Unlimited Hotpot, Unlimited Laughs
It’s Never Really About the Food—It’s About Her
(We eat three times this much—plus four desserts.)
Hotpot isn’t just a meal for my younger sister and me. It’s our way of connecting through life’s ups and downs. From birthdays to crises, the bubbling pots hold more than food; they hold our laughter, secrets, and the unique bond only sisters can share.
A Table for Two
It’s always hotpot with my sister Alyssa.
I don’t even like hotpot, but somehow, she always convinces me to sit down at the table with steam swirling around us, bowls piled high with fresh ingredients and endless sauces. She leads boldly, ordering anything and everything, while I pick cautiously. By the end of the meal, we’re both laughing so hard I forget why I hesitated at all.
Her Birthday Lunch
Today, we went to Good Luck Hotpot in Pasay, right by SM Mall of Asia. The interior was heavy with traditional Chinese decor: deep reds, palace-style woodwork, and ornate costumes lining the walls. Normally, I dislike this kind of setting. Actually, I kind of despise it. But when I’m with her, I don’t mind. Somehow, her presence outshines everything else.
When in Doubt, Hotpot
Hotpot has become our ritual for everything from celebrations to low moments and post-breakdown comfort meals. It’s the one place we return to when life feels overwhelming or wonderfully sweet. No matter what season we’re in, it resets us.
Pick Your Base
We’ve tried nearly every top-rated hotpot spot in Metro Manila, and it still hasn’t gotten old. Each visit feels like a new adventure. We always go for personal pots—hers filled with mushroom broth, steady and comforting. I switch mine up every time. No commitment. No need to memorize.
She’ll eat absolutely everything with joy, while I’m more curated. But both approaches work. And both are accepted.
Mix Your Own Magic
The sauce bar is a ritual in itself. She crafts her signature blend and sells it like it’s gold. Half focused and half winging it, I make my new favorite combination every time. Satay sauce. Cilantro. Black vinegar. Maybe garlic? Definitely chili. We always try each other’s concoctions, and somehow that mix is the real recipe that never fails.
Only the Best (and Weirdest) Ingredients
There’s a spontaneity to hotpot that mirrors us. We throw in whatever we feel like, cook as we talk, and sneak pieces into each other’s pots. We order more for the other person, somehow always knowing what the other needs, whether it’s lobster balls, another iced tea, or just a listening ear.
Sister Secretshhh
Every meal becomes a slow, delicious unfolding of stories. With food, she leads. With philosophy and books, I take the reins.
She’s carefree, warm, and naturally funny. I’m intense, curious, always digging deeper. And yet, we meet in the middle. We always do. Hotpot becomes the backdrop to sister secrets, serious thoughts, and soul-level fun.
Save Room for Dessert
Together, we make sense.
She teaches me to loosen up. I remind her to look inward. We balance each other in the best ways. These meals are never just about food; they’re about feeling seen, held, and understood.
Even after stuffing ourselves silly, we always make room for dessert. That’s when we activate our secret weapon: the dessert pouch. It’s a running joke, but like most things between us, it just works.
Bill, Please
So no, I may never be a true hotpot fan. But I’ll always say yes to hotpot with her.
Because in the endless bubbling broth, between the clinking chopsticks and mixed-up sauces, there’s something deeper simmering: a bond of love, trust, and unconditional support.
And who pays? We both try to steal the tab.
(I usually lose.)
Do You “Hotpot”?
What’s your go-to comfort ritual—the meal or place that brings you back to yourself? And who’s the person that feels like home, no matter what’s on the table? ❤️