Must-try dish: Some like it hot (pot)!

Is that the full name?

There are lots of broth bases to choose from, but we love the “Wild mushroom broth” on the menu.

Where do you get it?

Spice World, Level 1, 411 Sussex St, Haymarket NSW 2000

Why is it a winner?

The hot pot at Spice World takes choose-your-own-adventure dining to the next level. Start with an individual pot of broth and then make it exactly how you want. We began with the wild mushroom broth, but there’s also tomato, tom-yum, chicken, seafood and beef to choose from. Then add your own condiments from a seemingly endless buffet bar, from chilli oil to peanut butter, tahini to sesame seeds. Finally, it’s ingredient time: we suggest going crazy with the many mushrooms on offer, and adding tofu skins, bok choy and noodles. Now, tap into your inner witch and, as your pot bubbles away, know the longer it goes, the more intense and delicious the flavours. Waiters will come and top up your broth, as they should, and you will get messy, but who cares when it tastes this good?

Anything else to know?

We haven’t even talked about the meat dolls! Spice World, which is part of a huge Chinese chain of hot pot restaurants, likes to bring thinly sliced hot pot-ready meats to your table as the dresses of Barbie-type dolls. Perhaps they were inspired by Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress of 2010? Doesn’t really matter, what it does show is that this is a place with a quirky sense of humour and it makes for a really fun night out!

Want more Must-try dishes? How about a sensational Italian-style steak or a super chicken sanga?