If the cool, cloudy Austin weather (around 64°F) has you craving something steamy and social, hot pot is having a moment—and you have options. From value-packed all-you-can-eat to premium à la carte, here's the definitive, insider-first guide to navigating Austin's hot pot scene right now, plus a few related ways to warm up around town.

THE ESSENTIAL FOUR

Soupleaf Hot Pot (Highland, 78752)

• Address: 6929 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
• Phone: 512-373-3378
• Hours: Mon–Thu 11:30 AM–3:00 PM, 5:00 PM–10:00 PM; Fri 11:30 AM–3:00 PM, 5:00 PM–11:00 PM; Sat 11:00 AM–11:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
• Format: All-you-can-eat (120-minute limit), reservations strongly recommended for evenings/weekends; bar seating can bypass waits
• Price: Around $35 dinner
• Why go: The definitive AYCE in Austin. Five broth bases with mixing capability, 20+ sauce options, and a deep ingredient bar for real customization. Meats arrive on multi-tiered stands—great for groups and first-timers who want breadth. For more context on how Soupleaf stacks up citywide, cross‑check it against The Infatuation's guide to Austin hot pot and crowd reviews on Tripadvisor’s Soupleaf Hot Pot listing.

Old Alley Hot Pot (North Austin)

• Address: 11900 Metric Blvd, Austin, TX
• Format: À la carte only—pay for what you eat
• Highlights: Premium sourcing (think Kobe beef, lobster, abalone). Atmosphere evokes Chengdu street markets with hanging lanterns, exposed brick, and neon—more mood than mall. For a deeper look at the vibe and menu, CultureMap has a detailed profile on Old Alley Hot Pot’s opening.
• Why go: Ingredient quality and ambiance. Costs can climb with premium picks, but it's the spot if you're quality-focused or have a moderate appetite.

Dam-A Korean Hot Pot & BBQ (Highland)

• Address: 713 E Huntland Dr, Austin, TX 78752
• Phone: 512-419-1400
• Hours: Sun–Thu 11:00 AM–10:00 PM; Fri–Sat 11:30 AM–11:30 PM
• Format: Hybrid AYCE—each table has a grill and individual hot pots
• Broths: Miso, Mala, Tonkotsu, Tomato, Seafood, Mushroom
• Why go: Variety without compromise. The dual-cooking setup adds fun (and complexity) but is perfect for groups who want both grilling and boiling in one sitting. If you like this style of multi‑stop evening in Highland, pair dinner here with neighborhood hangs from our guide to Yard Bar North Austin’s Sunday evening playbook.

K-POT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot (Sunset Valley)

• Address: 5200 Brodie Ln, Austin, TX
• Phone: 512-356-9388
• Hours: Mon–Thu 12:00 PM–10:30 PM; Fri–Sat 11:30 AM–11:30 PM; Sun 11:30 AM–10:30 PM (last seating one hour before close)
• Price: About $30 dinner; $35 if you combine BBQ + hot pot
• Broths: Eight options from light "healthy herbs" to vivid, spicy Sichuan that stains ingredients red
• Why go: Crowd-pleasing selection, consistent value, and flexible format—especially if you want to dabble in both BBQ and hot pot. Check the latest pricing, promos, and locations on the official K‑POT website or browse another local roundup like Austin Stays Weird’s 2025 hot pot guide for additional comparisons.

BROTHS, FORMATS, AND WHAT TO ORDER FIRST

• For maximal flavor: Start with clean broths and build. At Soupleaf, mix bases to dial in heat without overpowering. At K-POT, the Sichuan-style broth infuses quickly—great for thin cuts and mushrooms. If you’re new to Sichuan‑style spice, our broader look at Austin’s Sichuan food scene can help you calibrate your heat tolerance before you go.
• If you're spice-curious: Choose a split pot if available and run Mala/Sichuan on one side, a lighter Mushroom or Tomato on the other.
• Order pacing: Begin with thin-cut beef/pork and quick-cooking veg (enoki, napa), then move to dumplings, tofu, and seafood. Drop noodles near the end to finish with a silky, fortified broth you can sip.

VALUE CHECK: AYCE VS. À LA CARTE

• Best value for big appetites: Soupleaf (~$35) and K-POT (~$30) win if you eat broadly across meats, seafood, and sides within the time limit. For more AYCE inspiration beyond hot pot, zoom out to citywide deals in our Austin's Best All-You-Can-Eat Deals guide (if you keep a running list, this is where it belongs).
• Best for quality seekers and smaller appetites: Old Alley’s à la carte model lets you curate premium bites (Kobe, lobster, abalone) without committing to AYCE pacing.
• Best for variety-driven groups: Dam-A provides both grill and hot pot at a similar price point, ideal when the table's split on what to cook.

OPERATIONS PLAYBOOK (READ THIS BEFORE YOU GO)

Reservations and wait times

• Soupleaf: Reserve for evenings/weekends. If you arrive without a booking, bar seating often bypasses the queue. Third‑party roundups like The Infatuation’s Austin hot pot list back up how popular it gets at peak hours.
• Others: Primarily first-come, first-served; call ahead for large parties.

Timing strategies

• Quietest windows: Early weekday lunches (11:30 AM–1:00 PM) and weekend late mornings. If you’re already downtown beforehand, you can pair lunch with a stop at the revamped visitor center using our guide to hacking the new Downtown Austin hub.
• Night-owl tip: After 9:00 PM on weeknights can be calmer across venues.
• AYCE clock: Typical 120-minute service means keep orders modest and frequent to avoid bogging down the table.

Group dynamics

• All four accommodate groups naturally. For private events, call the venue.
• Individual pots (Dam-A) reduce sauce and spice negotiations; communal pots (Soupleaf, K-POT) heighten the social factor. For another communal, vibe‑driven night out, consider pairing a hot pot session with dancing at The Broken Spoke, Austin’s last true Texas dance hall.

SAUCE BAR MASTERY

At Soupleaf's 20+ sauce station (and similar setups elsewhere), try these proven builds:

• Classic savory: Sesame paste + soy + garlic + scallion + a splash of broth
• Sichuan-forward: Chili oil + minced garlic + black vinegar + cilantro + sesame seeds
• Clean umami: Mushroom broth + light soy + white pepper + a few drops of sesame oil

INSIDER INTELLIGENCE

• Soupleaf bar hack: Solo or duo? Ask for bar seating to skip the standard wait even without a reservation—clutch on weekend nights.
• Heat control: At K-POT, the spicier broths intensify over time. Blanch delicate ingredients early, then move sturdier items (tofu, fish balls) later as the base gets richer.
• Dual-cook strategy at Dam-A: Assign one diner to grill duty and another to pot duty for steady flow; swap halfway so everyone eats hot.
• Beat the clock: Order lean meats and quick-cook veg first. Save fillers (noodles, corn, taro) for the last 20 minutes.
• Budget move: If you're not a volume eater, go à la carte at Old Alley and concentrate spend on two or three premium highlights—then supplement with veg and mushrooms for balance. For a different kind of hot‑cold splurge that still feels ritual‑heavy, map out an afternoon using our Austin Contrast Therapy Crawl.

WHO SHOULD GO WHERE

• Date night, ambiance-first: Old Alley for the Chengdu-inspired room and premium cuts.
• Big birthday or mixed preferences: Dam-A or K-POT for the BBQ + hot pot flexibility. If your crew likes to keep the night going with seasonal events, stack dinner in front of something festive like Miracle on 5th Street’s Christmas pop-up cocktail bar or the Nightmare Before Christmas light trail when they’re in season.
• First-timers and value hunters: Soupleaf—deep sauce bar, generous selection, and clear pricing.

PRIMARY SOURCES

• Soupleaf Hot Pot (map/directions): https://maps.google.com/?q=Soupleaf%20Hot%20Pot%206929%20Airport%20Blvd%20Austin
• K-POT official site: https://kpotusa.com/
• Dam-A Korean Hot Pot & BBQ (map/directions): https://maps.google.com/?q=Dam-A%20Korean%20Hot%20Pot%20%26%20BBQ%20713%20E%20Huntland%20Dr%20Austin
• Additional hot pot overviews for comparison: The Infatuation’s Austin hot pot guide and Austin Stays Weird’s best hot pot in Austin roundup.

RELATED READS (INTERNAL)

• Austin's Best All-You-Can-Eat Deals: article_url/austin-all-you-can-eat-guide
• Where to Eat in Highland Right Now: article_url/highland-neighborhood-eats
• Korean BBQ in Austin: A Playbook for First-Timers: article_url/korean-bbq-austin
• The Spicy Side: Sichuan Food in Austin: article_url/sichuan-food-austin
• Austin Contrast Therapy Crawl: 90-Minute Hot-Cold-Calm Reset (Insider Guide): https://austintexasthings.com/article/austin-contrast-therapy-crawl-90-minute-hot-cold-calm-reset-insider-guide
• Yard Bar North Austin: A Sunday Evening Insider's Guide (Bark Rangers, Timing, What to Order): https://austintexasthings.com/article/yard-bar-north-austin-a-sunday-evening-insiders-guide-bark-rangers-timing-what-to-order
• Hack the New Downtown Austin: Visitor Center's 5th Street Move, Fareground's Power Lineup, Coworking, Fitness—and What's Next (Insider Playbook): https://austintexasthings.com/article/hack-the-new-downtown-austin-visitor-centers-5th-street-move-faregrounds-power-lineup-coworking-fitnessand-whats-next-insider-playbook
• The Broken Spoke: Austin's Last True Texas Dance Hall Since 1964: https://austintexasthings.com/article/the-broken-spoke-austins-last-true-texas-dance-hall-since-1964
• The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail at the Wildflower Center: Pro Timing, Crowd Hacks, and Photo Secrets for the Final Weekend: https://austintexasthings.com/article/the-nightmare-before-christmas-light-trail-at-the-wildflower-center-pro-timing-crowd-hacks-and-photo-secrets-for-the-final-weekend
• Miracle on 5th Street 2025: Austin's Ultimate Christmas Pop-Up Cocktail Bar — Insider's Guide to Booking, Secrets & Pro Tips: https://austintexasthings.com/article/miracle-on-5th-street-2025-austins-ultimate-christmas-pop-up-cocktail-bar-insiders-guide-to-booking-secrets-pro-tips

FAST FACTS (PIN THIS)

• AYCE anchors: Soupleaf (~$35), K-POT (~$30; $35 for BBQ + hot pot)
• Premium à la carte: Old Alley (Kobe, lobster, abalone; chic Chengdu vibe)
• Hybrid fun: Dam-A (table grill + individual pots)
• Best times to go: Early lunch; weeknights after 9 PM; book Soupleaf for peak hours
• Pro tip: At Soupleaf, bar seating often skips the line

Bottom line: Whether you're chasing a fiery mala fix or a polished, premium spread, Austin's hot pot scene now has a lane for every appetite, budget, and vibe. Pick your format, pace your orders, and let the steam rise—then build out the rest of your night with a few of the related guides above.