Xiang Hotpot-Brooklyn

Xiang Hot Pot to Open Chicago Restaurant With Edible Teddy Bears | Eater Chicago

"A New York–based hot pot chain with locations in Brooklyn and Queens is planning a Chicago outpost at an undisclosed site. The menu emphasizes both classic and nontraditional hot pot ingredients, asking diners to choose from three soup bases — special spicy pot, house special spicy beef dripping pot, or a two‑pot combo (options such as Sanxian, tomato, mushroom, or butter) — and offering proteins (beef, pork, chicken), seafood (shrimp, squid, scallops), tofu, mushrooms and rarer items like fish heads, ox tripe, bone marrow and wild bamboo fungus. The concept is also known for a distinctive gimmick: edible teddy bears made with mala soup and butter that slowly melt into the broth. The brand touts peppers hand‑picked above 3,000 meters and, founded in 2003, is expanding to additional U.S. cities including Los Angeles, Houston and Las Vegas; timing and the Chicago location have not yet been announced." - Naomi Waxman