Hot Pot Manufacturing: An American Story

Hot pots are a popular option for casual dinners and social events. They are available in a variety of sizes and typically feature a tabletop heating device to keep the pot's contents warm. While hot pots are commonly associated with Chinese cuisine, they have gained popularity in the US and can be purchased from various retailers, including Amazon.

Hot pot equipment

Hot pot is a communal dining experience that involves cooking an array of ingredients in a simmering pot of broth. While hot pot can be prepared and enjoyed at home, it is also a popular option for dining out. Here is a list of equipment you will need to create your own hot pot experience:

The Pot

The centerpiece of the hot pot experience is a large metal pot made from materials such as stainless steel or copper. The pot is placed on a heat source on the dining table and filled with broth, which is kept simmering throughout the meal. The broth can be store-bought or homemade, and it is seasoned with various spices and aromatics. Modern eateries often use partitioned pots with different flavored broths, while traditional establishments may use a large brass vessel heated by burning coals.

Heat Source

A tabletop heating device is essential to keep the broth simmering throughout the meal. This can include electric ranges, induction burners, or portable burners. The size of the heating device will depend on the number of people you plan to serve, as they come in sizes made to feed anywhere from two to six or more people.

Ingredients

Hot pot ingredients typically include thinly sliced meat, leaf vegetables, mushrooms, vermicelli, sliced potatoes, bean products, egg dumplings, tofu, and seafood. It is important to pre-slice the raw ingredients into thin sections to ensure they cook quickly and consistently in the broth. Most raw foods can be cooked in a hot pot but may have different cooking times, so it is crucial to immerse them in the broth accordingly.

Dipping Sauces

Dipping sauces are an essential part of the hot pot experience, providing additional flavor to the cooked ingredients. Common dipping sauces include sesame oil mixed with crushed garlic and chopped spring onions, oyster sauce, black vinegar, and cilantro flower sauce.

Utensils

To enhance the communal dining experience, it is recommended to use handheld baskets or designated long cooking chopsticks to retrieve the cooked food. This ensures that the same utensils are not used for eating and cooking. Other utensils to have on hand include chopsticks, strainers, and spoons for each diner.

Hot pot ingredients

Hot pot is a fun and interactive dining experience, where a pot of broth is placed at the centre of the table, surrounded by various uncooked ingredients that each person can add to the broth and cook as they eat. The ingredients you choose for your hot pot will depend on your preferences, but here are some ideas to get you started.

Broth

The broth is the foundation of your hot pot. You can make it from scratch, use a store-bought soup base, or even buy broth from your favourite restaurant. Some popular options include:

• Chicken broth
• Beef broth
• Pork broth
• Spicy Sichuan-style broth
• Thai tom yum broth
• Japanese dashi broth

Protein

Hot pot is a great way to enjoy a variety of proteins. Some popular options include:

• Thinly sliced beef (such as ribeye, brisket, or short ribs)
• Thinly sliced lamb
• Fish or seafood (such as shrimp, salmon, or squid)
• Pork
• Chicken
• Tofu or fried tofu
• Eggs or egg dumplings

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are an important part of the hot pot experience. Some options include:

• Noodles (such as udon, glass noodles, or instant ramen)
• Rice
• Dumplings or wontons
• Potatoes

Vegetables and Mushrooms

A variety of vegetables and mushrooms will add flavour and texture to your hot pot. Some popular options include:

• Napa cabbage
• Bok choy
• Mushrooms (such as shiitake, enoki, or oyster mushrooms)
• Green onions
• Radish
• Watercress
• Spinach
• Lotus root

Sauces and Condiments

The sauce is an integral part of the hot pot experience. You can prepare a dipping sauce for your cooked ingredients, or add condiments directly to the broth. Some popular options include:

• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Garlic
• Chili pepper
• Scallions
• Cilantro
• Oyster sauce
• Ponzu sauce
• Peanut butter

Hot pot history

Hot pot, or huǒ guō (火锅) in Chinese, is a dish that involves a heat source placed on the dining table that keeps a pot of soup stock simmering. An array of Chinese foodstuffs and ingredients are provided for the diners to dip into the broth. The cooked pieces are then dipped into sauces for additional flavour.

The history of hot pot can be traced back to the Mongolian Empire, which introduced a simple broth served with horse meat and mutton to East Asia thousands of years ago. Mongolian soldiers would eat this dish on the go, out of their helmets. As the empire's cultural influence spread, the hot pot evolved and took on different forms in Northern China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

The earliest prototypes of the hot pot are thought to be the tripods of the Zhou dynasty. During the "Three Kingdoms period" (200–280 AD), a hot pot made of copper was created, which is generally acknowledged as the origin of the modern hot pot. During the Qing dynasty, hot pot became popular among the emperors, particularly the Qianlong Emperor, who ate it almost every meal. The Jiaqing Emperor also held a banquet with 1,550 hot pots at his coronation. Empress Dowager Cixi was also a fan of hot pot, especially during the winter.

Since the 1990s, with the increasing number of Chinese immigrants entering the United States, hot pot has become globally recognised. Today, hot pot is enjoyed in various forms all across Asia, with regional variations in ingredients, spices, and cooking methods.

Hot pot restaurants

Hot pot is a popular option for casual family dinners and social events. It involves a simmering pot of broth placed in the centre of a table, with diners cooking their own selection of meat, seafood, and vegetables in the broth. The cooked pieces are then dipped into sauces for added flavour.

Hot pot is considered a main course and is usually served without rice or noodles. It can be prepared and eaten at home or in a restaurant.

• Hotpot World Rotary in Federal Way, Washington, offers a unique conveyor belt system for hot pot dining.
• Akasaka Restaurant in Federal Way, Washington, serves Japanese cuisine and offers hot pot on the table (shabu-shabu).
• Mirak Korean BBQ Restaurant in Federal Way, Washington, is a popular spot for Korean barbecue and hot pot.
• Nan Hot Pot in Bellevue is a popular hot pot restaurant with a variety of soup bases and fresh ingredients.
• Palace Korean Bar & Grill in Federal Way, Washington, is a family-owned and operated restaurant offering barbecue buffets and hot pot options.
• May May Hong Kong BBQ in Federal Way, Washington, serves Cantonese cuisine and is known for their delicious hot pots.

These restaurants showcase the diverse range of hot pot dining experiences available in the US, from conveyor belt systems to traditional shabu-shabu, and offer a unique and interactive dining experience for customers.

Hot pot recipes

Hot pot is a fun and interactive meal, where people cook their food in a communal pot of broth. The hot pot experience involves a tabletop heating device to keep the broth simmering throughout the meal.

Broth

Hot pot broths can be made from scratch or using store-bought soup bases. The broths can be spicy, mild, or a combination of the two. Here are some options for making your own broth:

• Mala Beef Broth: Inspired by Taiwanese beef noodle soup, this broth is fiery red and packed with flavour.
• Herbal Mushroom Broth: A vegan option that serves as a refreshing palate cleanser when served with a spicy broth.

Dipping Ingredients

The fun of hot pot is that everyone can cook and eat whatever they like. Here are some ideas for foods to dip into the broth:

• Meat: Thinly sliced beef ribeye, beef brisket, lamb shoulder, pork belly, chicken, or other poultry.
• Seafood: Shrimp, clams, squid, fish balls, shrimp paste, and more.
• Vegetables: Leafy greens like lettuce, chrysanthemum greens, yu choy, napa cabbage, and bok choy. Other vegetables include potatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and more.
• Carbohydrates: Noodles, rice, dumplings, or wontons.

Sauces

In addition to the broth, there are usually sauces for dipping the cooked ingredients in. These can include:

• Soy sauce
• Ponzu
• Fish sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Sesame oil
• Goma or sesame sauce
• Chili oil
• Sriracha
• Chili peppers
• Vinegar
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cilantro
• Garlic
• Green onions

Tips for a Great Hot Pot Experience

• Prep all ingredients ahead of time.
• Cut meat and poultry into thin slices, no more than about a quarter-inch thick, to ensure even cooking.
• Marinate proteins for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
• Clean and slice vegetables, and prepare dipping sauces.
• Heat the broth on the stovetop before transferring it to the hot pot to save fuel.
• Have extra broth on the stove to refill the hot pot as needed.
• Arrange the ingredients on serving platters, keeping raw meat and seafood separate from the other foods.
• Use handheld baskets or designated long cooking chopsticks to retrieve food from the broth.
• Cook ingredients gradually, pacing yourself to your eating speed.
• Allow the broth to return to a boil between batches to ensure everything is cooked properly.
• Don't overcrowd the pot, as this can lower the temperature of the broth and increase cooking times.

Frequently asked questions