Ella Walter
Chinese hot pot is a traditional and popular meal in China, with a history of over 1000 years. It is a social and interactive dining experience where a pot of broth sits at the centre of the table, and people add and cook raw ingredients such as meat, seafood, and vegetables. The soup leftover at the end of a hot pot is a topic of debate. Some people drink it, considering it a delicious end to the meal, while others avoid it due to concerns about it being unhealthy. There are also suggestions to save and reuse the leftover soup for another hot pot meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | Over 1000 years old |
| Origin | Mongolian Empire |
| Original ingredients | Horse meat and mutton |
| Broth | Chicken, ginger, goji berries, aromatics, coconut-infused seafood tom kha, mushroom, sweet-and-sour tomato |
| Dipping ingredients | Meat, mushrooms, shrimp, Chinese lettuce, fresh noodles, tofu, fish balls, dumplings, rice cakes, chrysanthemum greens, beef slices, chrysanthemum greens, tripe, shaved ribeye, hand-cut noodles, bok choy, cabbage, beef slices, noodles, chrysanthemum greens, tripe, fish balls stuffed with roe, noodles, beef, squid, dumplings, noodles |
| Sauces | Chive flower sauce, sesame paste, cilantro, oyster sauce, sesame oil, black vinegar, garlic |
| Sides | Mixed nuts, spicy smashed cucumber salad, scallion pancakes, spring rolls, mixed mushroom salads, fresh fruit, ice cream |
| Drinks | Beer, báijiǔ (Chinese sorghum liquor), unsweetened tea, chrysanthemum tea, still water |
| Health | May contain cancer-causing compounds, high in calories, fat, sodium, cholesterol |
| Calorie reduction strategies | Eat vegetables first, skip instant noodles, choose udon, vermicelli and glass noodles, save meat for last, choose chicken and fish over beef and pork |
What You'll Learn
Is it healthy to drink hot pot soup?
Hot pot is a popular meal in China, where people cook various raw ingredients in a simmering pot of broth. The ingredients can include thinly sliced meats, vegetables, noodles, tofu, mushrooms, and seafood.
There are differing opinions on whether drinking hot pot soup is healthy. Some people drink the soup, while others avoid it due to concerns about its nutritional content.
Some sources suggest that drinking the soup is unhealthy due to its high sodium content. For example, Mount Alvernia Hospital warns that hot pot soup has an excessively high amount of sodium, which can increase the risk of high blood pressure and kidney problems. They recommend limiting hot pot consumption to once or twice a month, especially for those who prefer high-fat and high-sodium broths. Additionally, spicy broths may have high fat content due to the use of oil, and broths with coconut milk or fatty meat can increase saturated fat intake.
However, others argue that drinking the soup is not necessarily unhealthy. Some people believe that the vitamins from vegetables leech into the soup, making it healthy. It is also suggested that as long as you start with a healthy broth and cook good food in it, you are unlikely to end up with an unhealthy cocktail of chemicals.
To make hot pot soup healthier, it is recommended to choose clear or light-flavoured soups as the base, include more fresh vegetables, opt for lean meats such as chicken or fish, and limit the use of fatty and processed foods.
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What are some tips for drinking hot pot soup?
Drinking the soup is a common way to finish a hot pot meal. Here are some tips for drinking hot pot soup:
Choose the right ingredients
The ingredients you choose for your hot pot will affect the flavour of the soup. Lamb and beef are recommended as the best types of meat to put in the pot, as they will give the soup a delicious taste. Tofu and potatoes are also highly recommended as they will absorb the flavours of all the other ingredients. Other ingredients to consider include mushrooms, fish balls, crabs, shrimps, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, bean sprouts, daikon, pumpkin, and noodles.
Choose the right sauce
Choosing the right sauce is key to enhancing the flavour of your hot pot soup. There is no single "right" recipe, so you can adjust the sauce according to your taste. One ancient recipe includes 3 parts of sesame sauce and 1 part of chives. You can also use this as a base and add chilli, shacha, or soy sauce, as well as minced garlic, crushed chilli peppers, cilantro, and scallion. If you choose a spicy soup, make sure your sauce is not too spicy so that your mouth doesn't get overwhelmed.
Put ingredients in the right order
Start by putting in the ingredients that take longer to cook, such as potatoes, corn, pumpkin, radish, and daikon. Always put quick-cooking ingredients like cabbage, lettuce, and spinach last.
Pace yourself
Hot pot is an interactive and social meal, so take your time and enjoy the experience. Cook your ingredients gradually and try to pace yourself by only cooking what you can eat. Remember that the food will be hot when you take it out of the pot, so keep things leisurely. Make sure you wait for the soup to boil again between batches to ensure everything is cooked properly.
Coat your stomach
Before and after drinking hot pot soup, it is recommended to coat your stomach with dairy drinks such as yogurt or fermented milk drinks.
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What are some popular hot pot soup bases?
There are many different types of hot pot soup bases, and the best one for you will depend on your personal preference. Here are some popular options:
Spicy Broth
A popular choice is the Sichuan spicy broth, known for its high-fat content and sophisticated aroma. This type of broth typically contains beef tallow, dried chilli peppers, Sichuan pepper, and various spices and aromatics such as star anise, cassia cinnamon, and bay leaves. It has a distinctive mouth-numbing and hot sensation, which is a signature feature of Sichuan cuisine.
Mild Broth
For those who prefer a milder taste, a chicken stock-based mild broth is a common option. This type of broth is typically made with chicken, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, ginger, and other mild ingredients. It has a light and refreshing flavour, making it a good choice for those who want to enjoy the original taste of the food without overwhelming spices.
Chongqing Variant
If you're feeling adventurous, you might want to try the bold and numb-spicy Chongqing variant. This broth is packed with Sichuan peppercorns, red chillies, preserved mustard greens, and a variety of spices. It's sure to leave a lasting impression with its intense flavours and aromas.
Mushroom Broth
For vegetarians or those who simply enjoy the taste of mushrooms, a mushroom broth is a delicious option. This type of broth can be made with a variety of mushrooms, such as shiitake, enoki, or oyster mushrooms, and is a great way to add a savoury and earthy flavour to your hot pot.
Tomato Broth
Another popular option is a tomato-based broth, which can add a sweet and sour taste to your hot pot. This type of broth is often savoury and can be a refreshing change from the typical spicy options.
No matter which soup base you choose, hot pot is a fun and interactive dining experience that allows you to customise your meal to your liking. So, don't be afraid to experiment with different bases and find the ones that suit your taste buds the best!
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What are some alternative drinks to hot pot soup?
While some people do drink the soup from a hot pot, others choose not to. Some people are too full from eating the ingredients, while others have health concerns about drinking the soup. If you are looking for an alternative drink to sip on while enjoying a hot pot, there are several options to choose from.
Firstly, you could opt for a cold beer or a shot of báijiǔ, a Chinese sorghum liquor. These drinks pair well with hot pot and can enhance the overall dining experience.
Additionally, dairy drinks such as yogurt or fermented milk drinks are recommended to coat your stomach before and after indulging in hot pot. This can help prepare your stomach for the rich and spicy flavours of the hot pot.
If you're looking for something refreshing and light, consider fresh sliced fruit or a simple soft serve ice cream. These options can provide a nice contrast to the hearty flavours of the hot pot.
Lastly, you can always stick to classic beverage options such as water or tea. These choices can help keep you hydrated without overwhelming the flavours of the meal.
Remember, hot pot is a communal and social dining experience, so feel free to ask your dining companions what drinks they prefer to pair with their hot pot!
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What is the history of hot pot soup?
Hot pot, or hotpot, is a dish that has been around for at least 1,700 years, according to some scholars. The earliest prototypes of the hot pot may have been the tripods used during the Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE). During the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE), copper hot pots were created, which is generally acknowledged as the origin of the hot pot.
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420–589 CE), people gradually started using hot pots for cooking, mostly to cook chicken and duck. This period was a global cooling period, with extremely cold temperatures, which may explain the popularity of hot pot. Later, during the Yuan Dynasty, the Mongols were influenced by hot pot culture and began to put beef and lamb into the dish, which became the basis of the Northern Chinese style of hot pot.
In the 14th century, hot pot became popular among emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. During the Qing dynasty, the Qianlong Emperor was very fond of hot pot and would eat it almost every meal. The Jiaqing Emperor had a banquet with 1,550 hot pots at his coronation, and Empress Dowager Cixi also enjoyed hot pot during the winter.
Since the 1990s, with the growing number of Chinese immigrants to the United States, Chinese food, including hot pot, has spread and become globally recognized. Today, hot pot restaurants can be found in cities all over the world, and the dish has achieved worldwide fame.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is customary to drink the soup at the end of a hot pot meal.
It depends on the ingredients used. Some people believe that the soup contains cancer-causing compounds from the meat, while others argue that you have already consumed those compounds by eating the meat.
You can add various ingredients to enhance the flavor of the soup, such as lamb, beef, mushrooms, fish balls, crabs, shrimps, tofu, and potatoes.
It is recommended to coat your stomach with dairy drinks such as yogurt or fermented milk before and after consuming the soup. It is also important to cook the ingredients gradually and at your own pace to ensure they are properly cooked.
Instead of drinking the soup, you can save it for the next time you make hot pot or use it as a base for noodle soup.
