Hot Pot Haven: A Guide To Sourcing Hot Pot Ingredients In The Philippines

Hot pot is a popular dish in the Philippines, with restaurants on every corner serving up their own takes on this interactive meal. For those looking to create their own hot pot at home, there are plenty of options to buy the necessary ingredients. Hotpot.MNL provides everything you need, including the pot itself, with vacuum-sealed bags of meat, vegetables, balls, crabsticks, mushrooms, and dipping sauces. Champion DIY Hotpot Kits are another option, offering different flavours such as sukiyaki, special shabu-shabu, premium chicken coconut, and premium laksa. For those who want a more convenient option, Haidilao Self-Heating Instant Hotpot is available on Lazada, with unique flavours like Spicy Mara Beef Butter and Original Pork.

Ready-to-heat hot pot kits

Hot pot is a fun, interactive meal that's perfect for family gatherings and celebrations. If you're looking for a convenient way to enjoy this delicious dish, consider trying out some ready-to-heat hot pot kits. These kits bring the hot pot adventure straight to your door, with all the necessary ingredients neatly packed and ready to be cooked. Here are some great options for ready-to-heat hot pot kits in the Philippines:

Hotpot.MNL

Hotpot.MNL offers a hassle-free hot pot experience by providing everything you need, from the pot itself to a variety of meat, vegetables, sauces, balls, soup base, and condiments. Their meat selections include USDA rib eye sukiyaki, premium USDA Angus beef short plate, and lean pork belly sukiyaki. For seafood lovers, they offer Japanese scallops, shrimp, and squid. They also have assorted balls, vegetables, crab sticks, mushrooms, and dipping sauces. Simply give them a day's notice, and you can have a hot pot dinner ready in just 10 minutes!

Bijin Nabe by Tsukada Nojo

For a unique hot pot experience, try Bijin Nabe, also known as the beauty hotpot. This specialty from Tsukada Nojo, a Japanese brand of shabu-shabu, features a golden chicken collagen broth made from jidori chickens. The collagen-rich broth not only adds a punch of flavor but is also believed to offer health benefits, making it a delicious and nourishing option.

Champion DIY Hotpot Kits

Champion DIY Hotpot Kits offer a range of flavors to choose from, including Sukiyaki, Special Shabu-Shabu, Premium Chicken Coconut, and Premium Laksa. Each kit serves two to three people and comes with high-quality handmade hotpot balls, meats, noodles, and vegetables. Enjoy your hot pot with their signature satay sauce, or order online and have it delivered through foodpanda or GrabFood.

Haidilao Self-Heating Instant Hotpot

Haidilao, a famous Chinese hotpot restaurant chain, offers instant hotpot kits that are perfect for those who want a convenient option. Their self-heating hotpots come in unique flavors like Spicy Mara Beef Butter, Original Pork, and Vegetarian. You don't even need an external heat source—just add water and the provided heating pack will do the rest!

Hot Pot Hooray

Hot Pot Hooray delivers shabu-shabu sets that include an elegant and efficient American Home Induction Cooker with its own pot. Their kits serve groups of various sizes, from intimate gatherings of 2 to 3 people to larger groups of 8 to 10. You can easily order by contacting them via Viber or WhatsApp, or checking out their Instagram page for more information.

Ganso Shabuway

Ganso Shabuway offers Japanese-style hotpot kits with natural, grass-fed beef and fresh ingredients. Their well-considered packaging ensures the beef is freshly sliced and the ingredients stay fresh. They also offer homemade dips in generous 300-ml bottles, so you'll never run out. If you need an induction cooker and hotpot, they can provide those as well.

With these ready-to-heat hot pot kits, you can easily enjoy a fun and flavorful hot pot meal without the hassle of preparing all the ingredients yourself!

Where to buy hot pot ingredients in Manila

Hot pot is a great option for a hearty meal, especially during colder months. The Chinese dish has spawned many variants, most notably the Japanese shabu-shabu. The interactive nature of hot pot makes it a popular choice for family-style dining.

If you're looking for a hot pot spot in Manila, here are some places to check out:

Hotpot.MNL

Hotpot.MNL provides everything you need for a hot pot meal, including the pot! They offer various sets with different types of meat, seafood, vegetables, balls, crab sticks, mushrooms, and dipping sauces. You can place your order by calling (0916) 228-6633 or sending a DM to @hotpot.mnl on Instagram. They require a one-day lead time for orders.

Tsukada Nojo

For a Japanese-style hot pot experience, Tsukada Nojo's Bijin Nabe offers a golden chicken collagen broth, known as the "beauty hotpot." The broth is rich in collagen, which is said to have multiple health benefits. Aside from their specialty broth, they also offer different flavour options, such as sukiyaki, spicy, and pumpkin. You can contact them at (0998) 404-1550.

Champion Hotpot

Champion Hotpot lets you indulge in unlimited hotpot with a wide variety of options. They offer a range of dumplings, including lobster balls, crab roe buns, and taro balls. You can also opt for their fresh pastes, mixed seafood platter, or A5 Japanese Wagyu for a memorable meal. Champion Hotpot is available online at www.championhotpot.com, or you can call them at (0917) 703-4517. They are also available via food delivery apps.

Moon Hey Hotpot & Grill

Located in Quezon City, Moon Hey Hotpot & Grill offers a unique kaitenzushi-style experience with a conveyor belt service system. For ₱709, you can choose between a hot pot or grill feast. The hot pot includes unlimited meats, vegetables, noodles, and your choice of soup base. You can find them at 848A Banawe St, Quezon City, 1114 Metro Manila.

Desgo Hotpot

Desgo Hotpot in Makati City offers an authentic Chinese hot pot experience around the clock. They have a variety of broth options, including hot and spicy, seafood, tomato, and curry-based. They also serve unlimited meat, vegetables, noodles, and seafood balls. Desgo Hotpot has a sauce station where you can mix and match various seasonings and toppings. You can find them at the intersection of Washington St & Dela Rosa St, 1200 Makati.

Jiang Nan Hotpot

Jiang Nan Hotpot has become a popular choice for Chinese-style hot pot, known for its authentic flavours, fresh ingredients, and inviting dining ambiance. They offer an extensive selection of hot pot inclusions, such as meats, vegetables, dumplings, noodles, and dipping sauces. They also have multiple branches across Metro Manila, including one in Makati and Quezon City.

Chairman FU Hotpot Bar

Chairman FU, located in Pasay City, is Manila's first-ever hot pot bar. It offers a sophisticated dining experience with a traditional Chinese hot pot concept and an extensive beverage menu. You can enjoy cold beers, handcrafted cocktails, teas, and fruit-infused drinks along with your hot pot and grilled dishes. Chairman FU is located on the 2nd Floor of the Garden Wing at Newport Mall, Pasay, 1309 Metro Manila.

Ganso Shabuway

Ganso Shabuway is a hot pot franchise that originated in California. They serve authentic Japanese shabu-shabu, featuring all-natural Angus beef cuts, farm-fresh produce, and premium seasonings. In addition to hot pot, they also offer ramen sets, rice bowls, salads, and appetizers. Ganso Shabuway is located on Level 2 of Greenbelt 5 in Ayala Center, Makati.

These are just a few options for purchasing hot pot ingredients and enjoying hot pot dining experiences in Manila. Whether you're looking for a cosy gathering with friends or a celebratory feast, these spots are sure to deliver a tasty and interactive meal.

Hot pot restaurants in Metro Manila

There are many hot pot restaurants in Metro Manila, each offering a unique dining experience. Here is a list of some popular spots:

Wow Cow

Wow Cow is a well-known hot pot restaurant that emphasises the quality and freshness of its ingredients. They offer a diverse range of options, including premium cuts of meat, fresh vegetables, and a variety of broth options. With locations in BGC and other areas, it's a great choice for those seeking a memorable dining experience.

Good Luck Hotpot

Good Luck Hotpot is the largest Chinese-style hotpot banquet in the Philippines. They offer a unique dining experience with traditional Chinese dance performances and artfully presented food, and top-notch service. The restaurant has multiple branches and is open 24/7 to satisfy your hot pot cravings anytime.

Xiao Long Kan

Xiao Long Kan offers authentic spicy hot pot in a cozy and intimate ambiance, making it ideal for celebrations. They provide a wide selection of fresh ingredients and flavorful broths to customise your hot pot experience.

Desgo Hot Pot

Desgo Hot Pot in Makati is known for its diverse selection of ingredients and flavorful broths. The modern and trendy ambiance enhances the overall dining experience, making it a popular choice for those seeking a hot pot meal in Makati.

Chairman FU Hotpot Bar

Chairman FU Hotpot Bar offers a luxurious hot pot dining experience with a wide selection of premium meats and ingredients. The elegant table settings and attentive staff elevate the dining experience. While the prices are higher, the overall experience justifies the value.

Moon Hey Hotpot & Grill

Moon Hey Hotpot & Grill in Quezon City offers an interactive dining experience with a conveyor belt service system. For a fixed price, you can enjoy unlimited meats, vegetables, and noodles with your choice of soup base. They also offer a grill option with a variety of meats.

Nabe Japanese Izakaya + Hotpot

Nabe Japanese Izakaya + Hotpot stands out for its impressive variety of soup bases, offering 16 mouthwatering options. Whether you're a purist or an adventurous eater, they have something for everyone. You can also bring the hot pot experience home with their On-The-Go Set, which includes an electric pot and portable stove.

1970 Grill and Shabu-Shabu

1970 Grill and Shabu-Shabu is a popular Korean hot pot restaurant in Metro Manila, frequented by celebrities. It is known for its affordable pricing, friendly staff, and feel-good atmosphere. Their Beef Shabu-Shabu Set, priced at around PHP500, is a popular choice.

The Canary at F1 Hotel

The Canary at F1 Hotel in BGC offers a hot pot buffet with a wide selection of premium ingredients. You can also make a staycation out of your dining experience by booking a room and enjoying the pool located right beside the buffet.

Bijin Nabe by Tsukada Nojo

Bijin Nabe is known for its collagen-rich broth, extracted from Jidori chicken boiled for over eight hours. This "beauty hotpot" is believed to have multiple health benefits. The restaurant has locations in Greenhills and Pasay City.

Japanese-style hot pot

Ingredients

Japanese hot pot typically includes meat, seafood, tofu, soybean products, and seasonal ingredients. Meat options include thin slices of beef (brisket, short rib, ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak), pork loin or belly, and chicken. Seafood options include fish (salmon or white fish), shrimp, tempura, or fish cakes, as well as scallops, clams, mussels, or squid. Tofu options include medium-firm tofu, yaki tofu (grilled tofu), egg tofu, or aburaage (deep-fried tofu pouch).

A variety of vegetables are used, such as napa cabbage, carrot, daikon, sweet corn, lotus root, sweet potatoes, green onions, and shungiku (chrysanthemum greens). Other options include bok choy, broccoli, spinach, watercress, and various types of mushrooms, such as shiitake, shimeji, enoki, or king oyster mushrooms.

Broth

The foundation of Japanese hot pot is a rich and flavorful broth. Authentic Japanese hot pot recipes typically use a variation of dashi, a Japanese soup stock made from kombu kelp, bonito flakes, and dried mushrooms. The dashi is then combined with a concentrated sauce or used as a base for pork bone broth, chicken broth, seafood, kimchi, tomatoes, or soy milk, depending on the type of hot pot being prepared.

Equipment

To prepare Japanese hot pot, you will need a large cooking pot, such as a donabe (traditional Japanese earthenware pot), a Dutch oven, or a stainless steel hot pot. A portable butane stove is also useful for creating a communal dining experience, as it allows everyone to cook and eat directly from the hot pot over an open flame. In addition, you will need cooking tools such as long cooking chopsticks, slotted spoons, ladles, and a fine-mesh skimmer.

Popular Japanese Hot Pot Recipes

There are several popular Japanese hot pot recipes, including:

• Shabu Shabu: Thin slices of meat and vegetables are cooked in a kombu dashi broth and enjoyed with dipping sauces like sesame sauce and ponzu sauce.
• Yosenabe: A basic hot pot where you can cook various ingredients, such as chicken, seafood, tofu, and vegetables, in a dashi-based broth.
• Chanko Nabe (Sumo Stew): A robust hot pot filled with vegetables and protein in a rich dashi and chicken broth.
• Sukiyaki: Seared marbled beef, vegetables, tofu, and mushrooms are simmered in a sweet and salty soy sauce broth.
• Soy Milk Hot Pot: Soy milk is used as a base for the dashi broth, along with vegetables and thinly sliced pork.
• Nabeyaki Udon: Chicken, tempura, and vegetables are topped with heaps of noodles in a dashi soup.
• Mille-Feuille Nabe: A simple hot pot made with napa cabbage and pork belly slices cooked in a dashi broth.
• Monkfish Hot Pot (Anko Nabe): A winter specialty, particularly in eastern Japan, featuring monkfish liver to elevate the soup broth.
• Yudofu (Hot Tofu): A vegetarian-style hot pot featuring dashi kombu and tofu, served as an appetizer, side dish, or main course.

Chinese-style hot pot

Ingredients

Chinese hot pot ingredients typically include thinly sliced meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and starches. Here are some specific examples:

• Meat: Lamb, goat, beef, pork, chicken, or other poultry
• Seafood: Fish, shrimp, clams, squid, scallops, and seafood balls
• Vegetables: Leafy greens (e.g. bok choy, spinach), root vegetables (e.g. potatoes, sweet potatoes, daikon), mushrooms (e.g. shiitake, enoki, oyster), and corn
• Starches: Rice, noodles (e.g. rice noodles, mung bean vermicelli), rice cakes, and dumplings

Equipment

To prepare Chinese hot pot at home, you'll need some special equipment:

• Heat source: A portable gas, electric, or induction burner
• Pot: A wide, shallow pot that sits stably over the heat source. A divided pot with a wall in the middle allows you to have two different types of broth (usually spicy and mild)
• Chopsticks: Wooden or bamboo chopsticks are best, as plastic may melt and metal conducts heat
• Sauce bowls: Small bowls for each diner to assemble their own dipping sauce
• Metal hot pot baskets/wire ladles: These are optional but useful for adding and removing food from the pot

Broth and Dipping Sauces

The broth and dipping sauces are key components of Chinese hot pot. You can make your own or buy pre-made options.

• Broth: This can be as simple as water with a few aromatics or a complex blend of spices and ingredients. Common flavours include spicy Sichuan-style broth and mild clear broth.
• Dipping sauces: These are highly customizable and vary by region. Common ingredients include soy sauce, sesame paste, peanut butter, chilli oil, minced garlic, coriander, and scallions.

Preparation and Cooking

• Prepare ingredients in advance: Wash and cut ingredients into bite-sized pieces. Place them on plates around the pot.
• Heat the broth: Place the heat source and pot in the centre of the table and turn on the heat. Wait for the broth to come to a boil before adding ingredients.
• Add ingredients in stages: Start with flavourful ingredients like meat, seaweed, and mushrooms. Add starchy ingredients like potatoes and noodles last to avoid thickening the broth too much.
• Cook meats briefly: Meats, fish, and seafood should be cooked for a short time to avoid overcooking.
• Use chopsticks hygienically: Dip the tips of the chopsticks in the boiling broth for a few seconds after handling raw food.

Frequently asked questions