SuanQ Guizhou Hot Pot 贵州酸汤火锅

For $17.99 per person, you get unlimited refills of all the good stuff — fatty beef rolls, fatty lamb, pork collar, basa fish… keep it coming! (Hot pot base not included.) The deal runs Mon–Fri, 12 PM–6 PM, so perfect for a weekday hangout or late lunch. This place used to be a seafood BBQ spot, but now they switched it up and opened as a Guizhou sour soup hot pot restaurant. The broth is made with fermented tomatoes + chili peppers so it’s tangy, rich, a little spicy, and sooo flavorful.

Hot pot is totally the call for the freezing day. Totally reasonable price with nice dining atmosphere with friends or family. It has a $17.99 all you can eat meat promotion now.

This hot pot spot has a strong Guizhou (China) vibe and does a great job showcasing Guizhou’s signature sour-and-spicy flavors. Their soup bases include Guizhou-style options you don’t usually see at typical hot pot restaurants—if it’s your first time, I’d recommend asking the staff for suggestions on which broth to choose. The ingredients also feel more unique than usual (for example, items like hot pot fish skin), and the dipping sauces have their own distinct style as well. The atmosphere is also really memorable—very “jianghu” (wuxia/underworld) in a fun way—so it’s a great place for anyone who likes trying regional specialty food and taking photos.

SuanQ is one of the few places in New York that specializes in Guizhou style sour broth hot pot. While many hot pot restaurants now offer their own versions of sour broth, SuanQ’s stands out for its richer flavor, stronger aroma, and refreshing acidity. Another highlight is that the broth doesn’t weaken in flavor even after extended cooking, which is uncommon and highly appreciated. The restaurant also offers several authentic Guizhou snacks, with the rice tofu and pan-fried potato cakes being especially worth trying. There’s also a small station of complimentary cold appetizers and fruits. Additionally, SuanQ has large tables that can seat 8 or more, making it a suitable spot for group gatherings. On the downside, although the menu selection is wide, the portion sizes are quite small, especially for the meat dishes, which usually come as only a single thin layer, making the overall value not particularly high. The service is also quite minimal; aside from delivering dishes, staff rarely offer additional assistance unless prompted. Overall, if you enjoy sour and spicy flavors and want something refreshing and different from typical hot pot, SuanQ is definitely worth trying.

Not to my taste. The fried rice had good flavor but was seriously affected by the excess of dried chili flakes and seeds, which meant either chewing through them or constantly picking them out. For hotpot I ordered the signature bean soup base but it lacked any distinct taste, and the average quality of the cured meat left the broth with an unpleasant smell. The 9 grid set menu was also problematic. I do not eat fish skin or kidney, yet they refused to substitute, so those dishes were wasted. A better approach would be allowing customers to choose their own items, even 6 out of 9, to avoid foods that some may not eat at all. Another issue was how quickly they cleared the plates. Bowls were taken away as soon as they were empty, which felt rushed. Clearing dishes promptly shows service, but here it was excessive. On the positive side, the fried potato cakes and rice tofu were quite good.