Creative Uses For Hot Pot Dips: Beyond The Ordinary

Hot pot is a fun, interactive meal that's perfect for cold nights. It involves cooking various ingredients in a pot of bubbling soup at the centre of the table. The cooked ingredients are then dipped into a sauce.

There are no rules when it comes to hot pot dips—you can do whatever you like. However, there are some common combinations in China, with a difference in preference between the north and the south. In Beijing, for example, sesame paste is a popular dipping sauce, whereas in southern cities, it is not common at all.

You can make your own dips with common ingredients such as sesame paste, peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, chilli oil, oyster sauce, garlic, and coriander. Or, you can buy ready-made dips and add your own ingredients to make them less strong and more flavoursome.

How to make hot pot dips at home

Hot pot is a fun and social meal to share with family and friends. It's also a very personal dish, as everyone can mix their own dipping sauce and choose their own ingredients to cook in the hot pot. Here's a guide on how to make hot pot dips at home:

Ingredients

There are many different ingredients you can use to make hot pot dips, and it's up to your personal preference which ones you choose. However, here are some common ingredients to consider:

• Chinese sesame paste or sauce (not tahini)
• Peanut butter or peanut sauce
• Soy sauce (light soy sauce, seasoned soy sauce, or seafood-flavored soy sauce)
• Sha Cha sauce (Chinese BBQ sauce)
• Sichuan peppercorn oil
• Chili garlic sauce/Sambal Oelek
• Chinese black vinegar/rice vinegar
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Fried shallots or garlic
• Scallions
• Cilantro

Instructions

• Start by choosing a base for your dip. This could be sesame sauce, peanut butter, soy sauce, or Sha Cha sauce.
• Add additional flavorings to your base, tasting as you go. This could include any of the ingredients listed above, as well as other sauces and spices such as hoisin sauce, fish sauce, or chili oil.
• Mix all your chosen ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Adjust the flavors to your taste. You can add more of any ingredient you feel is lacking, or thin out the sauce with water if it's too thick.
• Serve with your hot pot and enjoy!

Tips

• Hot pot dips are very customizable, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and combinations.
• You can make a larger batch of dip and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
• If your dip becomes too thick after storing, simply add a small amount of water to thin it out again.
• For a more authentic hot pot experience, serve your dips with a variety of raw ingredients such as meats, seafood, vegetables, and starches, which can be cooked in the hot pot broth.

Common hot pot dips

Hot pot is a fun and interactive meal that's perfect for cold nights. It involves cooking various ingredients, such as vegetables, meats, seafood, and noodles, in a pot of bubbling soup at the centre of the table. The cooked ingredients are then enjoyed with a dipping sauce.

While there are no rules when it comes to creating your own hot pot dipping sauce, here are some common combinations and ingredients to get you started:

Sesame-Based Dips

Sesame paste, or Zhīmajiàng, is a common dipping sauce in Beijing and other northern parts of China. It is made by mixing pure sesame paste, peanut butter or satay, pickled tofu, leek flower sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and water or broth. This sauce is mild and sweet, balancing out the salty and spicy flavours of the hot pot broth.

Another popular sesame-based dip is Japanese-style shabu-shabu sesame sauce, which can be purchased ready-made.

Spicy Dips

For those who like their food hot, chilli oil vinegar dip is a great option. It is made with chilli oil, black vinegar, light soy sauce, minced garlic, and chopped spring onion. Alternatively, a spicy garlic hot sauce can be made with minced garlic, red chilli, green onion, black vinegar, oyster sauce, and Korean red chilli flakes.

Creamy Dips

For a rich and savoury option, try a creamy garlic sesame sauce made with sesame paste, dashi powder, black vinegar, and minced garlic. Or, for a nuttier flavour, opt for a spicy peanut dip with peanut butter, spicy bean paste, and chopped spring onion.

Savoury Dips

If you're looking for a savoury dip with a kick, Taiwanese Shacha sauce might be your best bet. It includes minced garlic, chopped red chilli, green onion, Taiwanese Shacha sauce, and black vinegar.

Sweet and Sour Dips

For a sweet and tangy flavour, combine light soy sauce, oyster sauce, minced garlic, and chopped spring onion for a light sesame soy dip. Or, for an extra punch of garlic, try a hot and sour garlic dip made with McDonald's garlic chilli sauce, black or rice vinegar, and light soy sauce.

Customisation

The beauty of hot pot dipping sauces is that they can be customised to your taste. Common ingredients to play around with include crushed roasted peanuts, sesame oil, scallions, garlic, cilantro, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, black vinegar, and chilli oil or chilli flakes.

Get creative, experiment with different combinations, and most importantly, enjoy your hot pot feast!

Regional differences in hot pot dips

Hot pot dips and sauces vary across different regions. In this response, we will explore some of these regional differences, focusing on the dips and sauces that accompany this popular dish.

China

Chinese hot pots are often divided into "Southern style" and "Northern style", with Southern styles tending to have spicy broths and complex dipping sauces, and Northern styles being simpler and focusing more on meat, especially mutton.

In Beijing, a typical hot pot dip is zhīmajiàng, a sesame paste that balances the salty and spicy broth with its mild and sweet flavour. It is commonly served in hotpot restaurants in the city and is rarely seen in southern Chinese cities. A common combination in southern China is a blend of oyster sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and scallions.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, hotpot is commonly eaten with a dipping sauce consisting of shacha sauce and raw egg yolk, with stir-fried beef. This combination has become an iconic part of Taiwanese cuisine, with its unique flavour profile.

Japan

In Japan, hot pots are known as nabemono, and there are many variations, including sukiyaki, yosenabe, and shabu-shabu. Shabu-shabu, which is a Japanese hot pot variation, typically includes various dips and condiments such as ponzu sauce (a Japanese citrus sauce), sesame sauce, and soy sauce.

Cambodia

In Cambodia, hot pot is called yao hon, and it is usually eaten during celebrations or family gatherings. The Cambodian version of hot pot also includes an herb sauce as the ingredients are not flavoured by immersion in a broth.

Laos

Lao-style hot pots, called sin joom, usually include condiments such as crushed chillies, minced raw garlic, lime wedges, coriander leaves, and fish sauce.

These are just a few examples of regional differences in hot pot dips and sauces. Each region and culture puts its unique twist on this popular dish, making it a delightful culinary experience worldwide.

Ready-made hot pot dips

Sesame-Based Dips

Sesame sauce is a popular choice for hot pot, especially in Beijing and other northern parts of China. It has a mild and sweet flavour that balances out the salty and spicy notes of the hot pot broth. Ready-made sesame sauces are available from brands like Haidilao and Wangzhihe. You can also find pure sesame paste, which can be used as a base for your own customised dip. To make the sauce smoother and less strong, consider adding some sesame oil.

Chilli & Garlic Sauce

For a quick and easy dip, get a ready-made chilli & garlic sauce and mix it with sesame oil and soy sauce to taste. You can also add some freshly chopped cilantro and garlic to enhance the flavour. The Lee Kum Kee brand offers a nice chilli garlic sauce that can be used as a base.

Laoganma Spicy Chili Oil

Laoganma is a well-known brand in China, and their spicy chili oil is a popular choice for hot pot dips. It contains soybean oil, Sichuan peppercorn, and peanut, in addition to chili. Mix it with some soy sauce and sesame oil to make it less strong and achieve the desired dipping sauce texture.

Japanese-Style Dips

If you want to try something different, explore Japanese-style shabu-shabu sesame sauces, such as the one offered by the brand Mizkan. These sauces typically have a creamy and nutty flavour profile.

Pre-Mixed Condiments

There are also ready-made condiments that offer a mix of different flavours, including sesame, chili, garlic, and soybean oil. One example is the brand Baiweizhai, which offers both spicy and regular versions. You can stir these condiments with some extra sesame oil to make them smoother and less salty, according to your preference.

When using ready-made dips, it is recommended to have some basic ingredients on hand, such as sesame oil, soy sauce, fresh garlic, and cilantro, to customise the dips to your taste and make them less strong.

Hot pot dipping sauce recipes

Hot pot is a fun and interactive dining experience that has become increasingly popular. The concept involves cooking various ingredients, such as vegetables, meats, seafood, and noodles, in a pot of bubbling soup at the centre of the table. The cooked ingredients are then enjoyed by diners with a dipping sauce.

The dipping sauce is a crucial component of the hot pot experience, and there are endless combinations of flavours and ingredients that can be used to create a unique and personalised sauce. Here are some recipes to get you started:

Beijing Hot Pot Dipping Sauce

This recipe uses Chinese sesame paste as its base, which is made from roasted sesame seeds and has a deeper taste than tahini. Other ingredients include red fermented bean curd, fermented leek flower sauce, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, garlic, and cilantro. The key to mixing this sauce is to gradually add water to the sesame paste and whisk continuously until a smooth, runny sauce is formed.

Light Sesame Soy Dip

For those who prefer an Asian-inspired dish, this simple recipe combines sesame oil, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, minced garlic, and chopped spring onion. To add a crunchy texture, sprinkle some sesame seeds on top.

Chilli Oil Vinegar Dip

This dip is perfect for those who want to add a kick to their hot pot experience. Chilli oil is the main ingredient, and it can be found in most Asian supermarkets or made at home by heating oil and adding chilli flakes. Other ingredients include minced garlic, black vinegar, light soy sauce, and chopped spring onion.

Creamy Dashi Garlic Dip

This creamy and flavourful sauce includes peanut butter, minced garlic, and chopped coriander. It is a versatile sauce that can be used for a variety of dishes beyond hot pot.

Honey Miso Dip

This dip is a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savoury flavours. It includes chopped spring onion, chopped coriander, and honey miso, which is a popular bean paste used in Sichuan cuisine.

Taiwanese Shacha Dipping Sauce

A savoury and garlicky sauce with a hint of seafood flavour. The key ingredients are garlic, Shacha sauce, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, scallion, toasted sesame oil, and Thai chilli peppers (optional).

Garlic Sesame Sauce

A creamy, garlicky, and savoury sauce that is perfect for those who don't like spicy flavours. It includes Chinese sesame paste, cashew butter, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, garlic clove, shiitake mushroom seasoning, and water.

Japanese Sesame Miso Sauce

This Japanese hot pot sesame sauce is creamy and rich in umami flavour. It includes white miso paste, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, Chinese sesame paste, coconut aminos, toasted white sesame seeds, and water.

Spicy Peanut Sauce

A sweet and spicy sauce inspired by Taiwanese dan dan noodles. It includes unsalted peanut butter, coconut aminos, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, water, and garlic chilli sauce (optional).

Frequently asked questions