Li Hongzhang Hotpot — named for Hefei's most famous historical son — is the city's signature dish and the one most worth ordering if you're trying to eat locally rather than generically. The preparation uses a clay pot with multiple chambers, combining soup, braised ingredients, and fresh additions in a format somewhere between a casserole and a communal hotpot. The typical ingredients include bean curd, glass noodles, sliced meat, egg dumplings, and a range of seasonal vegetables.
Several restaurants in central Hefei specialize in the dish; look for establishments that list Li Hongzhang Dazahui (大杂烩) prominently on the menu. The dish is best ordered as part of a larger shared meal rather than as a solo dining option — the communal pot format rewards a group. Portions are generous and prices are reasonable by any standard.