Kansas City is a hot pot wonderland, if you know where to look. Here's a guide

Hot pot is savory and spicy and perfect for winter weather, and Kansas City is lucky enough to offer a variety of ways to enjoy — especially around Overland Park. Check out these restaurants for a complete hot pot experience, or head to an Asian grocery to make it yourself at home.

Kansas City has definitely entered its cold era. Temperatures have dropped, and so have the leaves. And it’s dark as night in the middle of the afternoon.

Luckily, there’s plenty of cures for the winter blues. This newsletter brought you around the metro for the most craveable and inspiring soup dishes, and KCUR’s Up To Date has even more recommendations for restaurants to get stews and spicy foods.

But for something warm, comforting and with an unforgettable heat, Kansas City is also a great place to find hot pot.

The different types of hot pot you'll find
With a large Asian population around the Kansas City metro, there are also a few different kinds of hot pot you’ll find here. Hot pot, more a social experience than a dining one, is perfect for large group gatherings and couples looking for a fun, down-to-the-earth date.

Traditional Chinese hot pot, also known as the “yuan yang pot,” uses a split container that often features one spicy broth and one savory broth. Chinese hot pot mainly uses meat, vegetables, tofu, vegan-friendly soy-products and other raw ingredients.

Japanese hot pot, known as Shabu-shabu, more often comes with only one broth flavor, although some businesses have also adapted the dual-broth model. Compared to Chinese hot pot, Shabu-shabu has a heavier focus on thinly-sliced meat and seafood. You can also add udon, dumplings, and other pre-made items to the broth.