Homemade Chinese Hot Pot

What Is Chinese Hot Pot?

Hot pot is a popular communal dining tradition enjoyed across China and many other Asian countries. It involves placing a pot of simmering broth in the centre of the table and cooking different ingredients in it as you eat.

Instead of preparing everything in the kitchen beforehand, everyone gets to cook their favourite ingredients in the bubbling broth.

Depending on the region and personal preference, hot pot can include:

• Thinly sliced beef, lamb and chicken
• Shrimp, fish and other seafood
• Tofu and other soy products
• Leafy vegetables and mushrooms
• Noodles, dumplings and rice cakes

The broth can be mild, spicy, vegetarian or meat-based. Each family can customize it according to their taste.

It’s not just about the food. It’s about slowing down, sharing a meal and enjoying the experience together.

Ingredients for Our Homemade Hot Pot

Here is what I used for our family hot pot.

1. Soup Base

• 1 packet vegetarian hot pot soup base (200 g)
• Water, according to the package instructions

I used the Vegetarian Hot Pot Soup Base shown in the pictures. It is made with vegetable oil and gives the broth a rich, spicy hot pot flavour.

Although the soup base itself is labelled vegetarian, remember that the finished hot pot will no longer be vegetarian once you add meat and seafood.

2. Proteins and Seafood

• Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Thinly sliced halal beef
• Thinly sliced chicken
• Tofu, cut into cubes
• Halal-certified luncheon meat (Spam-style)
• Imitation crab meat

3. Vegetables and Mushrooms

• Enoki mushrooms
• Snow mushrooms
• Napa cabbage

4. Other Ingredients

• Homemade Korean-style rice cakes (tteok)
• Water as required for the broth

Feel free to add fish balls, dumplings, spinach, bok choy, sweet potato or your favourite noodles.

How to Make Homemade Hot Pot

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients:

Wash and prepare all your vegetables and mushrooms.

Cut the Napa cabbage into manageable pieces, trim the enoki mushrooms and prepare the snow mushrooms according to their packaging instructions.

Arrange the tofu, shrimp, beef, chicken, imitation crab and halal luncheon meat on separate plates.

Keep raw chicken, beef and seafood separate from ready-to-eat ingredients.

Step 2: Prepare the Hot Pot Broth:

Follow the instructions on your vegetarian hot pot soup base packet.

Combine the soup base with the recommended amount of water in your hot pot cooker or a suitable pot.

Bring the broth to a boil and then maintain a gentle simmer.

Adjust the amount of water depending on how strong or spicy you prefer your broth.

Step 3: Prepare the Homemade Rice Cakes:

I made our rice cakes at home because I wanted to avoid the alcohol or ethanol listed on some of the store-bought products I had checked.

Cut the homemade rice cakes into bite-sized pieces and keep them ready for cooking.

Step 4: Prepare the Dipping Sauce:

This dipping sauce was one of my favourite parts of the meal!

I mixed together:

• 2 tbsp sesame paste
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)

Mix everything until well combined. Add a little warm water to loosen the consistency if needed.

Taste and adjust the soy sauce and chilli according to your preference.

You can also add a little sesame oil or chopped green onions.

Step 5: Start Cooking:

Once the broth is bubbling, start adding your ingredients.

Add the ingredients that need longer cooking times first, followed by quicker-cooking vegetables, seafood and other ingredients.

Cook thinly sliced beef, chicken and shrimp thoroughly before eating. Chicken must reach an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).

Avoid overcrowding the pot. Let the broth return to a simmer between additions.

Step 6: Enjoy:

Once everything is cooked, dip your favourite ingredients into the homemade sesame garlic sauce and enjoy!

Keep extra broth and water nearby so you can replenish the pot as needed.

Two Homemade Hot Pot Broth Alternatives

Don’t have a packaged hot pot soup base? No worries!

You can make delicious hot pot broth at home with everyday pantry ingredients.

Alternative 1: Homemade Spicy Sichuan-Style Hot Pot Broth:

Rich, aromatic and perfect for anyone who enjoys a little heat.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 tbsp doubanjiang (fermented chilli bean paste)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
• 2–3 dried red chillies
• 1 star anise
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Heat vegetable oil and sesame oil in a pot.
2. Add garlic, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns and dried chillies.
3. Add the doubanjiang and cook for a minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth.
5. Add soy sauce, star anise and sugar.
6. Simmer for 15–20 minutes.
7. Taste and adjust the spice and seasoning.

Your homemade spicy hot pot broth is ready!

Note: Check the doubanjiang ingredients if you need a strictly vegetarian or halal broth.

Alternative 2: Mild Garlic and Mushroom Hot Pot Broth:

A comforting, savoury option for children and anyone who prefers a milder flavour.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 spring onions, chopped
• Salt and white pepper to taste

Method:

1. Heat sesame oil in a pot.
2. Add garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 2–3 minutes.
4. Pour in vegetable broth.
5. Add soy sauce, sugar, salt and white pepper.
6. Simmer for 15–20 minutes.
7. Garnish with spring onions.

This broth is light, aromatic and delicious with tofu, vegetables, chicken and seafood.

Tips for the Perfect Family Hot Pot Night

• Prepare everything beforehand: Wash, cut and arrange your ingredients before bringing everyone to the table.
• Offer different proteins: Include chicken, beef, shrimp and tofu so everyone has something they enjoy.
• Make more than one dipping sauce: A spicy sesame sauce and a mild soy-garlic sauce are a great combination.
• Keep the broth simmering: Maintain a safe, steady simmer throughout the meal.
• Cook in small batches: This helps maintain the broth temperature and makes cooking easier.
• Check ingredient labels: Particularly for imitation crab, luncheon meat, packaged rice cakes, sauces and soup bases if you have halal or dietary requirements.

A little safety reminder: Use a stable hot pot cooker on a heat-safe surface, keep raw meat and seafood separate from cooked food, and use separate utensils for raw and cooked ingredients. Children should have adult supervision around the hot pot.