A new plan has been conjured up between your foodie writers to try something different than the usual pubs this month and boy, were they happy to take on this new restaurant.
We introduce you to Xiang Hot Pot, a Chinese hot pot joint tucked away in the University Shops Plaza, right near the University of Waterloo campus at 160 University Ave. W.
With beautiful interior design – detailed with elegant panels and warm lighting, adding to the already kind and welcoming atmosphere created by the staff – this establishment transports you to a high dining experience that will not leave you feeling empty.
If you’ve had Korean or Japanese barbeque before, the procedure for this Chinese delicacy is not much different. Each table has a huge bowl in the middle filled with a broth of your choice (or two, if you are indecisive or a huge foodie like yours truly).
Then, the heat gets turned on and you’re cooking directly at your table. We opted for the all-you-can eat hot pot, priced at $39.99 per person, which included unlimited drinks and dessert. For the broth, a 50/50 split of the piquant spicy beef oil and the creamy pork bone was selected.
As they bubbled up and began filling the room with heavenly aromas, it was time for the rest of the food ensemble. For those who have experienced hot pot, you know how challenging it can be to remember what you ordered.
It’s typical to indulge in a smorgasbord of food, and we were no exception — our eyes were far bigger than our bellies. The sheer variety laid out before us left us in awe.
The table shimmered with an array of dishes: Marbled beef slices, lamb, spicy marinated beef, quail eggs, enoki mushrooms, seaweed knots, sweet corn, prawns, lettuce, udon noodles and more. All arrived in a seemingly endless stream.
The highlight of Xiang was the upstairs sauce bar, where diners are able to construct any dipping sauce of their choosing. As our waitress informed us, the sauce is the heart of hot pot. The sauce is what truly makes or breaks your meal and provides an incredible amount of customization to perfectly fit whatever you’re craving. We could’ve spent hours trying all the different combinations.
Overall, this dining experience easily ranks at the top of our list, and we highly recommend bringing friends to help take on the feast. It was enjoyable as a duo, but with a group of friends and plenty of time, it could be incredible. If you do take up those plans, be sure to tell them LizzDrew sent you.
Ratings
Ambiance: 9 out of 10
Food: 8 out of 10
Affordability: 4 out of 10
