Coco Hotpot 皇椰鸡 — Restaurant in New York

Coco Hotpot is an excellent alternative to the highly saturated number of spicy hotpot restaurants that have dotted across flushing. The coconut chicken soup base is flavorful, and I will bookmark this spot if I ever need some soothing soups to settle down from a week of heavy foods. Here are some things I liked and things that could be better

1. Menu variety, service and environment were all excellent. They have a good variety of classic cantonese dishes. In addtion to the hotpot set, my wife and I also ordered classic claypot rice with spare ribs. All the food tasted fresh. Some might find the food bland, but that is intentional for food that is designed to soothe your stomach. The sauce bar located near the back of the restaurant can help to give you all the flavoring you need. Also, they do not have their alcohol license, so no alcoholic drinks on there menu. The waiters were attentive: Refilling chicken soup for the hotpot was quick. The sauce bar was also refilled pretty regularly. Environment was clean and waiters were quick to clear tables and clean up and food dropped on the floor. Bathrooms were also well kept.

2. they don't have an English menu and their menus are all on iPads. I saw more than a few customers unfamiliar with Chinese walk out after realizing there was no menu in English. It also seemed like on a busy night on the weekend, the waiters or servers didn't have the time to really explain or discuss the food options for customers unfamiliar with how hotpot works. While there is not correct way to eat hotpot, I prefer drinking lots of the broth while eating hotpot slowly instead of dumping in all the ingredients at once and having the meal finished quickly.

3. while this hot pot is delish, it is leaning towards the more pricey side. This type of hotpot is much more niche, but there is already competition literally right down the street at Coco Rooster. Pricing for both restaurants are nearly the same, and both lean more into the pricier side of hotpot. If this was just a little cheaper, this would be a 5...

I can’t rave enough about Coco Hotpot! It’s officially my go-to spot for hot pot in NYC. The cozy ambiance and mouthwatering aromas set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

The highlight is definitely the coconut juice-based soup. It's such a unique twist that elevates the entire hot pot experience. Each time I've enjoyed the coconut chicken soup, it has been incredibly rich and flavorful, with the chicken being unbelievably tender and juicy—like it melts in your mouth!

On my last visit, we decided to try the clay pot rice, and it did not disappoint! We ordered two, and they were gone in a flash. The combination of chicken and spare ribs are delightful and pairs perfectly with the hot pot.

I’ve brought friends and family along, and everyone has been thoroughly impressed. My mom, who is notoriously picky, even gave her stamp of approval—an impressive feat! Whether you’re nursing a hangover, enjoying a casual night with friends, or treating family to something special, Coco Hotpot is always a hit.

The service here is exceptional. The staff is not only attentive but also genuinely friendly, making it easy to relax and enjoy the meal. I appreciate how careful they are when adding ingredients to the pot, ensuring we don’t get burned! It’s clear that the staff is treated well, as they engage in light-hearted banter, creating a fun atmosphere.

It’s also heartwarming to see the manager Eason mingling with diners and checking in to ensure everything is to their liking. This personal touch adds so much to the experience.

I highly recommend the boneless chicken—don’t underestimate it! It’s packed with flavor and stays juicy even after cooking. I’ve honestly never left feeling heavy or in need of a detox, which is a rarity with hot pot.

Overall, Coco Hotpot is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in delicious, authentic hot pot. I can't wait for...

I have never had coconut chicken hotpot, so please do not ask if this is better than Coco Rooster. They affiliated, so similar concept I would assume… . I didn’t know what to expect since I’ve never had coconut chicken hotpot and boy was I very impressed. They use fresh coconut juice, like straight from the coconut as the broth… it’s naturally sweet and very refreshing… . The chicken is high quality chicken, it was so silky and strong chicken flavor. It is a very good combination. . Each set (2 or 4 ppl) comes with 3 fresh coconuts for the broth, a platter of veggies (napa cabbage, winter melon & corn) as well as some shrimp balls… in addition to that, you also get a choice of noodle.. . The pot comes with some broth, the coconut juice is added and when it boils the chicken is added and once once cooked (3 mins), they skim out the fat from the broth. And it’s pretty much ready to be eaten. Once the chicken is finished - you then add the veggies and any additional items you may want, similar to your traditional hotpot… we did add some fatty beef but honestly, I think chicken is the king here, so if you’re still hungry, you can order another 1/2 or full chicken… . I don’t eat spicy and this is perfect but if you’re into spicy, you can make a spicy sauce to dip the chicken in, I wouldnt suggest making the broth spicy… . Tip: don’t skip out on their clay pots though, while the cured meats are the most popular, but I think the salted fish & minced pork patty claypot rice - that deserves a chefs kiss… oh, and if you can’t decide on a clay pot flavor, you can do 1/2 and 1/2 of any of their selections. . Oh, the fried milk is a...