Taiwanese Hot Pot
Boiling Point, with about 19 locations in the western United States, specializes in Taiwanese Soup, offering a variety of hot pots as well as appetizers, drinks, and desserts. The individual hot pot style allows for a convenient yet hearty meal, making it easy to enjoy even alone.
We visited the Pasadena location right when it opened, and it was impressive to see how quickly the seats filled up with customers eager to enjoy hot pot, showcasing how much love this place receives. After checking the menu conveniently via the QR code on the table, we ordered the House Special and Korean Bean Paste Hot Pot, along with appetizers like Steamed Veggie, Spicy Cumin Lamb, Scallion Gravy Rice, and Pork Intestine. For drinks, we chose Pink Dragon and Day & Night Milk Tea to enjoy a diverse meal.
Each Hot Pot allowed us to choose the level of spiciness, and we could select either Rice or Noodle as a side. The House Special, being a signature dish of Boiling Point, was impressive with its rich broth and deep umami flavor from the first taste. Overall, it had a clear broth style similar to Korean Seonji Haejang-guk, filled with thinly sliced pork, tofu, blood sausage, and meatballs, making it a fulfilling meal on its own. The clean and non-greasy broth made it easy to enjoy until the end. The Korean Bean Paste Hot Pot, based on the savory flavor of doenjang, offered a familiar yet unique combination using the fermented soybean paste. Ingredients like kimchi, bean sprouts, rice cakes, and thinly sliced pork belly added depth to the broth, making it particularly appealing to Korean tastes, and I found myself reaching for it naturally. Overall, it was a soft and clean-tasting menu that was easy to enjoy.
The Steamed Veggie appetizer we ordered was nicely steamed vegetables served with a light sauce, making it a great side to accompany the hot pot, as it preserved the natural flavors of the ingredients and helped balance the richness. The Spicy Cumin Lamb featured the unique aroma of lamb combined with the flavor of cumin, offering a rich seasoning experience. The tender texture of the meat was also impressive, providing a different charm compared to the hot pot. The Scallion Gravy Rice, with a subtle scallion flavor added to the basic rice, was surprisingly satisfying. Since you can upgrade from the basic rice to Scallion Gravy Rice, it might be a good idea to order it if you want a more substantial meal. The Pork Intestine had a delightful contrast between its chewy exterior and tender interior. It was great to enjoy while cooking it alongside the hot pot, and even those who don’t usually enjoy offal dishes might find it relatively easy to try.
Pink Dragon is a drink made with oolong tea, lychee, and dragon fruit, offering a delightful blend of fruity freshness and the clean taste of tea. Overall, it wasn’t overly sweet, making it enjoyable and a great match for hot pot, while its refreshing flavor helped cleanse the palate during the meal. Day & Night Milk Tea features a drink with charcoal, and as the name suggests, its layered visual was impressive. The smooth and nutty milk layer blended naturally with the deep flavor of oolong tea, and the brown sugar added a subtle sweetness, allowing for a clean yet rich taste overall. Again, the sweetness was not excessive, making it easy to pair with meals.
Boiling Point
Boiling Point, with a variety of hot pot menus and unique sides and drinks, is a Taiwanese hot pot specialty restaurant that can be enjoyed casually alone or with others. When you’re craving a hearty and warm meal, why not stop by a nearby location and enjoy it to your liking?
