Beijing Hot Pot Confidential: Man Fu Lou

Sometimes, you want to take matters into your own hands and do the cooking yourself. And if that urge hits you in Beijing, there are a million options to choose from. But Man Fu Lou should be at the top of your short list of go-to Mongolian style hot pot restaurants. Not only is it conveniently located near iconic sites like Jingsan Park and the Forbidden City, but also considered one of the top hot pot destinations in the city which keeps the large restaurant consistently packed. Man Fu Lou specializes in lamb hotpot and receives a daily supply from a farm in inner Mongolia.  The lamb is so fresh that some claim you can eat it raw. But there’s no need as everyone gets their own personal hot pot set-up rather than the typical family style. The service is a lot friendlier and more helpful than at many other hot pot establishments in Beijing which is refreshing as hot potting for newbies can be a little stressful if you don’t know what you’re doing. In fact, it’s the service along with the freshness of the meats that keeps locals, politicians and celebrities alike coming back for regular visits.Man Fu Lou’s employees are treated like family with some having been with the restaurant for 20+ years. Their theory is that if their employees are treated well, their guests will feel the love and so far that theory has worked.So the next time you are craving lamb hotpot and don’t want to share, head to Man Fu Lou and double dip to your heart’s content.