Hotpot at Home: The Complete Beginner's Guide

Want to try hotpot at home, but not sure how to start? No worries! With a hot pot, flavorful broth, and your favorite ingredients, you can easily set a cozy meal on the table. In this guide, you’ll discover step by step how to enjoy hotpot at home.

What do you need?

For a successful hotpot evening, you don't need much:

• A hot pot: use this to heat the broth and cook the ingredients directly at the table.
• Broth: choose chicken broth or vegetable broth, for example.
• Ingredients: think of meat, fish, vegetables, noodles, or tofu.

Which ingredients are suitable?

As a beginner, it’s best to choose ingredients that are easy to prepare. This way you can enjoy a delicious meal without much prep work.

• Meat: thin slices of chicken or beef.
• Fish: shrimp or pieces of white fish.
• Vegetables: bok choy, mushrooms, broccoli or carrot.
• Extras: noodles, tofu, or dumplings.

Cut the ingredients into small pieces beforehand. Thin slices and small portions are ideal, as they usually cook faster.

How do you start?

1. Heat the broth

Pour the broth into the hot pot and heat it according to the appliance’s instructions.

2. Set everything on the table

Divide the ingredients into different bowls. This way everyone can easily choose what they like.

3. Add the ingredients

Add the ingredients to the hot broth and let them cook. Cooking times vary per ingredient. Make sure meat and fish are fully cooked before eating.

4. Taste and enjoy

Take the cooked ingredients out of the broth and enjoy! Combine different flavors and optionally add a tasty dipping sauce for even more flavor.

3 handy tips for beginners

• Start simple: choose one broth and a few ingredients. That’s all you need for a successful hotpot night.
• Prep everything beforehand: cut the ingredients and set everything out so you can fully enjoy the meal while eating.
• Pay attention to safety: use separate tongs and bowls for raw and cooked ingredients. Keep raw meat and fish refrigerated until use.

Ready for your first hotpot night?

Hotpotting yourself is easier than you think! You choose your favorite ingredients, cook them together at the table and discover which flavor combinations you like best. It’s the perfect way to cook, taste, and enjoy together.

Gather your favorite ingredients, choose a delicious broth, and turn your first hotpot night into a cozy occasion!

Discover the fun of hotpotting together!