How To Make Chinese Hot Pot At Home

As autumn arrives and the weather cools, many begin to crave the comforting warmth of hot pot. However, some may hesitate, thinking that making hot pot is too complicated. Today, I’m sharing a simple homemade hot pot recipe that’s easy to learn—just give it a try, and you’ll master it in no time!

There are many varieties of Chinese hot pot, and today I'm sharing a classic Sichuan hot pot recipe. This hot pot is perfect for enjoying with family and friends. I’ll walk you through the detailed steps and demonstrate how to make it.

1.About Hot Pot

Hot pot is a traditional Chinese dish, historically known as "Gu Dong Geng," named for the bubbling sound made when food is dropped into boiling water. The basic method involves using a pot and heat source to bring water or broth to a boil, in which various ingredients are cooked.

Typical hot pot ingredients include a wide variety of meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, eggs, and staple foods. These ingredients are cooked in boiling water or specially prepared broth and enjoyed once cooked. Some versions of hot pot are accompanied by dipping sauces for added flavor.

Among the different types of hot pot, spicy Sichuan hot pot is the most popular. Originally known as "Mao Du Hot Pot," it is famous for its distinctive spicy and numbing flavor. It originated in Chongqing and is also referred to as "Red Soup Hot Pot," "Red Oil Hot Pot," or "Mountain City Hot Pot." Chongqing is considered the birthplace of spicy hot pot and remains its primary source to this day.

2.Necessary Equipment

When you decide to make hot pot at home, you'll need to prepare the following equipment:

Heat Source: You can buy an electric hot pot, which plugs directly into an outlet. This type of pot is versatile and can be used for cooking hot pot, boiling noodles, and making other dishes.

Chopsticks: Chopsticks are essential for picking up food during hot pot. It's best to use bamboo or wooden chopsticks, as they are heat-resistant and cool down quickly. Avoid using plastic or metal chopsticks—plastic can melt at high temperatures, and metal can conduct heat, potentially burning your hands.

3.Preparing the Ingredients

When making hot pot, you can add any of your favorite foods. Here are the ingredients used in this recipe:

Meat: Beef, fish roe pouches, and hot pot meatballs. You can find fish roe pouches and hot pot meatballs at Chinese grocery stores.

Vegetables: Kelp knots, leeks, Napa cabbage, lotus root, radish, taro, dried shiitake mushrooms, spinach, corn, enoki mushrooms, potatoes, and more.

Seasonings: Common Chinese seasonings like pepper powder, Doubanjiang (fermented bean paste), star anise, cinnamon sticks, and other typical spices.

4.Homemade Hot Pot Broth

For convenience, you can buy pre-made hot pot broth from the store, which saves a lot of time. However, I prefer to make my own hot pot broth. Previously, I shared a Sichuan Hot Pot Broth Recipe and a Hot Pot Soup Base—feel free to check those out if you're interested. This time, I've prepared a new broth recipe that’s less spicy and suitable for a wider range of tastes. Below, you'll find the detailed instructions.

5.Preparation

Beef: Clean and cut the beef into chunks, then set aside.

Chicken Feet: Clean the chicken feet, trim the nails, cut them in half, and set aside.

Kelp & Dried Mushrooms: Clean the kelp and set aside. Soak the dried mushrooms in water until rehydrated, then cut them in half.

Baby Napa Cabbage, Spinach, & Enoki Mushrooms: Wash and prepare these vegetables.

Corn, Lotus Root, Radish, Potato, & Taro: Peel, wash, and cut into pieces.

Aromatics: Peel and slice the ginger. Clean and cut the green onions into sections. Rinse the star anise and cinnamon sticks.

6.More Hot Pot Recipes

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Hot Pot

Lamb Ribs Hot Pot

Fragrant Chicken Hot Pot

Clear Broth Hot Pot

Here’s how to make this delicious hot pot!