Restaurant review: Da Long Yi

Quai au bois à brulé 55

What’s good? Da Long Yi’s menu offers a wide variety of broths, meats, vegetables and more to customize your ideal hot pot experience. Cater the menu to your own preferences.

With the trio pot, you’re able to try three different broths with all your different plates. You have a mix of hot pot classics, but also some unique tastes. My personal favorite mix was the pork belly with the mushroom broth. It had a richness and flavor to the point I completely forgot to dip it in the self-made dipping sauce. Another hit was the homemade pulled noodles and dumplings. They take a bit longer to cook than most of the meats, but they are worth the wait.

What’s not? It’s near impossible to get a table if you’re just walking in. I had to go twice because I didn’t make a reservation the first time. Reserve on the website!

Vibe: Busy, busy, busy. It has a modern, sophisticated but welcoming atmosphere that allows for both hot pot newbies and veterans to dip their chopsticks into the broth. Tables are organized in a way that allows you to have your individual experience without being cramped among other patrons.

Who’s picking up the check? Prices are reasonable with your base broth rounding out about €18. Everything else typically ranges in price under €15. Split the bill if you go as a group.

Spotted: The restaurant is still relatively new, but don’t be surprised to find TikTok influencers highlighting this spot as a place to be.

Insider tip: Know your spice tolerance going in! With their Spicy Butter Hot Pot, you can moderate the broth’s spice level. I had barely dipped my first piece of meat into the medium spice level and … boom.

Fun fact: This Da Long Yi is the first and only location of the international chain in Brussels. It has been expanding its international network into Europe. 

How to get there: Make your way over to Sainte-Catherine by metro. You can’t miss the restaurant’s lights.

Review  published  on April 18, 2024. Illustration by Dato Parulava/POLITICO.