The Secret To A Tasty Hot Pot: The Magic Of Hot Pot Sauce

Hot pot sauce is a must-have condiment when eating hot pot. It is similar to Western fondue dipping sauces and commonly includes ingredients such as soy sauce, fresh garlic, ginger, spring onions, and toasted sesame oil. The sauce can be customised according to personal preference, with options to make it spicy, nutty, creamy, or sour.

Hot pot sauce ingredients

Hot pot sauce is a rich and tasty blend of ingredients that complement the hot pot experience. The sauce is highly customizable and can be tailored to individual preferences. Here are the essential ingredients that form the base of a delicious hot pot sauce:

Chinese Sesame Paste or Peanut Butter

Sesame paste is a common base for hot pot sauce, made from toasted, unhulled sesame seeds. It has a dark colour, sandy texture, and an intense nutty flavour. It gives the sauce a hearty thickness and a satisfying coating. Peanut butter can be used as an alternative if sesame paste is unavailable.

ShaCha/Chinese BBQ Sauce

ShaCha sauce is synonymous with hot pot for many. It is an explosion of flavours, including chilli, garlic, shallots, dried shrimp, and brill fish. It adds a savoury and slightly spicy kick to the sauce.

Light Soy Sauce

Light soy sauce is a versatile ingredient used for thinning out the sauce, adding saltiness, and harmonising the various flavours in the hot pot sauce. It is a subtle yet essential component.

Oyster Sauce

Oyster sauce is a Chinese pantry staple, adding umami, sweetness, and a well-rounded flavour to the hot pot sauce. It is made from oysters and often includes a small amount of MSG to enhance its savoury taste.

Chinese Black Vinegar or Rice Vinegar

The type of vinegar used is a matter of personal preference. Chinese black vinegar, such as Chinkiang or Zhenjiang, offers a dark, malty, and bold flavour profile. Alternatively, Shanghai rice vinegar is delicate and light, providing a more subtle acidic touch.

Chili Oil

Chilli oil adds a mild to moderate level of heat and a rich, spicy flavour to the hot pot sauce. It is made by infusing oil with hot chillies and can be adjusted to suit your desired spice level.

Garlic

Minced or chopped garlic is a must-have ingredient in hot pot sauce. It contributes to the overall savoury flavour and adds a pungent kick.

Green Onions or Scallions

Chopped green onions or scallions bring a mild onion flavour and a touch of freshness to the sauce. They also add a bit of texture and colour.

Cilantro

Minced or chopped cilantro is another essential herb that adds a bright, fresh flavour and a slight crunch to the hot pot sauce. It helps to balance out the other strong flavours.

These ingredients form the foundation of a delicious and addictive hot pot sauce. From there, you can further customise and experiment with additional ingredients, such as roasted sesame seeds, doubanjiang (fermented chilli bean paste), fish sauce, hoisin sauce, or even crushed roasted peanuts for added texture and flavour.

How to make hot pot sauce

Hot pot sauce is an integral part of the hot pot experience. The right sauce can level up your hot pot game at home. There are no rules when it comes to making hot pot sauce, and you can mix and match ingredients according to your preference. Here is a guide on how to make your own hot pot sauce at home.

Ingredients

The most common ingredients used in hot pot sauce are:

• Chinese sesame paste or peanut butter
• Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Sugar
• Roasted sesame seeds
• Chili oil
• Minced garlic
• Chopped green onions or scallions
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Water

Other optional ingredients include:

• Doubanjiang or fermented chilli bean paste
• Hoisin sauce
• Fish sauce
• Sesame oil
• Chopped red or green chillies
• Roasted chopped peanuts
• Whole fried soybeans
• Sichuan peppercorn powder
• MSG

Instructions

To make the hot pot sauce, simply mix all your chosen ingredients together in a small bowl. Adjust the quantities of each ingredient to your taste preferences. For a smoother and less salty sauce, you can add more water or vinegar. If you want a spicy sauce, include ingredients like chilli oil, chilli garlic sauce, or chopped chillies. Play around with different combinations of ingredients and quantities to find your perfect hot pot sauce!

Hot pot sauce recipes

Hot pot is a meal in which various ingredients are cooked in a pot of bubbling soup in the centre of the table. The soup pot can be communal or individual, and diners take the cooked ingredients out of the pot and eat them with a dipping sauce.

Light Sesame Soy

This simple recipe is perfect for those who are in the mood for an Asian-inspired dish.

Ingredients:

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

Chilli Oil Vinegar Dip

Chilli oil is the main ingredient in this recipe, and it adds a wonderful flavour and kick to the dip.

Ingredients:

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

Creamy Dashi Garlic

This recipe for creamy dashi garlic sauce is perfect for a variety of dishes.

Ingredients:

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

Spicy Peanut Dip

This spicy peanut dip is an easy and flavorful recipe. The main ingredient in this dip is peanut butter, which adds creaminess and a nutty flavour.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tbsp spicy bean paste
• 1 tbsp chopped spring onion

Creamy Garlic Sesame Sauce

A creamy, nutty sauce with a kick of garlic.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 tbsp sesame paste
• 1 tsp dashi powder
• 2.5 tbsp black vinegar
• 1 tbsp minced garlic

Taiwanese Shacha Sauce

A classic Taiwanese sauce with a kick of chilli.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp chopped red chilli (optional)
• 2-3 tbsp green onion (chopped)
• 1.5 tbsp Taiwanese Shacha sauce
• 2 tbsp black vinegar

Chinese Hot Pot Sauce

A rich and tasty sauce with hints of spice, sweetness, and acidity.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste
• 1-2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp roasted sesame seeds
• 1/2 to 1 tbsp chilli oil (adjust to desired heat)
• 1 tbsp doubanjiang or fermented chilli bean paste (optional)
• 1/2 to 1 tbsp minced garlic
• Chopped green onions or scallions
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• 2-3 tbsp water (adjust to desired consistency)

Hot pot sauce pairings

Hot pot sauce is a must-have condiment when eating hot pot. It is usually made with a combination of soy sauce, fresh garlic, ginger, spring onions, and toasted sesame oil. However, there are many different variations and ingredients you can add to create your own unique hot pot sauce. Here are some ideas for hot pot sauce pairings:

Taiwanese Shacha Dipping Sauce

This sauce is savory and garlicky with a hint of seafood flavor. The key ingredients are garlic, Shacha sauce, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, scallions, toasted sesame oil, and Thai chili peppers (optional).

Garlic Sesame Sauce

This sauce is a great alternative if you don't like spicy flavors. It is creamy, garlicky, and savory. The main ingredients are Chinese sesame paste, cashew butter, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, garlic, shiitake mushroom seasoning, and water.

Chinese Spicy Garlic Chili Sauce

This sauce is perfect for those who like it spicy. It has a savory and slightly tangy flavor. The ingredients include garlic chili sauce, balsamic vinegar, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, scallions, sesame seeds, Sichuan peppercorn powder, and oyster sauce.

Japanese Sesame Miso Sauce

This sauce is creamy and nutty, with a rich umami flavor. It is made with miso paste, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, Chinese sesame paste, coconut aminos, toasted white sesame seeds, and water.

Spicy Peanut Sauce

This sauce has a sweet and spicy flavor, inspired by Taiwanese dan dan noodles. It will complement all other hot pot flavors. The ingredients include unsalted peanut butter, coconut aminos, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, water, garlic chili sauce (optional), and cilantro (optional).

Light Sesame Soy

A simple recipe that is perfect for those craving an Asian-inspired dish. Combine sesame oil, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, minced garlic, and chopped spring onion. Sprinkle some sesame seeds on top for a crunchy texture.

Chilli Oil Vinegar Dip

Chilli oil is the star of this recipe, adding a wonderful flavor and kick to the dip. Simply combine chilli oil, minced garlic, black vinegar, light soy sauce, and chopped spring onion.

Creamy Dashi Garlic

A creamy and flavorful sauce that is perfect for a variety of dishes. All you need is peanut butter, minced garlic, and chopped coriander.

Honey Miso Dip

This dip is a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory. Combine chopped spring onion and chopped coriander with honey and miso.

Spicy Peanut Dip

This dip is easy to make and full of flavor. The main ingredient is peanut butter, which adds creaminess and a nutty flavor. Pair it with dou ban jiang (a popular bean paste used in Sichuan cuisine) for a nice heat.

Hot pot sauce storage

Hot pot sauce is a must-have condiment when eating hot pot. It is usually made with a combination of soy sauce, fresh garlic, ginger, spring onions, and toasted sesame oil.

• Store the sauce in an airtight glass container in the fridge.
• Use the sauce within a week.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to thin it out.
• Label the container with the date it was made and the expiration date.
• Keep the container away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Use a clean spoon or utensil when taking sauce from the container to avoid contamination.
• If you plan on storing the sauce for an extended period, consider freezing it in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container.
• You can also freeze the sauce in small containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion.

Frequently asked questions