"This casual yet lively University Park restaurant specializes in hot pots—but not the d.i.y. kind. Instead, you select one of Hi Pot’s cauldrons filled with all sorts of texturally interesting things that cook at the table over portable gas burners. The Taiwanese supreme spicy hot pot—our favorite—includes over 20 ingredients like instant ramen and tofu puffs. If that sounds too busy, they also have simpler pots. But everything is customizable, including the broth’s spice level. The popcorn chicken and the stinky tofu—classic night market snacks—are must-order appetizers. Just make sure to leave room for tong sui, a refreshing dessert soup, especially the mango sago." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino