Hot Pot Haven: Choosing The Right Surface For Your Culinary Adventure

Hot pot is a dish where a heat source placed on the dining table keeps a pot of soup stock simmering. It is accompanied by an array of foodstuffs, ingredients and food offerings for the diners to dip into the broth. The cooked pieces are then dipped into sauces for additional flavour.

The two main pieces of equipment required for hot pot are a burner and a pot. The burner needs to be portable enough to sit at the centre of the table. It can be anything, but make sure it's not charcoal as this will fill the room with carbon monoxide. For the pot, you want something shallow so that the food isn't drowning.

Hot Pot Burner Types: Butane vs Induction

Hot pot is a fun and social meal that involves cooking various raw ingredients in a simmering pot of soup at the table. It is a popular dish in China and other parts of Asia. When preparing hot pot at home, one of the essential pieces of equipment is a reliable heat source. There are several types of burners available for hot pots, with the most common ones being butane and induction burners. Here is a comparison between the two:

Butane Burner

• Pros: Butane burners are cheap, reliable, and portable. They are ideal for outdoor use and situations where power outages may occur. Butane burners use common butane canisters that are readily available in most Chinese grocery stores. The temperature control is slower, but still effective as it relies on adjusting the flame size.
• Cons: Butane burners require the purchase of butane canisters and there is a potential safety risk if not used properly. They may not be suitable for indoor use due to the risk of carbon monoxide buildup. Additionally, the need for canisters can be inconvenient, and there is a chance of running out of butane during use.

Induction Burner

• Pros: Induction burners are safer, easier to clean, and more aesthetically pleasing as they do not have an open flame. They provide more precise temperature control and are generally easier to store. Induction burners are also more suitable for indoor use and do not produce carbon monoxide.
• Cons: Induction burners tend to be more expensive and may require a longer power cord or an extension cord for optimal placement. They also need induction-compatible cookware, which can be an additional cost. While induction burners are generally reliable, they have more parts and potential points of failure compared to butane burners.

In conclusion, both butane and induction burners have their advantages and disadvantages. Butane burners are ideal for outdoor use, situations with power outages, and those who prioritize portability and low cost. On the other hand, induction burners are safer, more precise, and better suited for indoor dining experiences. When choosing between the two, consider your specific needs, budget, and dining environment.

Hot Pot Pot Types: Shallow, Split, or Donabe

When it comes to hot pot pots, you have a few options: shallow, split, or donabe.

Shallow pots are ideal for hot pot as they allow you to see the food floating in the broth. A deep stockpot won't do as the food will be lost at the bottom. A split pot, on the other hand, is great if you want to offer two types of broth or keep one side for meat and the other for vegetables. This is also a good option for accommodating different spice tolerances or food preferences/restrictions.

If you're looking for something more traditional, a donabe is an earthenware pot that carries centuries of tradition and can even boost the flavours of what's cooked in it. However, donabe pots are made from ceramic or stoneware, which means they can't be used with induction burners.

Hot Pot Broths: Homemade or Store-Bought

Hot pot is a fun and social meal, often enjoyed with family or friends. It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of meal, where you get to pick and choose the ingredients you want to cook and eat.

The two most important components of hot pot are the broth and the ingredients. The broth serves as the foundation of your hot pot experience, and you can choose to make it at home or buy it from a store.

Homemade Hot Pot Broth

Making your own hot pot broth allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your liking. There are two main types of hot pot broth: spicy and mild.

Spicy Hot Pot Broth

This type of broth is typically associated with Sichuan and Chongqing cuisine and is known for its high-fat content, sophisticated aroma, and distinctive mouth-numbing spice. To make it at home, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Beef tallow or cooking oil
• Dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns (for the Mala flavor)
• Other spices like star anise, cassia cinnamon, bay leaves, and Chinese black cardamom
• Aromatics such as scallions, onion, coriander, garlic, and ginger
• Sichuan chili bean paste and fermented black beans for umami and saltiness
• Shaoxing rice wine and sugar to balance the flavor

The process involves infusing the beef tallow or cooking oil with the spices and aromatics, then adding the remaining ingredients and simmering to release their flavors.

Mild Hot Pot Broth

A mild hot pot broth, also known as Qing Tang Guo Di, is typically non-spicy and consists of stock, aromatics, herbs, and sometimes vegetables. It's easy to prepare and can be made with water, scallions, and ginger. For a more flavorful option, use a stock made from pork, beef, chicken, mushroom, or tomatoes as your base.

Store-Bought Hot Pot Broth

If you're short on time or don't want to go through the trouble of making your own broth, there are plenty of store-bought options available. You can find hot pot broth bases in powder or sauce form at Asian grocery stores or online. Simply add them to water or stock and bring to a simmer.

Some popular store-bought hot pot broth brands include:

• Fly By Jing Fire Hot Pot Base (for a tongue-tingling spice)
• Haidilao Hot Pot Seasoning and Soup Base (herbal and clean-tasting)
• Little Sheep Mushroom Soup Base (for a veg-forward hot pot)

Tips for a Great Hot Pot Experience

Whether you choose to make your own broth or buy it from a store, here are some tips to enhance your hot pot experience:

• Use a portable electric burner or induction cooker as your heat source.
• Choose a wide and shallow pot, preferably a Chinese stainless steel hot pot, to ensure even cooking and easy access to the ingredients.
• Provide bamboo or wooden chopsticks for each diner, as they are heat-resistant and cool down quickly.
• Offer small bowls for individual dipping sauces, allowing everyone to customize their flavors.
• Include metal hot pot baskets or wire ladles to easily retrieve cooked ingredients from the pot.
• Prepare a variety of ingredients from different categories, such as vegetables, fungi, meat, seafood, and starches, to create a well-balanced hot pot meal.

Now that you know the basics of hot pot broths, you can decide whether to make your own or go for a store-bought option. Remember, hot pot is all about customization and enjoying the experience with your loved ones!

Hot Pot Dipping Sauces: Shacha, Sesame, or Soy-Based

Hot pot is a fun and social meal that involves cooking various raw ingredients in a pot of broth at the dining table. While the ingredients cook, each person makes their own dipping sauce by mixing together a variety of sauces and condiments. Here are some ideas for hot pot dipping sauces with a focus on shacha, sesame, or soy-based flavours:

Shacha-Based Dipping Sauce

Shacha, also known as Chinese BBQ sauce, is a common ingredient in hot pot dipping sauces. It is made from soybean oil, garlic, shallots, chillies, brill fish, and dried shrimp, and has a strong umami flavour. To make a shacha-based dipping sauce, you can combine it with soy sauce, black vinegar, water, and sesame oil, and add in some scallions and cilantro.

Sesame-Based Dipping Sauce

Sesame-based dipping sauces can be made with either Chinese sesame paste or sesame sauce. The paste is thicker and made from toasted, unhulled sesame seeds, while the sauce usually has other ingredients added to it. To make a sesame-based dipping sauce, you can combine sesame paste or sauce with soy sauce, black vinegar, and sesame oil, and add in some scallions and cilantro.

Soy-Based Dipping Sauce

Light soy sauce is a common ingredient in hot pot dipping sauces, as it can be used as a dipping sauce on its own. To make a soy-based dipping sauce, you can combine soy sauce with other ingredients such as garlic, scallions, and cilantro. You can also add in some sesame oil and white pepper for extra flavour.

In addition to these base ingredients, you can also add other sauces and condiments to your hot pot dipping sauce, such as oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, chili oil, or chili garlic sauce. You can also add in fresh herbs and aromatics like garlic and scallions, or crushed roasted peanuts for some crunch.

Hot Pot Ingredients: Meats, Seafood, Veggies, and More

Hot pot is a fun and social meal to share with family and friends. The best part about hot pot is that you can choose your own adventure and select your favourite proteins, veggies, and carbs. Here are some ideas for hot pot ingredients to get you started!

Meats

When it comes to meats, thinly sliced beef, pork, and chicken are the most popular options. Look for cuts like ribeye, pork belly, pork jowl, lamb shoulder, and pork shoulder. You can also DIY by freezing your desired cut of meat for about 30 minutes and then thinly slicing it yourself. If you're feeling extra indulgent, go for pre-made beef or pork balls, which are usually found in the freezer section.

Seafood

For seafood lovers, hot pot is a great way to enjoy a variety of options. Shrimp, squid, scallops, mussels, and clams are all excellent choices. For something a little different, try fish balls, which come in a variety of flavours like shrimp, squid, cuttlefish, and lobster.

Veggies

When it comes to vegetables, the sky's the limit! Just make sure to choose options that pair well with Asian flavours. Some popular choices include napa cabbage, baby bok choy, spinach, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and baby corn. Don't forget to add some garnishes like Thai basil, cilantro, and mint!

Carb Options

To round out your hot pot, don't forget to include some carbs. Noodles are a popular choice, with options like udon, mung bean vermicelli, rice noodles, and shirataki noodles. If you're looking for something a little different, try rice cakes or frozen dumplings.

With so many delicious options to choose from, hot pot is a fun and flexible way to enjoy a meal with loved ones. So, gather your ingredients, set up your hot pot, and let the cooking (and eating!) begin!

Frequently asked questions