🔥 Authentic Sichuan Hot Pot in Austin

After what feels like forever, the highly anticipated Old Alley Hot Pot — originally from Houston — starts its soft opening TOMORROW! 🎉 Formerly known as the famous Xiao Long Kan, Old Alley offers a more community-focused vibe with generous portions and a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re back in a classic Chinese hot pot joint. The décor totally transports you! 🏮 Old Alley Hot Pot (Note: The name is similar to "Hot Pot Alley," but it’s not yet on Google Maps!) 📍 Address: 11900 Metric Blvd, Austin, TX 🕔 Soft Opening Hours: 4 PM–10 PM daily Let’s talk about the broth! Their signature Sichuan Spicy Beef Oil Broth is a MUST-TRY 🌶️🥵 — packed with flavor and heat. If you’re not a spice lover, go for mild! You can choose from: Nine-Grid Pot Full Spicy Beef Oil Pot Dual-Flavor Pot (spicy + non-spicy) Triple-Flavor "Mercedes" Pot Non-spicy options include tomato, pork stomach & chicken, and golden broth. Their spicy broth doesn’t get saltier or spicer as you cook — it stays perfectly balanced! The sauce bar is impressive: besides classic condiments, they offer fruits, silver ear soup, eight-treasure porridge, pickles, shrimp chips, and more. The silver ear soup is especially great for cooling down the heat! 🧊 They serve individual-sized sesame oil bottles (just like in China!) — hygienic and convenient. 💡 Pro tip: For Sichuan hot pot, sesame oil is essential! It helps cool the food and enhances the flavor. A traditional dip includes sesame oil, garlic, and optional additions like oyster sauce, vinegar, and cilantro. Now for the highlights — some unique dishes you won’t find elsewhere: Spicy Marinated Beef: Thin slices coated in fragrant chili! Crystal Tender Beef: Incredibly soft and flavorful! Large Sliced Pork Kidney & Black Tripe: Must-cook in spicy broth! Chicken Gizzard Skewers: Served with a special dip. Pork Brain: Conveniently placed in a little strainer — so handy! Crispy Fried Pork: Perfect as a snack or cooked in the broth! Since it’s newly opened, the ingredients are super fresh! 🥬 Currently, some items are still rolling out (like frog legs and preserved vegetables — coming soon!), but the Houston branch’s versions are famous! Don’t miss the Chengdu-style Egg Fried Rice — wok-fried with pickled vegetables, perfectly grainy and aromatic. We devoured two bowls and took some home! 🍳🍚 For drinks, they have sour plum juice, watermelon juice, Wanglaoji herbal tea, and more to combat the spiciness. Soon, they’ll also serve yogurt and large fruit teas! If you’re sensitive to spice, try their soy milk — it helps! 🥤 As a Chengdu native, I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally have a proper Sichuan hot pot place in Austin! This tastes like home 😭❤️. Hope you love it too! #Austin #AustinFood #AustinEats #HotPotLovers 🌶️🍲✨