Guiyang Viral Sour Soup Hotpot Review | ¥59 for 2
📍 Yuzhen Pickled Bamboo Shoot Sour Soup Hotpot (Beijing Road Branch)
💰 ¥59 set for two: insanely good value
The lunch set for two is only ¥59 (less than $10).
Honestly… that price feels almost unreal.
But it’s super popular, so definitely grab a queue number online in advance!
⸻
1️⃣ 🍲 Sour Bamboo Shoot Soup Base: The Soul of the Meal ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This sour soup base is the highlight of the entire experience.
You can clearly see inside:
• Crushed tomatoes
• Pickled bamboo shoots
The sourness is layered, not one-dimensional.
It’s somewhat similar to the sour bamboo shoot flavor in luosifen, but milder and more balanced.
First sip might feel a bit intense,
but very quickly it turns into that kind of:
👉 “the more you drink, the more addictive it gets” sourness.
⸻
2️⃣ Sliced Pork with Preserved Vegetables: Surprisingly Tender ⭐⭐⭐
A small detail: there’s a raw egg on top.
Before cooking, mix the egg with the pork slices.
After a few minutes in the pot:
• The pork stays super tender (the egg locks in moisture)
• Texture is bouncy and smooth
It’s the kind of dish you keep reaching for.
⸻
3️⃣ Handmade Celtuce Meatballs: Crunchy + Savory ⭐⭐⭐
These need a bit more cooking time.
Tip: break one open to check if it’s fully cooked.
What stands out:
• Meaty aroma on the outside
• Crunch from the celtuce inside
Nice texture contrast—quite a pleasant surprise.
⸻
4️⃣ Fried Tofu Puffs: Juicy Explosion ⭐⭐⭐
These tofu puffs soak up the sour soup completely.
One bite in and—
👉 the broth bursts in your mouth.
Instant flavor bomb.
⸻
5️⃣ Potato Slices: Add Them Last ⭐⭐⭐
Pro tip:
👉 Always add potato slices at the end
Otherwise:
1. The soup gets slightly thick
2. It affects the overall texture
Cook until soft and tender for best results.
⸻
6️⃣ Vegetable Platter: Soup Absorber MAX ⭐⭐⭐
Leafy greens like chrysanthemum greens and cabbage
soak up the sour broth really well if cooked a bit longer.
Dip them in sauce = instant upgrade.
⸻
7️⃣ “Suosuo” Noodles: Careful, It’s HOT ⭐⭐
Similar to glass noodles used in hotpot.
But:
• Doesn’t absorb much flavor
• Stays extremely hot for a long time
👉 Let it cool before eating, or you will burn your mouth.
⸻
🧂 Dipping Sauces: The Soul of the Soul ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Two options:
• Chili dipping sauce (classic Guizhou style)
• Tomato dipping sauce (hidden gem)
✔ Chili sauce
Traditional flavor:
Smoky, spicy, aromatic
Perfect with noodles.
✔ Tomato sauce (highly recommend!)
This one surprised me.
The soup is already sour,
but dipping into tomato sauce = “double sour.”
Yet somehow… it’s even more appetizing.
Feels like there’s a hint of fermented tofu and litsea cubeba oil—
very Guizhou, very addictive.
⸻
📊 Final Thoughts
✔ ¥59 for two = great value
✔ Unique sour soup base, super addictive
✔ Pork slices & handmade meatballs are highlights
✔ Dipping sauces elevate the whole meal (especially tomato)
✔ Get a queue number early—otherwise, expect a wait
If you want something truly local and flavorful in Guiyang,
this sour soup hotpot is definitely worth trying.
#chinafood #chinesehotpot #guiyang #guiyangadventure #chinatrvel
Having tried various hotpot styles across China, I found the Yuzhen Pickled Bamboo Shoot Sour Soup Hotpot in Guiyang truly stands out for its distinctive sour broth and exceptional value. The sour bamboo shoot soup base offers a complex harmony of flavors — the crushed tomatoes and pickled bamboo shoots create a rich, tangy depth that grows more addictive with every sip. One tip I learned when trying this hotpot is to mix the raw egg with the sliced pork before cooking. This technique keeps the pork incredibly tender and smooth, enhancing the mouthfeel. The handmade celtuce meatballs also add an interesting texture contrast — the crunchiness of the celtuce inside paired with the meaty aroma creates a pleasant surprise worth savoring slowly. I recommend soaking the vegetable platter a bit longer in the sour soup to really absorb the flavors, and pairing them with the chili or tomato dipping sauces elevates the meal. The tomato dipping sauce surprised me with its "double sour" taste — tangy yet balanced with hints of fermented tofu and litsea cubeba oil, giving a truly authentic Guizhou twist. For the "suosuo" noodles, be careful as they retain heat for a long time and don’t absorb much broth flavor. Let them cool slightly before eating to avoid burns. Also, add potato slices at the end of cooking to avoid thickening the soup and preserve texture. Overall, this hotpot offers excellent value for less than $10 with flavorful components and unique dipping sauces, making it an unforgettable culinary adventure in Guiyang. Just remember to book a queue number online in advance, as it's super popular and waits can be long. A fantastic way to experience local Chinese hotpot at an unbeatable price!
