Question 1

What is hot pot?

Accepted Answer

Hot pot is a pot of simmering broth in the middle of the table. You order raw ingredients (thin-sliced meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, noodles), cook them in the broth yourself, dip them in a sauce you built, and eat. It’s interactive, it’s social, and it takes as long as you want it to.

Question 2

How does it work at Lao Pot?

Accepted Answer

Pick a soup base for the table (or split the pot for two). Choose hot pot, or hot pot plus Korean BBQ. Then order anything on the all-you-can-eat menu, as often as you like, for two hours. Your server will show you the sauce bar and the cook times if it’s your first visit. Read Hot Pot 101: /hot-pot-101

Question 3

Is hot pot spicy?

Accepted Answer

Only if you want it to be. Four of our twelve bases are spicy (Spicy Tallow, Signature Spicy, Tom Yum, Kimchi Seafood) and you choose the heat: mild, medium, spicy or super spicy. The other eight aren’t spicy at all. Can’t agree? A split pot holds one of each.

Question 4

What’s a split pot?

Accepted Answer

鸳鸯锅, the “mandarin duck” pot: a divider down the middle so the table can have two broths, say, Tomato Ox Bone on one side and Spicy Tallow on the other. It’s a $2.50 add-on.

Question 5

What’s the bear?

Accepted Answer

A bear-shaped block of tallow broth base and spices. Add it to a Spicy Tallow pot for $2.99, and it sits in the soup and melts, making the broth richer and spicier as you eat. It is also the most photographed thing in the restaurant.

Question 6

I’ve never done this. Will I look silly?

Accepted Answer

No. Everyone was new once and the servers are used to it. Read Hot Pot 101 for a two-minute head start, or just ask. We’ll walk you through it at the table. Read Hot Pot 101: /hot-pot-101

Question 7

How does all-you-can-eat pricing work?

Accepted Answer

Lunch (Mon–Fri 11 AM–3 PM) is $20.99 per adult; dinner is $30.99. Kids 4–6 and 7–10 have their own prices. Add Korean BBQ to hot pot for $5 more per guest. Some premium items (wagyu, crab, lobster) are extra and marked on the menu. See the menu: /menu

Question 8

Does the whole table have to order the same thing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The table picks hot pot, or hot pot + BBQ, together. It keeps the grill and the pot from fighting for space.

Question 9

What’s the 2-hour limit?

Accepted Answer

Each table has two hours from seating. That’s plenty; most tables finish sooner.

Question 10

Is there a charge for leftover food?

Accepted Answer

We ask you to order what you’ll eat. Uneaten food may be charged at $13.99 per pound.

Question 11

Do you have vegetarian or vegan options?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Mushroom Soup base is vegetarian, and the menu has a long list of vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, noodles and rice cakes. Tell your server and they’ll steer you.

Question 12

I have a food allergy.

Accepted Answer

Tell your server before you order. Shared broth and a shared sauce bar mean cross-contact is possible; we’ll help you pick the safest options.

Question 13

What’s on the sauce bar?

Accepted Answer

Sixteen things: soy, sesame paste, peanut sauce, minced peanut, garlic, cilantro, house chili sauce, hot pepper powder, spicy bean paste, Chinese BBQ sauce, seafood hoisin, oyster sauce, spicy mushroom sauce, bean curd sauce, spicy beef sauce and chicken bouillon. Build your own or try a house combo. See the five house combos: /hot-pot-101#sauce-bar

Question 14

Do you take reservations?

Accepted Answer

Call us at (248) 689-9888. Walk-ins are always welcome; weekend dinners fill up, so calling ahead helps.

Question 15

Can you seat a big group?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Long tables and booths for groups. For six or more, call ahead; for twelve or more, use the contact form with your date, time and headcount. An 18% gratuity is added for parties of five or more. Send a group request: /contact#contact-form

Question 16

What are your hours?

Accepted Answer

We’re open seven days a week. Today’s hours, the full week and any holiday changes are below. Mon–Thu 11 AM–10 PM; Fri–Sat 11 AM–11 PM; Sun 11 AM–10 PM. Holiday changes are posted on the contact page.

Question 17

Where do I park?

Accepted Answer

Free parking in the lot out front.

Question 18

Where exactly are you?

Accepted Answer

32707 John R Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071, southwest corner of 14 Mile and John R. Get directions: /directions

Question 19

Do you do takeout or delivery?

Accepted Answer

Order takeout online through our ordering page (skewers, appetizers, bubble tea and à-la-carte items). Hot pot is best at the table.

Question 20

Is there a happy hour?

Accepted Answer

Monday–Friday, 2–5 PM: buy-one-get-one cocktails and discounts on appetizers, sake, soju, wine and beer.

Question 21

Do you have high chairs / is it kid-friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes and yes. Kids get their own price, the Tomato Ox Bone and Clear bases are big with them, and the pot has a lid.

Questions? We’ve got you.

Getting started

Menu & dietary

Reservations & groups

Hours & location

Ordering & takeout

Kids & accessibility

Still stuck?