Updated: 8/13/2024 | Best Seattle Hot Pot Restaurants
“Hot pot” in Chinese is huǒguō (火锅) translates literally to “fire pot” and has a history of over 1,000 years. China is regarded as the home of hot pot.
The general concept of hot pot is a boiling pot of broth with fresh ingredients placed into the pot and cooked at the table.
A big pot filled with simmering broth is placed at the middle of the table, accompanied by plates of various meats, vegetables, noodles, condiments, and dipping sauces. The ingredients are to be placed in the broth, cooked, and then taken out and dipped into the chosen sauce before eating.
Related: How to Make Hot Pot at Home
It is generally assumed that the hotpot tradition came from Mongol warriors and horsemen who camped outside and had dinner together and circled around a pot on the fire. It was a way to keep warm while enjoying a meal together. (Source)
Some sources even claim that these horsemen used their metal helmets to hold and cook the water, as they had little else on them regarding cooking utensils while they were away from home.
Countries including Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand all have their variations of hot pot. It has become a common style of eating throughout Asia and beyond. Various regions and countries may use different ingredients and broths in their hot pots, but the cooking method remains unchanged.
Best Hot Pot Restaurants in Seattle and Beyond
#1 Chengdu Memory
Chengdu Memory is one of the most popular hot pot spots in Seattle. They have high-quality ingredients and a well stocked sauce bar.
Their spice levels are a bit deceiving. If you want medium spicy, we recommend going with their mild or extra mild options. We ordered their medium spicy one day and had to take pauses in between each bite because it was that spicy!
We also had issues using the restroom the day after and dubbed our experience as having the Cheng-doodoos.
Address: 520 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104
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#2 Gourmet Noodle Bowl
Gourmet Noodle Bowl offers both All You Can Eat (AYCE) and single-person hot spot options.
They have many non-spicy options which we really appreciated. They have many soup options and huge portions.
Along with hot pot, they also offer other Taiwanese dishes such as pork buns, green onion pancakes, and popcorn chicken.
#3 Happy Lamb Hot Pot
Happy Lamb Hot Pot also serves AYCE Mongolian hot pot in a luxurious setting. They have a la carte options as well.
We highly recommend their premium hot pot option! It comes with tender wagyu, brisket, and lamb.
If you dine here on your birthday and bring 4 guests, you get a free AYCE hot pot meal!
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#4 Boiling Point
Boiling Point is known for having ready-to-eat hot pots brought directly to your table. There is no need for you to cook or prep your food.
Their hot pot combinations are very inventive and include super spicy options. If you’re not into cooking your food yet want delicious hot pot, check out Boiling Point.
Address: 610 5th Ave S South, Seattle, WA 98104
#5 Qiao Lin Hot Pot
Qiao Lin Hot Pot Spread
Qiao Lin Hot Pot offers high-quality meats at affordable prices. They offer personal and group setting hot pot options.
We loved the tomato broth soup the best. The sauce bar, meats, veggies, seafood, etc. were top-notch. We also highly recommend their 1-meter beef paddle which costs only $15 USD! The meats were so tender and the broths were super flavorful.
We especially loved their presentation, which is on par with luxury hot pot brands such as X-Pot.
And on your birthday, receive a free plate of short rib meat presented in a golden cow along with balloons! All you have to do is purchase the broth and bring your family and friends.
Not from Seattle? They also have locations in Chicago and Boston.
Address: 1510 7th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
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#6 Crazy Monk Hot Pot – CLOSED
Crazy Monk Hot Pot offers Qiaojiao beef hotpot in a modern and spacious setting. The Qiaojiao beef soup is a hearty broth that is very flavorful and nonspicy. The broth pairs perfectly with their high-quality meats such as wagyu & Kobe beef slices.
We especially appreciated that you get your own hot pot to cook exactly what you want to eat and avoid what you don’t. Their sauce bar is also very impressive.
This place is great for diners who want personalized hot pots. And if you’re interested in exotic proteins such as pork brain (watch this video of me trying brain for the first time), intestines, or duck blood cubes, Crazy Monk is definitely for you. Their Qiaojiao beef hot pot has an option to add unlimited offal (already cooked) to your soup.
Watch our full video review of Crazy Monk Hot Pot on Instagram.
Address: 221 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Crazy Monk Hot Pot
Pork Brain from Crazy Monk Hot Pot
#7 Haidilao
Haidilao is a popular Beijing hot pot chain. They have locations all over the world in major cities.
Their meat quality is excellent, but expect to pay more than your average hot spot joint.
We love that they have dancing noodles where an employee comes tableside and entertainingly pulls the noodles at your table and a robot food delivery system.
Address: 600 Pine St Suite 355, Seattle, WA 98101 (in Pacific Place Mall)
#8 No. 9 Alley Hot Pot
No. 9 Alley Hot Pot offers AYCE Sichuanese hot pot in a fun and bright setting for only $28.99 per person!
Their presentation is also super kawaii. Order kitten-shaped shrimp balls, fortune packs with shrimp, rainbow noodles, and other seasonal offerings.
Address: 930 N 130th St, Seattle, WA 98133
#9 Pipa Mountain Hot Pot
Check out Pipa Mountain Hot Pot for Chengdu-style hot pot with very affordable prices.
Their sauce bar is impressive and select meats are served on a circular board which makes it super easy for sharing.
Address: Pacific Rim Center, Ste 208, 900 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104
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#10 The Dolar Shop
Enjoy a luxury hot pot experience at the Dolar Shop. Their gold interior makes for an elegant dining experience.
This eastside spot offers individual hot pots with flavorful broths and high-end meats such as Wagyu Mountain, Geoduck, A5 Miyazaki Beef, and Dungeness crab. We especially loved their sauce bar and freshly pressed watermelon juice.
Come during lunch where you can buy one of their lunch sets for a great deal. You can get a plate of meat plus veggies for under $40.
Address: 11020 NE 6th Street Suite 90 Bellevue WA 98004
#11 Swish Swish
This shabu-shabu spot in Bellevue provides diners with broths ranging anywhere from the tongue-numbing (mala) Sichuan spicy, to the earthy flavors of the spicy curry.
Their wagyu beef is a popular meat option, served with an accompanying soup base in a pot made entirely out of a piece of paper.
Originally created in Japan, this kami-nabe, helps to absorb some of the oils in the soup, keeping it light as more of the fatty wagyu is added.
Address: 14603 NE 20th St APT 5C, Bellevue, WA 98007
#12 Shabu Shabu Kyoto
For more traditional shabu shabu, we highly recommend this Bellevue spot. Their shabu shabu sets come with a plate of protein of your choice, a basket full of fresh veggies, a side of rice, and dipping sauces (ponzu and sesame sauce).
Happy hour runs through lunch and you can save 20% on appetizers, beers, sake, and wine. We tried the spicy tuna on crispy rice and loved it!
Address: 627 156th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98007
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#13 Liuyishou
This international chain offers an extensive sauce bar and snacks such as fruit and peanuts.
We highly recommend their perfectly tender marbled beef and the Kung Fu sliced potatoes, which are wafer-thin and easily absorb their flavorful broths.
Address: 1644 140th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005
#14 Morfire
For those wanting a tangy broth option, Morfire offers Thai style hot pot that pairs well with seafood and fresh vegetables.
Try out their Suki Hang plate and get a taste of the crunchiest vegetables and the most tender chicken all mixed in stir-fried glass noodles!
If you want more options, their Son-In-Law Egg Small Plate and Hiyayakko Tofu small plate are two you won’t regret. The chilled tofu has that subtle taste that still has a unique flavoring to it. Subtle yet not bland. Just perfect.
And the egg? Phenomenal! It’s crispy and warm. Finishing a hot pot wouldn’t be complete without it!
Address: 1806 12th Ave Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98122
#15 Shaburina
Shaburina is an AYCE Japanese style shabu-shabu hot pot restaurant.
While orders of meat need to be placed with a server, this dining experience is enhanced by the self-service buffet bar which contains various proteins, seafood, vegetables, noodles, and sauces.
Choose from broths such as their most popular Kombu broth, soy milk, and sukiyaki (a bold, sweet, and salty soy-based Japanese base) and two meat options: Premium ($55) includes Wagyu and Kurubota pork and House Course ($39) includes beef and pork options.
On your birthday, receive a meat cake (reservations must be made 1 week in advance for this special). Book a reservation now.
And don’t forget to order a yuzu beverage. Our favorite was the Yuzu Crush, which is a very refreshing blended beverage.
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Address: 2720 152nd Ave NE #130, Redmond, WA 98052
#16 Lao Ma Tou
Lao Ma Tou is a popular Sichuan hot pot chain from Chengdu. They specialize in Chengdu style hot pot.
All their meats are sourced locally to ensure freshness and great flavor. Their sauce bar is VERY impressive.
They are on par with Chengu Memories, if not better than. Their broths are delicious and they even offer a Barbie in meat dress!
Address: 288 106th Ave NE #200, Bellevue, WA 98004
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