Make Sure You Toss These Ingredients In Your Hot Pot
If you've never heard of hot pot before, you're definitely missing out. A popular communal food experience enjoyed during colder seasons in Asia, this is about as customizable as a meal can get. From picking the broth to creating your own sauce, even all the ingredients tossed in are of your choosing. But if all of this is sounding a bit overwhelming, don't worry, we've provided you with a list of hot pot essentials you should include every time.
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1. Beef
No hot pot meal is complete without some quality meat. As far as favorites go, thin slices of beef rank high on the list of best ingredients to add. Because of how they're sliced, they're quick to cook and soak up the broth so well. The result is an amazing, flavorful bite every time.
2. Lamb
Having a solid variety of different meats is key to a good hot pot experience. Lamb is another common choice, thought it might not suit everyone's taste. Known for its slightly gamey flavor, you'll have to check with the table first before ordering this one.
3. Pork
Finally, pork is another great addition to your hot pot meal. While it might have a bit of a rougher texture compared to beef, for people who love that meaty flavor, it's unbeatable. And when cut so thinly, it cooks just as quickly. Make sure it's fully cooked through before taking a bite though.
4. Enoki Mushrooms
While choosing the best meats for your table's taste preferences is crucial, half the mission is picking great veggies to go with it too. One failproof choice is enoki mushrooms. Not only do these morsels cook decently quick, they're also great at absorbing the broth. They might have an overly chewy texture, but trust us, each bite makes it worth it.
5. Napa Cabbage
An easy leafy green to toss into your hot pot is napa cabbage. Not only does this vegetable cook extremely quickly, you can take it out according to your preferred doneness. If you like it completely cooked through and soft, leave it in longer, but if you like it with a bit of crunch still intact, take it out sooner.
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6. Fish Balls
While the idea of fish balls in western countries might be confusing, these are a staple over in Asia. Yes, there is a bit of a fishy taste, but they pair so well in dishes with a lot of sauce or soups. All that delicious flavor gets caught within these balls, making it super flavorful and fun to eat. Plus, there are so many different kinds for you to choose from!
7. Tofu
Tofu is just one of those staple ingredients you can't skip out on. Though bland and boring on its own, it transforms into an amazing vessel that captures all the broth. Like a sponge, it soaks up all that goodness, making each bite loaded with flavor. Just be careful you don't burn your tongue while enjoying it!
8. Noodles
Of course, what's a soup dish without a good set of noodles to go with it? Whether you like thin, wide, or chewy noodles, there's an option out there for you. Popular picks include vermicelli, udon, and mungbean noodles, all of which don't overcook too easily and pick up the broth super well. They're great for slurping up!
9. Meat Balls
No, we're not talking about Italian meatballs (throwing that in here would be really weird!). Asian meat balls are a completely different thing. They have a unique bouncy texture and capture a lot of meaty flavor. Like fish balls, they're a common ingredient thrown into many soup dishes, including ones you know like pho.
10. Shrimp
If you're more of a seafood fan, don't worry, there's more to hot pot than just meat and veggies. For example, shrimp is a pretty common ingredient that gets thrown in. We know having to peel the shell can be annoying, but that's the good part! All the broth gets caught under there, making the actual meat super flavorful.
11. Fish Filets
For something a bit more fancy, many hot pot lovers enjoy adding some fish filets into the broth. While they do absorb so much flavor, just one word of caution. These tender goodies fall apart super easily, so pick them up carefully. You don't want it to break into a million pieces!
12. Bok Choy
If you want a green vegetable that has more of a bite and taste to it, we recommend choosing bok choy over napa cabbage. These leafy greens have a nice crunch and bite to it, easily satisfying your textural preferences.
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13. Rice Cakes
Another great starchy option to consider are rice cakes. If you're someone who enjoys food with chewy, bouncy textures, this will be right up your alley. They're bite-sized which make them so easy to eat, and they're a fun little switch up from your usual noodles.
14. Lotus Root
Lotus root is an ingredient commonly served in many hot pot restaurants. Though you'll have to leave this in longer to cook, the wait is definitely worth your while. All that time spent simmering is just more broth flavor being absorbed into this root veggie. Slightly crunchy, it's also a nice change of pace given that most hot pot ingredients turn out soft.
15. Dumplings
For a more filling option, dumplings are a great route to go. While they already taste great on their own, eating them in a soup is an entirely new experience. The broth just clings beautifully onto the wrapper, making each bite so flavorful you don't need your usual soy sauce.
16. Quail Eggs
Quail eggs are the perfect little bite-sized goodies that make hot pot taste better. It's almost like they were born for this! With their rich egg yolk center, it's balanced out nicely by all the other flavors cooking in the broth.
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17. Shiitake Mushrooms
Frequently used in many Asian dishes, shiitake mushrooms love making an appearance for hot pot. This hearty shroom has a deep earthy flavor that tastes best when it's cooking in all that broth. Not only does it have a plethora of health benefits, it has strong textural integrity that prevents it from going mushy or soggy.
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18. Corn
Who doesn't love adding a bit of sweetness to their meal? Corn is often served in hot pot cut up into little sections. While it might be a little messy to eat, you'll fall in love with the sweet juiciness of each kernel paired with the hot soup it's been simmering in for so long.
19. A Great Broth
Of course, we have to emphasize just how important it is picking a good broth. From malatang to tomato and pork bone, there are so many different options you can try. Each provide a completely unique flavor profile, meaning every hot pot experience will never be the same.
20. Sauce For Dipping
Last but not least, you need to have a great dipping sauce ready to be eaten with your hot pot ingredients! Most restaurants have a sauce bar prepared with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cilantro, green onions, and so much more. You get to create a flavor that works for you, so don't be afraid to play around with different combinations until you hit your winner.
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