Seen videos of this viral fish hotpot from China?
Xian Tan Zheng Qi Shi Guo Yu (鲜潭蒸汽石锅鱼), meaning “Xian Tan’s” steamed stone-pot fish soup, uses a unique stone pot and straw hat cooking method to create a rich, creamy broth and perfectly tender fish.
This is truly hotpot at the next level.
How does it work?
First, the waiter turns on the high-steam function, with all the utensils in, to disinfect the pot. The pot is built into the table, and cannot be removed. Hence, this is the most effective way to sterilise it.
Next, they’ll add in a whole fish, alongside a clear broth of your choice. We recommend the Mushroom Stock to best enjoy the freshness of the fish.
Once all the ingredients are in the pot, the waiter will cover the pot with a straw hat, followed by two thick clothes around opening. In comparison to a modern pot lid, the gaps in the straw hat allows for just enough steam to escape while the soup is boiling, resulting in a creamy collagen-rich fish soup.
Is the fish soup actually nice, or just gimmicky?
No MSG, no additives, the fish soup at Xian Tan was rich and creamy, and we couldn’t stop ourselves from refilling our bowls with it.
Every part of the fish was also cooked perfectly.
In addition to fish, Xian Tan’s menu also comprises all your other standard hotpot items, such as sliced beef, pork, and vegetables.
What to take note of when dining at Xian Tan?
For the best experience, take note of the following.
Firstly, you can purchase promotion packages on DianPing, a popular platform in China for consumer reviews and Group Buys.
The most affordable package is the Set Meal for 2 at ¥183 ($36), including a whole fish, choice of soup, vegetable platters, and choice of noodles. Other packages also include different types of meat.
If you do decide to purchase any Group Buy from DianPing, do note that most, if not all, restaurants in China, do not dictate a minimum order of one portion per diner. This means that if you’re dining in a group of four, you can simply purchase the Set Meal for 2, and order the rest a la carte. This is what we recommend.
Lastly, Xian Tan only accepts reservation on the day itself. Even after reservations, be prepared to queue for 15-30 minutes. The silver lining is that if you have to wait for more than 20 minutes, you’re entitled to a free dish.
Where is Xian Tan located at?
The viral fish soup restaurant has multiple outlets in Shenzhen. We visited the one at One Avenue 卓悦中心.
Location: One Avenue Mall, 福田区 – 岗厦二路深圳中心 · 天元卓悦中心 (Baidu)
Opening hours: 11am-10pm
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