Monday, May 6, 2013

How to Hotpot: Little Sheep

If you've been to Chinatown, chances are you've strolled past Little Sheep. On the corner of De la Gauchetiere and Clark, its green signs are all too noticeable in the sea of red, white, and gold that is our Quartier Chinois. When you're not biting into fresh Hong Kong style buns or slurping up pho, this hotpot hotspot should definitely be an option for a rumbling stomach.



This restaurant is an all-you-can-eat buffet. Lunch is a good deal, but dinner includes seafood such as jumbo shrimp and different varieties of fish. After being seated, we chose our fondue broth. I prefer the regular over spicy, but if you are feeling indecisive, the yin-yang pot is the way to go, as it is half-half.  Both broths are chock-full with Asian spices and mysterious Chinese medicinal herbs. After your pot arrives and the waiter starts up the heater, you're on your own.


The customary thing to do now is to mix your sauce. They have containers full of minced garlic, soy suace, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, chili paste, coriander, spring onions, etc etc. Everyone likes something different, so don't be afraid to experiment for the first couple of times.



Time to pick your ingredients! There are lots and lots of tasty things up on the shelves, all sorts of vegetables, mushrooms, tofu and meat products. With so many choices, I'll just let you know what my personal favorites are.


It's important to have greens in your hotpot. Most of my friends put in vegetables first in the pot, then wait a long time before eating them. Personally, I like blanching the greens – just grab a bunch, toss it in, poke it so it all gets into the boiling broth, then take it back out and happy munching. To each their own! Another must-have is taro! These take a long time to cook, so don't worry about them much. They When they are ready, they will be soft to poking and almost fall apart. Absolutely delicious. The doughy things next to the taro are also a personal favorite. They will float on the top of your broth until you eat them, but be careful not to burn yourself! They will slowly fill up with soup. Next, quail eggs! The soft-boiled little eggs are delightful, just drop them in and scoop 'em out when you feel its been long time. Again, be careful eating these. The yolks will be piping hot, so bite them in half. 


The staff will start you off with a couple plates of lamb and beef. Lamb is always the more marbled meat, and as the name Little Sheep suggests, the star of the show. Beef isn't too bad either, but is more gristly in nature. If you polish off your protein plates, simply ask for more, it's all-you-can-eat, after all. Don't be shy to pester the waiters. It can get really busy here, and often you'll need to ask many times before getting a new plate of food.


Now you're all set. Oh, did I mention unlimited drinks? Sodas, strawberry juice, orange juice, and sweet soy milk in the container that is empty at the moment. Sweeeet. 


You can eat the civilized way, taking one slice of meat at a time. Or, do it the cool way: dump the whole plate in and gobble up every piece. Just make sure there is no red or pink left on the meat. In case you are wondering, yes, people eat from the same pot. So try to keep track of what you threw in there, or you might end up with too much overcooked food at the bottom! 

Enjoy your meal! This post is pretty extremely late, heh. Hotpot is great for dreary winter weather. I think gloomy rainy days are still a great reason to go though! Just not in the middle of summer, or you may get heatstroke. 

... I kid. Happy munching!

50 Rue de la Gauchetière Ouest
Montréal, QC H2Z 1C1
http://www.littlesheephotpot.com/
(514) 393-0888

Little Sheep on Urbanspoon

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