Casino-themed Jackpot Hotpot brings Macau-style broth to Sydney's Chinatown

Evidently nothing can put the brakes on Sydney's pace for restaurant openings. The day after BBQ King shut its doors following a 40-year run, a new player lined up for its shot on the western edge of Chinatown.

With a name like Jackpot Hotpot, it's hardly surprising there's a casino theme to the interior. The food has a Macau accent. They even have meatballs shaped like hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds.

"There are about 15 hotpot restaurants [in the city] but we are doing the less spicy Macau-style broth," says Jackpot Hotpot manager, Victoria Su.

"A lot of places use powder for their broth. We boil pork bones and chicken for eight hours for the base broth," she says. There is also its signature lobster broth.

Su says hotpot restaurants are popular with Asian-Australian clientele and increasingly have a wider audience, too.

The new arrival, situated on the edge of Darling Square where the Entertainment Centre used to rock the city, has the same owners as Beijing Impressions at Market City.

Just pull up a seat at the poker table.

Open daily 11am-11pm. SW12, 63 Tumbalong Boulevard, Haymarket, 02 9188 9158.