Yes, winter is especially tough this year. It’s wet, it’s slippery, and it refuses to leave. For me, there’s only one solution: take every opportunity to warm up from the inside, because as long as there’s a minus in front of the temperature, I remain loyal to hot soups and stews. Hotpot ranks high on that list, and throughout the colder months, my friends and I use any excuse for a cozy hotpot gathering. Luckily, it’s even easier with Sanku Maots’ai. With two locations in Friedrichshain and Mitte, you’ll find me here almost weekly — sometimes on my own. Because, unlike classic hotpot, which is shared, what you’ll find here is maocai: a traditionally spicy Sichuan stew, best described as hotpot for one. And although the preparation differs — you don’t cook at the table yourself, everything happens in the kitchen — there are plenty of parallels between the two. The most important being you decide what goes into your bowl. Not an easy task when faced with over seventy ingredients and six house-made broths. To help navigate the choice, you’re handed a large pair of tongs and an even larger container as you make your way along the buffet. Vegetables, seafood, meat, noodles — it’s all there. The selection is vast, and if you arrive hungry, you might want to think twice before putting those tongs to work.
Personally, I always cave when it comes to mushrooms, noodles and seafood — and even though I come regularly, it never feels repetitive. Once you’ve assembled your ingredients, it’s off to the register. Here you’ll find out whether you managed to keep your portion in check — the scale sets the tone. Next, pick a broth from the classic Sichuan base to rich tomato or mixed mushroom. There’s something for everyone, whether you like it spicy, bold, or a bit lighter. And because building your own bowl is so much fun, you can explore the dipping station while waiting for your maocai. Here you’ll find peanut and oyster sauces, chili oil, and a range of toppings like garlic, spring onions, chili and cilantro. The possibilities are endless — and it’s definitely worth trying them all.
Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: Sanku Maots’ai
Sanku Maots’ai Mitte, Friedrichstr.121, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map
Sanku Maots’ai Friedrichshain, Warschauer Str.81a, 10243 Berlin–Friedrichshain; map
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