Hot Pot Dips Original Flavor: A Tasty Guide To Serving This Classic Dish

Hot pot is a fun and flavourful meal to enjoy with friends and family. The best part about hot pot is that you can make it your own by choosing your favourite ingredients and creating your own unique dipping sauce. The dipping sauce is integral to the hot pot experience and can be made with a variety of ingredients. The most common ingredients include soy sauce, sesame oil, chilli powder, cilantro, garlic and vinegar. However, there are no rules when it comes to creating your own dipping sauce, so feel free to experiment with different combinations of ingredients to find your perfect flavour profile.

Soy sauce as a base

Soy sauce is a common base for hot pot dips, and you can make a delicious sauce by mixing it with other common ingredients. Here is a recipe for a soy sauce-based hot pot dip:

Ingredients:

• Soy sauce (light soy sauce is recommended)
• Sesame oil (toasted sesame oil is best)
• Oyster sauce
• Minced garlic
• Chopped spring onion
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

• Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.
• Mix well until everything is fully incorporated and you have a smooth sauce.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. You can add more soy sauce for saltiness, sesame oil for nuttiness, or garlic and spring onion for a stronger flavour.
• Serve the sauce as a dip for your hot pot ingredients. It goes well with various proteins and vegetables, such as beef, lamb, shrimp, chicken, tofu, and mushrooms.

Feel free to experiment with other ingredients to create your own unique sauce. You can try adding ingredients like vinegar, chili oil, cilantro, or peanut butter to give your sauce a different flavour profile. Just remember to add a little at a time and taste as you go to ensure you don't overpower the sauce. Enjoy creating your own hot pot dip!

Peanut sauce (satay)

Peanut sauce, or satay, is a popular choice for hot pot, and it's easy to see why. This nutty, savoury, mildly sour and sweet sauce is incredibly versatile and can be tailored to your personal taste. Here is a recipe for a delicious peanut sauce, as well as some tips on how to serve it.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of unsalted peanut butter or almond butter (creamy or crunchy)
• 2 tablespoons of coconut aminos
• 1/2 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of water, or more to thin the sauce
• 1 tablespoon of garlic chilli sauce (optional)
• 2 teaspoons of chopped cilantro (optional)

Method:

• Gather all the ingredients and mix them together in a dipping sauce bowl.
• If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
• For an extra burst of flavour, add a squeeze of lime juice and/or some extra chopped cilantro.

Serving Suggestions:

This sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used as a dip, drizzle, or glaze. Here are some ideas on how to serve it:

• As a dip for thinly sliced beef, lamb, shrimp, or diced chicken
• As a dip for fish meatballs, tofu, mushrooms, vegetables, or rice paper dumplings
• Drizzled over noodles, spring rolls, or steamed/roasted vegetables
• As a glaze for meat-based dishes like kabobs, grilled chicken, or lemongrass pork

Fresh herbs and aromatics

Other fresh herbs and aromatics you can use include:

• Chopped red or green chilies
• Roasted chopped peanuts
• Toasted sesame seeds
• White pepper
• Sichuan peppercorn powder
• Sugar
• MSG

Chili sauces

Classic Spicy and Sweet Chili Sauce

Combine equal parts chili paste and sweet chili sauce. Then, add some garlic and onion powder to taste. If you want to make it even spicier, you can add some chili flakes or dried chili. This sauce is perfect for dipping meat and vegetable dishes.

Chili Oil Vinegar Dip

This dip is made with chili oil, which is infused with hot chilies. You can find it in most Asian supermarkets or make it at home by heating oil and adding chili flakes. Simply add some minced garlic, black vinegar, light soy sauce, and chopped spring onion to taste. This dip is perfect for vegetables, meat, and more.

Chinese Spicy Garlic Chili Sauce

This sauce has a savory and slightly tangy flavor. To make it, combine garlic chili sauce, balsamic vinegar, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, scallions, sesame seeds, Sichuan peppercorn powder, and oyster sauce. You can also add some chili oil for an extra kick.

Spicy Peanut Sauce

This sauce has a nutty, spicy, savory, and mildly sour and sweet flavor. It is made with unsalted peanut butter or almond butter, coconut aminos, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, water, and garlic chili sauce (optional). You can also add some chopped cilantro for extra flavor.

Other Ideas

You can also get creative and experiment with different combinations of ingredients such as crushed chili, dark soy sauce, vinegar, coriander, sesame oil, scallions, garlic, and chili oil. Alternatively, you can use ready-made chili sauces such as Lee Kum Kee's Chilli Garlic Sauce or Laoganma Spicy Chili Oil and mix them with some sesame oil and soy sauce to taste.

Hoisin sauce

The Basics

Ingredients

To make a basic hoisin dipping sauce, you will need the following ingredients:

• Hoisin sauce
• Toasted sesame oil
• Chili oil (optional)
• Water
• Peanut butter (optional)
• Garnishes (optional): crushed peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, chives, or green onions

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, chili oil (if using), and toasted sesame oil. Mix well. If you prefer a creamier sauce, you can add peanut butter at this stage. Gradually add water to the mixture until you achieve your desired consistency. Finally, garnish the sauce with your choice of crushed peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, or chopped herbs.

Tips and Variations

• Adjusting the Consistency: The amount of water you add will depend on your personal preference. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until you reach the desired thickness.
• Creamy Variation: For a creamier and nuttier sauce, mix in a small amount of peanut butter. Keep in mind that peanut butter will thicken the sauce, so you may need to add more water.
• Spicy Variation: For a spicy kick, add Sriracha chili sauce to taste.
• Garnishing Options: Enhance the presentation and flavor of your sauce by adding garnishes like crushed peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, or chopped herbs.
• Sodium Content: When using chili oil, check the sodium content to avoid making the sauce overly salty. Adjust the amount of chili oil or increase the water as needed.

Storage

Leftover hoisin dipping sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If the sauce includes peanut butter, it may thicken when refrigerated, so let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before using.

Frequently asked questions