There’s a common idiom that runs along the lines of, ‘if you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.’ Well, we’ve got a new one for London’s spice lovers and capsaicin cowards alike: ‘If you can’t handle the spice, stay away from Da Long Yi’. That’s because while this charming hot pot restaurant features cute characters and captivating interiors, it’s also home to some of the spiciest food in London.
Now, that’s not to say that spice is the only option at Da Long Yi. Indeed, they have hot pot soup options for the chilli-averse that will coat the mouth with warming, hearty flavour rather than the scorching flames of spice. But to skip the spice would be to skip one of the main components of Chengdu, or Sichuan, cuisine. And that’s exactly what Da Long Yi specialises in!
Hot pot for beginners
If you’ve never had hot pot before, just imagine Korean BBQ but with a vat of soup instead of a grill in the middle of the table. Here’s the basic run-down:
- You order 1, 2, or 3 soup bases from the menu, which arrive in an enormous pot in the middle of the table
- You order an array of meats, veggies, and sides
- You order a dipping sauce or make your own at the sauce station
- Cook the food in the boiling soup in the middle of the table and enjoy!
It’s a simple experience, and one that everyone should try. Soon you’ll be hitting up all the hot pot joints in London to find your favourite broth.
Da Long Yi’s hot pot
Da Long Yi is a must-visit spot for hot pot newbies and aficionados. And for the full Sichuan experience, you really want to opt for the sweat-inducing, mouth-numbing Scallion and Spicy Oil soup base. And to go with the ultra-spicy soup base, they’ve got unique food offerings- some of which you’re unlikely to find at any other spot in London.
Among the options for guests to cook in their scorching soup are the likes of:
- Volcano Beef (marbled ribeye or tenderloin is drenched tableside in a molten “lava” sauce)
- A One-Meter Beef and Lamb Platter
- Spicy Duck Gizzards
- A Beef Firewheel Platter (which surrounds the hot pot with a seemingly never-ending selection of meat)
- Pork Intestines
- Chicken Claws
- and much more…
And don’t worry; as I mentioned before, there are plenty of non-spicy options, too. You can start off with a flavourful base of Pork Bones Soup, Tomato Fried Egg Soup, Mushroom Soup, or Fish Maw Chicken Soup – without the spice.
So, grab some mates, and prepare for a spicy ride – it’s time for a trip to Da Long Yi.