De Zhuang Hot Pot — Restaurant in Upper Harbour

I’d say this is my personal favorite hotpot place in NZ, been going to their New Lynn branch since 2K18 and since then stuck with it.

Soup base to get: Mid Spice (Dezhuang 10 years) and the fungi soup base. Both tastes flavorful, not in a weird chemical way from some other hotpot places.

Meat: get the fresh cut lamb(on a wooden plate), double chili beefs. Get the fish and shrimp pastes.Tastes best in spicy soup.

Veges: get the tofu rolls, romaines, lettuces, oyster mushrooms, corianders. Get Sichuan Shao Fen Noodles(not instant noodle). They tastes best in the fungi soup.

Specialty: black beef stripes and duck blood. you have to give this a try, classic in Sichuan style hotpots and gives a new experience for your taste buds.

Desserts: get the ice jelly, ice plum juice(if they still have it handmade) and rice cake with brown sugar dipping.

Very friendly service, have met the owner several times as well and...

Nice place to eat out in Albany albeit rather expensive. Simple modern layout which also features a private box for large parties. Service was very attentive and professional though lacking personal vigour.

Expansive mural on the walls was a nice touch and everything seemed clean and casual.

Caveats were there were no serviettes offered at the tables so have to walk to the reception desk to get them. Raw food couldn't be returned once it was delivered to the table even if it hasn't been touched. Overall pleasant experience but for the price there are better offerings...

Would have posted 4 star as we really enjoyed ourselves, but had 3 over charges on our receipt totaling $14.50, would have been an expensive mistake if I hadn’t had read my receipt. Also try and go with 4 or more people. The sauce option is a must!. And was cool that the double soup is no extra charge. Delicious! And fun...