Spicy Hotpot – Sichuan Hotpot Based

Spicy Hotpot

Hotpot is one of the most popular meals in Asia and is gaining popularity worldwide. It features a simmering pot on a portable stove with boiling soup broth at the center of the table. Raw ingredients are placed beside the pot, allowing people to cook whatever they like in the broth.

Hotpot is a delicious and healthy meal. It’s typically enjoyed at the dining table with people gathered around to serve themselves. It’s a fun way to socialize with family and friends, where you dip and eat while the food is still hot.

How to Eat Hotpot:

Hotpot warms the body and improves circulation in winter while helping to cool the body in summer. It’s often made when someone has a minor sickness like a cough, cold, sore throat, or sinus issues, providing temporary relief. Do not add all the ingredients to the soup at once. Add the ingredients that take the longest to cook first, such as corn and chicken. If making seafood hotpot, put the shellfish in first. Then, add your vegetables. Ensure all ingredients are well-cooked before eating.

You can enjoy hotpot by itself or dip it in your prepared dipping sauce.

Types of Hotpot Broth:

1. Clear Broth: Cooked in boiling water with a mild taste. The meat or seafood is the only source of flavor. In Japan, it is sometimes called Shabu-Shabu.
2. Spicy Broth: Typically cooked with red chili, peppers, chilies, peppercorns, and Sichuan peppers, which are common in Chinese cuisine.

You can make your own broth based on your taste preferences. In my case, I just bought a Sichuan Hotpot Base to save time in the kitchen, and voila! I had a delicious and flavorful soup.