🍽️ Cangzhou Hotpot Chicken

Spicy chicken hotpot, a Cangzhou late-night dish.

Hotpot chicken is the signature late-night dish of Cangzhou, Hebei. Chunks of chicken are braised with plenty of chilies, Sichuan pepper and savory sauce and served bubbling in a pot of fiery red broth. The chicken is first stir-fried then simmered so the meat soaks up the numbing-spicy aroma, growing more flavorful as it cooks. Diners eat the chicken first, then add cabbage, glass noodles and tofu into the bubbling broth as in a hot pot. The firm, well-seasoned meat and bold, addictive heat make it a beloved social meal for late-night gatherings among Cangzhou locals, giving it a distinct identity within Hebei's food scene.