Qiao Lin Hotpot

Qiao Lin Hotpot is a Chongqing-style hot pot restaurant at 2105 S. Jefferson St. in Chinatown, on the ground floor of a supermarket building near the Pilsen border. Diners order broth by the pot as a single flavor, half and half or three flavors, then cook sliced meats, seafood and vegetables at the table and mix dipping sauces at a self-serve bar. The restaurant is known for spicy broths built on 32 spices and six kinds of chili peppers.

What to know

• NBC Chicago reported in 2023 that the Chinatown restaurant was the first U.S. location of the Chinese hot pot brand.
• The Infatuation gave Qiao Lin an 8.1, the highest score in The Infatuation’s Chicago hot pot guide.
• Weekend seating is walk-in only through an in-person waitlist, while weekday guests can join a Yelp waitlist.
• A second Chicago location operates at 210 E. Illinois St. in Streeterville.
• The brand also has restaurants in Seattle, Boston and Duluth, Georgia.