Tiffany Haney
Hot pot is an interactive meal, where diners can add whatever they like to the boiling liquid and retrieve cooked food items with wire ladles. The fun part is that hot pot can be a deeply personalised meal, where each individual can mix their own dipping sauce and choose what they want to eat.
There are many types of hot pot across China, but the most common type involves a simmering pot of soup at the centre of the table with various raw ingredients—meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and starches—in thin slices or small pieces for quick cooking.
When it comes to sauces, there are limitless ways to combine the flavours and everyone has their own preferences. Some common sauces include sesame sauce, soy sauce, chilli garlic sauce, oyster sauce, peanut sauce, and hoisin sauce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base | Sesame sauce, peanut butter, soy sauce, Sha Cha (Chinese BBQ sauce) |
| Additional flavourings | Sichuan peppercorn oil, chilli garlic sauce, sambal oelek, Chinese black vinegar, rice vinegar, toasted sesame seeds, fried shallots, garlic, lemon juice, oyster sauce, coriander, scallions, crushed peanuts, BBQ sauce, chilli oil, garlic chilli sauce, sriracha, ginger, onion, Chinese vinegar, green onion, white onion, minced garlic, sliced serrano peppers, peanut sauce, dashi, ponzu, chilli pop, chinkiang vinegar, peanut butter, hoisin sauce, Thai garlic chilli sauce, sugar, Thai peanut sauce, ginger, garlic, onion, rice wine vinegar, low sodium soy sauce, apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, blue cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, pineapple preserves, fish sauce, black pepper, carrot, cider vinegar, mustard powder, honey, dried thyme, butter, black peppercorns, guava, hoisin sauce, plum sauce, honey mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, cayenne pepper, chives, sour cream, anchovies, milk, Parmesan cheese, roasted garlic, cream, basil, butter, sugar, garlic, jalapeno, ginger, honey, chilli, garlic, water, maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, lime juice, rice vinegar, scallions, garlic powder, pepper, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, olive oil, basil, champagne mango, lime, ginger, eggs, garlic powder, red curry paste, coconut milk, brown sugar, vegetable oil, tahini, sea salt, dried basil, butter, sugar, olive oil, garlic, chilli powder, sesame oil, Chinese rice vinegar |
What You'll Learn
Soy sauce, vinegar, onion, chilli
Soy sauce, vinegar, onion, and chilli are all common ingredients in hot pot sauces. Here are some ways to combine these ingredients to create delicious sauces for your hot pot:
Soy Sauce, Vinegar, Onion, and Chilli Sauce
Combine soy sauce, vinegar, onion, and chilli to create a tangy and savoury sauce. You can adjust the proportions of each ingredient to your taste preferences. For example, use more soy sauce if you prefer a saltier sauce, or add extra chilli for a spicier kick. This sauce can also be customised further by adding other common hot pot sauce ingredients, such as sesame oil, garlic, or scallions.
Spicy Soy Sauce and Vinegar Sauce
For a spicy and tangy sauce, combine soy sauce, vinegar, and chilli. You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less chilli, or including other spicy ingredients like chilli oil or chilli garlic sauce. This sauce will provide a nice contrast to the richness of the hot pot ingredients.
Savoury Soy Sauce and Onion Sauce
For a more savoury option, mix soy sauce and onion with a small amount of vinegar to balance the flavours. You can also include garlic or scallions to enhance the savoury notes and create a well-rounded sauce. This sauce will complement the flavours of the hot pot ingredients without overwhelming them.
Tangy Chilli and Onion Sauce
Create a tangy and spicy sauce by combining vinegar, onion, and chilli. You can adjust the proportions to your taste and include other ingredients like garlic or soy sauce for added depth of flavour. This sauce will add a nice kick to your hot pot experience.
Customising Your Sauce
In addition to the core ingredients of soy sauce, vinegar, onion, and chilli, you can experiment with other ingredients commonly used in hot pot sauces. Here are some ideas to customise your sauce further:
- Include sesame oil for a nutty aroma and flavour.
- Add garlic for a savoury kick and extra depth.
- Scallions can provide a mild onion flavour and a bright, fresh touch.
- For an extra spicy punch, throw in some chilli oil or chilli garlic sauce.
- Peanut butter or sesame paste can add a creamy texture and nutty flavour.
- Oyster sauce or hoisin sauce will bring umami flavours to the sauce.
Remember, there are no rules when it comes to creating your own hot pot sauce. Feel free to experiment with different combinations and proportions to find your perfect sauce!
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Ginger, garlic, oil, sesame oil
Ginger, garlic, oil, and sesame oil is a classic combination for hot pot sauces. This combination is a great base for a hot pot dipping sauce, and you can add other ingredients to it to make it your own. Here are some ideas and tips to make the most of these ingredients:
Ginger and Garlic
Ginger and garlic are a match made in heaven when it comes to hot pot sauces. They add a punch of flavour and a savoury kick to your sauce. Fresh ginger and garlic are best for getting the most out of their flavours, but you can also use powdered or dried versions if that's what you have available.
Oil and Sesame Oil
Oil is a key ingredient in any hot pot sauce as it helps to bind all the other ingredients together and creates a smooth, pourable consistency. Sesame oil is a great choice as it adds a distinctive nutty flavour to your sauce. Toasted sesame oil, in particular, has a stronger flavour that can really elevate your sauce. However, you can also use other types of oil, such as soybean oil, if you want the other ingredients to shine through.
Combining the Ingredients
When combining ginger, garlic, oil, and sesame oil, you have a lot of flexibility to experiment and find your perfect combination. Here are some tips:
- Start with a small amount of each ingredient and taste as you go, adding more of what you like.
- For a stronger garlic flavour, you can use minced or crushed garlic.
- Grated or finely chopped ginger will infuse your sauce with its unique flavour.
- If you want a more subtle sesame flavour, you can thin out the sesame oil with another type of oil or water.
- Don't be afraid to add other ingredients to this base to make it your signature sauce. Some popular additions include soy sauce, vinegar, scallions, cilantro, and chilli.
Sample Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as soybean oil)
- 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Combine the ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and neutral oil in a small bowl.
- Mix well, ensuring that the ginger and garlic are fully coated in oil.
- Add the soy sauce and rice vinegar, stirring to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve as a dipping sauce for your hot pot, storing any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Feel free to adjust the ingredient quantities to suit your taste preferences. You can also add other ingredients, such as scallions or chilli flakes, to make the sauce even more flavoursome.
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Thai garlic chilli sauce and Hoisin sauce
On the other hand, Hoisin sauce offers a sweeter alternative. Hoisin is a versatile sauce that can be used as a dip or added directly to the hot pot broth. It is commonly used in Cantonese hot pot and pairs well with other classic ingredients such as soy sauce, garlic, ginger, spring onion, and sesame oil.
When preparing Thai garlic chilli sauce at home, it is important to exercise caution when handling the chillies to avoid any discomfort. Additionally, the sauce can be adjusted to your preferred level of spice by adding more or less chilli.
The beauty of hot pot lies in its customisability, and the same goes for the sauces. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of Thai garlic chilli sauce and Hoisin sauce, along with other sauces and ingredients, to find your perfect dip.
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Beijing-style dipping sauce
Beijing-style hot pot dipping sauce is a nutty, savoury sauce with a super umami taste that pairs well with many types of hot pot soups. It uses a few fermented ingredients to create a unique flavour profile.
The base of the sauce is Chinese sesame paste, which is made from roasted sesame seeds and has a deeper taste than tahini. To this, you can add a number of other ingredients, including red fermented bean curd (also known as furu or stinky tofu), fermented leek flower sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and cilantro.
To make the sauce, you'll need to gradually add water to the sesame paste and mix until it reaches a smooth, runny consistency. Then, add in the rest of your ingredients and mix until everything is fully incorporated. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences.
If you can't find Chinese sesame paste, you can substitute unsweetened natural peanut butter or tahini. Likewise, if you can't find fermented leek flower sauce, you can add more sesame oil and garlic to boost the flavour of your sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup Chinese sesame paste (or unsweetened natural peanut butter or tahini)
- 1/4 cup water (or warm hot pot broth)
- 1 block red fermented bean curd
- 2-3 teaspoons Chinese fermented leek flower sauce (optional)
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic, grated (about 2 cloves)
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced (or to taste; optional)
Instructions:
- Add the sesame paste to a large bowl.
- Gradually add the water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until a smooth paste forms. Continue adding water until the mixture becomes a smooth, slightly runny sauce.
- Add the red fermented bean curd and break it apart while mixing it into the sauce until fully incorporated.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix until everything is fully dissolved into the sauce.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preferences. If you didn't use the leek flower sauce, you may want to add more soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic to boost the flavour.
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Japanese-style sesame sauces
Ingredients
Japanese sesame sauce, or Goma Dare, is made from a combination of Japanese sesame paste (nerigoma), sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and dashi (Japanese soup stock). Here are some tips for choosing the right ingredients:
- Japanese sesame paste: Look for white sesame paste made from toasted white sesame seeds. It has a richer flavor and darker color than Mediterranean tahini, which is made from raw, hulled sesame seeds. You can find nerigoma on Amazon or in Japanese grocery stores.
- Rice vinegar: Use rice vinegar as it is milder than other types of vinegar.
- Dashi: Make your own dashi from scratch (Kombu + Bonito Dashi or Vegan Dashi) or use a quick dashi packet. You can also use water and dashi powder.
- Sugar: Mix the sesame paste and sugar first until the sugar is completely dissolved before adding liquid ingredients.
Preparation
Preparing Japanese sesame sauce is simple: just mix all the ingredients together! Here are some tips for the best results:
- Mix the sesame paste and sugar first until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Gradually add the liquid ingredients (soy sauce, rice vinegar, and dashi) a little at a time, blending well after each addition. The sauce will thicken at first and then thin out as more liquid is added.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt or more soy sauce if needed.
- If the sauce is too thick, dilute it with additional dashi or rice vinegar.
Recipes
- Basic Japanese Sesame Sauce: Mix 3 tablespoons of Japanese sesame paste, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 4 teaspoons of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of dashi, and a pinch of salt.
- Shoyu Sesame Shabu Shabu Sauce: Combine 1 tablespoon each of sesame oil, rice vinegar, and shoyu sauce with 2 tablespoons of sliced green onions and 1 teaspoon of chili garlic sauce. Pulse in a food processor until well mixed.
- Japanese Sesame Miso Sauce: Combine 1 tablespoon each of white miso paste or chickpea miso, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, and toasted white sesame seeds with 2 tablespoons of Chinese sesame paste and 2 to 2.5 tablespoons of water.
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Frequently asked questions
Some common sauces to pair with hot pot include sesame sauce, soy sauce, peanut sauce, and chili garlic sauce.
Some ingredients you can use to make your own hot pot sauce include sesame paste, soy sauce, garlic, chili, vinegar, and cilantro.
Yes, there are several ready-made hot pot sauces available, such as the ones offered by the Haidilao brand and the Wangzhihe brand. These can be purchased at Asian supermarkets or online.
