There’s nothing like a hotpot on a cold day

Cold weather means it’s time to cozy up with some hot soup. 9292 Shabu, a hotpot restaurant that just opened at 7131-A Little River Turnpike in Annandale, offers cook-your-own soup with a large selection of all-you-can-eat ingredients.

Diners can get creative and mix and match broth varieties, protein, noodles, and vegetables to come up with the perfect flavors, says manager Sunny Kim, who also manages 9292 Korean Barbecue and 9292 Pocha next door.

There’s a pot on a burner on the table at each seat. Diners can select a broth flavor and let it cook for about five minutes. The next step is adding vegetables or other items from the cold bar. Then add meat, shrimp, or a seafood combination.

Cold bar selections include several kinds of fish cakes, potato dumplings, noodles (rice, wheat, glass, and ramen), pork dumplings, tofu, zucchini, cabbage, tomato, sweet potato, wood ear and shitake mushrooms, broccoli, corn, bok choy, bean sprouts, taro, and more plus several toppings.

Sauces can be added to the broth or used for dipping. Options include barbecue, chili, wasabi, soy, ponzu, peanut, black sesame, or a combination.

If you need suggestions on what ingredients work well together, the helpful staff offers advice. You can try your soup in a small bowl, then make adjustments or try a different combination.

9292 Shabu will offer a lunch special Monday through Friday, 11:30-3 p.m., starting Dec. 12 and running through the end of the month. It’s $19.99 for one choice of meat or seafood plus unlimited items from the sauce and salad bar.