Where to Try Hot Pot in Johannesburg: A Guide to the City's Best DIY Dining Spots

If you have ever wanted to try hot pot or simply enjoy the theatre of bubbling broths and cook-it-yourself dining, Joburg has excellent options. From Sandton rooftops to Parkhurst streets and Cyrildene's Chinatown, these spots turn cooking at the table into a flavour-packed adventure.

 

Hot pot is dining at its most interactive. A steaming pot of broth sits in the centre of your table. Then it is up to you: drop in sliced meats, seafood, noodles, and vegetables, and watch the magic unfold over a leisurely couple of hours. It is a communal meal best enjoyed with four or more people, and definitely not one to rush.

 

Bull Hot Pot in Rivonia

 

Set on a rooftop in Rivonia Village Shopping Centre, Bull Hot Pot is a family-run spot specialising in Chaoshan-style Chinese hot pot. Known for premium ingredients and for guiding newcomers, it makes this interactive way of eating easy to enjoy.

 

• What to try: Wagyu slices and marinated beef, crab roe buns, cuttlefish balls, shrimp paste, mushrooms, and leafy greens. The DIY sauce station is part of the fun.
• The vibe: Deep red interiors, circular booths, and ring lights create a lively atmosphere. VIP rooms are available for special occasions.
• Details: Open daily 11:00 to 21:00. Rivonia Village Shopping Centre, Rivonia Blvd and Mutual Rd, Sandton. Call 010 101 1309.

 

Surasang in Parkhurst

 

On Parkhurst's bustling 4th Avenue, Surasang is a go-to for Korean comfort food, including well-prepared hot pot. 

 

• What to try: Korean Fried Chicken, crispy and sticky with sweet-spicy umami flavour. The hot pot features sliced meats, tofu, noodles, and vegetables simmering gently at the table.
• The vibe: Clean and contemporary interiors give a relaxed feel, perfect for a leisurely meal or a quick bite.
• Details: Open Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 to 22:00. 38 4th Ave, Parkhurst. Call 065 737 4266.

 

Chong Qing Hotpot in Cyrildene

 

One of Joburg's most talked-about hot pot spots, Chong Qing Hotpot brings the fiery and generous style of Chongqing dining to the city.

 

• What to try: Half-and-half broth with beef stock and chilli oil is the most popular choice. Add sliced meats, vegetables, noodles, or traditional options like ox liver and duck blood.
• Tips for first-timers: Order in rounds, go slowly, and keep a cold drink or a Tsingtao beer nearby.
• The vibe: Busy, unpretentious, and authentically Chinese. A picture menu makes ordering simple, even for newcomers.
• Details: Open daily 11:00 to 22:00. 18 Derrick Avenue, Cyrildene, Johannesburg. Call 011 622 0488.

 

Why Hot Pot Is Worth the Effort

 

Hot pot is not fast food. It is an event. The slow pace, the shared cooking, and the endless combinations of ingredients create a dining experience that feels special without being formal.

 

Whether you are a hot pot veteran or a curious first-timer, these three Joburg spots offer different entry points into one of the world's most social dining traditions.