Hotto Potto offers a contemporary interpretation of the traditional hot-pot restaurant as a social destination, designed to foster connection in a post-lockdown urban context. The layout is carefully organised to accommodate both intimate and communal dining, allowing the space to shift between quieter group settings and more animated shared experiences. Individual cooking stations are integrated throughout, requiring a coordinated approach to planning and servicing to maintain clarity and comfort across the dining floor. A karaoke bar introduced at basement level extends the offer into the evening, with a shared bathroom providing a visual and spatial link between the two environments for a versatile hospitality setting.

Hot-pot restaurants introduce a unique set of operational demands, with cooking, extraction and services distributed across the dining floor rather than contained within a back-of-house kitchen. Integrating individual cooking stations at each table required custom in-table ventilation systems to manage heat and cooking vapours at the source, ensuring consistent air quality and guest comfort. Balancing the bright, functional lighting required for safely cooking at tables is balanced with a warmer layer creating a more relaxed setting into the evening. Large windows bring in natural daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.

Hotto Potto’s material palette balances durability with a strong visual identity, combining natural finishes with graphic elements to create a contemporary interpretation of traditional Chinese dining environments. Timber joinery and integrated booth seating introduce warmth and structure, paired with leather upholstery, brass detailing and ceramic surfaces selected for their robustness under continuous use. Illuminated signage, bespoke murals and custom artwork bring colour and cultural reference into the space, blending traditional motifs with a more urban, contemporary expression. This language extends into the bathrooms, where bold tiles and fixtures introduce a more playful palette that bridges the transition to the karaoke spaces below. Together, these elements create a cohesive yet varied interior that supports both the restaurant’s social energy and its long-term performance.