Hi Pot - Bethlehem
Located in the heart of Bethlehem, PA, Hi Pot - Bethlehem offers an exceptional hotpot experience that draws diners back for more. Situated at 312 E 3rd St, this cozy yet spacious restaurant delivers a unique dining atmosphere with ample seating and booths, perfect for enjoying a meal with friends or family.
Hi Pot stands out for its personalized hotpot bowls, where each diner can enjoy a steaming bowl filled with a variety of flavorful ingredients. Whether you're in the mood for something spicy or savory, there is a hotpot to suit every taste. The restaurant's signature offerings include the Taiwan Supreme, a beef-based pot with a rich, comforting flavor, and the Sichuan hotpot, which offers a distinct and bold spice level. For those who enjoy a tangy twist, the Tom Yum pot is a crowd favorite, providing a perfect balance of sour and spicy notes.
A must-try appetizer is the crispy fried calamari, which, although tender, might not suit everyone's palate due to the seasoning, but it’s a great option for those seeking a light start. The garlic pork belly, on the other hand, is flavorful and not too greasy, making it a perfect complement to the hotpot.
For dessert, the refreshing Mango Sago offers a delightful and sweet conclusion to your meal, balancing out the rich, savory flavors of the hotpot.
One of the restaurant's highlights is its ability to bring authentic Taiwanese flavors right to your table. Regular patrons rave about the stinky tofu, a unique delicacy that has become a favorite for those willing to try something new. Another standout dish is the Taiwanese Supreme Spicy Hotpot, which comes in a hearty portion perfect for those who love a bit of heat. The seafood options, including the lobster tail hotpot, provide a decadent experience with fresh ingredients and bold flavors.
Overall, Hi Pot - Bethlehem continues to impress with its diverse menu, flavorful hotpots, and welcoming atmosphere, making it a destination for anyone seeking an authentic Taiwanese hotpot experience in the area.
Hi Pot - Bethlehem Reviews
We came around noon on a Thursday and were seated right away. After looking through the menu we ordered a miso ramen and two appetizers. The fried calamari was tender but I didn't like the flavoring in the crust. It's the same as the seasoning in Taiwanese popcorn chicken. The garlic pork belly was more to my taste. It was garlicky and flavorful not too greasy. The miso ramen was solid. The cha siu (pork belly) was more like bacon than the soft fatty meat that we were use to. The inside was large and spacious with plenty of booths and seating.
My boyfriend is Taiwanese and this is his favorite restaurant that reminds him of Taiwan. Best Taiwanese hot pot we've been to and we absolutely love this place. The servers remember us and they always ask us where we've been because we'll go missing for a month or so. We're sorry! We wish we lived much closer and I'm too lazy. Appetizers: Popcorn chicken is my boyfriend's favorite. Pork hock is so flavorful and yummy. Stinky tofu is something I really like. I never used to like stinky tofu either. Entrees: Taiwanese Supreme Spicy hot pot is a huge portion so be ready for it to be huge and spicy I almost always get the stinky tofu hot pot because I really like their stinky tofu. It also has all the ingredients I love like pork blood, clam, sausage, quail, intestine. Seafood lobster hot pot is really good too because you get a whole lobster tail Love the inside of the restaurant. The planet ceiling lights make me happy. Go hungry, leave happy and stuffed.
My favorite non traditional hot pot. It actually is probably my favorite hot pot in general. Broth is so flavorful and the dishes are loaded with a bunch of different ingredients. I definitely get in my veggies and protein here. Wish they were closer as I would seriously become a regular here. I have tried plenty of broths here - from tom yum to cheese milk, to seafood, curry, beef, and the stinky Tofu. My favorite is definitely the cheese milk broth. Get it with some spice and I promise you, you won't be disappointed. It may sound weird, but it is surely delicious. Each pot can definitely feed 2.
This was a new experience for our family. We are veterans of hot pot/shabu shabu, but the experience at Hi Pot was different. It advertises itself as a 'Taste of Taiwan' and is not like the AYCE hot pot places that have become all to common. Instead, Hi Pot offers ramen, boba, and Taiwanese style a la carte hot pot creations. Why 'hi'? My guess is because the hot pot is served on a stand that elevates the pot above table level and allows for a temporary heating element to keep your pot hot for about 10 minutes until the flame burns out. We ordered the veggie hot pot, the kimchee hot pot, and the chicken hot pot; along with some popcorn chicken (Taiwanese style) and some fries. The fries were overpriced, but my younger son was being picky. Each entree came out mostly cooked. Only the rice vermicelli needed some time to heat. My kimchee hot pot tasted like a mild version of the Korean classic kimchi jjigae. It came with a bowl of rice, but it wasn't needed. There was a variety of ingredients including imitation crab, two unpeeled jumbo shrimp, fish balls, cabbage, and kimchi (of course). Broth for all three were mild but flavorful. You could choose your spice level, but I opted for mild. It was a neat experience. I think I would rather pick and choose what ingredients I'd add to my hot pot, but the overall taste and presentation was vey enjoyable.
I really like that you can get your own personal hotpot bowls here, and each bowl comes with a decent amount of food. We've tried the stinky tofu, Taiwan supreme, sichuan, and Tom yum. All were good! Tom yum had that tangy flavor, Taiwan supreme was more beef-based, and sichuan was a different kind of spicy flavor. I like spice and "very spicy" was the right amount for me. Maybe one day, I'll try the max level but for now, I'm good with very spicy. Mango sago for dessert after all the soup was such a refreshing flavor. Can't wait to come back and try their other pots. The cheese one and the curry chicken are next on the list.