Hot pot, hot plate, and buffet merge at Taoke in Richmond's Aberdeen Centre

Taoke Restaurant holds its grand opening Thursday, July 9 on the second floor of Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, combining hot pot, hot plate, and a self-serve buffet into one dining experience.

The name draws from the mythical creature Taotie, a symbol traditionally associated with greed but reimagined by Taoke as an "overflowing desire for abundance" for prosperity and nourishment. The restaurant soft-opened in late June, then closed July 1 to 8 to refine operations and the kitchen menu.

The format works like this: diners choose a main dish—either an individual-sized hot pot or a hot plate—and gain unlimited access to a sprawling buffet. Hot pot options include eight broths, with guests selecting their own soup base, rice or noodles, and three additional items. Hot plate diners choose from 14 options ranging from aged sirloin steak to garlic and rosemary lamb rack, with noodles or rice and a sauce.

Hot pot items range from $39 to $52; hot plate items, $26 to $58. Both include unlimited buffet access: vegetables, deep-fried items, ice cream, mochi desserts, coffee, wintermelon tea, Assam black tea, and a sauce bar. Buffet-only diners pay $33 for adults, $20 for children.

Specialty drinks (soda, fresh juice, sparkling drinks) cost extra. The buffet cannot leave the restaurant, though unfinished mains can be packed to go.

Taoke is located at #2800-4151 Hazelbridge Way.