Susu’s Soothing New Vietnamese Hot Pot

Posted: November 18th, 2011 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Foodies & Dining Scene, Hot Tips | Tags: Hot Pot, SuSu, Vietnamese cuisine | No Comments »

Susu’s recently gone through some changes and from the looks of it, they’ve had the foresight to prepare Beijingers for the long winter ahead with a newly released menu inclusive of new soups, stews and the best winter blues cure of all – Hot Pot!

I used to only think of hot pot as a Chinese specialty (first thing that comes to mind is a super Sichuan “mala” broth 麻辣汤), but that was before I got addicted to Kagen’s Japanese Sukiyaki Hot Pot (heaven on earth) and most recently, I fell in love with Susu’s Classic Vietnamese Hot Pot (RMB 68).  The broth is so delicious, a basic chicken brew loaded with lemongrass, onions and fermented rice, I would be happy just sipping on the soup of the hot pot!  Throw in a basket of assorted mushrooms, fresh shrimp, greens and snakefish fillet and I was beyond content with the spread in front of me.

Susu offers two different Vietnamese hot pot options: their Classic Susu Hot Pot (RMB 68) and their Seafood Hot Pot (RMB 88), which is Chef Quyen’s secret formula with coconut milk and shrimp paste. I tried both hot pot broths and although I liked them both, the classic broth was lighter in flavor and more fragrant with soothing lemongrass and ginger whereas the seafood hot pot was a bit too rich for my taste as there is both shrimp paste and coconut milk making the broth both thicker and more savory.

Susu Head Chef Quyen’s Secret Seafood Hot Pot (RMB 88)

Susu’s Classic Vietnamese Hot Pot packed with fragrant lemongrass (RMB 68)

Susu’s Hot Pot Fixings:

Beef Tenderloin (RMB 48), Shrimp (RMB 62)

Ceylon Spinach (RMB 18) / Mixed Mushrooms (RMB 42)

Snake Fish Fillet (RMB 58)

 

Susu Vietnamese Hot Pot Feasting:

Hot pot aside, Susu’s other menu additions include Chef Quyen’s Salmon Cucumber Salad (RMB 58), Shaking Beef (RMB 98) and Lemongrass Chili Chicken (RMB 78), new homemade Fish Cakes (RMB 58) and Charcuterie Plate (RMB 52), Steamed Ginger Sea Bass (RMB 108), Peasant Duck (RMB 98) and Galangal Pork Stew (RMB 88).  For dessert, Susu’s also added a new Lemongrass Panna Cotta (RMB 22).

I was so stuffed after trying both of Susu’s new hot pot meals, but I’m definitely keen to try their Shaking Beef, Steamed Ginger Sea Bass and Lemongrass Panna Cotta next time I SuSu (yes, I did just verb-ify Susu)!

Previous LDS Reviews on Susu:

• LumDimSum Discovery: Susu’s Banana & Prawn Spring Roll
• Just Can’t Get Enough: Susu Revisited
• Susu is Superb: A LumDimSum Discovery

Check out other Susu Restaurant Reviews here:

• China Daily Review
• Beijing Today Review
• Time Out Beijing Review
• CityWeekend Review

If you are planning to visit Susu for the first time, be sure to take note of their address and this map below:

Susu Contact Details:

• Address: Qianliang Hutong, West Alley No. 10, 钱粮胡同西巷10号
• Directions: Just northeast of National Art Museum and Sanlian Bookstorn on Qianliang hutong
• Tel: 8400-2699

*Note that Susu is closed on Mondays, I recommend calling ahead to book your next reservation

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