The Ultimate Hot Pot Broth Guide: Finding Your Perfect Flavour

Hot pot is a fun and social meal that's perfect for entertaining. It's a communal dining experience where everyone gathers around a pot of bubbling broth, adding their choice of proteins, noodles, and vegetables. The best hot pot broth really depends on your personal preference. There are many types of broth to choose from, including plain bone broth, spicy Szechuan pepper base, tomato-flavoured soup, and seafood broth. You can also make your own broth from scratch, with popular options being Sichuan spicy broth and chicken stock-based mild broth. If you're looking for a store-bought option, popular choices include Fly by Jing Fire Hot Pot Base, Haidilao Hot Pot Broth, and Little Sheep Hot Pot Soup Base.

Spicy vs mild broths

There are two main types of hot pot broth: spicy and mild. The spicy broth is typically a Sichuan-style broth made with beef tallow, dried chilli peppers, Sichuan pepper, and other spices. It has a strong aroma and a distinctive mouth-numbing and hot taste, known as "Mala". The mild broth, on the other hand, is usually a chicken stock-based broth with a light and clear flavour. It typically consists of stock, aromatics, herbs, and sometimes vegetables.

For spicy broth lovers, the key is in the chilli peppers and Sichuan pepper, which give the broth its signature mouth-numbing and spicy taste. Other spices such as star anise, cassia cinnamon, and bay leaves add to the aroma and flavour. The broth is usually made with beef tallow, which gives it a rich and aromatic taste, but vegetable oils can be used instead for a vegan alternative. The spicy broth takes some time to prepare, as the dried chillies need to be rehydrated and the spices and aromatics need to be fried and simmered to release their full flavour. However, the effort is worth it for a rich and flavourful broth.

On the other hand, the mild broth is much simpler and quicker to prepare. It can be made with just water, scallions, and ginger, or with a chicken or other types of stock for a more flavourful base. The stock is made by boiling a whole chicken or chicken pieces with ginger, and then adding other ingredients such as shiitake mushrooms, scallions, Chinese dates, and Goji berries. The mild broth is a good option for those who prefer a lighter and less spicy flavour, and it also allows the taste of the meats, seafood, and vegetables added to the hot pot to shine through.

Both types of broth have their unique appeal and can be tailored to individual tastes. For those who like it hot, the spicy broth provides a tingly and numbing sensation, while the mild broth offers a refreshing and light alternative. The beauty of hot pot is that you can choose your own adventure and customise the broth to your liking. So, whether you're a spice lover or prefer things mild, there's a hot pot broth that's perfect for you.

Broth bases to stock up on

Whether you're a fan of spicy food or prefer something milder, there are plenty of hot pot broth options to choose from. Here are some popular ready-made broth bases that you can stock up on for your next hot pot meal:

Little Sheep Hot Pot Soup Base

Little Sheep is a well-known hot pot chain that offers both spicy and non-spicy broth bases. The spicy base has a welcomed zip to it, while the non-spicy base is simple yet flavorful. This is a classic and reliable option that will satisfy everyone's preferences.

Haidilao Hot Pot Broth Flavor

Haidilao is another popular hot pot chain, and their plain broth flavor is creamy, savory, and milky. It's not overpowering, so your meats, seafood, and vegetables will shine. They also offer a variety of other flavors, including a mushroom broth and a tomato-based broth.

DeZhuang Porcini Mushroom Hot Pot Base

This broth base is perfect for mushroom lovers. It has strong mushroom flavors with a hint of ginger, and it's completely vegan. It will add an earthy and umami taste to your hot pot.

QINMA Tomato Hot Pot Soup Base

This tomato-based broth is sweet, salty, and full of the unmistakable aroma of tomatoes. It's thinner and milder in flavor than traditional tomato soup, making it a great option for those who want a comforting and familiar taste.

Lee Kum Kee Seafood Hot Pot Base

If you're a fan of seafood, this is the broth base for you. It's made with dried shrimp and scallops, giving it a funky, umami flavor. Chili flakes are added for some heat, making it a perfect option for those who like their hot pot on the spicier side.

Fly by Jing Fire Hot Pot Base

For those who crave spice, the Fly by Jing Fire Hot Pot Base delivers. It's loaded with tongue-tingling Sichuan pepper extract and a medley of other spices like fennel, star anise, and cinnamon. It's not just spicy but also offers a well-rounded soup experience.

In addition to these options, there are also broth bases available from brands like Bullhead, Laoganma, Sichuan Mingyang, and Xiabu Xiabu. Whether you're looking for something spicy, mild, or somewhere in between, there's a hot pot broth base to suit your taste!

Ready-made hot pot soup bases

Laoganma Chilli Soup Base

This brand is famous for its chili sauces, and its hot pot soup base does not disappoint. It has a rich and spicy flavour with a unique Laoganma taste. The base is quite strong, so you may want to add more water than the recommended 500-550 ml. It is widely available online and in local Asian supermarkets.

Sichuan Mingyang Classic Hotpot Condiment

This hot pot base certainly stands out visually, with an orange butter base, bright red peppers, and green spices. It comes in different flavours, from mildly spicy to very spicy. The 500-gram block is enough for a large pot, so you can cut it in half if you're making a smaller batch. The spicy version is perfect for those who love the rich, spicy flavours of Chengdu.

Sanwu Chongqing Hot Pot

This is one of the best hot pot soup bases if you're looking for an authentic, buttery, and spicy flavour. It is produced in Chongqing and comes in 150-gram packages. In addition to butter, the other ingredients include vegetable oil, chilli, broad bean sauce, Chinese prickly ash, and various spices. This package is enough for a 1 to 1.5-litre pot and can be found in supermarkets in Europe and the US, as well as on Amazon.

Little Sheep Hotpot

Little Sheep is a well-known hot pot chain that offers classic flavours that are generally not too spicy. Their original plain soup base is the perfect starting point for customisation, as you can add fresh ginger, garlic, scallions, and chilli peppers to suit your taste. The brand is widely available in the US and Europe, as well as on Amazon and Taobao.

Xiabu Xiabu Hot Pot Base

Xiabu Xiabu is another popular Chinese hot pot restaurant chain, and their liquid hot pot soup bases are perfect for smaller pots. They offer a variety of flavours, including Indian curry and tomato, which are mild and super tasty. These flavours can be found in bigger supermarkets and on Taobao in China but may be harder to find in Western countries.

Haidilao Hot Pot Base

Haidilao is a giant in the Chinese hot pot industry, known for its quality and service. They offer a range of classic flavours, including a clear seafood broth, a butter-type spicy base, a tomato-based broth, and a mushroom broth. Haidilao's products are available on Amazon, Tmall, and Taobao, as well as in Asian grocery stores in major cities outside of China.

The best proteins, veggies, and starches

Hot pot is a fun and social way of eating. It's a very customizable meal, but here are some ideas for proteins, veggies, and starches that work well.

Proteins

• Beef: brisket, short rib, ribeye, sirloin, flank steak, or thinly sliced beef
• Pork: shoulder, loin, or belly, thinly sliced
• Lamb: shoulder or leg, thinly sliced
• Chicken: boneless breast or thighs, thinly sliced
• Fish: fillets (such as tilapia, bass, fluke/flounder), thinly sliced
• Seafood: shrimp, squid, scallops, mussels, clams, or mixed seafood balls
• Meatballs: Vietnamese or Ikea
• Tofu: firm, fried, puffs, dried "skin", soybean "noodles", or silken

Veggies

• Leafy greens: baby bok choy, napa cabbage, choy sum, spinach, pea tips, watercress, chrysanthemum leaves, or Taiwanese spinach
• Other vegetables: lotus root, potato, sweet potato, pumpkin/kabocha squash, daikon radish, tomatoes, corn, winter melon, bamboo shoots, or broccoli
• Mushrooms: enoki, wood ear, king oyster, shiitake, oyster, or shimeji

Starches

• Noodles: mung bean vermicelli, rice noodles, thin fresh white noodles, spinach noodles, shirataki noodles, udon, knife-cut, dan dan, soba, or egg noodles
• Rice cakes: thin ovals are best
• Dumplings: frozen dumplings or potstickers
• Soy products: bean threads (dried bean curd sticks), soy puffs, frozen tofu, or dried bean curd rolls

Condiments and sauces

While the broth is the star of the hot pot, condiments and sauces are essential to elevate the flavours and add a punch of spice, acidity, or sweetness. Here are some ideas for condiments and sauces to elevate your hot pot experience:

Spicy and Peppery

• For those who enjoy a spicy kick, Fly by Jing Fire Hot Pot Base is a great option. It's loaded with tongue-tingling Sichuan pepper extract and a medley of spices, including fennel, star anise, and cinnamon.
• Sanwu Chongqing Hot Pot is another spicy and buttery hot pot soup base produced in Chongqing. It contains vegetable oil, chili, broad bean sauce, Chinese prickly ash, and other spices.
• Laoganma Chilli Soup Base is a well-known brand in China, offering a rich and spicy hot pot condiment with a unique flavour.
• Sichuan Mingyang Classic Hotpot Condiment comes in a bright orange butter base with red peppers and green spices. It offers a range of spiciness levels, from mild to very spicy.
• For a spicy and numbing experience, try the Little Sheep Spicy Hot Pot Soup Base. It's a classic and reliable broth base that is not too overpowering, allowing your meats and vegetables to shine.

Savoury and Umami

• Haidilao Hot Pot Broth is a well-known Chinese hot pot chain offering a variety of classic broth flavours, including a non-spicy clear seafood broth and a butter-type spicy hot pot base.
• Lee Kum Kee Seafood Hot Pot Base enhances your hot pot with a funky, umami flavour from dried shrimp and scallops, with chilli flakes adding a touch of heat.
• DeZhuang Porcini Mushroom Hot Pot Base is perfect for mushroom lovers, with strong earthy and umami flavours and a hint of ginger. It's also vegan-friendly!
• Little Sheep Hot Pot offers a classic and trusted flavour that is generally not too spicy and easy on the stomach, especially their original plain soup base.

Sweet and Mild

• QINMA Tomato Hot Pot Soup Base offers a sweet and salty flavour, reminiscent of tomato soup but thinner and milder.
• Xiabu Xiabu Hot Pot Base has a variety of liquid hot pot soup bases, including an Indian curry flavour and a tomato version, both of which are mild and tasty.
• Bullhead Satay Hot Pot Soup Base is a sweet, salty, and nutty broth with a mild flavour that pairs well with corn, enoki mushrooms, and pork.

Dipping Sauces and Condiments

In addition to the hot pot broth bases, you can also create your own dipping sauces and condiments to further enhance your hot pot experience:

• Black vinegar, such as Eastlake Shanxi or Fly By Jing, adds a much-needed hit of acid to balance out the rich and spicy flavours.
• Sacha BBQ sauce, such as Bull Head from Taiwan, is a staple in barbecue and soup. Thin it out with soy sauce, black vinegar, and water for a balanced dipping sauce.
• Sesame paste, like Wang Zhihe Pure Sesame Paste, can be thinned out with other sauces or used as a creamy, savoury condiment.
• Minced scallions, cilantro, and garlic add brightness and freshness to your sauces, helping to counteract the richness of the meats and other ingredients.

Feel free to experiment and create your own combinations of condiments and sauces to find your perfect hot pot flavour profile!

Frequently asked questions