Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of the 16 businesses who are participating in Chinatown Dining Week, running January 9-19, 2020.

Next up we spoke with Tina from Liuyishou Hot Pot, #168, 9700 105 Avenue (Pacific Rim Mall).

Why did you decide to open the restaurant? 

The initial motivation was actually quite simple. I lived in Edmonton for 3 years before opening this restaurant, and I struggled almost everyday because I had such a hard time choosing which restaurant to go to. There were not too many Chinese restaurants out there back then, not to mention an authentic franchise Szechwan hotpot restaurant which was already very popular and wide spread in China. Then the idea of opening such an authentic Szechwan hotpot restaurant came into my mind. I not only want to give all Chinese who are living in Edmonton the feeling of being back home when eating at Liuyishou Hotpot, but also wish that the locals can come out and enjoy delicious and traditional Chinese hotpot. Ultimately, I wish to present and spread the time-honoured Chinese food culture. 

How long has the restaurant been open? 

The restaurant has been open for two years.  

What is the style of cuisine served at the restaurant? 

We are a very traditional Chinese Szechwan hotpot restaurant; it is one of the best ways to share food with friends and family. “Hotpot “consists of a metal pot of broth sits on top of a burner at the centre of the table, while plates of raw meats, seafood, vegetables, and starches are presented all around the pot. Diners can choose different flavours of broth from the menu as well as their favourite food to cook in the broth. Hotpot is a perfect way to bring people together for quality time while enjoying a hearty meal.  

What makes your restaurant special? 

Founded in 2000, the Liuyishou Hotpot restaurant has grown from a single location on a small street in Chongqing, China to currently having over 1,200 locations around the world. 

Chinese hotpot has become immensely popular around the world given its interactive nature during the meal. Carefully selected ingredients such as premium marbled beef, wild mushrooms, seasonal greens, and other specialty foods, are cooked at your own table in broth to the perfect temperature. What separates Liuyishou from other hotpot restaurants is its healthy image with outstanding quality, and a blast of true Chinese traditional hotpot flavour. 

Most importantly, we are the only world-wide franchise hotpot restaurant in Edmonton which means that only Liuyishou Hotpot can provide the taste of authentic Chinese Szechwan style hotpot as if you are eating in the Szechwan [region itself]. 

Why do you think people should dine in Chinatown? 

Edmonton’s Chinatown was established over 100 years ago. Over that time, Chinatown has become the point of western and Chinese cultural interaction. Food is one of the most important aspects of any culture, and it is one of the best ways to know the basics and trends of a culture. Dining in Chinatown is the perfect way of getting to know Chinese culture while enjoying delicious Chinese food. 

 Do you have any hopes for the future of Edmonton’s Chinatown? 

Chinatown is facing increased social disorder, especially heath and safety challenges. I wish the City can evaluate the value of the Chinatown area and start renovating the area as there is a lot of business and tourism potential. I hope that Edmonton’s Chinatown can become a well-developed area that can provide the best platform in Edmonton for culture interaction and exchange. 

Liuyishou Hot Pot will be offering the following 2-course dinner menu for $18 during Chinatown Dining Week:

Main: Hot Pot Soup Base (choice of Original Spicy Soup, Wild Mixed Mushroom, or Tomato Soup), and Meat Ball Sampler (Cuttlefish, Shrimp, Beef), Sliced Marbled Beef, Fried Chinese Doughnut, and Shrimp Paste
Dessert: Glutinous Rice Cake

Check out other special menus, here.