Palia: How To Play Hotpot Mini-Game

Learn how to play the Hotpot mini-game in Palia, including location, timing, rules, and scoring strategies.

Learn how to find the Hotpot mini game in Palia. (Image via Singularity 6 Corporation)
Learn how to find the Hotpot mini game in Palia. (Image via Singularity 6 Corporation)

Palia offers more than just farming, fishing, or decorating your home. Tucked beneath Kilima Valley is a lesser-known activity that blends strategy with a social twist; the Hotpot mini-game. It’s not something you stumble into during your usual routine. To access it, you will need to visit a specific place at a specific time, and the steps aren’t immediately obvious if you have just started exploring the game.

If you have been looking for something different to do in the evenings in Palia or simply want a break from gathering and crafting, this mini-game offers that change of pace. Here’s how to find it, when to play, and what to focus on once you get there.

How To Find the Hotpot Mini-Game in Palia

To begin, make your way to the southern edge of Kilima Valley. Look near Remembrance Beach. At the end of this area, close to the ocean, there’s a hidden entrance to the sewer system. That’s where you need to go.

Once inside, follow the path until you reach the Underground. This space is darker and more enclosed compared to other areas. Keep walking to the back, where you will spot a small dining zone. Reth will be working in the kitchen. In front of him, several hotpots are placed for the mini-game. That’s your spot.

Timing Matters

You won’t be able to interact with the hotpots during the daytime. Access is limited to the nighttime window between 6 p.m. and 3 a.m. Plan your in-game activities accordingly, especially if you are farming or exploring during the day.

How To Play the Hotpot Mini-Game in Palia

Join any of the Hotpot Mini games. (Image via Singularity 6 Corporation)
Join any of the Hotpot Mini games. (Image via Singularity 6 Corporation, @koramora/YouTube)

Your aim in this game is to build three sets. Each set includes three tiles. You will draw new tiles or pick one that another player has discarded. The goal is to group them based on their type of food. There are color borders around the tiles to guide you.

These colours indicate:

  • Red for Meat
  • Yellow for Crops
  • Green for Green Vegetables
  • Orange for Foraged Items
  • Purple for Mushrooms
  • Blue for Seafood
  • Mauve for Noodles
  • Gray for other types

Each set should belong to the same color category. Getting three of the exact same item from a category earns you the highest points. For example, three Mountain Morels score more than two Morels and one Brightshroom.

Points and Matches

Only full sets of identical items will earn points. Mixed tiles from the same category do not count unless all three are a match. So, if you have two matching mushrooms and one that doesn’t, it won’t score.

To improve your chances, always watch the discarded tiles. Some players might throw away something you need. If it fits your current hand or helps you build a perfect match, you can use it instead of drawing a new tile.

But be careful. Holding onto too many mismatched tiles can ruin a potential set. Think a few moves ahead, especially if you are just one tile away from a perfect trio.

Things To Keep in Mind

You only have a limited window each night to play, so be ready before 6 p.m. It’s also good to check your hand before each move. Sometimes, players overlook tiles they already discarded that could actually be useful.


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