Hot Pot Soup Base For Ramen: A Tasty Twist Or A Culinary Disaster?

Hot pot soup bases can be used for ramen, but it is not recommended to use ramen soup bases for hot pots. Hot pot soup bases tend to be greasy, salty, and spicy, so they can be used for ramen, but only in small quantities for flavouring. Ramen soup bases, on the other hand, are not suitable for hot pots as they lack flavour.

Ramen noodles in hot pot

Ramen noodles are a popular choice for hot pot, and you can easily make this dish at home. The basic components of a hot pot are broth, protein, fresh herbs and aromatics, and a dipping sauce. For the broth, you can use chicken, beef, seafood, or vegetable stock. If you want to add ramen noodles, choose fresh egg noodles, ramen noodles (spiraled), rice noodles, or vermicelli noodles.

To make a hot pot with ramen noodles, first prepare your broth by bringing the stock to a boil in a donabe (a Japanese clay pot used for hot pot). You can also use a deep-sided electric frying pan or an Instant Pot. Add your choice of protein, such as thinly sliced beef or pork, Asian beef meatballs, tofu, shrimp, crab, fish, or eggs. You can also add vegetables like spinach, baby bok choy, mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers.

Once your broth is ready, cook the ramen noodles separately in boiling water for a few minutes until soft. You can also cook the noodles directly in the hot pot broth for a more flavorful dish. Place the cooked noodles into individual bowls, and then ladle the hot pot broth, proteins, and vegetables over the noodles. Garnish with sliced scallions, a dash of fresh chili paste, and soft-boiled eggs, if desired.

For an extra special touch, serve your ramen hot pot with a variety of toppings and condiments, such as fried garlic, butter, black pepper, and la-yu (Japanese chili oil). Enjoy your delicious and comforting ramen hot pot!

Hot pot soup seasoning

The fundamental ingredients of a hot pot broth include a variety of herbs and spices. Star anise, cloves, cumin, and cinnamon form the aromatic foundation, while animal bones or vegetables add depth and complexity to the broth. Goji berries, jujubes, and ginger root are often included for their nutritional benefits and distinctive flavours. The savoury taste of garlic and onion also plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall flavour profile.

To prepare the broth, a blend of aromatic herbs and spices is boiled together with proteins such as beef or chicken bones. This mixture is simmered for hours, infusing the water with a complex yet balanced flavour. The resulting broth can be spicy or mild, depending on individual preferences. Achieving an elegant and harmonious broth requires layering flavours and allowing them to infuse and develop over time.

Various companies offer hot pot soup seasonings, such as Lee Kum Kee's Hot Pot Satay and Sichuan soup mixes, and DH Foods' spice mix for Thai Hotpot. These pre-made mixes can be easily purchased online and provide a convenient way to create a delicious hot pot experience at home.

Additionally, hot pot soup bases are available in different flavours, such as Tonkotsu, Kimchi, Xiang La Hot & Spicy, and Spicy Beef. These bases provide a versatile starting point for customising your hot pot with your choice of proteins, noodles, and vegetables.

Preparing a hot pot at home allows for customisation and a fun dining experience. It encourages everyone to select their desired ingredients and cook them to their preferred level of doneness. The versatility of hot pot extends to the choice of noodles or rice, with options like egg noodles, ramen noodles, rice noodles, and vermicelli.

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 raw ingredients that each person can add to the broth and cook as they eat. The four main categories of ingredients are broth, protein, carbs, and veggies, but there are plenty of options to choose from.

Broth

You can make your own broth from scratch, or use a pre-packaged hot pot base. Chicken broth is a popular choice for a light broth, but you can also add beef or pork bone broth for extra creaminess. Other options include mushroom-based broths, tomato soup base, and fiery Sichuan hot pot.

Protein

Meat is a popular choice for hot pot, and it's best to choose thinly sliced meat so it cooks quickly. Options include beef (such as brisket, short rib, or ribeye), lamb (leg or shoulder), pork (belly, shoulder, or loin), and chicken (boneless breast or thighs). You can also add seafood, such as shrimp, fish fillets, squid, or scallops.

Carbohydrates

Carbs are an important part of the hot pot experience, and there are several options to choose from. Thin noodles, small dumplings, rice cakes, and frozen dumplings are all popular choices.

Vegetables

A variety of vegetables can be added to the hot pot, including leafy greens such as baby bok choy, napa cabbage, spinach, and pea tips. Other options include pumpkin, tomatoes, corn, and mushrooms (enoki, shiitake, oyster, or king mushrooms).

Hot pot cooking methods

Hot pot is a communal dining experience, with a focus on social and active participation. It involves diners cooking their choice of raw ingredients in a pot of broth. The cooking is done at the table, with a butane or electric burner keeping the broth at a roiling boil.

The basic components of a hot pot are:

• Broth (chicken, beef, seafood, or vegetable)
• Protein (meat, seafood, or tofu)
• Fresh herbs and aromatics (spices, curry paste, garlic, ginger, etc.)
• Dipping sauces (soy sauce, sesame sauce, oyster sauce, etc.)
• Carbohydrates (noodles or rice)

The beauty of hot pot lies in its versatility. You can use a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables, and cook them according to your preference. The key is to have a rich variety of flavours and textures.

• Prepare the broth by heating oil in a stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until tender. Stir in the stock, curry paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and ginger. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• While the broth is simmering, prepare the other ingredients. For meat, partially freeze it to make it easier to slice thinly. For seafood, clean and prepare shrimp, clams, or other shellfish. For vegetables, wash and cut into desired sizes.
• Bring the broth to a boil again. Add the ingredients that take the longest to cook first, such as hardy vegetables and meat.
• Cook the ingredients according to your preference. The meat slices will only take a few seconds, while vegetables and seafood may take longer.
• As you cook, you can add extra water or plain broth to the pot to adjust the flavour and consistency of the broth.
• Serve the cooked ingredients with the dipping sauces and condiments.

Hot pot is a fun and interactive dining experience that allows everyone to cook and eat according to their preference. It is a great way to enjoy a variety of flavours and textures in a social setting.

Ramen as a hot pot base

Ramen can be used as a base for hot pot. The broth is a key component of hot pot, and ramen can be used to create this base.

There are a variety of broths that can be used for hot pot, including chicken, beef, seafood, or vegetable. The broth is often seasoned with spices, garlic, ginger, and curry paste. Ramen broth can be used as a substitute for these more traditional broths, and ramen eggs can be sliced and added as a topping.

When preparing a hot pot with ramen broth, it is important to consider the seasoning. The seasoning packets that come with instant ramen may be too salty or spicy, so it is recommended to dilute the broth or use only a portion of the seasoning. Additionally, it is important to cook the ramen noodles separately from the broth, as they will continue to cook and absorb the soup even after being removed from the pot.

Hot pot is a versatile and customizable dish, and ramen can be a convenient and tasty base for this meal.

Frequently asked questions