A simmering hotpot with diverse ingredients is a comforting dish that brings people together. For a city without winter like Saigon, indulging in hotpot is not ideal when the scorching heat decreases everyone’s appetites.
While most restaurants give all-you-can-eat deals to draw customers, The Drunken Pot in District 3 uses a different kind of promo entirely. Something that’s hotter than hot pots – topless waiters clad in aprons.
Image adapted from: The Drunken Pot
This buffet restaurant is situated on Cao Thang Street in District 3, less than a 10-minute drive from the Independence Palace in District 1.
A popular hotpot brand in Hong Kong, The Drunken Pot is now available in Saigon to satisfy local foodies, via distinct soup bases, authentic flavors and side dishes.
Image credit: @thedrunkenpotvietnam
The restaurant is decked out in red and yellow, a combination of colors for the five elements that represent luck and prosperity in Chinese culture. Adorned with chinoiserie pendants, murals, and room dividers with classic motifs, the venue pulls off an elegant look inspired by Cantonese fine dining.
Image adapted from: The Drunken Pot
The dining space is ample, featuring round tables fit for large gatherings, as well as upholstered chairs for comfortable seating.
Image credit: @thedrunkenpotvietnam
Following the footsteps of its original restaurant in Hong Kong, The Drunken Pot in Saigon has rolled out various hot pot options that start from VND349,000 (~USD15.14) per pax.
The restaurant offers a good selection of soup bases with vibrant flavors from sweet to sour. Among these include the spicy Sichuan soup, numbing Teochew satay soup, and rich collagen broth.
Image adapted from: @thedrunkenpotvietnam
You’ll also be spoilt for choice here, as the restaurant plates up over 100 ingredients for guests to dip into hearty, piping hot broths.
Image credit: @thedrunkenpotvietnam
Vegetarians will also be pleased with the selection of mushrooms and cabbages, while meat-eaters can take their pick of pork, chicken, beef, and intestines from the extensive menu.
Do note that those dining in a group of 4, only have to pay for 3 buffet passes – a great bargain indeed.
Image adapted from: The Drunken Pot
Aside from the visual appeal of the massive spread of food, The Drunken Pot keeps guests coming back with their team of equally attractive waiters.
Image adapted from: The Drunken Pot
Unlike other Chinese restaurants in town where staff wear wrinkle-free shirts and pants, the hunky male waiters at The Drunken Pot wear only aprons.
Besides serving food, these handsome and shirtless waiters also interact with customers, take photos with them, and jazz up the atmosphere with their talents.
Image adapted from: The Drunken Pot
If you visit the venue on Saturday and Sunday between 6PM and 9PM, you’ll be able to catch their exciting dance performances. As for whether they’ll lose their aprons at any given point during the show, you’ll have to be there to find out.
If you’re looking for a place to Sichuan-spice up your weekend gatherings or celebrations of any sort, The Drunken Pot is surely a ‘hot’ option.
Besides satisfying your stomach with aromatic hotpot broths and tasty ingredients, don’t forget to feast your eyes on the apron-clad waiters who’ll attend to you.
As for who’s actually hotter IRL, we’ll leave that to you to decide.
Address: 4A Cao Thang, Ward 5, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 11AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 086 637 0088
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: The Drunken Pot
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