In the world of dining, the distinctive flavor of "sour soup" is quickly gaining popularity. Its bold, tangy, and spicy profile has captivated the taste buds of countless diners. With deep roots in Chinese cuisine, sour soup boasts unique culinary traditions across regions such as the Southwest, Northwest, and South.
Among them, sour soup hot pot has taken center stage.
While Guizhou, Yunnan, and Hainan are known as the origins of this dish, you'll now find sour soup hot pot spots popping up in cities like Shanghai, Chengdu, Changsha, Guangzhou, and Beijing – often at surprisingly wallet-friendly prices.
The most popular styles? Guizhou sour soup, Yunnan sour soup, and Hainan Zao Po Cu (the spicy and sour dregs vinegar soup).
Type 1
Guizhou sour soup hot pot | 贵州酸汤火锅
The most iconic sour soup hot pot originates from Yunnan and Guizhou, with Guizhou's "red sour soup" being the most renowned. Its base is crafted from local wild tomatoes (known as mao la guo 毛辣果), red chilis, and a mix of salt and distiller's grains, all fermented in sealed clay jars. The result is a distinct, highly recognizable sour and spicy flavor profile.
Unlike the heavily oiled and spicy traditional hot pots, Guizhou's sour soup hot pot is defined by its refreshing acidity. The fermented "red sour soup," combined with ingredients like mu jiang zi 木姜子 (litsea) and wild mint, offers a tangy, appetizing flavor with rich complexity. Bold yet balanced, it's satisfying and gentle on the stomach.
Guizhou sour soup hot pot.
Recommended Guizhou sour soup hot pot in Shanghai
Qian Jia Po | 黔家婆
If you're craving authentic Guizhou sour soup hot pot, this spot is a must-visit. Their recipe comes straight from Miao villages and is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. Rumor has it the flavors are so addictive, you won't want to put your chopsticks down – even as you break a sweat!
The restaurant brought in a team of top Guizhou chefs to ensure the flavors stay true to tradition, while also adding their own creative twists.
The red sour soup is made from Guizhou's wild tomatoes, fermented using time-honored methods. These tiny tomatoes pack a punch – smaller but far tangier than regular tomatoes. Locals often ask for extra sourness, believing that the sourer, the better!
The interior is just as impressive, with decor inspired by Miao culture. Expect batik fabrics, wooden lanterns, and ethnic textiles that add to the cozy, authentic vibe.
Must-try dishes
Fresh beef: sourced from the ribeye cap, one of the leanest cuts of the cow. Despite its low fat content, the meat is exceptionally tender and juicy.
Signature dishes: Beef fried rice and Guizhou Miao-style black soy tofu are also must-orders.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
Tel: 159-4689-0166
Address: 2/F, 179 Fumin Rd|富民路179号2楼
Average price per person: 145 yuan (US$19.78)
Discover the secret recipes of Miao village cuisine.
Baruili: Guizhou Sour Soup Beef Hot Pot | 八瑞里·贵州酸汤黄牛肉火锅
Baruili is a hidden gem in the world of sour broth hot pot. Known for its Guizhou-style red sour soup and premium highland beef flown in daily, this spot has quickly climbed the ranks to become one of the most popular hot pot destinations in the Dianping App.
Red sour soup recipes vary across Guizhou, and Baruili features a traditional recipe from the Dong ethnic group.
This century-old flavor, originating from the Kaili Miao village, is crafted using tiny local tomatoes and red chilis, simmered with hot rice water. The broth base is fermented in clay jars and air-shipped straight to the restaurant for ultimate freshness.
The highland beef is another must-try here. Sourced from free-range cattle raised at an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters in Guizhou, the beef is flown in daily to ensure its quality and tenderness.
Signature snacks to try
Baruili also features two standout Guizhou snacks:
1. Fried Glutinous Rice Cakes (Youzha Ba)
This traditional snack is made with rice, soybeans, and glutinous rice, shaped into small, round and slightly flattened cakes stuffed with savory bean paste. Fresh out of the fryer, they're crisp and fragrant with a surprising salty flavor. Once cooled, they're dropped into the sour broth hot pot, where they absorb the broth and become irresistibly tender and flavorful.
2. Sticky Rice Cake (Huangba)
Dating back to the Three Kingdoms period, huangba is a lengthy and labor-intensive delicacy made with glutinous rice, sometimes mixed with rice or soybeans. At Baruili, they've given it a modern twist with their "crystallized sugar-coated sticky rice cake. The cake is coated in a delicate layer of sugar, offering a light sweetness and a chewy, satisfying texture – perfect as a dessert or quick snack.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 10am–2pm, 4:30pm–2am (next day)
Tel: 139-1664-0853
Address: 266 Zhijiang Rd W. | 芷江西路266号
Average price per person: 70 yuan
Fresh ribeye cap, one of the cow's leanest and most tender cuts.
Banshanniu: Guizhou Cattle Hot Pot & Miao Heritage Restaurant | 伴山牛贵州黄牛肉火锅·苗疆非遗艺术餐厅
This Guizhou cultural gem has brought its unique hot pot experience to Shanghai's Huaihai Road M.
At Banshanniu, only premium Guanling Cattle from Guizhou are used. Raised in the lush mountains of Guanling, where clean spring water and wild herbs abound, these cows thrive in an ideal natural pasture. This results in beef that's incredibly tender and flavorful. The fresh cuts are flown in daily and prepared on the spot.
The star of the show is their secret sour broth, made using traditional Miao fermentation methods. It combines mu jiang zi (litsea), wild tomatoes, and a rich beef bone broth, creating a tangy, earthy flavor that's bright yet comforting – a true taste of the Guizhou highlands.
For something truly adventurous, try the Dong-style "Hundred Herb Soup." Made with semi-digested grass from the cow's stomach, slow-cooked with spices and beef offal, it's a dish with bold flavors: slightly bitter at first, but with a lingering herbal sweetness that keeps you coming back for more.
Other must-try dishes
Opening hours: 11am–2pm, 4:30pm–11:30pm
Tel: 138-1707-9097
Address: Room 05-08, 1F/, 1327 Huaihai Rd M. | 徐汇区淮海中路1327号1层05-08室
Average price per person: 190 yuan
Premium beef from Guanling is flown in.
Type 2
Yunnan-style pickled vegetable hot pot | 云南酸菜火锅
Yunnan's sour soup hot pot has been a favorite among Shanghai foodies for a while now, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
This flavorful hot pot features a base made with pickled radish and preserved vegetables, combined with regional ingredients like rice noodles, Jiangbing gourd, and Simao sweet bamboo shoots. The result? A gently tangy, well-balanced broth that's both refreshing and satisfying.
Recommended Yunnan hot pot in Shanghai
Sanbaili Yunnan Hot Pot | 三百里云南火锅
Yunnan is home to nearly half of the world's wild edible mushrooms, and Sanbaili brings the best of these treasures to Shanghai. From rare seasonal finds like jian shou qing 见首青 (matsutake), black truffle, coral mushrooms, to lao ren tou 老人头菌(shuttle handle nipple mushroom), over a dozen varieties are freshly harvested and flown in daily.
The star of the menu is their traditional wild mushroom broth, simmered to create an umami-packed, aromatic base that's nothing short of exquisite.
While Yunnan hot pot has its own distinct style, the sour soup version is considered a bolder, more flavorful option. Unsurprisingly, beef is the pairing of choice for Yunnan locals when enjoying sour broth hot pot. Sanbaili selects premium cuts from highland cattle raised on the lush pastures of the southwestern mountains, ensuring top-notch flavor and tenderness.
Pro tip: Rose veal is their signature dish, but it's only available at the Pudong branch.
For a true taste of Yunnan, don't miss the locally sourced vegetables flown directly from the province. One standout is the Ottelia Acuminata, a delicate aquatic plant found in the pristine waters of Erhai and Lugu Lake. With its elegant appearance, fresh, silky texture, and dual role as both a culinary delight and medicinal herb, it's the perfect addition to the tangy broth base.
Opening hours: 11am-2pm, 4:30pm-11:30pm
Tel: 182-177203269
Address: 8/F, West Zone, Super Brand Mall, Room 02A (other branches available) | 正大广场西区8F 02A
Average price per person: 126 yuan
Irresistibly tempting signature dish: Rose Veal.
Dian Niu Yunnan Pickled Vegetable & Beef Hot Pot | 滇牛云南酸菜牛肉火锅
Dian Niu is a hot pot sensation you can't miss. After opening its first location in Shanghai, the restaurant quickly gained massive popularity. In just a year and a half, it expanded to over 120 locations.
Founder Zhou Hui shared on Douyin last December that the Guilin Road branch, with its 36 tables, serves over 300 customers daily, bringing in more than 100,000 yuan (US$13,639) in sales each day. The key to Dian Niu's success is its dedication to preserving authentic Yunnan flavors, which has earned it a loyal customer base.
Step inside and you're transported to Yunnan with every detail – from the bamboo decorations to displays of regional ingredients and staff dressed in traditional ethnic clothing. It's like being in the heart of Yunnan itself.
The broth is made with Yunnan seasonings flown in from over 2,000 kilometers away, then infused with pickled vegetables from the Huayao of the Dai ethnic group in Xinping, Yuxi, and pickled radish from Qujing, Fuyuan. The result is a perfectly balanced broth that offers an authentic taste of Yunnan.
Dian Niu also stands out for its selection of fresh ingredients, including tender yellow beef, Jiangbing gourd or ginger gourd 姜柄瓜, and colorful Yunnan potatoes. The unique look and flavor of these ingredients have made them a fan favorite.
Opening hours: 11am-1:30am (next day)
Tel: 185-2171-0562
Address: 295 Jiujiang Rd (other locations available) | 九江路295号
Average price per person: 109 yuan
The wildly popular Dian Niu Yunnan Pickled Vegetable & Beef Hot Pot.
Wang Dian Shan Yunnan Pickled Radish & Beef Hot Pot | 望滇山·云南酸汤牛肉火锅
At Wang Dian Shan, the hot pot broth is made with pickled radish slices from Fuyuan, Qujing City (known for its authentic sour and crunchy texture). The radish undergoes natural fermentation, giving it a mild yet refreshing sourness, with a perfect balance of spice!
The fresh passion fruit is carefully scooped and added to the pot, releasing its unique aroma and flavor when heated, adding a refreshing, tropical twist to the dish. The highlight of the meal is the fresh Yunnan yellow beef, which is thinly sliced and perfectly tender, enhancing the flavor of the broth. Paired with Yunnan's traditional dipping sauce – made from a blend of spices – it's an explosion of flavor that's sure to awaken your taste buds.
Another unique ingredient is the ginger gourd, a distinctive Yunnan pumpkin that's green and resembles a large lantern pepper. Despite its unusual appearance, it offers a crisp, sweet, and tender texture that works wonderfully with the hot pot.
And of course, don't forget to try the "Kunming milk-infused liquor." With a flavor similar to fermented rice wine but with a stronger milk fragrance, it's the perfect refreshing drink to complement your sour and spicy hot pot.
Opening hours: 11am-midnight
Tel: 177-1767-9945
Address: 2/F, 209 Tianyaoqiao Rd (other locations available) | 天钥桥路209号2楼
Average price per person: 110 yuan
Experience a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure.
Type 3
Zao Po Cu hot pot | 海南糟粕醋火锅
"Zao Po Cu" (fermented rice vinegar) originates from Wenchang, the northernmost part of Hainan, and has been a local tradition for over 500 years.
Originally, locals brewed their own rice wine, and due to the region's humid, warm coastal climate, the leftover rice mash naturally fermented into a sour vinegar. In an effort not to waste it, fishermen began adding garlic oil, chili sauce, and other spices to their seafood, and in doing so, discovered a delicious new flavor profile.
This sour and spicy "Zao Po Cu" hot pot elevates the natural sweetness and freshness of seafood, becoming a must-try dish for anyone visiting Hainan. Now, you can enjoy this unique flavor right here in Shanghai!
Taste the unique flavors of Zao Po Cu hot pot right here in Shanghai.
Recommended Zao Po Cu hot pot in Shanghai
Tai Qiong Zao Po Cu · Hainan Sour broth Hot Pot 太琼糟粕醋·海南酸汤火锅
The hot pot features a distinctive broth made with ingredients like glutinous rice, sweet potatoes, chili peppers, and Zao Po Cu, with the primary ingredients including chicken and seafood. The soup has a well-balanced sourness and a subtle, fragrant wine flavor.
The restaurant stands out as a refreshing departure in the hot pot scene, offering a unique Zao Po Cu broth and a diverse selection of seafood.
The hot pot's broth is tangy and spicy, but with a distinct refreshing sweetness from the Zao Po Cu, which pairs perfectly with fresh seafood like eel, pomfret, oysters, and even Wenchang chicken. The chicken is carefully cooked in the pot, and a timer is provided – just four minutes and the chicken is tender and juicy. The accompanying lemon-infused dipping sauce gives the chicken a unique flavor.
In addition to the hot pot, dishes such as Hainan coconut rice, avocado fried ice cream, and durian fried ice cream are also special treats!
Opening hours: 11am–10pm
Tel: 188-0893-4520
Address: 2/F, North Block, Jing'an Joy City, 198 Xizang Rd N. | 西藏北路198号上海静安大悦城北座2楼
Average price per person: 130 yuan
Pair it with Wenchang chicken for the perfect match with Zao Po Cu hot pot.
Hao Qi · Zao Po Cu Hot Pot | 濠七·糟粕醋火锅
Hao Qi specializes in hot pot made with Zao Po Cu, a special soup flown in from Hainan. This unique broth delivers a balanced sour and spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with a variety of seasonal seafood, giving you an authentic taste of Hainan's coastal cuisine.
The restaurant's signature dish is the free-range Wenchang chicken. This tender chicken is cooked in the broth for just a few minutes – long enough to ensure it's perfectly cooked without losing its juiciness. Paired with Zao Po Cu and kumquat soy sauce, it takes on a rich, sweet flavor.
Another dish not to be missed is the wild mushroom medley, featuring boletus aereus, lion's mane mushrooms, princess mushrooms, and termite mushrooms.
Opening hours: 11am-10pm
Tel: 132-6276-6468
Address: 5/F, Tai Kang District, Sun Moon Light Center, 618 Xujiahui (Other locations available) | 徐家汇618号日月光中心5层泰康区
Average price per person: 119 yuan
Freshly sliced ribeye cap, one of the leanest cuts of the cow.