Chengdu Memory 蓉城老火锅

"Chengdu Memory is a small, low-key spot—perfect for a casual lunch trip in the CID. As one of the few hot pot places in town that isn’t a massive chain, you’ll have an actual server (not an iPad) who will suggest their favorite toppings, keep a close eye on your pot temperature, and gently shield your belongings in a seat cover to avoid any soup spray. While the glistening spicy beef oil and Szechuan peppercorn-packed broth here is rich (and really freaking spicy), we often reach for the cloudy herbal broth with pork stomach. The lamb is far too chewy, but the fishballs bursting with roe stay flavorful and soft no matter how long they hang out in the pot." - Kayla Sager-Riley

"Diners sometimes endure long waits (albeit with snacks in the waiting area) to score a table at this premiere hot pot destination. Chengdu Spicy is the most popular broth order, sometimes in combination with one or two milder flavors. The extensive menu includes a wide variety of meat selections, fish balls, vegetables, tofu, and mushrooms available a la carte or in platters to customize the hot pot experience. You can then fish out the cooked items from the flavorful broth and eat as-is, or dip them into a self-made concoction from the sauce bar, with ingredients including sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and cilantro." - Jay Friedman

"The experience at this Chinatown-International District hot pot spot starts with the choice of a single soup base or a combination of two. Chengdu Spicy is popular (and most indicative of the hot-pot-loving Chinese capital), but other options include pork bone, mushroom, and tomato. The menu offers a wide variety of meat, vegetables, tofu, mushrooms and more to order a la carte or in combination platters. House specialties include deep-fried pork, cumin lamb, shrimp paste, and square bamboo shoots, while pork brain, beef aorta, and goose intestines among the more “daring” options. There’s a sauce bar with sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, cilantro and more to create an endless number of dipping possibilities. Things can get messy, so the restaurant thoughtfully provides hair ties, clothing spray, aprons, and coat covers." - Jay Friedman

"Chengdu Memory is a small, low-key spot—perfect for a casual lunch trip. As one of the few hot pot places in town that isn’t a massive chain, you’ll have an actual server (not an iPad) who will suggest their favorite toppings, keep a close eye on your pot temperature, and gently shield your belongings in a seat cover to avoid any soup spray. While the glistening spicy beef oil and Szechuan peppercorn-packed broth here is rich (and really freaking spicy), we often reach for the cloudy herbal broth with pork stomach. The lamb is far too chewy, but the fishballs bursting with roe stay flavorful and soft no matter how long they hang out in the pot. " - gabe guarente, aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley

"Fans of spicy broths should go for the strong, mala soup base at this relative newcomer to the International District. The Chengdu Three Treasures dish comes with beef aorta, tripe, and omasum, meats that are not readily available at most hot pot shops in Seattle. Pro tip: the sweet potato noodles soak up the broth best." - Ryan Lee