Chongqing Thematic Hotpot Shops: 9 Unique Spots by Environment

Chongqing has over 30,000 hotpot shops—yes, you read that right. As a local who’s eaten at 200+ of them over 8 years, I know the truth: 90% taste great (they have to, to survive the competition). But for foreign friends, telling the difference in flavor is hard.​

Last month, my friend from Canada tried 3 shops in one day and said, “They all taste spicy—how do I choose?” That’s why I made this guide: to pick 9 shops with unforgettable environments—from lotus gardens to air-raid shelters. You won’t just eat hotpot—you’ll have an experience. This is exactly what I use to plan hotpot nights for my foreign friends.​

Pipayuan Shiweixian Hotpot

1. Pipayuan Shiweixian Hotpot (Nanshan Main Store) – World’s Largest Hotpot Shop – Chongqing thematic hotpot shops​

If you want to say “I ate at the world’s biggest hotpot shop,” this is it. It’s not just big—it’s a hotpot village.​

1.1 Why It’s Special​

• Size: 10,000+ square meters, 1,200+ seats, and even a small lake in the middle. You’ll need a map to find your table (no joke!).​

• Vibe: Casual and festive—locals come here for weddings and family reunions. Last Spring Festival, I brought 12 foreign friends here, and the staff decorated our table with red lanterns.​

• Personal Story: My Australian friend got lost looking for the bathroom—he ended up at a scenic overlook and took 20 photos before finding us. That’s how big it is!​

1.2 Practical Info​

• Price: ¥85 per person—cheap for its scale.​

• Address: Longjingbang She, Jinzhu Village, Nanshan Street, Nan’an District (Near Nanshan Mountain). Take light rail Line 3 to 4 kilometer Station, then a 20-minute taxi.​

• Pro Tip: Go before 6 PM. After that, the parking lot fills up, and you’ll wait 40+ minutes for a table.​

Underground City Hotpot

2. Underground City Hotpot – World’s Largest Air-Raid Shelter Hotpot – Chongqing thematic hotpot shops​

Eating hotpot in a 1940s air-raid shelter sounds wild—but it’s one of Chongqing’s most iconic experiences.​

2.1 Why It’s Special​

• Setting: The shelter is 500+ meters long, with thick stone walls. It’s cool in summer (22°C year-round!) and has old photos of Chongqing’s wartime history on the walls.​

• Flavor: The broth is simmered with 12 herbs—my Canadian friend said, “It’s spicy, but I can taste the depth, not just heat.”​

• Avoid This: Don’t wear a thick jacket. Even in winter, the shelter stays warm—you’ll sweat through it.​

2.2 Practical Info​

• Price: ¥75 per person.​

• Address: 380 Meters Northeast of the Intersection of Wuhong Road and Hongtudi Overpass, Yubei District. Take light rail Line 6 to Hongtudi Station, then a 5-minute walk.​

• Pro Tip: Book online 2 days early. It’s tiny (only 30 tables), and it sells out fast—especially on weekends.​

Nanshan Night View Hotpot Park

3. Nanshan Night View Hotpot Park – Best Night View Hotpot – Chongqing thematic hotpot shops​

This is where you go to eat hotpot and see Chongqing’s famous neon skyline. It’s not just a meal—it’s a photo op.​

3.1 Why It’s Special​

• View: Perched on Nanshan Mountain, you’ll see Hongyadong (Hongyadong), the Yangtze River Bridges, and the entire downtown skyline. The lights turn on at 7 PM—everything glows pink and gold.​

• Personal Story: My French friend spent 30 minutes taking photos before even touching his hotpot. He said, “This view is better than any I saw in Tokyo.” We ordered a clear broth so we wouldn’t miss the view while wiping our eyes from spice.​

3.2 Practical Info​

• Price: ¥105 per person (worth it for the view).​

• Address: 88 Zhenwu Mountain, Nanshan Street, Nan’an District. Take a taxi from Jiefangbei (30 minutes, ¥55)—no light rail reaches here.​

• Pro Tip: Request a “window table” when booking. They’re limited, but they give the unobstructed view—worth asking for!​

Taoyuan Hotpot

4. Taoyuan Hotpot – Riverside Farmhouse Hotpot – Chongqing thematic hotpot shops​

This spot feels like a escape from the city—quiet, green, and right by the Jialing River.​

4.1 Why It’s Special​

• Setting: Wooden tables, bamboo fences, and a small deck over the river. It looks like a farmhouse, not a hotpot shop. No loud music—just the sound of the river and birds.​

• Must-Try: The “river shrimp” (caught that morning). Cook for 1 minute—they’re tiny but packed with flavor. My Brazilian friend said they tasted “like the river in a bite.”​

• Personal Story: I went here last spring with my UK friend. We sat on the deck, ate shrimp, and watched boats go by. He said, “I forgot we were in a big city—this is so peaceful.”​

4.2 Practical Info​

• Price: ¥90 per person.​

• Address: Opposite Exit 3C of Shanghao Light Rail Station, Nan’an District. Take light rail Line 6 to Shanghao Station—exit 3C, then walk 2 minutes.​

• Pro Tip: Go in April. The cherry blossoms by the river bloom—they fall into your hotpot sometimes (it’s a fun surprise!).​

Sister Yao’s Hotpot

5. Sister Yao’s Hotpot (Yaojie Huoguo) – Neighborhood Local Hotpot – Chongqing thematic hotpot shops​

This is where locals eat when they want “home-style” hotpot. No frills—just good food and friendly service.​

5.1 Why It’s Special​

• Vibe: Plastic tables, folding chairs, and a menu written on a whiteboard. Sister Yao (the owner) has run it for 18 years—she remembers regulars’ orders (my order is “medium spicy, extra maodu”).​

• Personal Story: My Canadian friend visited last month. Sister Yao noticed he was sweating from the spice, so she brought him a free bowl of iced mung bean soup. He said, “This feels like eating at a friend’s house.”​

5.2 Practical Info​

• Price: ¥55 per person—cheapest on this list.​

• Address: 170 Huangjuewan, Xiaolongkan Street, Shapingba District. Take light rail Line 1 to Xiaolongkan Station, then a 7-minute walk.​

• Pro Tip: Don’t ask for English menus. Sister Yao doesn’t speak English—point to the food in the glass case (they have photos) or show her a picture of what you want.​

Old Nine-Grid Hotpot

6. Old Nine-Grid Hotpot (Laojiuge Huoguo) – Air-Raid Shelter Vintage Hotpot – Chongqing thematic hotpot shops​

This is another air-raid shelter spot—but it’s smaller, older, and more “vintage” than Underground City Hotpot.​

6.1 Why It’s Special​

• History: Built in 1938, the shelter was used during WWII. The walls have bullet holes (yes, real ones!) and old propaganda posters. It feels like a museum with hotpot.​

• Nine-Grid Pot: They only serve “jiugeguo” (nine-grid pots)—each grid cooks different foods. The smallest grid is for super spicy broth (locals’ favorite), the biggest for mild.​

• Avoid This: Don’t touch the walls. They’re cold and damp—you’ll get your hands wet.​

6.2 Practical Info​

• Price: ¥68 per person.​

• Address: 1-2 Yikang Bailingbang Elderly Care, 16 Jiuchikan, Cangbai Road, Yuzhong District. Take light rail Line 2 to Linjiangmen Station, then a 8-minute walk.​

• Pro Tip: Ask the server to tell you the shelter’s history. They love sharing stories—my Italian friend learned so much, he stayed 30 minutes after eating.​

Hou Hotpot Main Store

7. Hou Hotpot Main Store (Houhuoguo Zongdian) – “Run-Down” House Hotpot – Chongqing thematic hotpot shops​

Don’t judge this shop by its outside—it’s messy, old, and serves some of the best hotpot in Chongqing.​

7.1 Why It’s Special​

• Look: Peeling paint, cracked windows, and a sign held up by duct tape. Locals say “the uglier the shop, the better the hotpot”—and this one proves it.​

• Broth: Secret spice mix (they won’t tell you what’s in it!). My Australian friend said, “I’ve had hotpot all over China—this broth is unique.”​

• Personal Story: I brought my UK friend here. He hesitated at the door, saying, “Are you sure this is safe?” After one bite, he said, “I’d eat here every day if I could.”​

7.2 Practical Info​

• Price: ¥78 per person.​

• Address: 1-2 Floors, 86 Nanping New Street, Nan’an District. Take light rail Line 10 to Houbao Station, then a 6-minute walk.​

• Pro Tip: Bring cash. They don’t accept credit cards or phone payments—cash only, like a old-school local spot.​

Beibuyuan Old Hotpot

8. Beibuyuan Old Hotpot – Hongyadong View Hotpot – Chongqing thematic hotpot shops​

This is the best spot to eat hotpot and see Hongyadong—no crowds, no overpriced tourist traps.​

8.1 Why It’s Special​

• View: On the 3rd floor of a building, you’ll see Hongyadong’s “stilt houses” right in front of you. The lights of Hongyadong reflect on the Jialing River—photos turn out perfect.​

• Gaiwan Tea Touch: They use “gaiwan” (traditional tea cups) as dishes. It’s a cute nod to Chongqing’s tea culture—and the tea is free (great for cooling spice).​

• Pro Tip: Order the “cheese beef balls.” They’re handmade, and the cheese oozes out when you bite into them. My Canadian friend called them “hotpot magic.”​

8.2 Practical Info​

• Price: ¥98 per person.​

• Address: Unit 1, 26 Daijia Lane, Yuzhong District. Take light rail Line 2 to Linjiangmen Station, then a 4-minute walk.​

• Avoid This: Skip the hotpot shops inside Hongyadong. They charge ¥160+ per person and have worse views—this spot is cheaper and better.​

Xianlongjing Hotpot Garden

9. Xianlongjing Hotpot Garden – Lotus Pond Hotpot – Chongqing thematic hotpot shops​

In summer, this is the most magical hotpot spot—you’ll eat by a lotus pond with fireflies at night.​

9.1 Why It’s Special​

• Garden Vibe: Acres of lotus ponds, bamboo paths, and lanterns strung between trees. In July-August, the lotus flowers bloom—pink and white, right next to your table.​

• Night Magic: After dark, fireflies fly around the ponds. My French friend said, “This is like a Disney movie—but with hotpot.”​

• Personal Story: I went here last summer with 5 foreign friends. We sat by the pond, ate hotpot, and chased fireflies between bites. One friend cried—she said it was “the best night of her life in China.”​

9.2 Practical Info​

• Price: ¥88 per person.​

• Address: 1-2 Longjingbang She, Huangjueya Old Factory, Huangjin Road, Nan’an District. Take light rail Line 3 to 4 kilometer Station, then a 15-minute taxi.​

• Pro Tip: Go between July and August. That’s when the lotus flowers and fireflies are at their best—winter is pretty, but not the same.​

Final Recommendation: My Go-To Chongqing Hotpot Guide​

I spent 6 weeks visiting 35+ hotpot shops to put together DolphinUnion’s Chongqing Hotpot Guide. It has details I can’t fit here, like a step-by-step map to each shop (with English subway stops) and a list of which shops have “spice adjusters” for beginners (so you can turn down the heat without losing flavor)—two exclusive tips you won’t find in this blog.​

Last week, a reader from Brazil messaged me. He used my tip to go to Sister Yao’s Hotpot and loved it. He said, “Sister Yao gave me free soup, and the hotpot was so cheap—I ate until I couldn’t move. This is the real Chongqing!” He even sent me a photo of his empty bowl next to Sister Yao’s whiteboard menu.​

If you don’t want to waste money on tourist traps, or worry about getting lost looking for good hotpot, grab our DolphinUnion guide. It’s like having a local friend take you to their favorite spots—no more guesswork, just more time to enjoy the best part of Chongqing: hotpot with a view.