The Hot Pot Experience: A Journey of Taste and Discovery

Can you recall the moment you first discovered hot pot? Who were you with? What emotions swirled within you? What thoughts raced through your mind?

I still vividly remember my inaugural experience with hot pot. It was my final year of university, and I had finally forged friendships through my first-year Japanese class. Until that point, I had never heard of hot pot; I simply assumed it was a bowl of Chinese soup. 

Fortunately, my companions were a delightful mix of international students, so I didn’t feel completely out of my depth when we ventured out for hot pot. However, my first encounter was far from enjoyable. Perhaps it was because hot pot was a novel concept in Minnesota at the time, but the experience lacked the excitement I had hoped for.

My second hot pot experience occurred in Korea, and while it was marginally better due to the attentive service and my wonderful friend guiding me, it still didn’t quite meet my expectations. 

In the United States, countless fusion hot pot options exist, often combined with Korean BBQ. Recently, I stumbled upon a unique gem: Upin Hot Pot, an All-You-Can-Eat Hot Pot and Sushi restaurant located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. This was the first establishment of its kind that I had encountered.

Upon arriving at Upin Hot Pot, I found its location to be convenient and easy to access, with decent parking facilities. The restaurant itself boasts a clean and tidy interior, exuding a cozy yet casual atmosphere that invites you to settle in and enjoy.

The staff members were friendly and attentive, although I felt they overlooked first-time customers like myself. While my companions had dined there before, I longed for a bit more guidance on how the process worked. Each hot pot experience can differ significantly, and Upin Hot Pot was no exception. Here, self-ordering is facilitated through a tablet, while various self-serve ingredients await your selection.

Once the waiter clarifies whether you want hot pot or the combination of hot pot and sushi, they hand over the tablet for you to choose your soup base, proteins, and toppings. Upin Hot Pot offers an impressive variety of soup bases. For our meal, we opted for something more authentic: the Sichuan Spicy soup in medium heat and the Sichuan Peppercorn soup. 

This decision proved to be the best one we could have made!

The Sichuan spicy soup dazzled our taste buds with its vibrant and complex blend of flavors. The moment I took a sip, it was as if a wave of warmth washed over me, compelling me to grab more. Rich and aromatic, this soup emanated a medley of spices, creating a distinctive numbing and tingling sensation thanks to the star anise and Sichuan peppercorns. The intense heat from the dried red chilies and chili oil added a fiery kick, balanced beautifully by a hint of sweetness and savoriness.

The experience of this soup was a delightful dance of spicy, savory, sweet, and aromatic flavors, beautifully complemented by the seafood and beef we cooked in it. The joy of sharing delicious food with loved ones turned an ordinary meal into a warm, memorable occasion.

The Sichuan peppercorn soup offered a unique experience of its own, blending aromatic notes with a numbing sensation. The main spice, Sichuan peppercorn, left a tingling feeling on the tongue and, should you accidentally chew one, it could be a momentarily uncomfortable experience. Nevertheless, the savory broth was delightful!

Light yet flavorful, the Sichuan peppercorn broth was infused with herbs and spices, its fragrance perfectly complementing the peppercorn’s heat. While not as intense as the chili-based soup, it delivered a gentle tingling sensation that enhanced the overall experience. This broth was an ideal companion for cooking beef, seafood, and vegetables, allowing them to absorb the nuanced flavors.

Both soup bases exceeded my expectations, and even as I began to feel full, my desire to keep eating only grew stronger.

The quality of the meat and seafood we ordered was excellent. Although the beef was frozen, it cooked quickly in the soup, and the vegetables and toppings we selected were fresh and vibrant. 

We tried shrimp, octopus, and oysters for seafood. While they may not have come directly from the ocean, they certainly appeared to be well cared for, ensuring high quality.

At $34.99 per person, I can confidently say that the food quality and taste justified the price. My eagerness to savor the hot pot experience with my family overshadowed any desire I had to document it with photos. That alone speaks volumes about just how good this place is!

If you live in Minnesota and haven’t yet ventured to Upin Hot Pot, I wholeheartedly recommend it! Should you find yourself in the area, make sure to detour and indulge in the joy of this hot pot destination. Take my word for it—you won’t be disappointed!

And for those who have already enjoyed the hot pot experience, I’d love to hear your stories! What was your first hot pot like? Do you have a favorite soup base or ingredients? Share your hot pot adventures in the comments below!

Until next time, let’s keep exploring the world of flavors together!

Peach out!