Chongqing hotpot — the original — uses a single huge wok divided into 9 squares (九宫格) all sharing the same intense beef tallow + chili broth (no yuanyang twin-pot like Chengdu). The temperature in each square cooks different ingredients at different speeds. Xiaobin Lou on Nanbin Road is a long-established Chongqing local chain with a Yangtze-facing terrace. ¥150-250 per person. Order: 老火锅 (old-style hotpot, the heavy beef-tallow base) NOT 清油 (mild oil). Brain-flower (脑花), beef tripe (毛肚), and pork blood (鸭血) are non-negotiable. Beer or chrysanthemum tea to survive. Note: spicy tolerance — even '微辣 mild' is intense for non-Chinese. Combine with a Nanbin walk after dinner.

Address

18 Nanbin Rd, Nan'an District

南岸区南滨路 18 号

Highlights

9-grid Mala Pot (九宫格)The original Chongqing format; one broth, 9 squares
Old-Style Beef Tallow (老火锅)Ask for 老火锅 not 清油 for authenticity
Brain Flower (脑花)Non-negotiable; cooked in the dedicated central square

For foreign visitors

English service: partial english
Cards accepted: visa, master
Booking / entry: not needed
Best time: Dinner 6-9 PM with sunset Yangtze view
Wi-Fi: free
Transit access: need taxi

Photos

What travelers say (5 reviews)

HotpotKing·TripAdvisor·5/5

Chongqing 9-grid mala hotpot — ORIGINAL style not Chengdu yuanyang. ¥150-250 pp. Beef tallow base, mantis shrimp + duck blood + brain flower essential.

2026-04-10

九宫格·Xiaohongshu·5/5

重庆9宫格才是原版！老火锅牛油锅底，毛肚、鸭血、脑花必点。¥150-250/人。

2026-03-18

Andy K.·Google Maps·5/5

Nanbin Road waterfront with Hongya Cave view across. 9-grid pot — different squares cook at different speeds. Ask 微辣 if new to mala.

2026-04-25

SpicyChina·YouTube·5/5

Chongqing hotpot origin story — 9 squares share one mala broth, no yuanyang split. Beef tallow base, intensely spicy.

2026-02-12

Ming Z.·Ctrip·5/5

南滨路对岸看洪崖洞，¥150起/人。9宫格老火锅老板会问辣度，外国人选微辣保险。