Xiaolongkan Hot Pot, Chinese hot pot restaurant in Arguelles, Madrid, Spain
Xiaolongkan is a Chinese hot pot restaurant in Madrid where diners cook fresh ingredients such as meat, seafood, and vegetables directly at their table in boiling broth. Several broth options are available, so each person can prepare their meal according to their own taste.
The restaurant opened in Madrid in 2020 as part of an expansion from the original chain founded in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. It was among the first places in the Spanish capital to bring this style of Sichuan hot pot to a local audience.
The name Xiaolongkan refers to a historic neighborhood in Chengdu, where this style of hot pot originated. The decor inside uses stone elements and paper lanterns that echo the look of old teahouses in that part of China.
The restaurant sits in an accessible part of Madrid and is open most evenings, with later hours tending to be busier. Since cooking at the table takes time, it is worth setting aside a full evening rather than planning a quick meal.
The Sichuan broth is made with a mix of dried chilies and Sichuan pepper, which produces a numbing sensation on the tongue that is different from ordinary spice heat. This effect, known in Chinese as ma la, meaning numb and spicy, is considered the defining trait of this regional cooking style.
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