9894
Operating hours: Monday – Friday: 5:30 PM – 12:00 AM | Saturday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Price: $$
If you’re trying out hotpot for the first time and don’t want to get judgemental looks from the crew, we found the perfect place. Hotpot Duke is newbie-friendly thanks to their friendly and helpful staff doing rounds.
The hotpot game here is on point. Each table comes with its own built-in hot top, so you get that hands-on cooking experience typical of hotpot places.
Most of all, their menu is a feast for the senses, with a range of soup bases, meats, and veggies for you to mix and match.
Start by picking your soup base – everything from spicy beef tallow to tangy pickled Chinese cabbage, and even a gourmet mushroom option. If you can’t decide, you can double or triple up to try them all!
Hi Sweety Hot Pot
Address: 2A/301 Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 928 0068
Price: $$
Love the personalized experience of hotpots? At Hi Sweety Hot Pot, they have over 60 ingredients to choose from. With such a variety, you can mix and match to create endless flavor combinations that’ll keep your experience exciting.
If you’re new to hotpot and not sure where to start, their beef bone soup base is a favorite among customers. Just add some spices, fresh veggies, and your choice of meat, and you’re good to go.
Plus, once you get the hang of it, feel free to experiment and create your own unique combos. And if you need help, the staff is always there to lend a hand.
One thing to note: their soup bases are all top-notch, so whatever you choose is sure to be delicious!
And if you’re planning a family outing, Hi Sweety Hot Pot is perfect for kids too, with a designated area for toddlers. The place itself is simple yet spacious enough to accommodate many diners, and the prices are worth it as long as you don’t load up on too many heavy items.
Golden Steamboat Chinese Restaurant
– Media by renziecon
Address: 551 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1041, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 638 8268
Operating hours: Monday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:30 PM | Sunday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Price: $$
Looking for some seriously good eats? Head over to Dominion Road! Nestled upstairs among the lineup of restaurants in Balmoral is Golden Steamboat Chinese Restaurant, an absolute gem for satisfying your hotpot cravings, whether it’s lunchtime or dinner.
This spot is perfect for a group outing, but be ready to chip in because the main pot of stock will cost you around $20.
And once you’re in, you’ll find yourself adding more to your order without even thinking twice. Meatballs? $4. Meat slices? Between $6 and $8. Veggies? About $3. And don’t forget the herbs and dipping sauces, each for just $1 or $2!
There’s even a variety of cooked goodies, like fried dumplings, priced at $7.
With a good number of soup bases to choose from, you can opt for half-and-half to cater to everyone’s preferences – spicy or mild, meat or veggie. And to wash it all down, check out their drinks menu, offering everything from Chinese beer and wine to fresh juices.
Here’s a tip: Cap off your meal the way the locals do here – treat yourself to a deep-fried rice cake for a sweet ending to your dining experience!
Xiaojungan Chinese Hotpot Skewers
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Website: http://xiaojungan.co.nz/
Address: 27 Cross Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 22 161 0088
Operating hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM | Friday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Price: $$
Sichuan hotpot awaits you at Xiaojungan Chinese Hotpot Skewers. This place is a real deal when it comes to authentic Chinese hotpot, serving up all those traditional flavors and fresh ingredients you just can’t resist.
Their hotpot is packed with Sichuan chilies, pepper, soy sauce, and a bunch of other spices that simmer together in a fiery soup base. You can mix it up with chicken broth or go vegan if that’s your jam.
And then throw in some meat, noodles, seafood, and veggies, and you have yourself the ultimate Sichuan hotpot experience.
By the way, they also offer skewers! Yes, you can skewer your favorite goodies and dunk ’em right into the hotpot. Plus, the staff here are super friendly and will guide you through the whole hotpot process.
The spot is closed only on Tuesdays, but other than that, they’re open until late at night. Just a heads up, though – weekends can get pretty busy, but that’s just because their spicy hotpot is so darn good!
Hot & Spicy Pot
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Website:
Address: 605 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1041, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 638 8148
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: $$$
If you’re tired of the same old hotpot offerings, then Hot & Spicy Pot might just be the spot for you. Situated right opposite the Auckland Library, it’s kind of like a hotpot joint, but with a twist – instead of all-you-can-eat, you pay for what you get.
This means you can expect higher-quality ingredients compared to your usual buffet-style hotpots. Plus, the restaurant is renowned for its Chinese cuisine, so that’s definitely a plus.
They offer a variety of hotpot dishes, each with its own unique flavors and spice levels. You can customize your own broth with a wide selection of meats, seafood, veggies, tofu, and fish balls.
And rest assured, the ingredients are always fresh, which really elevates the overall taste and dining experience.
Price-wise, it’s a tad above your average city restaurant, running you about $20 to $30 per person.
But the deals here are worth it and will keep you coming back for more. They even offer free rice from Monday to Friday, which is a nice bonus. And if you spend more than $30, you’ll also get a free drink.
Top Fortune Hotpot
Address: 344 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 623 0868
Price: $$
Hotpot has been a favorite in Chinese dining for ages, and Top Fortune Hotpot in Auckland keeps the tradition alive and bubbling! With its lively pink and red dining room, this spot adds a fun, cartoon-inspired twist to your mealtime.
The relaxed canteen-style setup of this restaurant makes everyone feel right at home. Each table is equipped with an inbuilt stove and bowl, providing everything you need for a delicious hotpot experience with the family.
Like any other hotpot joint, you’re free to customize your meal to your heart’s content. Choose your soup base – whether it’s spicy, Sichuan pepper, tomato, mushroom, or pork bone.
Then, add in your noodles, choice of meat, and veggies. And don’t forget to indulge in some pork sausage, fried cabbage, or chicken bone skewers for an extra burst of flavor.
And since Top Fortune Hotpot is all about Chinese cuisine, be sure to try their other special dishes like maoxuewang, spicy squid, and Sichuan fried chili chicken.
Feeling adventurous? Check out their Maocai menu for Chinese delicacies like beef tripe in chili sauce, intestines, and even brain if you’re feeling brave!
Tombo
Website: http://www.tombobuffet.co.nz/
Address: 5 Short Street, Newmarket, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 522 8282
Operating hours: Tuesday – Friday: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM | Saturday – Sunday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
For those craving hotpot but not in the mood for cooking, Tombo Buffet is the place to be. Here, you’ll find a variety of authentic Asian dishes, including hotpot, served buffet-style.
While the options may not be extensive, you can still enjoy classic hotpot inclusions like fish balls, noodles, pork wontons, baby octopus, thinly sliced beef, and vegetables.
But here’s the best part about this buffet – while your meat cooks away, you can wander around and fill your plate with sushi, hit up the salad bar, grab some dumplings, soup, fried chicken, and more.
And don’t forget to save room for dessert! Their mouth-watering dessert table offers cakes and fresh fruit galore.
All of this, including unlimited hotpot, is available for $40 for an hour and 45 minutes of dining – quite a steal of a deal!
Maya Hot Pot
Website: https://social.quandoo.com/en/groups/Maya%20BBQ%20&%20Hotpot
Address: 1/433 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 623 0566
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Price: $$
Another gem along Dominion Road, Maya Hotpot offers sumptuous eats and a vibrant atmosphere that will keep you coming back for more. This place may seem unassuming, but you can easily spot it by its cheerful red banner.
Once you’re inside, get ready for a real treat. Their menu has everything you need for a satisfying hotpot meal, including a variety of soup bases like bone broth, sour spicy, tomato, and spicy.
Plus, they have top-notch meats, veggies, and seafood to add in.
On top of that, Maya gives it all for a quality experience. They not only provide options for sharing a pot with a group or having one to yourself – they offer both large hotpots for groups and small individual hotpots.
But hey, if hotpot isn’t your only jam, no worries! Maya Hotpot has more to offer. Dive into their snack menu with goodies like crispy pork bites, veggie spring rolls, or deep-fried buns.
And why not shake things up a bit? Give their bean curd noodles or Sichuan pickles a shot!
Little Lamb Ellerslie
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Address: 2e Robert Street, Ellerslie, Auckland 1051, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 280 1511
Operating hours: Monday – Friday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
Little Lamb in Ellerslie is a bit different in all the right ways! They’re all about the Inner Mongolian hotpot style, which sets them apart from the more common Chongqing or Sichuan styles.
This means you’ll get to enjoy a mild broth with mutton rather than a fiery one with a wider variety of ingredients.
When you’re picking your hotpot, you can go for mushroom soup, chicken bone soup, tomato soup, or the low-oil spicy option – great if you’re trying to keep it healthy!
Plus, they also serve delicious lamb skewers and other delicious dishes from North China.
Their hotpot meals are both delicious and easy on the wallet. You can feed two people for around $80, and that includes traditional Mongolian milk tea.
They even offer discounts and promotions pretty often. Just hop on over to Little Lamb’s Instagram or check out their Facebook page to stay in the loop.
The restaurant is small and intimate, making it the perfect spot for lunch or dinner with your closest pals or that special someone.
Dragon’s Den Hotpot
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Dragons-Den-Hot-pot-110843103856752/
Address: 6a/21-23 Corinthian Drive, Albany, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 414 4234
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Price: $$$
If you’re crazy about hotpot and love good food, Dragon Den Hot Pot is a spot you can’t miss.
Their lunch set menu for two is seriously impressive, and right from the get-go, you’ll feel the authenticity in both their food and service.
First off, their portion sizes are generous, and the freshness of their ingredients is undeniable. But what really steals the show is their special soup broth that we consider one of the tastiest in all of Auckland – just the right spice!
What’s more, their menu offers a wide range of options, catering to both newcomers and seasoned hotpot lovers alike. And the vibe inside? It’s like stepping into a little slice of China, which adds to the whole experience.
Guangzhou Hotpot
Website: http://www.guangzhouhotpot.co.nz/
Address: 60 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 27 702 8888
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Price: $$
Located on Broadway in Newmarket, Guangzhou Hotpot brings the unique dining experience straight from China to Auckland. Their hotpot offering is as authentic as what you’d find on a street in Shanghai.
Just like any hotpot joint, you can choose your broth – spicy or non-spicy – then add your favorite meats, seafood, and veggies to cook at your table.
But what really draws people here is their seafood hotpot, packed with shrimp, mussels, and meatballs. You can even add extra beef, veggies, or tofu to customize it to your liking.
As for the place, they’ve got separate small rooms for 6 to 8 people, perfect for family gatherings or business dinners. They also have open tables for 2 to 4 people, ideal for a casual get-together with friends.
Aside from their hotpot, you must try their clay Pot Rice, a specialty of theirs. It’s cooked until crispy with ingredients like lup cheong sausage, shiitake mushrooms, chicken, and preserved meat. It’s a true taste of authenticity that’s hard to find elsewhere in Auckland!
