Dongtan hotpot: Chongqing mala and mushroom broth, Lao Chongqing

Hi, I'm Chocofootprint, and even though I'm on a diet these days, I refuse to give up good food! Whenever I get a craving for that tingly mala flavor, I always end up thinking, 'do I really need to fly to China for this?' — and go hunting for a proper, authentic hotpot place instead.

Today I visited Lao Chongqing Hotpot in Bansong-dong, Dongtan, which recreates the deep, numbing flavor of mainland China perfectly. To cut to the conclusion: I definitely want to come back, because I still can't forget the taste of Haidilao in China.

The moment I stepped inside, upbeat music and a tingly, savory mala aroma hit my nose and woke up my appetite instantly. It had that same distinctive, authentic spice fragrance I remembered from visiting Haidilao in China, which raised my expectations right from the first impression.

Lao Chongqing Hotpot: location, hours, parking and tips

• 📍 Location: Lao Chongqing Hotpot, Dongtanbanseok-ro, Bansong-dong, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi
• 📍 Hours: Daily 11:00–23:00 (last order 22:00)
• 📍 Parking: Basement parking in the building available (validated with a meal)
• 📍 Sauce bar: ₩3,000 per person
• 📍 Tip: If you're looking for a private room restaurant in Dongtan, book ahead! Available via Catch Table and Naver Reservation

Rooms and couple seating: the mood at Lao Chongqing Hotpot

The interior is clean and comfortable overall, with a spacious hall as well as private rooms for quiet conversations and seating suited for couples — it felt like a great spot for a Dongtan work dinner or an important gathering. Even during my visit, groups and couples kept coming in.

The tables are spaced generously too, so you can enjoy your hotpot comfortably without smoke or heat from the next table bothering you.

What we ordered: Chongqing mala hongtang and mushroom broth, half-and-half

The two of us ordered two kinds of broth — Chongqing mala hongtang and mushroom broth, half-and-half — plus beef short plate, lamb shoulder, mixed vegetables, shrimp balls, and tofu skin as accompaniments. Can you order just one broth? Yes, you can. One side just comes as plain water, so if you find the mala too much, you can rinse your food in that side. But since you came here, you're here for the mala flavor, so whether you pick two broths or just one is up to your taste.

Comparing the Chongqing mala hongtang and mushroom broth

Hongtang (red broth) is defined by red chili oil and spiciness. Where the hongtang at Haidilao in China felt like a somewhat Korean-ized, softened spiciness, Lao Chongqing's Chongqing mala hongtang keeps the deep, authentic huajiao (Sichuan pepper) aroma and rich chili oil flavor alive — a tingling that wraps around your whole mouth, which I really liked.

The mushroom broth, on the other hand, has a gentle, clean umami from the mushrooms that calms down the spiciness — good for soothing your palate after the spicy hongtang.

Beef short plate and lamb shoulder

Beef short plate: nicely marbled, and when cooked in the mala hongtang, the savory fat and the numbing mala tingle come together beautifully.

Lamb shoulder: no gamey smell at all, with a soft, clean flavor. Lightly blanched in the mushroom broth and dipped in sauce, the lamb's distinctive savory aroma pairs well with the deep flavor of the mushroom broth — great if you enjoy a cleaner taste.

The mixed vegetable plate

The mixed vegetables — napa cabbage, bok choy, mushrooms, lotus root — came fresh, elevating the broth's umami even further. Vegetables cooked down soaking up the spicy hongtang broth add a delightful layering of flavors.

A tip for eating well: sauce combos

It's fun to follow the various sauce-mixing charts, but personally, I recommend making your own special sauce: start with a peanut sauce base, then add minced garlic, scallion, chili oil, and a spoonful of the mala hongtang broth. Adding a little chili to the Lao Chongqing sauce is also tasty.

Dip well-cooked beef short plate and vegetables into this majang sauce — the savoriness softens the spiciness while the garlic's tingle cleanly cuts through it.

Current promotion

There's an ongoing 'fight fire with fire' broth event offering buy-one-get-one or 30% off.

Overall verdict

The deep, authentic taste I remembered from Haidilao in China, recreated right here in Korea — and actually enjoyed even fresher and richer. Dongtan's Lao Chongqing Hotpot was satisfying.

Recommended for mala fans craving a tingly, authentic hotpot, and for anyone looking for a private room restaurant or a spot for a Dongtan work dinner. Definite repeat visit.