Overdose on Christmas cheer? Lighten the load with these winter warmers.
One of Shanghai’s finest hotpot restaurants (voted readers’ choice Best Chinese Restaurant in Time Out’s 2015 awards), Holy Cow is our go-to choice for a great value and exceptional-quality beef hotpot. Even better, they’ve just opened a new Changning district branch to go with the Xuhui original.
Using never-frozen beef from Dalian yellow cattle, there’s a variety of cuts – 18 in total – from fatty filet mignon (68RMB) to ribeye (58RMB), to shank (58RMB). There’s also a variety of meat and fish balls (from 28RMB), as well as fresh vegetables (from 10RMB) and the unmissable xiaolongbao (16RMB). Given how fresh the produce is here, sauce isn’t a requirement, but certainly justifies the indulgence. Mix your favourites together with confidence; we’re yet to find a wrong combination. For the broth, we recommend a half-half pot (58RMB) of spicy, and clear beef broth (MSG and additive free) or perhaps if you’re after some added virility this January, you can try the ‘medicinal root ox penis soup’ (228RMB).
Average price per person 100RMB
Good for Beef fiends and those who like their vegetables absolutely bursting with flavour.
Holy Cow is at Second Floor, 608 Xiaomuqiao Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, Xuhui district. Open 6pm-1am daily.
Hailing from Taiwan, Hengshan Lu spot Elixir is perennially busy, and when the giant duo pot of medicinal broth arrives at your table, you’ll start to understand why. The ‘health pot’ bases here are brimming with all kinds of spices, chilli, tofu and red dates – a real feast for the taste buds. You can get either the ‘Wulao spicy aromatic pot’ or the ‘healthy creamy tofu pot’ base for 98RMB per small table or 168RMB per large table, but we recommend getting a house special twin pot for an additional 30RMB.
To add to the already flavoursome broth, there’s plenty of beef (98RMB for flat iron), lamb (58RMB) and pork (58RMB for shoulder). There’s also an array of fresh seafood (from 16RMB scallops) and vegetables, plus numerous varieties of tofu (from 15RMB) including a tasty ‘ice cream tofu’ option. We recommend you skip the assorted dumplings (42RMB), which are light on taste and high on starch, and instead order the super tasty meatballs (78RMB for 10), as well as the mixed mushroom plate (58RMB). Although on the pricey side, we love Elixir Health Pot, and so does the rest of Shanghai, it appears – their windows aren’t permanently fogged up for nothing.
Average price per person 200RMB
Good for Intense and aromatic flavours, plentiful meat and seafood options and a tasty twin pot.
Elixir Health Pot is at 2 Hengshan Lu, near Dongping Lu, Xuhui district. Open 11am-4am daily.
Walking through the organic grocer to Qimin’s low-lit restaurant gets your mouth watering immediately. A rainbow of fruits and vegetables line the shelves, making you feel healthier just from looking at them.
You can choose from bases that include a soothing Matsutake mushroom chicken broth (38RMB) and a creamy pork bone broth (28RMB) to fill your individual pot. Vegetable and meat options abound, and arrive at the table artfully presented on trays and crates and in bowls and baskets. The assorted organic basket (48RMB, large) offers a nice selection of seasonal vegetables; don’t skip the self-harvest mushrooms (from 38RMB) that are delivered to the table attached to a hunk of wood, or in a pot of soil – produce doesn’t get any fresher. There’s also a wonderful selection of sauces to marry with all the goodness.
Average price per person 80-100RMB
Good for A healthy shopping mall indulgence and self-harvesting freshness.
Qimin Organic Hotpot is at Fourth Floor, Reel Mall, 1601 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Changde Lu, Jingan district. Open 11am-2pm, 5pm-9pm daily.
With an organic farm supplying ingredients to this Changning-based hotpot hot spot, freshness is guaranteed. Similar to Gan Ye Zi and Qimin, you’ll get your own individual hotpot – great when you don’t want to share – for only 80RMB at lunch, and 98RMB at dinner. The set includes Mahota pork slices (grown without hormones or antibiotics), vegetarian meatballs (plus Mahota meatballs at dinner only), and more vegetables than some people would eat in a week. The requisite sauce buffet is plentiful and varied, and all sets come with an appetiser and small portion of fruit on the side.
Mahota Kitchen is one of our favourite lunch spots, especially given its casual atmosphere and the good value lunchtime set. It’s also very family-friendly with kids of all ages getting involved in – and actually seeming to enjoy – eating their greens. There’s the option to order a la carte too, with all menu items showing calories, protein and fat break-downs for those who have specific dietary goals.
Average price per person 80-98RMB
Good for Great, safe produce and an affordable set in a casual space.
The Mahota Kitchen is at Unit 10, First Floor, 1580 Kaixuan Lu, near Hongqiao Lu, Changning district. Open 10am-9pm Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm Sat-Sun.