Want to get your taste buds going again? As we all know, that’s no problem in Berlin. With a multitude of food halls and restaurants serving culinary specialties from all over the world , the capital is a true gastronomic paradise. But sometimes you want something truly special—and that’s exactly why we have a tip that will delight not only your palate but also your wallet . The restaurant Sanku Maots’ai brings a popular street food concept from China’s Sichuan province to Berlin. Here, you can put together your own mini hot pot and pay just 3.19 euros per 100 grams.
The numbers behind the concept are impressive, too. Guests can choose from more than 70 ingredients and pair their bowl with one of six homemade broths. The menu is complemented by more than 20 Chinese beverages. The minimum weight per bowl is 400 grams, and the price is calculated by weight at 3.19 euros per 100 grams.
Sanku Maots’ai currently has two locations in Berlin. Both restaurants are open daily and offer the popular DIY concept. The restaurant is particularly popular because it combines the individuality of a custom-made bowl with the intense flavors of a Sichuan hot pot. Instead of ordering a pre-made dish, guests can put together their meal entirely according to their own preferences .
What is Maocai anyway?
Maocai originally hails from the Chinese metropolis of Chengdu in Sichuan Province and is considered a kind of “hot pot for one.” Unlike with the classic hot pot, guests here don’t sit together around a pot of boiling broth and cook their ingredients themselves at the table. Instead, the selected ingredients are prepared directly in the kitchen and served ready-to-eat. That’s exactly what makes Maocai faster, simpler, and more suitable for everyday dining than a traditional hot pot.
What’s the experience like?
Upon entering the restaurant, you first grab a basket and put together your own personal combination from more than 70 ingredients. You can choose from various types of meat, fish, and seafood, numerous vegetables, mushrooms, tofu variations, and handmade noodles. The basket is then weighed, and you select one of six homemade broths. After that, the kitchen takes over and serves the finished bowl. Those who prefer a particularly authentic experience can enhance their dish at the sauce bar with garlic, scallions, sesame, chili oil, or other spices.
