Dylan YoungI love eating out with my friends and family, but sometimes, we get tired of the same old restaurants. When this happens, we turn to restaurants offering hot pots—because what better way to spice things up than consuming a broth that scalds our tongues?
Aside from assaulting our taste buds and making us sweat with every sip of the spicy broth, hot pots are fun because we get to customize our toppings and sauces. It’s the perfect opportunity for us to experiment with different combinations!
If you’re in the Scarborough area, I have some recommendations for you.
Haidilao Hot Pot Scarborough
– From: hdl_scarborough
Address: 1571 Sandhurst Cir #106F, Woodside Square
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 5 am
Contact Number: +14377786616
If you can only visit one hot pot place in Scarborough, let it be Haidilao. This restaurant lets you choose up to four soup bases in one pot, and they also have many options for dipping sauces. The flavour combinations are endless here!
My ultimate favourite broth is the Sichuan spicy soup base, which is undoubtedly the spiciest of them all (prepare to sweat and cry!). I also really like the pork tripe and chicken soup base because it’s rich in umami.
For the sauce, I tend to go with the mashed garlic sesame sauce. I know they also have spicy sauces here, but in my opinion, getting them will be too much for me. So, I prefer one that’s more nutty and mellow because it complements the spicy soup base well.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant has a membership program. It lets you earn points that you can then exchange for rewards like complimentary dishes and exclusive discounts. |
Ye Skewers Hot Pot
– From: hotplace_toronto
Address: 3260 Midland Ave F111, Skycity Shopping Center
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—12 pm to 10:30 pm
- Friday to Sunday—12 pm to 11 pm
Contact Number: +16473401818
Ye Skewers Hot Pot follows Sichuan-style hot pot, which means that you’ll be dunking skewered meat into the pot. This also means that they don’t skimp on the spice; even their “mild” heat is still enough to make me feel like I’m on fire.
The signature soup base is my favourite; I love that there’s a hint of butteriness to it, almost like an aftertaste. The pork bone soup base is also great because it’s rich, salty, and a bit earthy.
Since this is an all-you-can-eat buffet, feel free to order as many meat skewers as you can. I recommend you get the pork balls as well. They’re super bouncy, and they soak up the soup well, so when you bite, there’s an intense explosion of flavours.
| Pro Tips: Sometimes, this restaurant hosts limited-time promos for special holidays. For example, on Mother’s Day, moms get to eat for free so long as they’re with two or more full-paying guests. If you want to book a group dinner here, you can reserve your spot by calling the restaurant or sending a request to [email protected]. |
Liuyishou Hotpot Scarborough
– From: munchjeeez
Address: 4188 Finch Ave E Unit 14 & 15, Finch Midland Medical Center
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 1 am
- Friday to Sunday—11:30 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +14164122088
If you’re a hot pot enthusiast, then you probably already know Liuyishou Hotpot. It has many outlets across North America, and I’m thrilled that Scarborough is one of them.
I can’t resist the beef soup base here. Umami is the first flavour you’ll taste, followed immediately by a strong kick of buttery and spicy notes. The mushroom soup base is also great, especially if you prefer a predominantly earthy flavour profile.
For the toppings, you have many options. I personally love sliced beef and sliced lamb, but you can also get beef tripe, handmade noodles, and vegetables.
| Pro Tips: Get the family combo if you’re dining with two adults and up to two children, because it lets you save money. Craving hot pot late at night? Take advantage of the restaurant’s Midnight Diner, a special promo that lets you enjoy unlimited hot pot and drinks from 10 pm to 1 am (Monday to Thursday) or 11 pm to 2 am (Friday to Sunday)! You do need to come with at least one other person, though. |
Happy Lamb Hot Pot
– From: jameshung15
Address: 2543 Warden Ave., M Plaza
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14169169866
If premium hot pot is what you’re after, then Happy Lamb Hot Pot is a must-visit. The selection of meat is top-notch here; lamb is obviously the star of the show, but you can also choose prime short ribs, shrimp paste, and even sliced pieces of Wagyu beef.
The broth is insanely good as well. It’s made with strictly chosen hens and beef bones, stewed for over six hours, and then seasoned with 36 ingredients (e.g., goji berries, ginseng, and herbs). The result is an aromatic broth with a layered flavour profile.
I like to get the soup base as is because it’s rich and savoury, but the spicy version calls out to me sometimes. I love that its spiciness isn’t a straight-up attack; instead, it sneaks up on me. I won’t realize how spicy it is until I’m red in the face!
| Pro Tip: Happy Lamb Hot Pot has a membership program that lets you earn points and get rewards. As of writing, this program isn’t available for Scarborough yet, but don’t worry, it will come soon. So, look out for it! |
Daimaru Shabu Shabu
– From: daimarushabushabu
Address: 390 Silver Star Blvd Unit 117, China City
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—12 pm to 11:30 pm
- Friday—12 pm to 12:30 am
- Saturday—11 am to 12 am
- Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +16475597580
Daimaru Shabu Shabu specializes in Japanese-style hot pot, which is a style that focuses more on simplicity.
That’s why, at first glance, the layout may seem simple—just a pot of clear broth with fresh meat and vegetables on the side—but don’t be fooled! When you combine everything, you’ll taste a harmony of savoury and umami flavours.
To no one’s surprise, I’m a big fan of their signature soup; it’s super spicy, but it has hints of savoury notes as well. For the toppings, I usually splurge and get the Wagyu beef. The fattiness from the beef seeps into the soup, making it even more flavorful!
| Pro Tips: I recommend coming here on a weekday (Monday to Thursday). This is because the unlimited hot pot prices are much cheaper. If you’re planning to dine with a group, book your spot ahead of time by sending an email to [email protected]. |
Big Way Hot Pot
– From: morokokoko
Address: 1571 Sandhurst Cir #105b, Woodside Square
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +14166098188
As much as I love to customize my hot pot, sometimes, not thinking about assembly is easier. On these days, I just want a pot that already has all the meat and broth selected for me. That’s why I love coming to Big Way Hot Pot: because it gives me just what I crave!
So far, my favourite is the miso pot. The collagen pork bone broth is distinctly earthy and umami, but it also has a hint of sweetness that I quite like. This pot is also filled to the brim with leafy vegetables on top of the savoury meat and fresh seafood, so in a way, it’s a nutritious meal.
| Pro Tips: There’s a hot pot flavour that’s exclusive to the Scarborough location: the Coconut Green Curry Pot. Try it when you can. Join the Big Way Hot Pot Loyalty Club to earn exclusive offers and discounts! |
Pot-licious Stew
– From: dinewithlisha
Address: 4188 Finch Ave E, Finch Midland Medical Center
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11:30 am to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +14162990322
Pot-licious Stew is a recent discovery of mine, and I can’t believe it took me this long to learn about it!
The first thing I tried was the beef brisket hot pot, which was simply a rich, savoury delight. The beef slices were also so tender that they practically melted on my tongue.
For my friends, the meatball hot pot is their favourite. The broth is just as rich and savoury as the beef brisket one, but it’s the meatballs that steal the show. They’re so bouncy; biting into them is so addictive because the juices just ooze out!
| Pro Tip: This restaurant operates on a “first come, first served” basis, so I recommend coming here as soon as it opens. If not, try to avoid peak hours (usually around 5 pm to 7 pm). |
Hong Kong Seafood Hotpot
– From: hongkong_seafood_hotpot
Address: 3300 Midland Ave Unit 41, Scarboro Village Mall
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Monday—11 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14162928800
Hong Kong Seafood Hotpot is another underrated spot that deserves more love. As you can gather from the name and the big, colourful mural of a Hong Kong street, this restaurant is best known for its take on Hong Kong cuisine, especially the hot pot.
What I love about the hot pot here is that you can drink the soup—you can’t usually do that in most hot pot places! This is because the soup here isn’t oil-based; instead, it’s light and simple, perfect for endless sipping.
There are also many cuts of meat to choose from. I personally love the beef brisket, but I also add an assortment of greens to make the hot pot extra nutritious.
| Pro Tip: This restaurant has its own DIY sauce station, where you can create your own sauces. Feel free to experiment with the different ingredients! |
