A brand new restaurant opened this January in London’s Chinatown; the brainchild of restaurateur, and hot pot-advocate, Fah Sundravorakul. Bringing his beloved hot pot to the UK, Shuang Shuang is one of the first of its kind. Combining design, convenience, and the very best ingredients — this cook-your-own dining experience is sure to gain a cult following.
Originating in China, hot pot is traditionally prepared for friend and family gatherings. The idea: everyone sits around a great big pot of steaming hot broth, communally simmering or boiling simple ingredients. With emphasis on togetherness, it’s the type of meal that doesn’t detract from a good chinwag, and requires little time in the kitchen.
Shuang Shuang’s interiors are energetic, modern, and pay homage to the menu’s key broths. Depicted in watercolour paper art murals, the colourful representations — alongside smiling Buddhas — create a rousing backdrop to a space full of steam and animated chatter. A feng shui master was even called in to ‘harmonise’ the space; moving the front door and stairs to create the exact balance Sundravorakul was keen to achieve.
The dining benches are equally considered. Tools for the task in hand include chopsticks, bibs, wooden tongs and even a mini metal strainer to fish out the boiled or simmered treats. Everything feels new and exciting, steamy and bustling.
Once the broth is chosen, diners are then left to create their own hot pots — meat to fish, greens to noodles, the conveyor belts deliver a fresh selection of ingredients for you to mix and match. Communal dining, balance and design are important at Shuang Shuang … but flavour is key. Broths and dipping sauces are all msg free and, in order to hit that spot, can contain up to 23 ingredients, often locally-sourced.
For food adventurers who love a balance of heat, salty, sour and sweet — and who are brave enough to go DIY — Shuang Shuang is definitely for you.
Photography © We Heart / Shuang Shuang
