The Perfect Temperature For A Hot Pot Feast

Hot pot is a Chinese cooking method where a big pot of boiling broth is placed in the centre of the table, with various raw ingredients served on plates around it. The guests cook the ingredients in the broth and eat them with a dipping sauce. The broth should be bubbling but not rolling boil. The ideal temperature range for hot pot is between 170 and 212°F (77 to 100°C).

Hot pot cooking times

Hot pot is a fun and social way of cooking and eating. It involves a pot of flavoured broth, placed at the centre of the table, which is heated and kept simmering throughout the meal. Various raw ingredients are placed on plates around the pot, and each person cooks their food in the broth to their liking.

The ideal temperature for hot pot broth is a topic of debate. Some say it should be bubbling but not rolling boil, which is around 190°F. Others say it should be kept at a constant boil, which is 212°F. A lower temperature is better for cooking frozen foods, and a higher temperature will cook fresh ingredients more quickly.

The following cooking times are recommended for hot pot:

Meat

• Beef – 10 seconds to 1 minute
• Lamb – 90 seconds to 2 minutes
• Pork – 30 seconds to 2 minutes
• Chicken – 2 minutes

Seafood

• Shrimp – 1 minute
• Squid – a few seconds to 2 minutes
• Scallops – a few seconds to 2 minutes
• Fish fillets – a few seconds to 2 minutes
• Manila Clams – 30 seconds to 5 minutes

Vegetables

• Leafy greens – a quick dip
• Root vegetables – until tender, up to 15 minutes
• Potato – 10-15 seconds
• Pumpkin/Kabocha squash – 10 minutes
• Tomatoes – a few seconds to 2 minutes
• Corn – 1 minute
• Lotus root – 5-10 minutes
• Celtuce – 5 minutes or 5 seconds, depending on thickness
• Kabocha squash – 10 minutes

Fungi

• Enoki mushrooms – 10 minutes
• Beech mushrooms – 10 minutes
• Shiitake mushrooms – 10 minutes to 30 minutes
• King oyster mushrooms – 2-6 minutes

Starches

• Vermicelli – 40 seconds
• Rice – 10 minutes
• Glass noodles – according to package instructions
• Rice cakes – 5-10 minutes
• Dumplings – 8-9 minutes to 5-10 minutes
• Noodles – according to package instructions

Soy Products

• Bean threads – 20-30 seconds
• Soy puffs – a few seconds to 2 minutes
• Tofu – a few seconds to 10 minutes
• Dried bean curd rolls – 20-30 seconds
• Fish tofu – 3 minutes

Hot pot burners

When preparing a hot pot, it's important to have the right equipment. The most essential piece of equipment is a heat source, which can be a specialised electric hot pot burner, or any portable heat source such as an electric burner, tabletop gas burner, or induction cooktop.

Electric vs Butane Burners

There are two main types of hot pot burners: butane and electric. Butane burners are portable and convenient, especially if you want to cook outdoors. They are also very affordable, with burners and a pan costing around $20, and butane cans only costing a few dollars. However, electric burners are preferred by some, as they cook more evenly and there is no risk of running out of butane. Electric burners are also more versatile, as you can use any pot or pan, and if you have a portable induction cooktop, you can cook anywhere with electricity.

All-in-One vs Separate Burner and Pot

You can buy all-in-one hot pot units, which are simpler and often cheaper than buying a burner and pot separately. However, they are less multifunctional, and if the unit gets scratched, you are left with a scratched pot. Separate burners and pots are more versatile, as you can use any pot or pan, and you can use the burner for other cooking purposes. Separate burners and pots are also easier to wash, and the components can be stored separately, making them easier to fit into kitchen cupboards.

Temperature Control

Some hot pot burners have temperature controls, which can be useful for getting the pot to come up to temperature quickly, and maintaining a consistent temperature. However, the temperature will fluctuate when you add food, especially if you add frozen food, so it can be hard to maintain a constant temperature. As long as the broth is bubbling, it is usually hot enough to cook food quickly and kill bacteria.

Other Equipment

In addition to a burner and pot, you will need chopsticks, small bowls for dipping sauces, and metal hot pot baskets/wire ladles for cooking and retrieving food from the pot.

Hot pot ingredients

Hot pot is a choose-your-own-adventure meal, so you can pick and choose ingredients to suit your tastes. However, there are some key ingredients that are commonly used to make a delicious hot pot.

Meat

Beef, lamb, and pork are all popular choices for hot pot. For beef, opt for brisket, short ribs, ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak. If you're going for pork, choose shoulder, loin, or belly. Lamb shoulder or leg is also a good option. To ensure quick cooking, partially freeze the meat before thinly slicing it.

Seafood

Seafood is a must-have for hot pot. Shrimp, thinly-sliced fish fillets, squid, scallops, and fish balls are all great choices. If you're looking for something a little different, try Manila clams, which add a distinct saltiness to the broth as they open up.

Vegetables

When it comes to vegetables, napa cabbage, lettuce, and enoki mushrooms are essential. Other options include chrysanthemum greens, yu choy, mountain yam, taro, lotus root, kabocha squash, and potatoes. Remember to cut your vegetables into thin slices or small pieces so they cook quickly.

Fungi

In addition to enoki mushrooms, king oyster, shiitake, and beech mushrooms are excellent choices for hot pot. They add a variety of textures and flavors to your meal.

Starches

Glass noodles, rice noodles, instant ramen, and dumplings are all great options for adding some carbs to your hot pot. Just be sure to choose thin/small varieties that will cook quickly and won't add too much starch to your soup base.

Soy Products

Soy products are a must-have for any hot pot meal. Bean curd sticks, soy puffs, frozen tofu, firm tofu, dried bean curd rolls, and fresh tofu sheets are all excellent choices.

Broth

While you can purchase pre-made hot pot broth, making your own allows you to customize the flavor to your taste. A simple option is to use chicken soup and add a handful of goji berries, ginger, and sliced scallions. For a more unique flavor, try a Mala Beef Broth or an Herbal Mushroom Broth.

Hot pot equipment

Hot pot is a fun and social meal, perfect for a close-knit group of family or friends. It involves cooking various raw ingredients in a pot of broth at the centre of the table.

There are a few key pieces of equipment you'll need to create the ultimate hot pot experience.

The Heat Source

Firstly, you'll need a heat source to keep your broth bubbling. A portable electric burner or tabletop gas burner is ideal. You could also use an electric coil or induction burner. If you're a hot pot enthusiast, it's worth investing in a hot pot set with a built-in electrical heating element.

The Pot

The pot you use for hot pot should be wide and deep enough to hold a generous amount of food and broth. Chinese stainless steel hot pots are a popular choice due to their round shape and depth. Some pots even have a ""yin-yang" feature, allowing you to have two different soup flavours at once.

Chopsticks

Chopsticks are essential for hot pot, offering superior dexterity when retrieving food from the pot. Bamboo or wooden chopsticks are best as they are heat-resistant and cool down quickly.

Sauce Bowls

Small bowls, such as Chinese rice bowls, are perfect for each person to assemble their own dipping sauce.

Metal Hot Pot Baskets/Wire Ladles

While not essential, metal hot pot ladles (wire sieves with wide holes) are useful for cooking and retrieving food from the pot.

Other Useful Items

You'll also need serving platters for raw ingredients, spoons, and strainers. If you're making your own broth, you'll need a large pot to heat it on the stove before transferring it to the hot pot.

Now that you have your equipment, you're ready to create a fun and flavourful hot pot experience!

Hot pot dipping sauces

Hot pot is a choose-your-own-adventure meal, where various raw ingredients are cooked in a vessel of roiling broth. It is a communal dining experience that demands your attention and participation.

The ideal temperature for hot pot is a topic of debate. Some insist that the broth needs to be actively boiling, or bubbling, at around 212 °F (100 °C). Others find that a slow cooker, which maintains a temperature of 190 °F, cooks food at a reasonable pace. A simmer, which is a temperature just below boiling, is also considered acceptable by some.

Now, onto the dipping sauces. Hot pot dipping sauces are highly customizable and can be made with a variety of ingredients. Here are some popular options:

Light Sesame Soy

A simple recipe that combines 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 main ingredient in this recipe, adding a wonderful flavour and kick to the dip. It can be found in most Asian supermarkets or made at home by heating oil and adding chilli flakes. This dip is perfect for vegetables, meat, and more.

Creamy Dashi Garlic

A creamy and flavorful sauce made with peanut butter, minced garlic, and chopped coriander.

Honey Miso Dip

A perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savoury, this dip is easy to make and can be customised to your taste.

Spicy Peanut Dip

This dip is made with peanut butter, which adds creaminess and a nutty flavour. It is paired with dou ban jiang, a popular bean paste used in Sichuan cuisine, for a nice hit of heat.

Classic Spicy and Sweet Chilli

A combination of chilli paste, sweet chilli sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. For extra heat, add some chilli flakes or dried chilli.

Hot and Sour Garlic

A tangy and spicy sauce made with garlic chilli sauce, black or rice vinegar, and light soy sauce.

Taiwanese Shacha

A classic dipping sauce made with minced garlic, chopped red chilli, green onion, Taiwanese Shacha sauce, and black vinegar.

Creamy Garlic Sesame

A blend of sesame paste, dashi powder, black vinegar, and minced garlic.

Spicy Garlic Hot Sauce

A spicy and savoury sauce made with minced garlic, red chilli, green onion, Korean red chilli flakes, ground Sichuan pepper, sesame seeds, black vinegar, oyster sauce, and other ingredients of your choice.

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and find your favourite combinations!

Frequently asked questions