Lao Ma Tou Hotpot

What it is

An old-school hotpot house in the dockworker tradition that birthed the dish — heavier on the beef tallow, heavier on the offal cuts, lighter on the theme-park decor. Hotpot as the river port's dockside canteen cooked it.

How to order like a local

Let the server build the first order: half beef tripe, duck intestine, fresh blood curd, lotus root. The drinks of choice are ice soy milk or salt-soda water — both tame the burn. Ask for the dipping bowl 'duo la jiao' (extra garlic) like a local.

Good to know

These houses queue hard at 7pm; put your name down, shop the street, come back. Whole-table minimums are rare but hotpot-for-one is a solo sport nobody judges here.