Last Thursday, I went to Nagoya with friend to have hot pot. For Chinese people, if you don't choose sipcy broth, the hot pot loses its soul. So we ordered one spicy broth and ont tomato broth.
Hot pot is a traditional Chinese dish with a history of thousands of years. It typically involves cooking various raw ingredients, such as meats, vegetables, tofu, and seafood, in a hot broth and then eating them. The charm of hot pot lies in its communal nature, where everyone sits around the table, enjoying the fun of cooking their ingredients in the pot together.
In addition, there are many regional variations of hot pot, such as Sichuan hot pot, Guangdong hot pot, and Beijing’s hot pot for lamb, each with its unique cooking methods and ingredients.
Hot pot is typically a winter dish, but due to its interactive nature and delicious taste, it can be enjoyed at any time of the year. It is not just a meal but also represents the lively atmosphere of gatherings with friends and family, making it a popular social dining experience.
I am a big fan of Mala hot pot and absolutely love it! Back in Thailand, I usually enjoyed Mala hot pot with my family. However, since moving to Japan, I’ve been eating it alone in my apartment by ordering Mala paste from Amazon. If you have any recommendations for Mala paste brands, please let me know!
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that "ma" refers to Sichuan pepper, while "la" refers to chili pepper. I also assume that chili peppers were not originally available in China in ancient times. Then did they enjoy Ma hot pot in old days?
ReplyDeleteI like hot pot because it is a fun and interactive meal!
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I have often seen people using a spoon to remove the top layer of the broth.
What is the reason for doing this? Does it help with the flavor or the clarity of the broth?
Thank you for your introduction. I love hot pot too, especially in winter. I’m curious, when having Mala hot pot, do you prefer a sesame-based sauce or a soy sauce-based sauce?
ReplyDeleteWhat type of broth do you prefer for your hot pot? There are so many options, like spicy Sichuan, herbal, or mild chicken broth..!
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