When the cold winter wind starts blowing, there's nothing better than some hotpot to warm you up. Sitting around the large pot of simmering broth and savory ingredients while enjoying the company of close friends is a cherished tradition of the season.

Ran King Hotpot

Ran King offers a variety of beef options such as fresh beef knuckle and five-flower tendon, which are the perfect accompaniment to a traditional satay hotpot. It also offers cost-effective delicacies including fresh oysters and authentic Hong Kong-style satay noodles.

Location: Room A104, 1F, No 309 Hankou Road

Dalong Liufang Hotpot

Dalong Liufang Hotpot offers freshly sliced beef, marbled beef, and braised bullfrog. The Guizhou sour soup beef bone hotpot is made by slow-cooking beef bones with 34 kinds of fresh spices for eight hours, resulting in a bright, tangy flavor with a hint of umami.

Location: 4F, Hongyi Plaza, No 299 East Nanjing Road

Hou Hotpot

With its old-style wooden doors, faux tile eaves, and vintage photos, Hou Hotpot is a popular chain from Chongqing that offers a unique dining experience consisting of braising, then frying, and finally dipping. Its fried dishes are also highlights.

Location: No 311 Middle Shandong Road

Zhuguangyu Hotpot

Zhuguangyu Hotpot boasts a unique decor, blending industrial gray cement with traditional Chinese red lanterns. The signature double-flavor pot is highly recommended, with one side being a fragrant red oil broth and the other a sweet and sour tomato broth.

Location: No 555-1 Fuzhou Road

Peijie Chongqing Hotpot

The pot base of Peijie has a slightly sweet taste, so it doesn't become overwhelmingly spicy even towards the end. Signature dishes such as tripe, spicy beef, and duck intestines are all must-tries.

Location: No 68, 1F, Huaiyun Building, at the intersection of East Huaihai Road and South Yunnan Road

Lingjie Seafood Hotpot

Lingjie Seafood Hotpot exudes a French palace vibe with its stunningly elegant decor. The exclusive pot base, the No 3 Signature Snow Crab Pot, is made by simmering snow crab to create a rich broth that highlights the pure flavor of the crab.

Location: 2F, Three on the Bund, No 17 Guangdong Road

Sources: WeChat account of Huangpu District Bureau of Culture and Tourism at "shhplyj", Dazhong Dianping