Little Pig Hot Pot is a pretty awesome place to go to get your hot pot fix as the temperature cools, as long as you know how to find it. Located in the back end of a strip mall complex known as Sky City, the restaurant has signage that leaves a lot to be desired.

With modern and colourful lighting fixtures juxtaposed with the (hopefully ironic) picture of Chairman Mao, it's hard not to appreciate the charm this place exudes.

It's AYCE hot pot here which means you pay $25.95 on weekdays ($2 more on weekends), for unlimited fixins' to put in your choice of soup base (an additional $12.50 or so). Orders are placed using iPads available at each table.

Little Pig prides itself on being a Northern Chinese hot pot, which places a greater emphasis on the quality of the soup base. We quickly settle on the ominously-named Little Pig Explosive Sensation soup base which we're told is their best seller. We also order the Mountain Cliff Mushroom soup base.

Chinese sausage, cuttlefish, a variety of meatballs and various slices of AAA certified Angus beef, New Zealand lamb, and seafood are just some of the ingredients that arrive at the table ready to be cooked in the soup.

Also included in the price is a wide variety of dipping sauces. Our favourites are the Little Pig Spicy Sauce (which adds a little extra kick on top of the spicy broth) as well as the sesame paste, which adds a nice richness and creaminess to the meal.

Premium ingredients (extra charges apply) like tiger shrimp and wagyu beef are also available along with more exotic ones like duck kidney.

Just for kicks, we also order the crystal and udon noodles. Chewy and satisfying, they pair nicely with the rest of the meal.

Kiwi and watermelon juice are good drink options to cool down your tastebuds.

The hot pot scene in Toronto has mostly been spinning its wheels doing the same thing for quite some time now. Little Pig Hot Pot aims to change that by injecting a more vibrant vibe with premium-quality ingredients. My inner pig wholeheartedly welcomes it.

Posted by Darren "DKLo" Susilo. When not writing for BlogTO he can usually be found tweeting here or pressing words into this blog. Photos by Hector Vasquez.