chinese hot pot
Chinese hot pot is one of those meals that’s more of an experience than a strict recipe. You set a simmering pot of broth in the middle of the table and cook everything right in it; thin sliced meats, mushrooms, tofu, noodles, and whatever vegetables you’re craving. It’s warm, interactive, and weirdly addicting once you get into the rhythm of cooking bite by bite.
What I love the most about hot pot is how customizable it is. You can make it mild and cozy or go spicy and bold, and everyone can build their own perfect bowl without any complicated prep. It’s the easiest way to do a ‘big dinner’ that still feels relaxed because the pot does most of the work once everything is laid out.
For my hot pot set up I keep a good mix of ingredients on the table so there’s variety without it turning into a project. Once the broth is simmering it’s basically just dip, swish, and eat - then repeat until you’re full. And if you make a good dipping sauce it becomes dangerously easy to keep going.
Hot pot necessities
Each diner needs a small bowl, dipping dish, spoon, and chopsticks. You will also need the hot pot itself as well as small trays to hold the food for the table.
Ingredients you will need
For the food portion you will want to get hot pot base, thinly sliced meat, tofu, quail eggs, fish balls, lobster balls, tripe, shrimp, shrimp balls, cuttlefish, shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, lotus root, cabbage, bok choy, daikon radish, romaine hearts, dumplings, potatoes, and fresh noodles. All ingredients are cut into bite size pieces.
Approximate cooking times
Raw beef - 10 seconds
Romaine heart - 20 seconds
Tripe - 30 seconds
Bok Choy - 40 seconds
Oyster mushrooms - 50 seconds
Tofu - 1 minute
Shiitake mushrooms - 1 minute
Shrimp/lobster/fish balls - 1 minute
Sliced chicken - 1 minute
Cuttlefish - 2 minutes
Enoki mushrooms - 1-3 minutes
Quail eggs - 2-3 minutes
Cabbage - 3 minutes
Noodles - 7 minutes
Dumplings - 9 minutes
Lotus root - 15-20 minutes
Daikon - 15-20 minutes
Potatoes - 15-20 minutes
Dipping station
Hot pot ingredients are good on their own but the sauce is what makes it addictive. If you get the sauce right you’ll start cooking things just as an excuse to dip them. I do soy sauce with vinegar, sesame oil and then add garlic and chili until it tastes like it has a personality.
Necessities for the dip creation are soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili oil, peanut sauce, sesame oil, Chinese bbq sauce, oyster sauce, fried chili in oil, chili garlic sauce, honey, lemon grass paste, sesame seeds, minced garlic, chopped green onions, minced ginger, sliced Thai chilies, and chopped cilantro. I also like to serve pickled radishes and marinated garlic on the side. Mix different sauces and herbs in your dipping bowl to create your own custom flavor!
Happy dipping!
Recommended products to make this dish
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