This is a Chaoshan (Teochew) beef hotpot restaurant, a format Shenzhen adopted directly from Chaoshan migrant communities: whole cuts of beef are butchered on site and served raw-sliced within hours, not frozen. Diners cook paper-thin slices themselves in a clear beef-bone broth for seconds at a time, then dip in a sha cha (satay) sauce rather than the numbing chili oil used in Sichuan hotpot. Its Dongmen location puts it inside the older, denser shopping district near Laojie, so tables are close together and turnover is brisk.
Chaofa Chaoshan Beef Hotpot's Dongmen location occupies the first floor of Zhonghai Mall next to the Shenzhen Theatre on Xinyuan Road in Luohu District, near Exit F of Laojie Station on the edge of Dongmen Old Street. The restaurant has operated for eighteen years as a Chaoshan-style beef hotpot house, butchering beef fresh each day and hand-cutting slices to order for a clear beef-bone broth base. Signature orders include hand-cut fresh beef slices, a beef tendon ball hotpot, and a house-made satay dipping sauce served alongside. The dining room is loud, brightly lit, and packed with close-set tables, giving it the energetic, communal feel typical of Chaoshan hotpot houses rather than a quiet or formal setting. There is no wine list; diners typically drink beer or soft drinks with the meal. No advance reservation system is offered beyond Dianping bookings, and a wait after 18:30 is common, especially on weekends given the restaurant's location on the busy Dongmen Old Street commercial strip.
| Price | $$ |
|---|---|
| Hours | 11:00-24:00 daily |
| Reservations | Walk-in or book a table on Dianping (大众点评); expect a wait after 18:30 |
| Address | 1/F, Zhonghai Mall, Shenzhen Theatre, 3 Xinyuan Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen (near Laojie Station Exit F) |
Signature dishes
- Hand-cut fresh beef slices
- Beef tendon ball hotpot
- Satay dipping sauce
Good to know
- Known for
- Eighteen-year-old Chaoshan beef hotpot house that butchers beef fresh daily, a Dongmen Old Street institution
Location
1/F, Zhonghai Mall, Shenzhen Theatre, 3 Xinyuan Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen (near Laojie Station Exit F)
22.5459, 114.1150 View on map
Highlights
- Eighteen-year-old Chaoshan beef hotpot institution on Dongmen Old Street
- Beef butchered and hand-cut fresh daily
- Signature beef tendon ball hotpot
- House-made satay dipping sauce
- Located inside Zhonghai Mall next to the Shenzhen Theatre
Tips for visiting
- Expect a wait after 18:30; arrive earlier or book via Dianping to skip the queue
- Order the hand-cut fresh beef slices first, cooked briefly in the clear broth
- Share the beef tendon ball hotpot across the table rather than ordering individual portions
- The satay dipping sauce pairs well with both the beef slices and tendon balls
- Weeknight visits are quieter than weekend evenings
Accessibility
The restaurant is on the first floor of Zhonghai Mall with step-free access from the street-level entrance near Laojie Station Exit F.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation?
Walk-ins are accepted, but booking a table on Dianping is recommended to avoid the wait that builds after 18:30.
What makes this hotpot different from other Sichuan-style hotpots?
It follows the Chaoshan style, centered on fresh hand-cut beef and a clear beef-bone broth rather than a spicy mala base.
How long has the restaurant been open?
It has operated on Dongmen Old Street for eighteen years, making it a long-running fixture of the area.
Is it suitable for a quiet dinner?
No, the dining room is loud and communal, reflecting the lively atmosphere typical of Chaoshan beef hotpot houses.