Hot Pot, Hot Pot!

This popular Monterey Park staple specializes in a fiery, reddish-brown Chinese broth seasoned with Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies, though the less masochistic among us might prefer to include the ultra-mild House Original variety in the communal hot pot. Vary your level of spiciness along with plates of sliced meats, seafood and other cook-it-yourself goodies to plunge into the bolling broth. Unlike other hot pot places, vegetarians can also get in on the fun here, thanks to a veggie-based broth and platters of tofu, mushroom and veggies. Try the scallion crispy pancakes or the seasoned jellyfish to start, and knock back a Tsingtao to wash it all down.