Irvine has two new hot-pot destinations – Moo-Moo Hot Pot in Northpark and Fast Hot Pot at University Center.
Step one at Fast Hot Pot: Choose a soup base – from nonspicy chicken broth to flaming hot classic red chile – or dry mix options, notably the numbing Sichuan pepper version. Step two: Choose a noodle such as potato or glass wide. Step three: Select from a cornucopia of ingredients that please the most jaded palate. Cheese-striped rice cakes and shrimp purses monogrammed with Chinese characters dress up any bowl. Weight determines the price: $15 per pound, typically $18 to $20. The dish is prepared within minutes, thus the name…