No.8 Hotpot — Restaurant in Manchester

Overpriced. Only take cash.

The 2 stars are for the friendly staff and the good service we received. Apart from that, everything else was quite a disappointment.

It was the first time we ate at No.8 Hotpot. We didn’t expect much, just wanted to try out a new place and thought one could never go wrong with a hot pot. But we were still pretty disappointed. Given the price, we would have expected a much much better quality of food and more generous portion, or at the very least a wider choice of dipping sauces. But no, even without the premium dishes, it worked out to 45-ish per person - and we weren’t even full! And you only have a choice of 3 basic sauces: hoisin, vinegar and soy sauce, which funnily are all too salty so I ended up throwing away my bowl of sauce. If you want more “premium” sauces you have to pay for them - I’ve never seen this before in all the hot pot places I’ve been to. Even the cheapest one offers free sauces, free snack and fruit. No.8 had none :)

And to give you an idea of how expensive the place is, we ordered one coconut jelly desert. We got jelly that tasted like water with gelatin in diluted coconut milk. At £6 we would have expected better than that. My partner ordered some drink (can’t remember what it was) and they don’t even have a proper glass; they just put it in a disposable plastic cup. And at this point I have to tell you if you are an enthusiastic environmentalist, don’t eat there. Because almost everything they use is disposable. From the apron to the chopstick heads to the cups. They may say it is for hygiene reasons but their bowls aren’t even that clean - I spotted black marks around the rim. And I believe there are reusable alternatives that offer the same level of hygiene if they are really into it. But anyway, this is just a personal preference.

And the disappointment lasted til the very last minute. Surprisingly they don’t take card payments, even though there’s a big Google Pay sticker on their entrance door. For God’s sake, who still carries around 100 quid in their pocket nowadays? It’s 2022 guys! So my partner had to dash out in the cold wind to the nearest cash machine (which is a heaven-sent 5 minute walk/running from their restaurant). I can’t say I appreciate that, no not at all, even after they took off the “optional” service charge from the bills to make up for that.

Our only positive experience of that evening were the friendly staff. They were quite attentive. They brought the food out one by one and even kindly asked us if we would like our desserts with or after the meal. They walked back and forth in the room watching if we were still needing anything (maybe too attentive at this point because I felt like I was teleported right back to my uni days and I was a student taking an exam).

Do I recommend this place? Yes, if you don’t mind the cost and you’re an easy eater and you’re not concerned about the environment and you carry a large amount of cash around all the time. For myself, I don’t think I’ll...

This is an excellent hot pot experience on all fronts. The food was just INCREDIBLE. The szechuan soup base is simply perfected, it's so salty and flavorful, I've had hotpot all over the world, but it's some of the best!

Their medium spice level broth had quite a kick and was extremely flavorful! But be warned, the less spicy the broth is, the less flavorful. You should know this because even trying to order the medium makes the staff give you a formal warning. In my opinion, the medium heat is very bearable, but your spice tolerance may vary.

The meats were incredible!! They give quite large portions of meat, one order could satisfy someone and two would satisfy a big eater. More importantly, their meats are of an incredible quality. They're so tender as to start falling apart before you even eat it, and the spices of the soup really infuse into the meat. The lamb was incredible, as most hot pot places usually have, but their No. 8 special was a huge portion of beef, each delightfully tender. Their lobster balls are also a highlight!

My only complaint would have to be the soup is far too oily. The mild soup has little enough oil so that it dissipates when you boil it, but the medium level was extremely oily and made it undrinkable. This was honestly a dissapointment because the TASTE of the medium broth is to die for, but it gets covered up by the oil if you try to drink it alone or have a spoonful. I'm sure the calorie count also tremendous. If they could reduce the oil while having the same great flavor, or somehow remove it after it was cooked, it'd be a complete 10/10. For now, it's still a very strong 9/10 and I don't mind rounding to 5/5, and I will be returning many times. Hot pot is my...

No.8 Hot Pot Restaurant: A Culinary Gem in Manchester!

If you're on the hunt for an exceptional hot pot restaurant in Manchester, No.8 Hot Pot is an absolute must-visit. I recently had the pleasure of sampling their cuisine, and I was truly blown away! Here's my positive review of this hot pot haven:

Diverse Menu: No.8 Hot Pot offers a rich variety of ingredient choices, whether it's meats, seafood, or vegetables. Their selection of hot pot broths is also extensive, ranging from classic clear broth to spicy Sichuan hot pot – there's something for everyone.

Fresh Ingredients: You can trust the freshness of the ingredients at this hot pot establishment. Their meats and seafood are of high quality, ensuring both delicious and healthy hot pot options.

Cozy Atmosphere: The ambiance at No.8 Hot Pot is incredibly perfect for dining with family and friends. The warm decor create a welcoming environment.

Top-notch Service: The staff here is friendly and professional. They go out of their way to assist diners, ensuring a delightful dining experience.

Value for Money: Despite offering high-quality ingredients and service, No.8 Hot Pot is reasonably priced, providing excellent value for money. Whether you're dining in a group or solo, you'll find options that suit your tastes and budget.

In summary, No.8 Hot Pot Restaurant is an impressively flavorful dining destination. If you're looking to savor authentic hot pot cuisine while enjoying a cozy atmosphere, this restaurant is your best choice. I highly recommend paying them a visit – I'm confident you'll fall in love with their...