Now open on Sixth Street, Cao’s Hot Pot is a new restaurant in Campustown, but it’s not new to Champaign-Urbana. In the pandemic, Cao’s Hot Pot closed their restaurant inside Fresh International Market, where Savory Hot Pot is now; the restaurant also had a location where the (now closed) Da Shark was on Springfield Avenue.
Cao’s new location serves hot pot seven days a week.
All the tables are set up to enjoy hot pot. The broth choices include herbal chicken soup, spicy beef tallow, mushroom, pork bone broth, torn yurn gong, and a tomato soup base in addition to options for half-and-half or four flavors. With proteins of beef, lamb, pork, crab, duck, luncheon meat, quial egg, seafood, and tofu — plus eight mushrooms, 11 bean products, and 15 vegetables, there’s something for everyone.
There’s a condiment bar (with a plastic curtain) that has fresh chopped cilantro, soy sauce, minced garlic, fermented bean sauce, Thai chili, sesame paste, sesame oil, crispy soybeans, and more.
In addition to hot soups, Cao’s menu has appetizers of spring rolls, ice jelly, brined ear, rice cakes with brown sugar, and more.
Dine in begins at 11:30 a.m., and there’s plenty of seating on the first floor as well as more tables upstairs.
For those who like a discount, take 10% off this week and next. It’s part of the University YMCA Immigrant Business Showcase (digital coupons here), which lasts through Sunday, September 24th.
Cao’s Hot Pot
608 S 6th St
Champaign
M-Th 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
F+Su 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
