This is a guide on how to create authentic Chinese Beef Hot Pot at Home with the correct ingredients, tools, and equipment.
What is Chinese Hot Pot?
Chinese Hot Pot (火锅) meaning “fire pot” is a traditional and popular social-gathering meal. It is also referred to as a Chinese fondue consisting of a stainless-steel pot filled with savoury broth(s) centered in the middle of the dinner table. The metal pot is heated with an electric or gas stove. Around the pot, there are varieties of toppings including raw sliced beef, vegetables, tofu, and beef balls. The toppings are cooked in the boiling broth. Once cooked and floating to the surface of the broth, they are scooped with a slotted metal spoon and then dipped in your choice of sauce. Chinese Hot Pot is delicious, easy, and super customizable to fit all dietary preferences. Plus, it’s so much cheaper to prepare and cook hot pot at home versus eating out in a restaurant.
What cuts of beef are best?
Thinly sliced cuts of ribeye, sirloin, or flank beef work best for hot pot as they cook quickly. These are typically sold in Asian grocery stores in the frozen section intended for hot pot. If you’re unable to find pre-sliced beef, partially freeze a beef steak and carefully slice thinly using a sharp knife.
How long does it take to cook ingredients?
Cooking duration depends on the ingredient chosen, from as quick as 5 seconds (fried bean curd roll) to about 10 minutes (daikon and lotus root). I prefer to add in my root vegetables first as they take the longest to cook. As a rule of thumb, once the broth boils and the ingredient floats to the top of the broth, it is considered cooked. Make sure your meats are completely cooked through. Once you add in raw meat, allow the broth to boil prior to removing items from the pot. Only add ingredients to boiling broth, not simmering.
What equipment is required?
- Pot: Chinese stainless-steel pots work best as they are thin, deep, and shallow enough for cooking food. They are typically sold in Chinese supermarkets and linked here. I prefer the one that has a metal divider in the middle – this allows you to have two different broths.
- Cooking method: A portable gas stove or electric burner work best for hot pot.
- Slotted metal spoons: These slotted spoons allow you to cook the raw beef easily as the raw beef will nestle in the middle of the spoon. As you lower the spoon into the boiling pot, it allows the beef to not fall out. For all other foods for hot pot cooking, you can release directly into the broth and use the slotted metal spoon to retrieve it.
- Chopsticks: Wooden chopsticks are recommended for hot pot as plastic chop sticks will melt and metal ones can burn you easily.
How-to Experience Chinese Hot Pot at Home
Ingredients
Beef Broth
- 1 tsp oil
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1/2 onion cubed
- 3 dried Chinese dates (optional)
- 2 cups beef stock
- 3 cups water you might need less depending on your pot
Red Thai Curry Broth
- 1 tsp oil
- 5 cloves garlic
- ½ onion
- 1 tbsp red curry paste
- 4-5 dried red chili peppers (optional)
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 4 ½ cups water you might need less depending on your pot
Foods for Hot Pot Cooking
- 1 package thinly sliced beef ribeye 1 lb
- 1 package thinly sliced beef flank 1 lb
- 1 bunch watercress thoroughly washed
- 1 bunch bok choy thoroughly washed
- 1 package Udon
- 1 package seafood mushrooms washed
- 1 package tofu puffs
- 1 package assorted tofu fish balls
- 1 package fried bean curd roll
- 1 daikon, sliced washed
- 1 lotus root, sliced thoroughly washed
- fresh shiitake mushrooms thoroughly washed
- enoki mushrooms thoroughly washed
Dipping Sauce
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp satay sauce
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
Prepare foods for Hot Pot
- Wash the vegetables thoroughly in clean water. Cut into manageable pieces and set aside. Remove the beef from the refrigerator and arrange the hot pot foods in plates around the hot pot.
Make the Broths'
- Using a dual stainless-steel pot, heat up the pot on low heat. Add in 1 tbsp of oil in each side of the pot. Add garlic and onion in each side.
- In one side, combine beef stock, red Chinese dates, and 3 cups of water. In the other side, add in red curry paste, chilli peppers, coconut milk, fish sauce, and enough water to fill up the pot. Cover with the lid until it boils. Please note: If you don’t have a 2-sided hot pot, you will need to use 2 different hot pots in order to have 2 separate broths.
Make the Dipping Sauce
- Combine peanut butter, soy sauce, satay sauce, honey, and sesame oil together. Set aside.
Setting Up the Table
- Arrange the pot in the centre of the serving table over a fondue flame or portable electric hot plate. Provide slotted metal spoons, bowls, and wooden chopsticks for everyone. Have a separate pair of chopsticks set aside for the raw beef slices. You can also use tongs instead.
Cook Hot Pot Foods
- Once the broths are simmering, combine ingredients into the boiling broth. Cook all raw ingredients thoroughly before removing and dipping into your sauce bowl. Enjoy!
Let me know how you enjoy this recipe in the comments below! Stay tuned for more recipes!
xx, CWC
