The boba counter at Chopsticker Lab in San Bruno. Courtesy Kenny Chow.

By Kate Bradshaw

Chopsticker Lab, a new market selling specialty ingredients for hot pot soups, has begun its soft opening in San Bruno, confirms owner Kenny Chow. The shop also has a boba bar.

Different refrigerators and freezers hold prepped containers of meats for hot pot, broth bases and other ingredients. Posted in the store are combo suggestions for making your own hot pot soups. However, the shop doesn't serve hot pot directly to customers.

"We are more like a hot pot grocery store," he says.

The shop also rents pots and portable stoves out to people who don't have them.


The shelves of Chopsticker Lab, a hot pot market in San Bruno, are stocked with hot pot ingredients. Courtesy Kenny Chow.

Chow says he's trying to offer customers a lower-cost and more efficient way to eat healthily.

"Nowadays the cost of everything is too high," he says. "We want to bring back to the community healthy foods…and low cost. That's what we're trying to do."

Looking for more guidance on how to make your own hot pot? This Bon Appétit article has step-by-step instructions and a gear guide.

Chopsticker Lab, 500 San Mateo Ave., San Bruno; 415-802-6616, Instagram: @chopstickerlab.