Pairing Hot Pot correctly — a note on Shaoxing rice wine

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Hot Pot. I ordered it with Shaoxing rice wine and the deeply savoury and sweet elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. Sichuan peppercorn in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Chinese cuisine encompasses eight major regional schools with distinct ingredients and techniques. The a regional specialty restaurant is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Hot Pot with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.