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Tjin's Blog
Have you ever wondered if there’s a right way to make a hotpot dipping sauce? Well, you’re not alone! Hotpot has captured hearts worldwide, and there are tons of questions about how to recreate this delicious experience at home. We’ve previously shared tips on setting up a hotpot dinner. But what about that magical sauce you mix at the sauce bar?
Creating the perfect hotpot sauce is a personal adventure, and with so many ingredients to choose from, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry! Today, we’re diving into a complete guide to hotpot sauces. We’ll share what you should stock for your own sauce bar at home and reveal our personal favorites for hotpot dipping sauces. Get ready to find one that excites your taste buds and inspires your creativity!
Is Hotpot Finally Becoming Popular?
If you’re new to hotpot, let me tell you! It’s a fun meal where you cook various ingredients—think vegetables, mushrooms, meat, seafood, tofu, noodles, and rice cakes—in a bubbling pot of soup right at the table. You can have a shared pot or individual pots, and once those tasty bites are cooked, you dip them into your specially crafted sauce.
Isn’t it exciting that hotpot is becoming trendy? Who would have thought that “going out for hotpot” would be as casual as grabbing drinks? We’ve been fans for years and grew up with hotpot, but it’s so satisfying to see that everyone loves it! Maybe it’s the rise of all-you-can-eat spots—the 2020s twist on the classic Chinese buffet. Or maybe it’s the personalized experience—you can choose your soup base, all your favorite ingredients, and make your own dipping sauce from tons of options. Hotpot is definitely here to stay!
Recreating the Hotpot Sauce Bar at Home
One of the best things about dining out at hotpot places? The fantastic sauce bar! Imagine a vibrant collection of sauces, salty additions, and aromatic herbs and garlic waiting to be mixed into your perfect dipping sauce. It may seem daunting to recreate this at home, especially since those sauce bars can offer so many ingredients! But don’t worry—we’ll break down all the options and highlight the must-have sauces for your mini sauce bar at home. Then you can explore any intriguing extras!
How to Make a Chinese Hotpot Dipping Sauce
When it comes to DIY sauces, there’s the dreamy idea… and then there’s the reality. With so many choices, it’s easy to get lost and end up with a sauce that doesn’t quite hit the mark! We’ve streamlined the process by breaking down a basic hotpot sauce into 7 key components:
- Base
- Herbs
- Sauces
- Spicy Ingredients
- Fresh Ingredients
- Nuts/Seeds
- Special Ingredients
- Spices
We’ve listed all the individual ingredients under each category, with our must-haves marked with a star!
THE BASE
CHINESE SESAME PASTE (NO TAHINI!)*
Alright, friends, let’s talk about Chinese sesame paste! This gem is made from roasted, unhulled sesame seeds, and believe me, it’s a whole different story than Middle Eastern tahini, which comes from raw, usually hulled seeds (hence the lighter color). The Chinese version? It’s darker, grainier, and has an intense nutty flavor that takes your dishes to the next level!
You might encounter a lighter version in hot pot restaurants where people drizzle it into their dipping sauces. It’s often diluted with hot water, making it perfect for dipping and giving it a milder taste. Chinese sesame paste is a star in hot pot dipping sauces, adding a rich thickness and a delicious coating to everything you dip!
Let’s talk about Shacha sauce now - it’s a must-have in our hotpot adventures! It’s like an explosion of flavor in a bottle. Think of it as a cousin of XO-sauce, packed with chili, garlic, shallots, dried shrimp, and mackerel (yes, it’s luxurious!). The Bullhead brand is a favorite, with its shiny silver packaging and vibrant red characters. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, no worries! Bullhead has a vegan version with a green lid!
SAUCES
Let's not forget the light soy sauce! It's an essential ingredient in any Chinese kitchen and works well as a dipping sauce on its own. You might think it's a bit bland compared to the star lineup we have here, but it does three essential things: it thinens your sauce, adds salt, and harmonizes all those delicious ingredients you've added. A little goes a long way!
Oyster sauce is another must-have in the Chinese pantry. If shellfish isn't your thing, try some vegetarian oyster sauce made from mushrooms – it's often referred to as “vegetarian stir-fry sauce.” We don't always reach for this sauce, but if you find Shacha sauce a bit too fishy, oyster sauce is a fantastic substitute! It brings a lot of umami with a well-balanced, sweet flavor and a hint of MSG that makes everything taste divine.
Craving that extra sesame flavor? Reach for sesame oil! It's perfect if you want a sesame sauce without the thickness of sesame paste. This is one of our 10 Essential Chinese Pantry Ingredients, so you probably already have it at home!
VINEGAR
When it comes to adding a bit of acidity or kick to your dip, it’s completely up to you! That’s why we didn’t include it on our must-have list. But for some people, it’s a necessity! So let’s take a look at the different types of vinegar you can choose from:
- Chinese black vinegar (think of Chinkiang/Zhenjiang or Baoning azijn)
- Rice wine vinegar
Choosing the right vinegar is a personal journey! It all comes down to the flavor you're looking for. Want something dark, malty, and robust? Go for that bold black vinegar. Zhenjiang/Chinkiang black vinegar is a favorite, but if you prefer something less acidic, try Baoning. For a delicate and light touch, Shanghai rice vinegar is your best friend. And if you want acidity without many other flavors getting in the way, rice wine vinegar (or just plain rice vinegar) is the way to go!
This is for the true fish sauce lovers! If you add this to your sauce, we recommend balancing it with strong flavors like fresh garlic and herbs so it doesn't steal the show. Opt for a high-quality option like Red Boat. We have previously written about which fish sauce is best to buy.
Hoisin sauce, made from fermented soybeans, adds a sweet flavor to meals. You'll often find hoisin sauce as a popular choice at sauce bars in restaurants! While it may not be our usual pick for hot pot sauces, it can certainly add a delicious sweetness to your dipping sauce. Plus, if you're looking for a vegan way to add that umami kick without seafood-based sauces like Shacha, oyster sauce, or fish sauce, hoisin is a fantastic choice.
SPICY INGREDIENTS
Chili oil is a must-have for almost everything, including hotpot dipping sauce! It adds a lovely mild heat and rich flavor from all the spices without stealing the show. Yum!
It really depends on what you like! It's not our personal favorite, but it definitely adds a spicy, vinegar-like kick that you won't find in oil-based sauces. Plus, you can easily find Sriracha in any store!
OTHER CHILI SAUCES (LIKE, CHILI CRISP, LAO GAN MA CHILI OIL WITH BLACK BEANS)
When I say chili sauce, I mean the fun stuff that goes beyond regular chili oil! Think chili crisps and fermented beans—basically your chili oil *plus*! Just keep an eye on the salt levels with these. Remember, you can always add more, but it’s tough to take it out!
CHOPPED CHILI PEPPER
We’ll dive into that juicy topic in the Fresh Ingredients section below!
FRESH INGREDIENTS
CHOPPED GARLIC*
One of our favorite things about hotpot in a restaurant is all those chopped and minced herbs and spices laid out for us. But let’s be honest—garlic steals the show! We can pile this high in a bowl without worrying about pesky peels sticking to our fingers or waking up the next day with that lingering garlic smell. Pure bliss! And if you’re not in the mood to peel and chop garlic, there’s always happily fried garlic.
MINCED ONION
You can never go wrong by adding some chopped green onions! If you haven’t discovered it yet, it’s all about bold flavors. The holy trinity of hotpot sauce? Garlic, green onions, and of course, cilantro! You can also have a fried version of this.
CHOPPED CILANTRO*
When we're out of cilantro for the hotpot, you can feel the collective "aww..." in the air before we continue our meal. Don't forget to add chopped cilantro—stems and all! It brings an explosion of freshness and crunch that balances even the wildest sauce combinations. And hey, if you think cilantro tastes like soap, just stick to garlic and onions.
CHOPPED RED OR GREEN CHILIS*
If you want more heat than just chili oils and sauces, a pinch of finely chopped chilies will do the trick! A quick warning—watch out for those super hot ones and the quantity—adding them directly can make the spice way too hot! Let’s keep it tasty, not overwhelming!
NUTS & SEEDS
ROASTED CHOPPED PEANUTS
Do you love a little extra nutty flavor in your dipping sauce? Chopped peanuts are a delicious addition often found in hotpot sauces. They provide a fantastic crunch that elevates your sauce to the next level!
WHOLE FRIED SOYBEANS
Do you have a peanut allergy in your group? No problem! Whole fried soybeans are a tasty alternative. They're salty, buttery, and oh-so-crispy, adding a nice texture to your sauce!
Looking for something lighter? Roasted sesame seeds are perfect! They add a subtle nutty flavor to your dip without changing the texture as much as chopped peanuts or fried soybeans. Give them a try and elevate your sauce!
SPECIAL INGREDIENTS
Let's talk about leek flower paste! This wonderfully fragrant sauce is made from the white flowers of Chinese chives or garlic chives. These little beauties are ground into a paste and fermented, giving you that delightful garlic-onion flavor. It's a superstar in hot pot dipping sauce in Northern China, often paired with tender lamb. For a classic combination, mix it with plenty of sesame paste and a pinch of sugar to taste. A popular brand is Wangzhihe.
Let's dive into the luxurious world of XO sauce! Originally from Hong Kong, this chic condiment is packed with dried seafood, ham, garlic, chili, and oil. It can be a bit pricey to make yourself or buy off the shelves, but trust us, it's a special addition that you might occasionally find in hotpot sauce bars. While sha cha barbecue sauce gives you that delicious seafood flavor, XO sauce takes it to the next level with an even deeper umami kick!
Let’s take a moment to spotlight fermented bean curd—the unsung hero of Chinese cuisine! This gem showcases the magic of soybeans. You can call it fermented bean cheese, and honestly, it has a cheesy flavor that is nothing short of epic when cooked. Toss a piece into your hot pot dipping sauce—both the red and white versions work great!
SPICES
If you want to add an extra dimension to your dip without increasing the heat, white pepper is your friend! Just a pinch delivers a delightful kick that is a must-have in countless Chinese dishes.
For all you Sichuan hotpot fans out there, this one’s for you! If your dinner group isn't quite ready for the spicy journey, sprinkle some Sichuan peppercorn powder into your dipping sauce. It adds that signature tingling sensation that makes hotpot so exciting!
Okay, let's talk about sugar! (Seriously, what a rabbit hole!). It totally makes sense—just like in our stir-fries, a bit of sugar in your dipping sauce really brings those flavors to life, especially when you add salty goodness layer by layer.
If you’re feeling adventurous, a little sprinkle of MSG can add that extra kick you might be craving. Keep in mind that many of the sauces you already use may contain MSG—either naturally or added—so you might not even need it. So go ahead, explore, and enjoy your culinary creations!
OUR PERSONAL HOT POT SAUCE RECIPES
Curious about our favorite dipping sauce combinations? We all have our favorites, but this post is here to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and explore new flavors! Remember, cooking is about what feels good to you, so don’t worry about the quantities. Taste as you mix, and let your taste buds guide you! You might just discover your next favorite flavor combination!
