Mongolian Hot Pot's Cost Conundrum

The cost of a Mongolian hot pot varies depending on the type of broth and the ingredients used. A chicken broth hot pot, which is recommended for beginners, typically costs around $15-$20 per person, while a vegetable broth hot pot is cheaper, costing about $10-$12 per person. If you're looking for a meat broth hot pot, you should budget around $20-$25 per person. These prices can change depending on the quantity and variety of ingredients selected.

Cost of a chicken broth hotpot

The cost of a chicken broth hot pot varies depending on whether you opt for a restaurant meal or decide to make it at home.

Chicken Broth Hot Pot at a Restaurant

The cost of a chicken broth hot pot at a restaurant depends on the type of restaurant you choose. At an all-you-can-eat restaurant, you can expect to pay $25-$35 per person, while an a la carte hot pot restaurant will cost you $35-$60 per person. If you opt for a Chinese hot pot chain, the cost will be lower, around $15-$25 per person.

Chicken Broth Hot Pot at Home

Preparing a chicken broth hot pot at home is a more budget-friendly option, with the total cost coming in at around $10 per person. The broth itself is one of the most affordable elements, with homemade chicken broth costing around $2-3, and store-bought broth costing $4-5 per 32oz carton or 4 cups.

Tips for Affordable Chicken Broth Hot Pot

To make your chicken broth hot pot even more affordable, consider the following tips:

• Stick to broth and veggies: Loading up on inexpensive broth, vegetables, and tofu, while keeping portions of meat small, can help keep costs down.
• Choose economical proteins: Opt for proteins like pork shoulder, pork belly, and chicken thighs, which offer the best value. If you want beef, flank steak is the most budget-friendly option.
• Make your own broth: Homemade broth is significantly cheaper than store-bought, and you can make multiple servings for just a few dollars.

Sample Chicken Broth Hot Pot Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons Chiu Chow–style chile oil
• 9 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 (3-inch) piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)
• 1 (5-ounces) bunch scallions, quartered
• 3 black cardamom pods
• 2 tablespoons toban djan or chile bean sauce
• 3 quarts best-quality lower-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce, plus more to taste

Instructions:

• Heat sesame oil and chile oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add garlic, ginger, and scallions, and cook until the scallion mixture is wilted and the ginger is caramelized (about 5-7 minutes).
• Add cardamom and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Add chile bean sauce and stir to coat.
• Add chicken broth and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broth is spicy, aromatic, and slightly smoky.
• Strain the broth and discard the solids.
• Stir in soy sauce to taste.

This chicken broth can be made in advance and stored for up to 2 days in the refrigerator or frozen for up to 3 months.

Cost of a meat broth hotpot

The cost of a meat broth hotpot depends on the type of meat and the number of people. A meat broth hotpot typically serves four to six people and can be made with lamb, beef, or chicken. The price of the meat can vary depending on the cut and the quantity required. For example, a leg of lamb or a whole chicken will be more expensive than individual chicken legs or lamb chops.

The cost of the other ingredients, such as vegetables and noodles, will also depend on the quantity and quality. For a basic meat broth hotpot for four people, you can expect to pay around $20 to $30 for the meat, and a similar amount for the other ingredients. If you are using more expensive cuts of meat or serving a larger group, the cost could be significantly higher.

It is important to note that the price of a hot pot can also be affected by the type of broth or stock used. For example, a basic stock made from boiling meat and vegetables will be cheaper than a pre-made stock or broth purchased from a store. Additionally, the use of spices and other flavourings can increase the cost.

When planning a meat broth hotpot, it is essential to consider the number of guests, their dietary preferences or restrictions, and the desired quality of ingredients. This will help determine the final cost.

Cost of a vegetable broth hotpot

The cost of a vegetable broth hot pot varies depending on whether you're dining out or cooking at home.

Vegetable Broth Hot Pot at Restaurants:

At a restaurant, an individual serving of hot pot typically costs $25 or more, once you factor in the ingredients, sides, and broth refills. This price range is for an all-you-can-eat hot pot experience, which usually includes unlimited broth refills and access to an ingredient bar.

Vegetable Broth Hot Pot at Home:

When made at home, hot pot becomes much more affordable. Here's a breakdown of the costs for a vegetable broth hot pot at home:

• Broths: $2-$5 for 4-6 servings.
• Homemade broth: Making your own vegetable broth will cost around $2-3.
• Store-bought broth: Buying ready-made vegetable broth will cost around $4-5 per 32oz carton or 4 cups.
• Vegetables: $3-$5 per meal. This includes cabbage, mushrooms, leafy greens, etc.
• Noodles/Rice: $2-$3 per meal. This is for a 1/2 cup uncooked rice or noodles per serving.

So, for a homemade vegetable broth hot pot, you can expect to pay around $7-$10 per person, depending on the ingredients you choose and the number of people you're serving. The more people you're serving, the lower the cost per person, as the broth can be shared.

Tips for a Budget-Friendly Vegetable Broth Hot Pot:

• Focus on vegetables and broth: These are the most affordable options, so loading up on veggies and using a vegetable broth as your base will keep costs down.
• Make your own broth: Homemade broth is significantly cheaper than store-bought and can be made in large quantities.
• Shop sales and use coupons: Keep an eye out for deals on ingredients like vegetables and broth.
• Avoid waste: Hot pot is versatile and adaptable, so you can easily adjust the quantities to suit the number of people you're serving.
• Keep it simple: When dining out, stick to broth and veggies, and avoid extras like dessert and fancy sauces to keep the cost down.

With these tips in mind, you can enjoy a delicious and budget-friendly vegetable broth hot pot, whether you're dining out or cooking at home.

Cost of ingredients for a traditional hotpot

The cost of ingredients for a traditional Mongolian hot pot can vary depending on the type of broth, the variety of ingredients used, and the number of people served. Here is a breakdown of the estimated costs for a traditional Mongolian hot pot:

Meat Broth Hot Pot:

The cost of a meat broth hot pot, such as those made with lamb or chicken, can range from $15 to $25 per person. The price can vary based on the quantity and type of meat and vegetables selected. For example, a hot pot with lamb or beef as the main protein will likely be more expensive than one with chicken.

Vegetable Broth Hot Pot:

A vegetable broth hot pot is a more affordable option, with an estimated cost of $10 to $12 per person. This price can increase if additional meat is included in the hot pot. Vegetables such as lettuce, potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, corn, tofu, and baby bok choy are commonly used in vegetable broth hot pots.

Noodles and Dipping Sauces:

Noodles, such as bean thread vermicelli, udon, or rice noodles, are typically added to the hot pot towards the end of the cooking process. The cost of noodles is relatively inexpensive and can depend on the type and quantity purchased. Dipping sauces, such as soy sauce, sesame paste, chili oil, hoisin sauce, and red rice vinegar, are essential components of the Mongolian hot pot experience. These sauces can be made from scratch or purchased pre-made, with prices varying depending on the type and brand.

Spices and Seasonings:

Spices and seasonings are crucial to enhancing the flavor of the broth. Common spices used in Mongolian hot pot include ginger, scallions, Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon, and star anise. These spices can be purchased individually or as a pre-made hot pot spice mix. The cost of spices and seasonings can vary depending on their type, quality, and quantity.

In conclusion, the cost of ingredients for a traditional Mongolian hot pot can range from $8 to $25 per person, depending on the type of broth, the variety and quantity of ingredients used, and the number of people served. It is important to note that the prices mentioned above are estimates and can vary depending on geographic location and the specific ingredients chosen.

Cost of a Mongolian hotpot in the US

The cost of a Mongolian hotpot in the US varies depending on the type of broth and the ingredients used.

A chicken broth hotpot, which is recommended for beginners, typically costs around $15-$20 per person. The price may vary depending on the variety and quantity of vegetables and meat selected.

A meat broth hotpot, which includes varieties of meat such as lamb, beef, pork, and chicken, can cost around $20-$25 per person. This price may fluctuate based on the price of meat in the region.

A vegetable broth hotpot is usually cheaper than meat broths, ranging from $10 to $12 per person. The price may increase if additional meat is added to the vegetable broth.

It is important to note that the cost of a Mongolian hotpot can vary depending on the restaurant and location, and the prices mentioned above are only estimates.

Frequently asked questions