With the colder weather returning for a brief moment, it’s no surprise that Hong Kongers are flocking to warm themselves over a wholesome hotpot. In particular, all-you-can-eat hotpots offer great value-for-money on the days you feel especially cold and hungry. Vanessa Yu shares her go-to hotpot restaurant with us.
One underrated local hotpot spot that I frequent is Nichigyu, a restaurant offering a Japanese style shabu shabu buffet starting at the extremely affordable price of HK$108 per person for lunch and HK$158 for dinner. For this price, you will get one and a half hours of heavenly hotpot dining. For the standard price, each guest is offered all-you-can-eat Australian Beef, Pork and Chicken along with their own choice of soup base or sukiyaki. They offer an assortment of flavours, but my go to is always the chicken soup. If you are feeling fancy, you can treat yourself to the all-you-can-eat Wagyu beef for an extra cost. All guests can also help themselves to side dishes including vegetables, fish balls and other hotpot staples like rice and noodles.
Given this extraordinary deal, there are a few catches. The environment of the restaurant isn’t exactly fine dining and the demographic of diners are generally local neighbourhood families. Arguably, these factors combined create what I think is a cosy and authentic atmosphere without being too formal, leaving you free to stuff your face and indulge as much as you can during the one and a half hours. As usual, you can expect Hong Kong style service from waiters, although having been there enough times for them to recognise me, they are definitely starting to warm up to me a little.
To help wash down all the deliciousness, Nichigyu also offers free-flow soft drinks and coffee/tea at some branches. Personally, I can’t eat a meal of hotpot without a cold glass of Coca Cola. Don’t let your food coma get the better of you just yet! You can wobble over to the frozen yogurt station to finish off the eating frenzy with something cool, they usually offer two flavours of fro-yo and a variety of toppings and sauces to accompany.
All in all, if you are looking for a value-for-money Japanese style hotpotting experience in Hong Kong, I would highly recommend Nichigyu. If you’re anything like me and you get hooked, Nichigyu offers membership options that include a 10% dining discount. So before the cold weather disappears without a trace, head over and give this gluttonous hotpot experience a try, you won’t regret it!
Branches
Langham Place, Mong Kok
Fortune City One, Sha Tin
Plaza Hollywood, Diamond Hill
East Point City, Tseung Kwan O
Metro City Plaza Central, Tseung Kwan O
Mikiki, San Po Kong
Paradise Mall, Heng Fa Chuen
Vanessa Yu is a Hong Kong local with a passion for food and finding the best all-you-can-eat deals in the city! She is currently studying to be a Vet at Massey University, New Zealand. After graduating, she plans on returning to Hong Kong to continue her search for the best eats.
