Review of the Hot Pot at Da Long Yi

If you’re looking for a dining experience that’s as theatrical as it is delicious, look no further than Da Long Yi. Specialising in authentic Sichuan hotpot, this restaurant offers a fiery, flavour-packed journey that’s unlike anything I’ve experienced in London. Despite having dined at countless restaurants across the city, I was surprised to realise I’d never actually tried a Chinese hot pot before and I couldn’t have chosen a better place for my first time.

Da Long Yi is the real deal: traditional, authentic, and unapologetically spicy, just how a Sichuan hot pot should be. Each table is fitted with an induction burner, allowing guests to cook their own meal right at the table. It’s an interactive experience that turns dining into something fun and engaging. I was lucky to be accompanied by a friend familiar with the process, and she guided me through it, but there are clear step-by-step instructions on the table, so you'll never feel lost and the staff will happily talk you through the process. 

Ordering is done via a digital menu, and you start by selecting your broth. You can opt for one or split your pot into two compartments, giving you the chance to enjoy a variety of flavours. We chose the iconic Da Long Yi spicy broth on one side and a milder tomato base on the other for me, who tends to shy away from too much heat.  

From the menu, we picked an exciting mix of ingredients: chicken, crab, fish balls, sweet potato noodles, fried pork, fried tofu and an array of fresh vegetables. While waiting for the ingredients to arrive, we visited the sauce station, one of the highlights of the experience. There, you can create your own dipping sauces using garlic, chilli, soy, and more. A handy cheat sheet helps you whip up the perfect blend. 

When the ingredients arrived, the real fun began, tossing our selections into the bubbling broth, watching them cook, and eagerly waiting to taste the final result. It’s a minimal-fuss process, and incredibly satisfying. My eyes lit up as I watched the hot pot come to life, a delicious, bubbling creation of chicken, crab meat, sweet potato noodles, oyster mushrooms, fried tofu and more. Every bite was rich, warming, and bursting with flavour. It was addictive in the most wonderful way.

One dish that stole the show was the Volcano Beef — thin slices of marbled ribeye or tenderloin arranged in a dramatic cone with a fiery “lava” of chilli oil, fermented paste, garlic, and aromatics cascading down like molten fire. A great dish for those that loves theatrics and spice! The beef is fiery in everyway and we were obsessed, but it’s not for the faint hearted, those that like mild dishes, opt for the fish balls or crab meat instead, another favourite of ours, minus the heat. 

When visiting Da Long Yi for the first time, choose ingredients you love, you really can’t go wrong. And let the broth sit and thicken as you eat. The longer it lingers, the more complex and flavourful it becomes. This place is great for a group of friends, even more so if you have a celebration, birthday, anniversary, engagement party, you name it!

Whether you're a seasoned hot pot aficionado or a curious first-timer, this spot deserves a top spot on your London dining list. It’s spicy, exciting, and above all, absolutely delicious.

Address 5a Berners Street, London W1T 3LA 

For more information click here. 

Written by Nyla S. 

Photography courtesy of Da Long Yi