🍽️ Panzhihua Copper Hotpot

Yi-Han hotpot with lamb and mushrooms.

Panzhihua Copper Hotpot is a local pot of the Panzhihua area in southwestern Sichuan, blending Yi and Han flavors. Panzhihua lies in the Panxi Rift Valley, and its ingredients draw from both highland mountains and river valleys: plateau mutton, local wild mushrooms, potatoes and pickled vegetables all go into a traditional copper pot heated by charcoal in the center. The copper conducts heat evenly, and once the broth boils, guests first drink a bowl of warming mutton soup before swishing meat and vegetables. The taste combines the sour aroma of Yi pickled greens with Han-style dipping sauces, usually a mix of burnt chili and fish mint. It is designed for sharing around a table, and is a favorite at restaurants and family gatherings in Panzhihua's autumn and winter, embodying the multi-ethnic food blend of the Panxi region.