Qiao Lin Hotpot

Qiao Lin Hotpot makes dinner a shared cooking project at 396 Cambridge Street. Choose a broth, order plates of ingredients, and cook them in the pot at the table. Chongqing spicy broth is one option, but tomato, mushroom and herbal chicken broths give people who prefer less heat somewhere to start. A divided pot lets the table choose two flavors.

The Boston menu includes sliced beef and lamb, shrimp paste, beef tripe, bamboo shoots and bean rolls, so you can build a meal around familiar cuts or try different textures. Start with a few plates and add more as you go. It’s a good format for friends who want to spend time over dinner, with the cooking itself giving everyone something to do between conversations.