This visit was part of my ongoing journey eating my way through Regent Street.

I have walked past Mr Wangs Hotpot dozens of times over the years, and the name has always made me chuckle. I was tempted to pop in purely out of curiosity, thinking it would make a fantastic addition to my Xiao Spots series, where I find hidden Asian restaurants that fly under the radar in Cambridge. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Mr Wang’s Hotpot isn’t actually well-suited for that journey as it isn’t a small independent but in fact a chain, with locations across the UK and China. Having said that, the main website isn’t working for the whole company, they update their social media about once a month, so in a strange way, it still feels like a Xiao Spot at heart.

Either way, the restaurant stands out on the street with a bright yellow sign featuring a cartoon character who I presume is Mr Wang. Step inside however, and it is much less colourful and is almost entirely white tiled. It reminded me of a public toilet, similar to the Five Guys interior! It is minimalist, but perfectly comfortable and clean but lacks that warmth some maybe looking for. The staff team know good music, something I was not expecting in here, as Gun’s N Roses, Blink 182, and David Bowie were playing in the background – well played!

How It Works

The staff weren’t just people with great music taste, they were an absolute delight and helpful from start to finish. This is essential for how the place operates, as I imagine dozens of confused Westerners like myself wander in every day, completely unaware of how it all works. While the process is actually pretty simple, it can be a bit overwhelming for a first-timer. The staff immediately spot if you are a newbie and talk you through the setup, even dropping a few top tips on what to order.

I was greeted by a massive fridge with dozens of chilled items to choose from. This is an entirely customisable experience where they have absolutely everything to make your hotpot just how you like it; from noodles and greens to meats, alongside a few exotic items like frogs’ legs, tripe, and squid tentacles. Don’t worry if you want to keep it simple – all your classics are there too, including their signature beef, Chinese sausages, mushrooms, and beansprouts. You load up a basket, weigh it at the till, pick your broth base and spice level, and hand it over to the kitchen to be prepared.

My Crazy Experimentation!

I went a bit crazy and just picked things spontaneously on a whim. I ended up with their signature beef, beansprouts, an egg, mushrooms, dumplings, and a few extra items recommended by the gentleman serving me that completely flew past me. I went for the bone marrow broth and naturally set the heat level to extra hot. Just keep in mind that pricing is done by weight, so try not to get too carried away!

While loading up, I also picked up a canned drink from the fridge that was written entirely in Chinese. I had no idea what it was, but I love taking a gamble. I was rewarded with a delicious coconut milk drink that was practically impossible to put down. This is why I go to places like this.

When the hotpot arrived, it came out kicking and screaming as a bubbling clay pot of fury. The broth was a deep, fiery red that immediately warned me it was going to pack a serious punch (and ruin every white shirt within a five-metre radius!). It really looked the part, though the thick steam kept fogging up my camera lens. On a warm day, eating this was like having a mini sauna at the table, but I was still buzzing to dive in.

The signature beef was lovely and soft. The noodles weren’t much to write home about, but they were by no means offensive. Picking them dry from the fridge means they are pretty comparable to your standard packet noodles – certainly not freshly made, hand-stretched noodles like at Two Treasures across the road. Individually, components like the dumplings weren’t going to win any culinary awards on their own either, but combined, it all made total sense as it mixed in with the rich, spicy broth. It made for an incredibly exciting dish that was far greater than the sum of its parts.

I love the whole concept of Mr Wang’s Hotpot. It is a wonderfully original way of dining and unlike anything else in the city. Yes, you can customise your hotpot from a menu at other restaurants, but there is something about being able to pick out ingredients by eye and control your portions that makes this the ultimate personalised experience. There are probably a hundred different options in the fridge, giving you endless reasons to come back and experiment again and again. It is also a brilliant, hands-on way for us Westerners to try authentic Chinese ingredients beyond the typical takeaway dishes we are used to back home. More importantly, it is a refuge for homesick Asian locals and students who miss home cooking and have a very specific way they like their dish. The hotpot was lively, delicious, and a total blast, served by a warm staff team who know good music.

Thanks for reading.