China is home to diverse regional cuisines and a growing foreign-food scene, but nothing tops the hotpot ritual of placing fresh ingredients into a boiling broth, according to a new survey.

The survey, published by consulting firm OC&C this week, found that hotpot is China's favorite food.

A total of 2,600 people surveyed in 21 Chinese cities in February placed domestic hotpot chain Haidilao at the top of the list of the country's 10 favorite restaurants.