When in Chengdu, China try a local specialty called hot pot.  There are many varieties of hot pot.  Generally, it comes with a pot of broth that is shared by everyone at the table and in Chengdu the broth can be spicy hot.  Diners then order skewers of fish, chicken, meat and/or vegetable which they cook in the broth.  In some Chengdu restaurants the table is designed especially for hot pot with a recessed square hot plate in the middle of the table.  The wait staff turns on the heat and delivers a square pan with solid pieces of oil containing chili peppers and other seasonings. In the middle is a pot of milder broth. When the oil has melted and the broth is boiling diners can insert their food into the boiling liquid, most of which comes on a skewer.  Generally, a bowl of soy sauce to which a variety of other seasoning can be added is also provided.  It is used as a dipping sauce.

Dining on hot pot is not a passive activity. It is a social interaction meal as diners make their food selections, plop them in the pot while conversing with their friends and enjoying a libation.  Hot pot has spread to several other parts of China and other countries with each area taking on its own way of doing things. However, all start with a boiling pot of broth to which diners add the food they select and after it is cooked the food needs to be fished out and then enjoyed.  Some places even offer one person hot pots but where is the fun in that?

http://www.examiner.com/culinary-travel-in-national/what-is-hot-pot