We visited Shooloongkan yesterday, excited to relive the hot pot magic we first experienced at Haidilao in Beijing. Let me say right off the bat: this place delivers an incredible and authentic hot pot experience that truly satisfied our craving for the real deal.
The staff was friendly, attentive, and always happy to help. Even though hot pot can sometimes feel overwhelming for first-timers, everything here is super easy and self-explanatory. Ordering is done through a tablet system, which is not only convenient but also really fun to use. Browsing through the variety of dishes and drinks was effortless, and it made the whole experience even better.
As for the hot pot itself, you can customize it to your liking with one, two, or even three soups. We tried the classic stock, the mushroom stock (which comes in a bone-based or vegetarian option), and of course, the legendary spicy broth with Szechuan pepper and chilies. The spicy broth comes in three levels of heat, so there’s something for everyone, whether you’re new to spice or a total heat lover. The broths were absolutely bursting with flavor and set the perfect stage for all the fresh ingredients we ordered.
One of the highlights of the meal was the dipping sauce station. It’s a paradise for sauce lovers! They offer a fantastic variety of fresh ingredients—soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, fresh herbs, chili, and much more. You can mix and match to create your perfect blend, adding a whole extra layer of flavor and customization to the experience. Everyone at the table ended up with their own unique sauce, which made the meal even more fun and personal.
The variety of ingredients to cook in your hot pot is amazing—meats, seafood, veggies, tofu, noodles—you name it, they have it. Each bite was fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection in those incredible broths. It’s clear that a lot of care goes into both the quality and the presentation of the ingredients.
The experience as a whole was fantastic, and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. The only thing we missed was the freshly made noodles being prepared tableside, which we had enjoyed at Haidilao in Beijing. That little bit of theatrics would’ve been the cherry on top, but honestly, it didn’t take away from the overall experience.
If you’re a hot pot fan or just looking for a fun and interactive dining experience, Shooloongkan is absolutely worth a visit. The flavors, the variety, the warm atmosphere, and the excellent service all come together to create something special. We’ll definitely be back for...
Read moreThis Sichuan hotpot gem at Kettenbrückengasse 13 is absolutely in a league of its own—my sole food obsession in Vienna. Their concept is brilliant: every guest gets their own spicy broth (perfect for vegetarians or solo diners) and can mix and match from a buffet of fresh ingredients—meats, veggies, tofu skins, lotus root, mushrooms, you name it .
The atmosphere? Casual yet cozy—more relaxed than other places in town but buzzing just enough to feel alive (). Service is attentive: they even offer iPad ordering in multiple languages and a button to call your waiter . Plus, there’s a whole sauce bar—my go‑to dip is a combo of garlic, cilantro, green onion, chili crisp, and sesame oil .
Unlike other spots, ShooLoongKan nails authenticity: genuinely flavorful Sichuan broth that hits just the right spicy‑oily balance—truly unforgettable . TikTok foodies in Vienna agree, praising how it’s “super easy and very yummy” with the one‑broth‑per‑person setup .
Yes, it’s always packed—and sometimes a little tight—but that’s part of its charm. Just call ahead to reserve (they don’t take online bookings)—it’s absolutely worth it ().
Pros: • Authentic, customizable hotpot experience • Individual broth setups—veggie‑friendly! • Fresh, diverse ingredients and sauce bar • Warm, cozy atmosphere • Attentive tablet‑based service
Cons: • Can get messy—bring a hair tie or wear dark clothes!
Overall: If I could only pick one craving spot in Vienna, it’s this. Whether you’re with friends or solo, vegetarian or meat‑lover, ShooLoongKan delivers an immersive, satisfying Sichuan hotpot...
Read moreThis is a traditional hotpot set-up. Similar to fondue, you cook your food at the table in a big pot of broth. We spent ~€40 per person though it can be more expensive if you order meat.
You order on an iPad; the menu is available in Chinese, English, and German and the veggie soup base is labeled. You can call a waiter to the table via a button on the iPad.
You can get multiple soup bases in a partitioned pot, so if you have dietary restrictions and someone else in your group doesn’t, you can each have your own designated soup section to prevent cross contamination.
Lots of vegetarian and vegan options like winter melon, lotus root, golden needle mushrooms, soft tofu and tofu skins.
There is a self serve bar with dipping sauces. I recommend combining minced garlic, cilantro, green onions, chili crisp and sesame oil.
For drinks, the plum juice is great (tastes almost smoky).
Cook the meat first. Save the starchy foods like potatoes and noodles for last since they can change the consistency of the broth. Also eat leafy greens near the end since they absorb a lot of oil from the broth.
I recommend dressing in dark colors and bringing a hair tie. The broth tends to splash, especially if you’re not skilled at using chopsticks. There is a ladle you can use to scoop food out of the hotpot into your...
Read more