Some culinary experiences give us such a slap in the face that we almost hesitate to share them, for fear of never finding a place for them again. XiaoLongKan Hotpot is that Chinese restaurant in Paris that you'd really like to keep to yourself. Nestled in the 2ᵉ arrondissement, A stone's throw from the Grands Boulevards, this temple to fondue straight from Sichuan promises a total immersion in Chinese culinary culture.
Far from soulless addresses, everything here is designed to make your meal a real experience.
A fondue you can make yourself, in the purest tradition
The concept? A Chinese fondue that you can personalise from A to Z. It all starts with the choice of broth - or rather from You can choose up to three different broths, all served in the same compartmentalised caquelon.
The great classic with Sichuan chilli shares the limelight with milder versions, with mushrooms or satay, which allow you to vary the pleasures and intensities.
But it's once you've chosen the broth that the experience really begins: sliced meats, fresh vegetables, prawn or pork dumplings with coriander, rare mushrooms, fried tofu, seaweed, edible flowers, tripe, lotus roots...
The menu is impressively rich. Special mention should be made of the traditional dumplings and the spicy beef, which are as melt-in-the-mouth as they are spicy.
A short but precise menu, and prices that vary according to appetite
There are no lengthy menus here; everything is displayed on the touch-sensitive tablet provided at each table.
It's clear, practical and, above all, well thought out to make it easier to discover a long list of fillings and ingredients that you're not used to tasting. On average, you should allow between 35 and €40 per person for a complete experience: broth, dipping sauce, buffet of sauces (included in the price) and dessert.
The bill may seem steep, but the level of service, the quality of the ingredients and the added bonus of immersion make this a culinary experience that goes far beyond a simple 'fondue'. A little tip: the buffet of sauces is well worth a look. With over thirty ingredients to choose from, you can create your own tailor-made mix. From protective sesame oil to satay and pickled chillies: every combination is mouth-watering.
A visual, aural and social immersion in Sichuan
What strikes you as soon as you enter XiaoLongKan is the atmosphere. Carved wood, dimmed red lanterns, partitions decorated in the style of a traditional house: every nook and cranny of the room seems to have been teleported straight from Chongqing.
Unlike other fondues, which are often noisy or impersonal, here the space is carefully organised: each table is thought of as a little bubble, ideal for giving us the impression of being cut off from the other guests.
The service is faultless. When you make a reservation, you are greeted by your first name. Everything is smooth, fast and seamless.
The waiters don't hesitate to help you choose sauces or toppings, which makes all the difference for those new to Szechuan fondue. And the icing on the cake: if you're early or a little slow to relax, no one rushes you - a luxury in Paris.
Why do we love it?
- A true cultural immersion, from the decor to the plate
- A fun and delicious experience
- Plenty of quality ingredients and impeccable service
- Cocooning tables, perfect for dinner for two or with friends
Practical information
- Address 8 Rue Saint-Marc, 75002 Paris
- Schedules Every day from 12 noon to 2.30 pm and from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm
- Website : xiaolongkan-hotpot.fr
- Instagram: xiaolongkanparis
XiaoLongKan Hotpot is the ideal place to discover - or rediscover - the Chinese hotpot in a warm atmosphere. A must-try, especially if you like friendly, immersive experiences.
