# Dongtan hotpot open till 11pm for solo diners: Lao Chongqing Hotpot

- By Yeji (https://superchart.com/en/@gyeonggi-meal-margin-3/)
- Written Sep 5, 2026
- Local places › Restaurants › Hwaseong, Gyeonggi
- Sponsored: This post was written as a sponsored store visit.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@gyeonggi-meal-margin-3/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@gyeonggi-meal-margin-3/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/index.md)

## In short

Lao Chongqing Hotpot is a hotpot restaurant on the 1st floor of the Paragon building in Bansong-dong, Dongtan, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, open from 5pm to 11pm. Arriving alone at 10pm after putting the kids to bed, the writer ordered a half-and-half pot of Chongqing mala hongtang (spicy red broth) and clear seolleongtang-style broth, used the self-serve sauce bar, and picked only bean sprouts, fried tofu skin and meat as toppings. Lao Chongqing Hotpot works comfortably for both late solo meals and first-timers easing into mala spice.

## Good to know

- **Location**: 1st floor, Units 149-150, Paragon building, 172 Dongtan-banseok-ro, Dongtan, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi
- **Hours**: 5pm - 11pm
- **Parking**: Park near the officetel/shop line of Paragon building 103-dong
- **How to order**: Pick 2 broths (tick plain water for one side if you want only one) + sauce bar + toppings
- **Order on this visit**: Chongqing mala hongtang + clear seolleongtang-style broth, self-serve sauce bar, bean sprouts, fried tofu skin, meat
- **Promotion**: 1+1 or 30% off on select broths (Chengdu mala hongtang was 30% off at the time of the visit)
- **Seating**: Private rooms available, including a panda-themed VIP room
- **Payment**: Local currency (regional gift certificates) accepted

*as written by the visitor on Sep 5, 2026*

Parenting really stressed me out today. You know those days, ugh. And that's exactly when you need hotpot, haha. Once the kid was down for the night, I took a genuinely weird route to unwind — went to yoga by myself, then went straight for hotpot.

![Visiting a Dongtan hotpot restaurant alone after bedtime](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-01-fqdxf-966.webp)

![Arriving at Lao Chongqing Hotpot](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-02-1c8mx-966.webp)

## Where is Lao Chongqing Hotpot in Dongtan, and where do you park?

Lao Chongqing Hotpot, a well-known hotpot spot in Dongtan, is located in the Paragon building. Here's the important part: this building is a little confusing to navigate, so make sure you park near the 103-dong commercial/officetel line — once you do, the restaurant is easy to spot right as you head up. I really recommend parking on that side.

![Entrance to Lao Chongqing Hotpot on the 1st floor of the Paragon building in Dongtan](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-03-1id5s-966.webp)

It's on the 1st floor of the building.

## Open until 11pm: is a 10pm solo meal still relaxed?

Right as I walked in, there was this super cute VIP room with pandas everywhere. They were so adorable I found myself staring for a while, haha. I'd made a reservation ahead of time. What's genuinely great about this hotpot restaurant is how long the hours run — it opens at 5pm and stays open until 11pm. Thanks to that, I could put my kid to bed and still show up around 10pm and eat comfortably and deliciously without feeling rushed.

![Table inside Lao Chongqing Hotpot at 10pm](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-04-so36s-966.webp)

Just thinking about eating hotpot solo this late already feels stress-relieving. So today I decided to really lean into the mala experience. It's a very comfortable Bansong-dong spot for late-night solo dining.

![Menu showing the broth types at Lao Chongqing Hotpot](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-05-11jhb-966.webp)

There were 1+1 and 30%-off deals running on certain broths, so it's worth checking those. The Chengdu mala hongtang (spicy red broth) was 30% off!

![Sign showing 1+1 and 30% off broth promotions](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-06-1dtz9-966.webp)

## Chengdu mala hongtang or Chongqing mala hongtang: which suits spice beginners?

There were two types of hongtang. The Chengdu mala hongtang has that numbing, straightforward spicy flavor, and the spice level can be adjusted. If you're a fan of hongtang broths, this one's recommended. The Chongqing mala hongtang is clean and mild — recommended for hongtang beginners. Since I'm also a beginner, I ordered the Chongqing mala hongtang this time.

![Description of Chengdu mala hongtang and Chongqing mala hongtang](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-07-x74cm-966.webp)

Since it was nighttime and I've had a slight cold coming on, I kept it simple: one Chongqing mala hongtang, clear seolleongtang-style broth, the self-serve sauce bar, and just three toppings I actually love! The good thing about solo dining is that I can order only the toppings I really like, keeping the broth clean too. Solo dining is honestly great, haha.

### How to order at Lao Chongqing Hotpot, step by step

- Choose two broth types first
- Choose from the sauce bar too
- If choosing just one hotpot broth, check plain water for the other side
- Order the toppings you want
- Make your own dipping sauce at the self-serve sauce bar

![Ordering instructions at Lao Chongqing Hotpot](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-08-1dlp5-966.webp)

![Hotpot topping order sheet](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-09-1k9uf-966.webp)

## Interior and private rooms: does Lao Chongqing Hotpot work for group dinners?

The atmosphere here is exactly what you'd picture for a hotpot restaurant. Overall it doesn't feel too heavy, and with rooms available, it seems like a genuinely good option for family meals or work dinners too. Hotpot has become such a popular go-to these days, so this is a solid Bansong-dong pick if you're looking for a place for group gatherings or work dinners.

![Interior of Lao Chongqing Hotpot with private rooms](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-10-b1fzs-966.webp)

![Dining hall suited to family meals and work dinners](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-11-w3n65-966.webp)

## The self-serve sauce bar: sesame oil sauce and peanut powder

After ordering the food, first stop is the sauce bar. A wide variety of sauces were prepared there.

![Variety of sauces at the self-serve sauce bar](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-12-r920b-966.webp)

The sesame oil sauce here is apparently famous for being delicious. I tried making a combo similar to the also-famous Gunhui sauce, haha. Honestly, making the sauce is half the fun of eating hotpot.

Beyond the well-known sauce combos we all already know, Lao Chongqing Hotpot also offers its own recommended sauce recipes. It's fun to try building one according to your own taste.

![Restaurant's recommended sauce recipe guide](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-13-rjmkj-966.webp)

![Sauce bar with sesame oil and peanut powder](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-14-ujq42-966.webp)

So many sauce options were laid out like this. I really love peanut powder, so I loaded up on it today.

![Homemade hotpot dipping sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-15-1c6ot-966.webp)

Finally, my sauce was complete. Since I'd already ordered a spicy broth, I made sure to keep the sauce itself not too spicy.

## A solo hotpot with just bean sprouts, fried tofu skin and meat

After putting in the work on my sauce, the broth had arrived and was already simmering.

![Hotpot with Chongqing mala broth and clear broth side by side](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-16-e986e-1200.webp)

My ordered toppings arrived in the meantime too. I went with bean sprouts, fried tofu skin, and meat.

![Plate of bean sprouts, fried tofu skin, and meat toppings](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-17-ziqoo-966.webp)

Once the broth had warmed up a bit, I put the vegetables in first.

You wait until it's really boiling like this, then fish out the vegetables to eat first, followed by dropping in the meat.

There are so many ways to eat this, really, so however you like to cook your ingredients works — just cook everything to your taste.

![Vegetables added to the boiling hotpot broth](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-18-1t1vm-966.webp)

## How the Chongqing mala hongtang tasted

I tried the hongtang here first, and it was exactly right! As a serious Dongtan hotpot specialist, the mala flavor here isn't too intense — it's mild and smooth, so beginners like me could enjoy it comfortably. If the spice ever feels like too much, dipping into a milder sauce balances it out nicely and makes it even more delicious.

![Meat cooked in Chongqing mala hongtang](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-19-v6jzg-966.webp)

Now it's time to properly mix the sauce and really dig in.

Fish out the meat, and only cook the fried tofu skin very briefly — it turns soft and floppy faster than you'd expect.

Put the meat on top of the tofu skin, load it up generously with sauce, then dip it into more sauce again. It was genuinely so good ♥

![A bite of fried tofu skin topped with meat and sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-20-15wio-966.webp)

![Hotpot meat generously dipped in sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-21-rqktn-966.webp)

### How to make a fried tofu skin meat roll

I also tried something I'd seen on a short video somewhere! Dip the fried tofu skin in the broth for just about 3 seconds until it softens slightly, then put the meat on top and roll it up. You can also add mushrooms or other ingredients inside, but since I was dining solo and didn't order many vegetables, I kept it simple with just this. The tofu skin was bigger than I expected, so splitting one sheet in half to roll two wraps might work well too.

The meat inside might not fully cook right away, so give it a bit more time than you'd think.

Eating it this way, you get the chewy, savory tofu skin and the meat together in one bite — honestly this combo was the best part for me. People usually add shrimp meat on top of this too, but I skipped it since I was already getting full eating solo. Next time I come with family, I'll definitely try that too.

![Meat wrap rolled up in fried tofu skin](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-22-uq9bc-966.webp)

![Solo hotpot spread](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-23-uklsu-966.webp)

## Service, cleanliness and paying with local currency

The staff were genuinely kind, and the food came out quickly. Overall the restaurant was clean, without any greasy feel, which I really liked. Coming here alone after bedtime for a solo meal turned out to be a great little healing routine. Just getting out and having one relaxed meal on my own really melted the stress away.

![Sign showing local currency payment accepted at Lao Chongqing Hotpot](https://img.superchart.com/images/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing-24-1edk3-966.webp)

Lao Chongqing Hotpot, a Bansong-dong spot near Dongtan Buk Plaza, also accepts local currency. Have you all topped up your regional currency yet? There still seems to be some left as an incentive, so be sure to use it for a discount and enjoy your meal. Highly recommend this as a genuine go-to Dongtan hotpot spot for a late-night mood reset!

## Where it is

- Lao Chongqing Hotpot (라오충칭훠궈)
- 172 Dongtan-banseok-ro, Units 149-150, Dongtan-gu, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- 경기도 화성시 동탄구 동탄반석로 172 149,150호
- 37.2041319, 127.0727959
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EB%9D%BC%EC%98%A4%EC%B6%A9%EC%B9%AD%ED%9B%A0%EA%B6%88/@37.2041319,127.0727959,17z

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Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@gyeonggi-meal-margin-3/dongtan-hotpot-solo-late-night-chongqing/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt