Best Hotpot in and near North York | Top 10 Restaurants 2025
If you love hotpot, you're in the right part of Toronto. North York and nearby areas are home to some of the best hotpot restaurants in Canada, from premium dining experiences like Haidilao to budget-friendly AYCE favorites and authentic Sichuan mala spots. This guide highlights the Top 10 most-loved hotpot restaurants, curated using community reviews, local popularity, and real search trends. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just craving that perfect bowl of spicy broth, you'll find your ideal hotpot experience right here in and near North York.
These two neighbourhoods have become Toronto's unofficial hotpot districts thanks to a large and diverse Asian community, clustered restaurant areas around Finch, Sheppard, Midland, and McNicoll, and high demand for Sichuan, Chongqing, and Beijing-style hotpot. This list reflects what locals actually love and search for.
🎯 Where to Start?
First-time hotpot experience?
Start with Haidilao for world-class service and guidance, or Hotpot 9 for a fun AYCE group experience.
Love spicy food?
Try Liuyishou or Hotopia for authentic Sichuan mala that'll make you sweat (in the best way).
On a budget?
Big Way or One Pot offer filling AYCE meals for under $20 per person.
Special occasion or date night?
Haidilao for premium Chinese hotpot or Daimaru for elegant Japanese shabu-shabu.
Top 10 Hotpot Restaurants in and near North York
1. Haidilao Hot Pot — Best Overall Hotpot 📍 Scarborough
Best for: Celebrations, high-quality hotpot, outstanding service
Haidilao is the #1 most recommended hotpot restaurant in the GTA — and the most searched. Known worldwide for exceptional service, premium broth, and consistently fresh ingredients, the Scarborough location delivers an unforgettable dining experience.
If you want the best overall hotpot, this is it.
Why locals love it:
- Exceptional service (phone covers, aprons, hair ties, bag covers)
- Premium ingredients & broth quality
- Fun extras: noodle dance show, birthday noodles
- Extremely clean, professional, and consistent
- Perfect for date nights, birthdays, and celebrations
Price: $$$ | Style: Premium Chinese hotpot | Location: Scarborough
2. Hotpot 9 — Best AYCE Hotpot 📍 North York
Best for: Groups, variety, broth selection
Hotpot 9 is the AYCE (all-you-can-eat) favourite in North York. With premium meats, dozens of sauce combinations, and a sleek interior, it's perfect for group nights.
Why locals love it:
- Huge selection
- Great for large groups
- Reliable AYCE at a fair price
Price: $$ | Style: AYCE Chinese hotpot | Location: North York
3. Happy Lamb Hot Pot — Best Herbal Broth AYCE 📍 Scarborough
Best for: Herbal broth lovers, families
Formerly "Little Sheep," Happy Lamb is famous for its herbal broth and tender sliced lamb.
Why locals love it:
- Very flavourful broths
- Great value AYCE
- Family-friendly
Price: $–$$ | Style: Mongolian + Chinese AYCE | Location: Scarborough
4. Big Way Hot Pot — Budget AYCE Favourite 📍 Scarborough
Best for: Students, budget eaters
Simple, fast, and well-priced — Big Way is ideal for low-cost AYCE.
Why locals love it:
- Very affordable
- Fast service
- Casual atmosphere
Price: $ | Style: AYCE self-serve | Location: Scarborough
5. Liuyishou Hotpot — Best Sichuan Mala (重庆火锅) 📍 Scarborough
Best for: Authentic Sichuan experience
True Chongqing-style hotpot with deep, numbing mala flavour.
Why locals love it:
- Premium spicy broth
- Excellent meats
- Authentic Sichuan experience
Price: $$–$$$ | Location: Scarborough
6. Hotopia — Spiciest Hotpot in North York 📍 North York
Best for: Spice lovers
For those who want their hotpot hot-hot, Hotopia specializes in extreme mala spice.
Why locals love it:
- Bold flavours
- Late-night hours
- Great for spice lovers
Price: $$ | Location: North York
7. Beijing Hot Pot — Best Traditional Copper Pot Hotpot 📍 North York
Best for: Traditional experience
Classic Beijing-style copper pots for clean, refreshing broth.
Why locals love it:
- Beautiful presentation
- Excellent lamb
- Traditional flavours
Price: $$ | Location: North York
8. Chengdu Spicy Hotpot — Best Aromatic Sichuan Flavour 📍 Scarborough
Best for: Deep Sichuan flavours
Aromatics, depth, and plenty of spice.
Why locals love it:
- Rich broth
- Deep Sichuan flavours
- Friendly pricing
Price: $$ | Location: Scarborough
9. Daimaru Shabu Shabu — Best Japanese Hotpot 📍 Scarborough
Best for: Date nights, premium meats
Premium Japanese-style hotpot with wagyu options.
Why locals love it:
- High-quality meats
- Clean flavours
- Great for date nights
Price: $$–$$$ | Location: Scarborough
10. One Pot / Good Meal Hotpot — Best Budget Hotpot 📍 North York & Scarborough
Best for: Quick, cheap meals
Both offer affordable combos and individual pots.
Why locals love them:
- Very cheap
- Quick meals
- Good portions
Price: $ | Locations: North York & Scarborough
⭐ Haidilao Insider Deals, Phrases & Secret Perks (2025 Guide)
These phrases and tips are highly searched and fun to try — and often work. Haidilao is famous for going above and beyond, and knowing these insider tricks can enhance your experience.
🔥 1. "Your soup base is very good" (汤底很好喝)
A famous Haidilao phrase. Some Toronto customers report receiving:
- A free side dish
- A complimentary dessert
- Or a small upgrade
It's not guaranteed — but it's worth a try!
🎁 2. Free Birthday Noodles
Tell the server: "It's my birthday today."
You may receive a Longevity Noodle bowl (长寿面) and a small celebration with singing and special presentation.
🍇 3. Complimentary Fruit Plate
Politely ask: "Can we try a small fruit plate?"
Many locations will provide a small complimentary fruit plate, especially if you're a regular customer or dining in a larger group.
👗 4. Free Hair Ties, Phone Covers & Wet Wipes
Just ask — they've got it all! Haidilao provides:
- Hair ties to keep your hair back
- Phone covers to protect from splashes
- Wet wipes for cleaning hands
- Glasses cleaning cloths
🍵 5. Free Hot Tea
Most locations provide complimentary hot tea on request. Perfect for balancing out the spicy broth!
🧼 6. Aprons & Bag Covers
A Haidilao signature service. They'll provide aprons to protect your clothes and covers for your bags to keep them clean and safe from splashes.
🪙 7. Haidilao App Rewards
Download the Haidilao app to collect points for:
- Free dishes and drinks
- Priority seating during busy hours
- Special birthday gifts
- Exclusive member promotions
The app also lets you join the waitlist remotely and track your table status in real-time.
📸 8. Noodle Dance & Fun Photos
Ask for the famous noodle performance — it's always a hit! Watch as skilled staff hand-pull and dance with fresh noodles before adding them to your pot. Perfect for photos and videos.
🥢 What to Order at Hotpot (Beginner Guide)
New to hotpot? No problem! This guide will help you navigate the menu and create the perfect hotpot experience. Start with a split pot (half spicy, half mild) to try different flavors without overwhelming your palate.
🍲 Best Broths
For beginners, we recommend a split pot with two broths:
- Mala spicy broth (辣锅) — The classic Sichuan experience with numbing spice
- Tomato broth — Sweet, mild, and family-friendly
- Herbal broth — Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, warming and aromatic
- Japanese dashi — Light, umami-rich, perfect for shabu-shabu style
Pro tip: Start with medium spice level. You can always add chili oil to your dipping sauce if you want more heat!
🥩 Best Meats
Must-order proteins for your first hotpot:
- Beef brisket — Tender, flavorful, cooks in 2-3 minutes
- Lamb shoulder — Classic hotpot meat, pairs perfectly with herbal broth
- Pork belly — Rich and fatty, great for spicy broth
- Wagyu (where available) — Premium option for special occasions
- Fish balls and seafood balls — Fun texture, absorbs broth flavor
Cooking tip: Thinly sliced meats cook in 30-60 seconds. Don't overcook!
🥬 Must-Try Veggies & Sides
Balance your meal with these vegetables and sides:
- Enoki mushrooms — Delicate, absorbs broth beautifully
- Lotus root — Crunchy texture, stays crisp even when cooked
- Napa cabbage — Essential for sweetening the broth
- Tofu puffs — Soak up all the delicious broth flavor
- Noodles — Save for the end when broth is most flavorful
- Potato slices — Starchy and filling
- Watercress or spinach — Quick-cooking greens
🥫 Dipping Sauces
Create your perfect sauce combination:
- Sesame sauce — Creamy base, pairs with everything
- Chili oil — Add heat to taste
- Garlic + soy sauce — Classic savory combination
- House mala sauce — Pre-mixed spicy option
- Cilantro, scallions, garlic — Fresh aromatics
- Sesame oil — Adds richness and aroma
Beginner combo: Sesame sauce + a little chili oil + minced garlic + chopped scallions = perfect balance!
⏱️ Cooking Time Guide
- Thinly sliced meats: 30-60 seconds
- Meatballs and fish balls: 3-5 minutes
- Leafy vegetables: 30-60 seconds
- Root vegetables: 3-5 minutes
- Mushrooms: 2-3 minutes
- Noodles: 2-4 minutes (check package)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Haidilao the best hotpot in Toronto?
- For service, consistency, and overall experience — yes. Haidilao is the #1 most recommended hotpot restaurant in the GTA, known worldwide for exceptional service, premium broth quality, and consistently fresh ingredients. The Scarborough location delivers an unforgettable dining experience perfect for celebrations and special occasions.
- What is the best AYCE hotpot in North York?
- Hotpot 9 is the top choice for all-you-can-eat hotpot in North York. With premium meats, dozens of sauce combinations, and a sleek interior, it's perfect for group nights and offers huge selection at a fair price.
- What is the spiciest hotpot in the area?
- Hotopia in North York and Liuyishou in Scarborough are known for the spiciest hotpot. Hotopia specializes in extreme mala spice with bold flavors, while Liuyishou offers authentic Chongqing-style hotpot with deep, numbing mala flavor.
- What does '火锅' mean?
- '火锅' (huǒguō) is the Chinese word for 'hotpot'. It literally translates to 'fire pot' and refers to the traditional Chinese cooking method where diners cook raw ingredients in a simmering pot of broth at the table.
- What should I order at hotpot if I'm a beginner?
- Start with a split pot (half spicy mala, half mild broth like tomato or herbal). Order beef brisket, lamb shoulder, enoki mushrooms, napa cabbage, and noodles. For sauce, try sesame sauce mixed with a bit of chili oil. This gives you a balanced introduction to hotpot flavors.
- How much does hotpot cost in North York and Scarborough?
- Budget AYCE hotpot costs $15-25 per person (Big Way, One Pot). Mid-range AYCE is $25-35 per person (Hotpot 9, Happy Lamb). Premium hotpot like Haidilao costs $40-60+ per person. Prices vary based on quality, service level, and whether it's AYCE or à la carte.
- Do I need a reservation for Haidilao?
- Reservations are highly recommended for Haidilao, especially on weekends and evenings. You can book through their app or website. Walk-ins are accepted but expect wait times of 1-2 hours during peak hours. The app also offers rewards and priority seating.
- What are the secret phrases to use at Haidilao?
- Try saying 'Your soup base is very good' (汤底很好喝) for possible free sides or dessert. Tell servers 'It's my birthday today' for free longevity noodles. Ask 'Can we try a small fruit plate?' for complimentary fruit. These aren't guaranteed but often work. Also use the Haidilao app to collect points for free dishes and priority seating.