Got Hot-Pot Cravings?

Thai broth ($9.99) shown with bok choi, pumpkin, Homemade Gyoza ($4.89) and Stuffed Aburage ($4.89)

When Cosme Rivera and wife Violeta retired, they decided to open a restaurant serving their favorite food: hot pot. They were regular customers at Hot Pot Heaven in McCully, and opened a franchise of the popular eatery in Aiea, specializing in Thaiand Vietnamese-style hot pot.

“My dad worked in construction and my mom was working for the state,” shares son Gerald Rivera, who helps at the restaurant as a manager and cashier. “They are originally from the Philippines, and hot pot is something they started eating here. They like the taste of the soups, the variety, the fresh vegetables, and also that they get to choose what they want to put inside.”

Conveniently located at Pearl Kai Shopping Center with plenty of free parking, Hot Pot Heaven offers tasty homemade broths and a wide selection of meat, seafood and vegetables cooked to your liking at your table.

Thai broth ($9.99) is the most popular flavor,and Ri-vera says, “It’s made with our signature chicken broth, homemade pickled Chinese cabbage, lemongrass, ginger, lime leaves and garnished with fresh Thai basil. It comes mild but you can order it to make it medium-spicy or spicy.”

A WELL-ROUNDED MEAL

In addition to the Thai broth, other flavors offered are Kimchee, Mushroom, Chicken, Vegetarian, Beef Miso, Tofu and Seafood. Once you’ve decided on your broth, select add-on side dishes, conveniently priced by color-coded plates. Among the favorites are Homemade Gyoza ($4.89) with ground pork, shrimp, cabbage and chives; and Stuffed Aburage ($4.89) made with ground pork, shrimp and long rice.

Hot Pot Heaven

Pearl Kai Shopping Center,
98-199 Kamehameha Hwy., Aiea (Behind Jiffy Lube)
485-8502
Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.