She said that when she first heard the name of the dish, she was puzzled and could not imagine what it would taste like, but eventually decided to “take a chance.”
After trying the hotpot, Huyen said the flavor was hard to describe, combining salty and sweet notes with the rich creaminess of durian. The texture was also thick and sticky as the durian pulp blended into the chicken broth.
The hotpot is a combination of Qingyuan chicken, a well-known breed from Guangdong Province, and fresh durian imported from Southeast Asia. Although the strong smell of durian initially discouraged many diners, the unusual pairing has gradually gained popularity among tourists looking for new culinary experiences in southern China’s food capital, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.
People in Guangdong traditionally cook chicken with coconut, Chinese herbs, or light broths. However, as durian imports from Southeast Asia surged from 2023 onward, hotpot and stew dishes infused with the fruit have grown increasingly popular.
In 2025, China further cemented its position as the world’s largest durian market, importing a record 1.868 million tonnes of fresh durian from Southeast Asia, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Durian chicken hotpot in China. Photo courtesy of Let’s go travel |
The main ingredients in durian hotpot are chicken, bone broth, and fresh durian pulp.
The broth is often prepared with coconut water or ingredients such as red dates and goji berries. Once the liquid reaches a boil, fresh durian pulp is added directly into the pot. As it heats up, the pulp gradually melts into the broth, giving it a pale yellow color and a thick, creamy consistency.
Some restaurants also lightly stir-fry the chicken over charcoal beforehand to enhance the aroma.
A durian hot pot for two to three people typically costs between 180 and 260 yuan (US$26.50-38.26). The price can rise to around 350 yuan if diners choose premium durian varieties such as Musang King.
Born in 2000 in Hanoi, Huyen has built a strong presence on social media through her online cosmetics business, often livestreaming sales sessions that attract thousands of viewers simultaneously.
Her footballer husband, 29, is celebrated for his sportsmanship, having won a gold medal at the SEA Games 2019 and triumphing in the 2018 AFF Cup with the national team. He also played a crucial role in Vietnam’s admirable performance during the 2018 AFC U23 Championship where they finished runner-up, and the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, where Vietnam reached the third qualifying round for the first time.
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