Haidilao consistently wins best hotpot in Beijing. I think that's only because not enough people have tried Xiang Cao Xiang Cao, which translates as "Vanilla Vanilla," which has a far shorter line, a greater variety of hotpot soup bases, and fresher ingredients.
A short walk from the True Run Media/the Beijinger office, XCXC became popular when a contingent of vegetarians started going there for "naughty tofu," more accurately "knotty tofu," which tastes almost glutinous, and can be ordered individually or as part of their superb tofu platter. But fear not -- there is plenty of fresh, tasty meat for those who want more vegetarian choices. The hotpot soup bases can include as many as four, including their signature mushroom soup in the middle, which is prepared to be enjoyed by itself, without dipping anything into it.
The Yunnan theme is a tad overdone, but mushroom lovers know that there is probably nowhere better to have mushrooms than at a Yunnan restaurant, and XCXC is not an exception.
It also has a sauce bar where one can whip up a unique combination of flavors to add to whatever you're putting into the pot.
Give Xiang Cao Xiang Cao a try. Haidilao will be there -- and probably so will your place in line.
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