DISH OF THE WEEK: Half & Half Pot at LITTLE SHEEP MONGOLIAN HOT POT

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

SADLY, LITTLE SHEEP MONGOLIAN HOT POT IS NOW CLOSED.

You might see posts on this blog about Shake Shack or Dos Toros even though they have become pretty recognizable chain restaurants. But they started in good old New York City and we still claim them as our own. Of course you will never see posts about McDonald’s or Chik-Fil-A on this blog. I don’t want to contribute to the chain-ifcation of New York. We have more and more of these businesses around the city and less and less of the local spots that make the city unique and diverse.

But I feel ok writing about places like Ikinari or Tim Ho Wan. They are chains that began in another country and their introduction to New York seems new and exciting. Until they start expanding to every neighborhood, I feel ok about it.

I knew Little Sheep was a restaurant that started with locations in China and one in Queens. What I didn’t know is that they now have 39 locations in North America. Everywhere from Seattle to Chicago to Houston. Spreading the hot pot love.

The Manhattan location is predictably in Chinatown and it feels pretty authentic, I think. They have an especially good lunch time special for $10.95.

As with most hot pots, you pick the broth and a selection of meats, vegetables, noodles, etc. For the lunch special, you pick the broth and the meat and they supply you with a range of other goodies.

As I have trouble with decisions, I was excited to see they have a half and half option which allows you not to have to decide between the original or the spicy. I could do both. For meat, I chose the supreme angus beef. And then I was brought a plate of mushrooms, meat (and fish) balls, cabbage, squash, etc,

This was perfect for these cold days. Both broths are hearty and flavorful – the milky original is cleansing seasoned with goji berries, jujubes, and other herbs and berries. The spicy one is more dangerously red with the addition of numbing and exhilarating Szechuan peppercorns

And it’s always fun to cook the food at the table and scoop out what you’ve put in the pot. It’s even more fun to share with friends, but if you’re on your own, this lunch special is a great deal and more than hearty.

So it might now be an international chain but if it’s introducing more people to this flavorful, interactive dining experience, so be it. However if they open one more New York location (they already have another in Queens), I might just have to delete this review. Price: starting at $10.95