So Hot offers one of the coolest dining experiences in Raleigh and Cary, NC, with traditional Chinese hot pot. Hot pot is an interactive experience, allowing guests to cook meats, noodles, seafood, and vegetables right at their tables in simmering, flavor-packed broth. It’s a centuries-old dining custom deeply rooted in Asian culture.
And somehow, as if that wasn’t enough already, it’s ALL YOU CAN EAT. Cue the angels singing.
Hot Pot, while extremely fun and delicious, can feel a bit overwhelming your first time. I’m sharing everything you need to know about dining here so you can make the most of your meal!
The Background
Hot Pot is believed to have a history dating back over 1,000 years in China. It involves gathering around a pot of simmering broth to cook food and enjoy each other’s company. It is a dining experience that is meant to be savored, not rushed.
If your gut reaction is to question why you have to cook your own food at a restaurant, I encourage you to take a step back and marvel at the ease with which you can engage with another culture. So Hot has made it simple and attainable to participate in this special tradition, and I thank them for it! I certainly don’t have the equipment to enjoy this at home.
So Hot opened its first location in Cary, and later opened a second location in Raleigh, which offers Korean BBQ grills at the tables to enhance the offerings. Both locations are amazing, but Raleigh is my favorite because of the atmosphere and the addition of the Korean BBQ.
The Ambience
Stepping into So Hot Raleigh feels like walking into a restaurant in Seoul or Hong Kong. The vibes are electric with bright neon lights, robots, and colorful decorations. I couldn’t help but whip out my phone to immediately snap pictures, and I saw every other guest doing the same.
The best part of So Hot? The food, of course!
Eating at So Hot begins with the broths. You can choose one or two flavors to fill the pot and then use the tableside tablets to order meats, noodles, and veggies to cook in the broth.
While you wait for your ingredients to arrive, visit the sauce bar to create your own sauces to accompany your meal! They have simple recipes for you, or you can wing it. I’m partial to a savory peanut sauce…delicious!
There are instructions for how long to cook each item in the broth. For example, you may be instructed to leave the udon noodles in the broth for 5-10 minutes, while a thin slice of beef will only take a few seconds.
If you are also opting for the Korean BBQ, you will lay the meats across the grill and flip them as needed.
The best news? You’re not on your own! The helpful staff walk around to check on you and help as much as you want. Some guests request the staff to grill everything for them, while others want to do it all themselves. It’s a customizable experience from the ingredients to the process.
The food is amazing. The meats are quality (they even offer wagyu beef!) and the broths infuse the ingredients with so much flavor.
The AYCE format means you can try various combinations and even branch out to try something new without the risk.
The drinks are so fun!
The bar program is a real treat here. The drinks live up to the restaurant’s excitement, with many fun, photo-worthy beverage creations.
The Details
So Hot is perfect for date night, birthday dinners, or just a random Tuesday outing. They are open every day for lunch and dinner.
At the time of writing this blog, prices are as follows:
- $35.99 per person, or $53.99 for the upgraded offerings, including Wagyu, prime, and Angus beef. Non-alcoholic beverages are included.
- Monday-Friday from 12 to 3 pm, the lunch price is $24.99.
- Add $5 to enjoy both hot pot and Korean BBQ.
- Kids aged 5-10 years old are 50% off, and children under 5 are free.
- They also offer a free-to-join membership program with fun perks and savings. I once saw them offering members a FREE deluxe seafood platter when they spent $100. It’s a no-brainer to join!
Enjoy!
I love So Hot and the team behind it. They wanted to share an authentic piece of their culture with the Triangle, and they deserve all the hype they’ve received. Every time I’ve posted them on social media, it’s gone viral and for good reason…