Hot Pot's Saucy Secrets: Exploring The Many Dipping Sauces

Hot pot is a warm, comforting, and social meal to be enjoyed with family and friends. The right dipping sauce is integral to the hot pot experience.

There are no rules when it comes to hot pot dipping sauces. You can do whatever you like and mix and match a variety of ingredients to create your own unique concoction. However, there are some common combinations of dipping sauces that are popular in China, with a notable difference between the preferences in the north and south of the country.

In Beijing and other northern cities, sesame paste or Zhīmajiàng (芝麻酱) is a must-have dipping sauce for hot pot. It has a mild and sweet flavour that balances out the salty and spicy hot pot broth. In southern Chinese cities, sesame sauce is not commonly used.

Other popular dipping sauces in China include combinations of crushed chilli, dark soy sauce, vinegar, and coriander, or sesame oil, scallions, garlic, chilli oil, and vinegar. You can also find sauces that blend oyster sauce, sesame oil, soy, garlic, scallions, and sesame seeds.

When preparing a hot pot dipping sauce, it is recommended to have some basic ingredients on hand, such as soy sauce, sesame oil, fresh garlic, and cilantro. These ingredients can be mixed and matched with other condiments and spices to create a personalised sauce.

Some unique ingredients that can be added to hot pot dipping sauces include lemon juice instead of vinegar, for a hint of sweetness and sourness, and Laoganma Spicy Chili Oil, a popular Chinese brand that adds a nice texture to the sauce.

For those who prefer a simpler approach, there are also ready-made dipping sauces available for purchase. However, it is still recommended to add some fresh ingredients like garlic and cilantro to enhance the flavour.

Spicy peanut sauce

Ingredients:

• Unsalted peanut butter (or almond butter for those with peanut allergies)
• Coconut aminos
• Toasted sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Water (or more to thin the sauce)
• Garlic chilli sauce (optional)
• Chopping cilantro (optional)

Instructions:

Gather all the ingredients and simply mix them together in a dipping sauce bowl. This recipe is designed to serve one person, so you can easily scale up the quantity for more people.

If you can't find Chinese sesame paste, you can use a blend of unsweetened peanut butter and tahini instead. For a quicker option, use store-bought bullhead BBQ sauce as a base. Aged balsamic vinegar will also add a naturally sweeter and thicker consistency to the sauce, while chickpea miso paste is a good soy-free alternative.

You can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. For example, if you want a spicier sauce, you can add more garlic chilli sauce or chopped red or green chillies. If you prefer a milder sauce, you can reduce the amount of chilli or omit it altogether.

This spicy peanut sauce is perfect for dipping thinly sliced beef, lamb, shrimp, or diced chicken. It also goes well with fish meatballs, tofu, mushrooms, and various vegetables. So get creative and enjoy your hot pot with this delicious and versatile dipping sauce!

Japanese sesame miso

To make Japanese sesame miso, you will need the following ingredients:

• White miso paste or chickpea miso
• Toasted sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Chinese sesame paste or tahini
• Coconut aminos
• Toasted white sesame seeds
• Water
• Gather all the ingredients and prepare them in advance.
• Simply mix all the ingredients in a sauce bowl, and it's ready to be enjoyed with your hot pot!

You can adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more or less water. If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of water, and if you like it thinner, add more water.

This sauce is perfect for those who want to add a burst of Japanese flavor to their homemade meals. It is versatile and can be used as a dipping sauce for various ingredients, such as thinly sliced beef, lamb, shrimp, diced chicken, tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables.

For an extra tip, when buying hot pot ingredients online or from your local Asian grocery store, ensure that the sesame paste is 100% pure, as some versions may contain blended peanuts.

Light sesame soy sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp chopped spring onion
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

• Simply mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Enjoy the sauce with your favourite hot pot ingredients!

This light sesame soy sauce is a great choice for those who want a simple and tasty dipping sauce for their hot pot. It is easy to make and pairs well with a variety of hot pot ingredients, such as meat, seafood, and vegetables.

If you want to add a little spice to your light sesame soy sauce, you can include some chilli oil or chilli flakes. For a stronger garlic flavour, you can increase the amount of minced garlic in the sauce. You can also experiment with different types of vinegar, such as Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar, to add a tangy flavour to the sauce.

So why is light sesame soy sauce a great choice for hot pot? Well, the light soy sauce adds a subtle savoury note without overwhelming the other ingredients. The sesame oil brings a nutty aroma and flavour, while the oyster sauce contributes umami and a hint of sweetness. The minced garlic and chopped spring onion add a punch of flavour and texture to the sauce.

So there you have it! Light sesame soy sauce is a delicious and easy-to-make dipping sauce for hot pot. Give it a try and enjoy your hot pot feast!

Chilli oil vinegar dip

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tbsp black vinegar
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp chopped spring onion

Instructions:

• Mince or crush the garlic.
• Chop the spring onion.
• Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
• Dip your hot pot ingredients into the sauce and enjoy!

Feel free to adjust the ingredient quantities to your taste preferences. You can also add other ingredients such as chilli oil, sesame seeds, or red chilli flakes for an extra kick.

Chilli oil is a type of oil infused with hot chillies and can be found in most Asian supermarkets or made at home by heating oil and adding chilli flakes. Black vinegar, also known as Chinkiang or Zhenjiang vinegar, has a malty and slightly sweet flavour. Light soy sauce adds saltiness and harmonises the flavours.

Honey miso dip

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp chopped spring onion
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander

Optional ingredients:

• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp toasted white sesame seeds

Instructions:

• Gather all the ingredients and prepare them in advance.
• Simply mix all the ingredients in a sauce bowl, and it's ready!

You can also add water to the sauce, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

This sauce is perfect for DIY hot pot or shabu shabu at home, but you can also adapt it by adding more ingredients. For example, to make it more similar to Cantonese hot pot, you can add soy sauce, garlic, ginger, spring onion, and sesame oil.

Frequently asked questions