If you’re hunting for a solid hotpot spot in Richmond, Deer One Hotpot (鹿一鍋) is worth putting on your list. It’s tucked in the heart of the city and gives a slightly more upscale feel compared to the typical quick-stop hotpot places.
Broth that hits (especially the Malay Laksa)
Between the two soup bases we tried, the Malay Laksa and the Pork Bone Broth, the laksa truly stole the show. It’s THAT good! It had that creamy, spicy-savoury balance that immediately reminded me of a good bowl of laksa noodle soup but richer, with layers of lemongrass and coconut milk.
The pork bone broth, on the other hand, was mild and clean, comforting but not exactly a standout. Still, paired with the right dipping sauce, it does the job well if you prefer lighter flavours.
Self-serve ingredients and generous variety
Like Big Way Hot Pot, Deer One follows a self-serve hotpot concept where you grab a bowl, walk through the aisles of fresh ingredients, and build your own pot from scratch. You’ll find everything from marinated thin-sliced beef and pork to shrimp, squid, tofu skin, mushrooms, and plenty of greens. Once you’re done, your pot is weighed to calculate the food price.
It’s a fun, interactive setup that lets you control what goes in, and ideal if you like customizing your mix or trying something new every time. Everything looked clean and well-stocked during our visit, with ingredients kept chilled and neatly displayed.
The sauce bar and drinks make the difference!
Here’s where Deer One really pulls ahead. Their free sauce bar is impressive, plenty of condiments, house blends, and toppings you won’t always find at similar spots. If you’ve been to Big Way Hot Pot, you’ll notice Deer One offers a wider range of sauces and more premium meat cuts, which explains the price difference.
Drinks-wise, the matcha smoothie was a pleasant surprise, creamy without being too sweet, and the iced lemon tea was light and refreshing, perfect for balancing the richness of the broth.
Price and extras
Expect to spend around $30–35 per person, compared to roughly $18–23 at Big Way. It’s pricier but it does feel like a small upgrade from the presentation to the variety of sauces and higher-end meats. And to end on a sweet note, the free vanilla ice cream (yes, included!) was very good and slightly bigger than what Big Way’d give you.
Overall experience
Deer One Hotpot is not the most budget-friendly choice in Richmond, but if you value variety, quality ingredients, and a clean modern atmosphere, it’s worth the splurge.
If dumplings are more your speed, Shanghai River is a short drive away!
Have a favourite hotpot spot in Vancouver or Richmond? Drop it in the comments below! Your go-to might just be the next one I try.
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