Maopao Mini Hot Pot/冒泡儿冒菜 in London

"Located near KCL Waterloo Campus, just a 10-minute walk away with an average cost of around 15 pounds per person! The signature Braised Duck in Spicy Broth is extremely distinctive—tender and juicy duck meat, crispy and fragrant duck skin, fully absorbing the spicy, savory flavor of the house special broth. Served with a variety of fresh side dishes, it offers rich texture layers, and the spiciness can be flexibly adjusted to meet different taste preferences. The restaurant boasts a prime location, easily accessible on foot from the campus. The portions are generous, the ingredients are fresh and high-quality, and the pricing is student-friendly, offering excellent value for money. The young ladies at the restaurant provide incredibly warm and welcoming service ."

"This place is a favourite of mine in London—cozy atmosphere and delicious, authentic flavors that really hit the spot. Came in for lunch and dinner in the same week. The lunch special is great value. Dinner was also fantastic; we got the fried rice and hot pot. The servers are really friendly and helpful. The place is also well ventilated :) Highly recommend!"

"Just had a wonderful lunch at MaoPao. We came in at 11:30 as it opened and were greeted kindly by the waitress. In the hour that followed the place was full and lively. The menu was easy to navigate and the food was truly delicious. I couldn’t finish mine so the waitress gave me a takeaway container to take it home with me. I went for the extra spicy, my partner for the little bit spicy option. Both were flavorful and portion sizes were plentiful. We would definitely come again! Very reasonable prices and cheaper than going to a classic hotpot, would love it if there was somewhere to make dipping sauce"

"What an incredible find! This is a truly authentic Szechuan restaurant with bold, proper flavours. The décor is cosy and understated – it feels like a little hidden spot you’d stumble across down a side street in China. The menu is huge, but in the best way: there are so many regional dishes you don’t usually see in the UK. As someone who loves spicy food but still needs a bit of guidance, I really appreciated the staff. They were patient, explained the dishes clearly, and helped us choose the right spice level instead of toning everything down for a British palate. Their recommendations were spot on – every plate that arrived was packed with flavour, fresh ingredients, and that addictive numbing heat from the peppercorns."

"Had a really good experience in this store. As a customer from Chengdu this is one of my best experiences having authentic spicy food in London and will definitely recommend to all my friends."

"Absolutely loved this place! The spicy hot pot was bursting with flavor rich broth, plenty of ingredients like tofu, fish balls, and veggies, all soaked up that delicious spice perfectly. The fried rice was amazing too — fragrant, slightly smoky, with sausage and bean sprouts giving it a great texture and taste. The jelly dessert at the end was such a nice touch — cold, bouncy, lightly sweet, and super refreshing after the spicy dishes! The food felt authentic and well-balanced, the restaurant was clean and cozy, and the staff were really friendly. Definitely adding this to my “must-come-back” list!"

"Spicy means spicy here, medium hot burned on my lips, so you know. I did enjoy this place! I recommend the lotus root and duck tongues (wich have softish small bones). I didn't choose soup, and had hot tea insted. I recommend that choice if you'd like to reduce the amount of fat. I understand these dishes are supposed to be fatty, but for me it's far too much. Please see the photos. My friends' soups had 5mm of oil on top. Very nice, a bit shy, service."

"5 stars for a reason!! Love the vibe and interior, owner did it by himself! Best Maocai hotpot in London and their Guizhou fried rice is the best fried rice i’ve had , craving it everyday! Great prices and generous portions Would be a regular if I’m in the area ;)"