Deer One Hotpot Richmond Review: DIY Hotpot With $3 Drinks

DIY hotpot has absolutely taken over Richmond. Between spots like Big Way, Drama Hotpot, and a growing list of others, it feels like there’s a new one opening every few months. So the real question becomes — why pick Deer One Hotpot?

When Deer One Hotpot first opened in late 2025, we covered the launch and the new DIY hotpot concept. Since then, they’ve added new promos, seasonal food items, and expanded drink and dessert options, so we decided to come back for a more comprehensive look at what they offer now.

Consider this our full updated review — including how DIY hotpot works, broth options, pricing, and the new deals that make Deer One stand out from the growing number of DIY hotpot spots in Richmond.

What Is DIY Hotpot?

If you’ve never tried DIY hotpot before, the concept is pretty simple. Instead of ordering a fixed dish, you build your own bowl by selecting ingredients yourself.

At Deer One, you:

Grab a bowl and tongs
Pick ingredients from the fridge wall
Choose your broth
Pay by weight ($4.50 per 100g)
They cook everything and bring it to your table

You can mix and match things like:

Meats
Seafood
Vegetables
Noodles
Fish balls
Tofu
Dumplings

It’s basically a build-your-own hotpot bowl, which makes it easy to customize exactly what you want.

If the name feels familiar, that’s because Deer One comes from the same team behind Deer Garden Signatures, which popularized the customizable soup format locally. Their DIY approach here feels like a natural extension of that idea, but in hotpot form.

Pricing vs Other DIY Hotpot Spots

Deer One charges $4.50 per 100g, which is slightly more expensive than places like Big Way and Drama Hotpot, which usually sit around $3.99 per 100g.

But Deer One makes up for it with some premium ingredients you don’t always see elsewhere:

Pea shoots
Mini cheese sausages
Wider premium selection overall

These don’t sound flashy, but they do add up — especially if you’re someone who likes mixing in higher-end ingredients.

Broth Options

Deer One offers 12 broth options, including two dry mixes.

Some of the highlights:

Pork bone soup (my go-to)
Tomato soup
Spicy options
Herbal-style broths
Dry mix choices

The pork bone broth is rich but not too heavy, and the tomato soup is a close second with a slightly tangy flavour.

One Thing Deer One Does Better: The Layout

This is something I didn’t think would matter, but it actually makes a big difference.

The ingredients wall is separated by a half wall, which:

Keeps people from hovering around your table
Reduces congestion
Feels more sanitary
Makes the dining area more comfortable

Compared to some DIY hotpot spots where everyone is walking around constantly, this layout feels much more relaxed.

The seating itself is also very comfortable, making this a good place to actually sit and enjoy your meal instead of rushing through it.

The Real Reason We Keep Coming Back: $3 Drinks

This is honestly one of Deer One’s biggest selling points.

With any meal purchase, drinks are just $3, and these aren’t basic canned drinks. They’re legit bubble tea shop-quality drinks:

Signature Lemon Lime Tea
Signature Bubble Tea with Pearls
Honey Lemon Green Tea
Lychee Cucumber Green Tea
Grape Aloe Sparkling
Matcha Smoothie
Red Bean Coco Smoothie

I’ve personally tried the bubble tea, lychee cucumber green tea, and matcha smoothie, and they’re genuinely impressive.

The matcha smoothie is my go-to. It’s:

Bold matcha flavour
Thick and creamy
Tastes like they add ice cream (which I’m pretty sure they do)

Honestly, these drinks are on par with most bubble tea shops, and getting one for $3 is a steal.

Dessert Options That Actually Stand Out

Another underrated perk — you get to choose between:

Ice cream
Black sesame pudding

Not many DIY hotpot places offer this, and the black sesame pudding portion is surprisingly large. It’s a nice way to end the meal, especially after a heavier hotpot.