The Art Of Hot Pot: A Guide To Creating An Authentic Feast

Hot pot is a fun and social meal to share with family and friends. It's a choose-your-own-adventure dining experience where you cook and eat together.

At its most basic, hot pot is an interactive meal where people sit around a simmering pot of soup at the centre of the table with various raw ingredients—meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and starches—cut into thin slices or small pieces for quick cooking.

Hot pot is a Chinese way of cooking food in a simmering pot of soup at the table. It's similar to fondue, but instead of cheese or hot oil, you have a flavourful soup stock. Raw ingredients are cooked in the soup and then eaten with dipping sauces. It's a fun and communal way of eating and is super popular both at home and in restaurants.

Choosing your broth

The spicy broth, often called "Hong You Guo Di" or "Mala", is characterised by a high fat content, a strong aroma, and a mouth-numbing spiciness. It is typically made with beef tallow or cooking oil, dried chillies, Sichuan pepper, aromatics like scallions and garlic, and spices like star anise and cinnamon. This broth is perfect for those who enjoy a bold, flavourful experience.

On the other hand, the mild or clear broth, also known as "Qing Tang Guo Di", offers a lighter, more refreshing option. It is typically made with chicken or beef stock, aromatics like scallions and ginger, and sometimes vegetables like tomatoes and celery. This broth is ideal for those who prefer a milder, less spicy experience.

You can also get creative and experiment with different types of broth, such as Thai tom yum or Japanese shabu-shabu. Additionally, you can adjust the spice level of the broth to your preference by increasing or decreasing the amount of chillies and Sichuan pepper.

For a truly authentic experience, it is recommended to make your own broth from scratch. However, if you are short on time, you can also purchase store-bought hot pot soup bases or broth from your favourite restaurant.

Remember, the broth is the star of the hot pot, so choose wisely and feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavours to find your perfect combination!

Selecting your ingredients

Variety is Key

Hot pot is all about variety and choosing a range of ingredients that will create a balanced meal. Aim for a mix of flavours, textures, and colours. This includes a variety of vegetables, meats, seafood, and starches.

Choose Your Protein

Meat is an important component of hot pot. Beef, lamb, and pork are popular choices. Look for thinly sliced meat, which will cook quickly in the broth. You can also choose from pre-sliced meats or slice the meat yourself. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try adding some sausage to your hot pot.

Seafood Delights

Seafood adds a briny, balanced touch to your hot pot spread. Shrimp, fish fillets, squid, scallops, and shellfish like Manila clams are all excellent choices. Don't forget to prepare your shellfish properly before adding them to the pot.

Vegetable Options

When it comes to vegetables, the options are endless. Napa cabbage, bok choy, chrysanthemum greens, and leafy greens are all great choices. Other vegetables like pumpkin, tomatoes, corn, and potatoes can also be added. Just be sure to slice them into smaller pieces so they cook through.

Fun with Fungi

Mushrooms are a must-have in your hot pot spread. Enoki, shiitake, king oyster, and oyster mushrooms are all fantastic options. They add a variety of textures and flavours to your meal.

Starchy Goodness

No hot pot is complete without some starches. Glass noodles, rice noodles, thin fresh white noodles, dumplings, and tofu are all excellent choices. Don't forget to prepare your noodles properly before adding them to the pot.

Don't Forget the Dipping Sauce

The dipping sauce is a crucial part of the hot pot experience. It's a personal preference, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients like sesame paste, peanut butter, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and Chinese black vinegar.

Remember, the key to selecting ingredients for hot pot is to choose a variety of options that will create a well-rounded and flavourful meal. So, get creative, choose your favourites, and don't be afraid to try something new!

Preparing your ingredients

Meat

Meat is usually the star of a hot pot meal. It's best to slice the meat thinly so it cooks quickly in the broth. You can buy pre-sliced meat from Asian grocery stores, or slice it yourself at home. If you're slicing it yourself, partially freeze the meat before slicing to make it easier. Beef, pork, and chicken are popular choices, but you can use any kind of meat you like.

Seafood

Seafood is a common addition to hot pot, but it's not essential. If you're using seafood, cut it into bite-sized pieces before adding it to the broth. Shrimp, squid, scallops, and mussels are all great options. You can also find frozen seafood medley packs at the grocery store, which often include a variety of seafood options.

Vegetables

When it comes to vegetables, it's important to wash and dry them thoroughly before cutting them into small, manageable pieces. Leafy greens, such as bok choy and napa cabbage, can be left whole or cut into smaller pieces. For root vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes, cut them into thin slices or small chunks. Other vegetables, such as pumpkin, tomatoes, and corn, can be cut into wedges or chunks.

Tofu

Tofu is a versatile ingredient that soaks up the flavors of the broth. There are many types of tofu to choose from, including firm tofu, medium tofu, and tofu puffs. Drain the tofu and cut it into bite-sized pieces before adding it to the hot pot. You can also leave tofu in the broth for a longer time to absorb more flavor.

Noodles

Noodles are a popular choice for hot pot as they soak up the flavor of the broth. It's best to use thin noodles that will cook quickly, such as mung bean vermicelli, rice noodles, or fresh spinach noodles. Frozen dumplings are also a great addition to hot pot, just be sure to cook them according to the package directions.

Cooking your hot pot

Now that all the shopping and prep is done, it's time to cook your hot pot!

Step 1: Set up your equipment

You'll need a burner and a pot. The burner needs to be portable and able to sit in the centre of your table. Electric, induction, gas, or a two-in-one pot connected to an electric source are all good options. For the pot, you want something shallow so your food isn't drowning—a wide, relatively shallow Chinese stainless steel hot pot is ideal. If you're serving two types of broth, you can use a pot with a "yin-yang" feature, which allows you to have two different flavours at the same time.

Step 2: Prepare your ingredients

Wash and chop your vegetables, and lay out your meats, seafood, dumplings, balls, and noodles on plates or trays. Keep similar ingredients together, so everything is contained and separate.

Step 3: Set the table

Place the burner and pot in the middle of the table, and arrange the ingredients around it. Set out individual plates, chopsticks, and napkins at each setting. Have a sauce station with small dipping bowls, and put out tongs, hot pot strainers, and a ladle. Don't forget drinks! Beer or wine are popular choices.

Step 4: Cook your hot pot

Bring your broth to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Start by adding the ingredients that take the longest to cook, such as hardy vegetables, mushrooms, or meats, which will also add flavour to the broth. Be careful when adding ingredients that absorb heat, like tofu or Napa cabbage, to spicy broths, as they can become overwhelmingly hot.

Then, it's a free-for-all! Add whatever ingredients you like, cooking them to your desired level of doneness. Some people prefer to add ingredients in a particular order, such as meat, then vegetables, then starches, but ultimately, there are no strict rules. Don't forget to feed your friends! If you see an ingredient that looks perfectly cooked, scoop it up and drop it into a dining companion's bowl.

Making your dipping sauce

The dipping sauce is a very personal thing. You can make it as simple or as complex as you like, depending on your taste preferences and how much time you have. Here are some ideas for ingredients to include in your dipping sauce:

• Chinese sesame paste or sauce
• Peanut butter or peanut sauce
• Soy sauce (light soy sauce, seasoned soy sauce, and seafood-flavoured soy sauce are all good options)
• Sha Cha Sauce (Chinese BBQ Sauce)
• Sichuan Peppercorn Oil
• Chili Garlic Sauce / Sambal Oelek
• Chinese black vinegar/rice vinegar (a less common ingredient, but up to personal preference)
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Fried shallots or garlic
• Scallions
• Cilantro

To make your dipping sauce, start by choosing a base such as sesame sauce, peanut butter, soy sauce, or Sha Cha. Then, add additional flavourings from the list above, tasting as you go. You can also thin out the sauce with a little water, soy sauce, or black vinegar.

If you want to make things even easier, you can simply dip your cooked ingredients in a mixture of soy sauce and scallions, or in Chinese BBQ sauce.

Frequently asked questions