Ingredient appreciation — what makes Hot Pot special

What sets Hot Pot apart is the handling of five-spice. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the aromatic and complex result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

communal sharing at the table is culturally central. The a bustling dim sum hall atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had Shaoxing rice wine as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Hot Pot is the place to start.