If you’re looking for an authentic Chinese hot pot to dine at, you have to try Chongqing Lao Zao (重慶老灶) in Flushing, Queens. This place is the real deal when it comes to authentic Chinese hot pot. Trust me, it's worth the hype even with the long waiting time.

I’m obsessed with hot pot. Like, really obsessed. So when Brian recommended this place, I knew we had to check it out. This hot pot experience brought me back to Taiwan when I enjoyed it with my family, and I was stoked to see if this spot could live up to the memories.

Spoiler alert: It did.

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about Chongqing Lao Zao

Chongqing Lao Zao isn't just a restaurant — it's an authentic hot pot experience. Hailing straight from Chongqing, China, this place has serious hot pot credits.

The Chongqing hot pot originated from Chongqing, China, and was inspired by the dining styles of boat trackers on the Jialing River and Chaotianmen in Chongqing during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The boat trackers were usually very poor and did not have enough money for a full meal, so they found a way to feed themselves by putting all their ingredients together in a big pot and enjoying a feast together. This is how the hot pot tradition began.

Authentic Chongqing hot pot is extremely spicy and includes a lot of butter, as well as raw thin slices of beef tripe, yellow throat, duck intestines, and other ingredients. The hot pot is known for being super flavorful and very spicy, with a numbing spice known as Ma-la (麻辣).

Chongqing Lao Zao stays true to these humble roots. Their hot pot is fiery, packed with flavor, and totally addictive. They don’t mess around with the classics. Their secret? Decades of experience, with fresh ingredients, and a whole lotta love.

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the atmosphere

Stepping into Chongqing Lao Zao feels like you've been transported to the mountain city of Chongqing (重慶).

The place is packed with energy. Red lanterns hang from the ceiling, giving it a festive vibe. Don’t be fooled by the size of the place — it’s huge! There are two floors, and every table is filled with people laughing, chatting, and of course, enjoying their smoking hot pot.

I’ve never seen a restaurant so lively like this in New York City.

Birthdays are also a big deal here. During our time dining, we had an amazing experience seeing from above a full-blown birthday celebration with dragon dancers, traditional drums and gongs, and everyone cheering and clapping celebrating along. It was such a memorable experience!

Another cool thing is that each table has its own unique decor. It’s like they've put a lot of thought into making each dining experience different. You’ll see smoke rising from every hot pot, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. It’s a feast for the senses, for sure.

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our hot pot experience

If you're planning to dine at Chongqing Lao Zao and don't want to wait in person for a table, I highly recommend making a reservation online in advance if available. They might not have it available, but just check to see if you can reserve a spot. The wait times can be very long on the weekends, especially when the weather is cold, making it ideal weather for hot pot.

Fast forward to when we finally got a table, we were seated upstairs. The excitement was real. They gave us these cute red aprons to protect our clothes from the inevitable hot pot splatters. What a nice touch!

When we were ordering, we were torn between a few soup base options but ended up going for the Duo Flavor Pot with half Mild and half Chicken Herb. Ivy, our super sweet server, warned us that even the mild one would be extremely spicy for non-Chinese who aren’t used to spices. Challenge accepted! 🔥

Let me tell you, that mild broth was FIRE. Like, actual fire in your mouth that’s kind of spicy. But in a good way. It had this amazing numbing sensation that was totally addictive. I ended up eating mostly out of the Chinese Herb broth because it was less spicy… so I guess Ivy was right. 😂

The meat was incredibly fresh, and we had an abundant amount of veggie options. We ordered a mix of everything, from the classic beef and seafood to more adventurous choices like quail eggs and blackfish.

The dipping sauce bar was a game-changer. Ivy helped me create the perfect combo, and it elevated every bite.

I love being able to cook our own food, and watch the ingredients sizzle in the hot pot while smoke was coming out, it was so satisfying to watch! Not to mention, super delicious when you finally can stuff the ingredient in your mouth dipped with your own sauce you’ve created.

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tips + recommendations

Ready to visit ChongQing Lao Zao?

Here are a few tips that I’ve learned while I was there to make your experience even better:

• EMBRACE THE SPICE
  If you love spicy food, go for the Duo Flavor Pot. Try the mild first to test the waters, then go spicier if you can take the challenge.

• DON’T BE SHY
  Order a variety of meats, veggies, and seafood. It's all about the experience of trying new and different things.

• PERFECT YOUR DIPPING SAUCE
  Experiment with different sauces. Ivy was a lifesaver, but you might discover your own perfect combo.

• TRY THE PEACH BLOSSOM WINE
  It's served in a traditional pot and adds a fun touch to your meal.

• BE PATIENT
  The wait can be long — we waited for 2 hours, but it's worth it. Bring a good book, head to Tangram (an Asian arcade inside the mall), or play a game on your phone to pass the time.

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know before you go!

BEST TIME TO GO
Mondays to Thursdays are less crowded.

DIETARY REQUEST
Let your server know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions.

DRESS CODE
Casual

MENU
Click here for the full Chongqing Lao Zao menu

PERFECT FOR
Group gatherings. Date nights.

PRICING
$$

RECOMMENDED DISHES
Mala quail egg. Potato glass noodles. Blackfish (be careful of fish bones). Peach blossom Wine (this is a must-try served in a traditional pot!).

And there you have it! Your guide to the best hot pot in Flushing, Chongqing Lao Zao. If you decide to check it out, let me know how it goes!

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check out my Taichung travel vlog

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05052024 19:03