Chongqing noodle. Feng Yongbin / China Daily

While having hotpot, another must-have is Hi-Spicy's homemade suanmeitang (sour plum juice), a cool tasty drink that is often paired with spicy food. The juice can aid digestion and offset the scorching effects of spiciness in your body.

Having satisfied our appetite, however, the only thing we regret is that heavy smell left on our clothes and hair. There are body-deodorant sprays out there to use after meals, but still the strong hotpot smell won't disappear unless you take a shower and wash all your clothes.

If you go

Hi-Spicy Hot Pot

When: Daily 10:30 am-midnight

Where: 112 Xiang'er Hutong, Dongcheng district

Contact: 010-5717-1110