If you come to China, you should go to taste Chinese various hot-pots. They are really great. On a cold winter’s day nothing can be more desirable and pleasing than sitting down with family and friends around a hot-pot. A hot-pot is a charcoal with a central chimney and an outer ring filled with hot water for cooking. The hot-pot, which originated in North China, boasts a history of more than one thousand years. According to the historical books, that many Chinese emperors like hot-pot very much. Hot-pots have also been enjoyed by people from abroad. Leading statesmen on many countries has savored the Mongolian hot-pot at Beijing Donglaishun Restaurant. Various hot-pots are popular in different regions. Maybe the most popular one in China now is the soup hot-pot. It uses soup instead of water in the pot. The pot is made from many ingredients. According to a recipe popular in Chongqing, the ingredients include hot pepper, Chinese prickly ash, thick broad bean souce, ginger grain, beef fat, crystal sugar and wine. Different foods may be added to the soup as you like. The cooking takes only a short time. This way of cooking helps to preserve the taste of the food and the vitamins. When cooked, the food is dipped into sesame paste to eat. It might be your biggest pity if you’ve been to China without eating the hot-pot.