The Art Of Crafting Hot Pot Soy Sauce

Hot pot is a popular dish in China, especially during the colder months. It's a social and interactive dining experience where diners sit around a pot of simmering soup, cooking and dipping various raw ingredients such as vegetables, meat, seafood, and tofu.

A key part of the hot pot experience is the dipping sauce, which can be customised according to individual preferences. Common ingredients for hot pot soy sauce include light soy sauce, sesame paste or sauce, peanut butter, oyster sauce, chilli oil, garlic, and scallions or spring onions.

- Light Sesame Soy: Combine light soy sauce, oyster sauce, minced garlic, and chopped spring onion. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for a crunchy texture.

- Chilli Oil Vinegar Dip: Mix chilli oil, black vinegar, light soy sauce, and chopped spring onion.

- Creamy Dashi Garlic: Blend peanut butter, minced garlic, and chopped coriander.

- Spicy Peanut Dip: Combine peanut butter, spicy bean paste, and chopped spring onion.

Light Sesame Soy

This sauce is a great option for those who want a nutty, savoury, and slightly spicy kick to their hot pot. The key to this sauce is toasting the sesame seeds before grinding them into a paste, which creates a deeper, more intense flavour.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp toasted sesame paste
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tbsp chopped scallions
• 1/2 tbsp chopped red chilli (optional)
• 1/2 tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)

Instructions:

• Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
• Adjust the amounts of each ingredient to your taste preferences.
• If you prefer a thinner sauce, gradually add water and whisk until you reach the desired consistency.
• Enjoy your light sesame soy sauce with your favourite hot pot ingredients!

Feel free to experiment with the ingredients and adjust the quantities to suit your taste. You can also try adding other ingredients, such as crushed roasted peanuts or a dash of sugar, to create your unique sauce combination.

Chilli Oil Vinegar Dip

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tbsp black vinegar
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp chopped spring onion
• 1/2 to 1 tbsp chilli oil (adjust to desired heat)

Optional Ingredients

• 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1/2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste
• 1/2 tbsp chopped red or green chillies
• 1/2 tbsp roasted chopped peanuts
• 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

Chilli oil is the star of this recipe, giving it a wonderful flavour and kick. It can be found in most Asian supermarkets or made at home by heating oil and adding chilli flakes. This dip is perfect for vegetables, meat, and more. With just a few simple ingredients, this dip can be prepared in minutes!

To make the dip, simply mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl. If you want to make it spicier, add more chilli oil. You can also add other ingredients to customise the dip to your taste, such as oyster sauce, sesame paste, chopped chillies, roasted peanuts, or toasted sesame seeds.

This chilli oil vinegar dip is perfect for hot pot and can be easily customised to your liking. Enjoy!

Creamy Dashi Garlic

A creamy, nutty, and savoury hot pot sauce with a hint of garlic. This sauce is perfect for those who want something a little different from the usual soy sauce-based dips. The addition of peanut butter or tahini gives it a unique flavour and texture that will leave your guests wanting more.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp peanut butter or tahini
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander

Optional Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp chopped spring onion

Method:

Simply mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl and serve as a dipping sauce for your hot pot. If you want a thinner sauce, you can add a little water, but this is not necessary.

Tips:

• If you're looking for a stronger garlic flavour, feel free to add more minced garlic to the sauce.
• For a spicier kick, you can add some chopped red or green chillies to the mix.
• This sauce can also be used as a glaze for meat-based dishes like grilled chicken or lemongrass pork.

Storage:

Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. If the sauce becomes too thick, simply add a little water to thin it out.

Honey Miso Dip

A perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savoury, this honey miso dip is a great addition to your hot pot. It is super easy to make and will elevate your homemade hot pot to the next level!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp chopped spring onion
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander
• Optional: 1 tbsp peanut butter

Method:

• Simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
• Add water to adjust the consistency to your preference.
• Enjoy as a dip with thinly sliced beef, lamb, shrimp, or diced chicken. It also goes well with fish meatballs, tofu, mushrooms, tong ho, lotus root, bean curd, steamed rice, or any vegetables.

Storage:

Store the sauce in an airtight glass container in the fridge. It is best to use the sauce within a week. If the sauce becomes too thick, add 1-2 tbsp of water to thin it out.

Spicy Peanut Dip

A spicy peanut dip is a great option for hot pot, adding a nutty, savoury, and slightly spicy kick to your meal. Here is a recipe for a spicy peanut dip, as well as some tips and variations to elevate your hot pot experience.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of unsalted peanut butter or almond butter (you can also use unsweetened natural peanut butter, tahini, or Chinese sesame paste)
• 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
• 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water, or more if you want a thinner consistency
• 1 tablespoon garlic chilli sauce (optional, adjust to your preferred spice level)
• 2 teaspoons chopped cilantro (optional)
• Other optional ingredients: chopped red bell pepper, chopped peanuts, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, or sriracha

Method:

• Place the peanut butter in a mixing bowl. If you are using a thicker peanut butter, you may want to thin it out with a small amount of hot water first.
• Whisk in the coconut aminos, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, water, and any other optional liquid ingredients.
• Add the garlic chilli sauce and chopped cilantro (if using), and mix until combined.
• Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference. You may want to add more spice, sweetness, acidity, or saltiness.
• Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl and garnish with any desired toppings, such as chopped red pepper, cilantro, or peanuts.

Tips and Variations:

• If you are using a name-brand peanut butter, you may want to reduce the amount of sugar in the sauce, as these often contain added sugar.
• This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before using, thin the sauce with hot water if needed, as it may thicken upon standing.
• For a more authentic Beijing-style hot pot experience, try adding some red fermented bean curd and/or fermented leek flower sauce to your spicy peanut dip. These ingredients can be found in Chinese grocery stores or on Amazon.
• If you want to add more crunch and texture to your dip, consider adding some roasted chopped peanuts or whole fried soybeans.
• If you are allergic to peanuts, you can substitute sunflower seed butter or another type of nut butter.
• Feel free to adjust the ingredient quantities to suit your personal taste. Hot pot sauces are highly customisable, so experiment and have fun creating your own unique flavour combinations!

Frequently asked questions