Hot Pot, also famous as steam boat, is known globally because of its preparation method. You begin the process by simmering a soup stock with other ingredients, making it cook at the table instead of in the back kitchen. It’s common throughout the notion and is usually done as a communal meal.

When fall and winter roll around, one big treat tends to pop into our minds—Chinese hot pot. It’s a warm, comforting, and social meal to have with a close-knit group of family or friends. Plus, because all the food gets cooked at the table, it’s an easy meal to boot.

There are many types of hot pot across China, but at its most basic, Chinese Hot Pot is an interactive meal in which diners sit around a simmering pot of soup at the center of the table with various raw ingredients—meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and starches—in thin slices or small pieces for quick cooking.

Diners can add whatever they like to the boiling liquid. They can then retrieve cooked food items from the pot with wire ladles, and flavor them with individual dipping sauces. 

Ingredients

For the Broth:

• 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 slices fresh ginger, 3 cloves garlic (crushed)

For the Hot Pot:

• 1 lb thinly sliced beef, chicken or pork
• 1 block soft tofu, cut into cubes
• 8 oz mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, enoki), sliced
• 2 cups thinly sliced napa cabbage
• 1 cup mung bean sprouts, 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
• 8 oz rice noodles or cellophane noodles
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Chili oil or sauce, for serving

Directions

1. In a large pot, combine all the broth ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, arrange the hot pot ingredients on a large platter or in individual bowls around the table.
3. Once the broth is ready, transfer the pot to the center of the table and keep it at a gentle simmer.
4. Allow guests to use chopsticks or long cooking chopsticks to add their desired ingredients to the simmering broth. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the meat is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
5. Remove the cooked items from the broth using a slotted spoon or ladle. Dip in chili oil or sauce if desired.
6. Continue cooking and eating in this communal style until all the ingredients are enjoyed.

Additional Tips

• Provide each person with a small bowl for dipping sauce.
• Offer a variety of dipping sauces like soy sauce, sesame oil, chili oil, minced garlic, green onions.
• Cook the ingredients in the broth in order of longest to shortest cooking time.
• Keep the broth at a gentle simmer to maintain the temperature.
• Refill the pot with more broth as needed.

Hot pot is a fun, interactive meal perfect for gathering around the table with family and friends. Customize the ingredients to your taste and enjoy this classic Chinese dish!