Hot pot, main dish from China: what it is and how it is eaten

Hot pot is a shared meal where a pot of simmering broth sits at the center of the table, and diners cook thinly sliced meats, vegetables, mushrooms, dumplings, tofu, and seafood in it. Originating in China, hot pot has many regional styles across East and Southeast Asia, each with its own broths, ingredients, and dipping sauces. It is often enjoyed at gatherings and special occasions.

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Diners cook raw meats and vegetables in simmering broth at the table
Chongqing hot pot is known for its spicy, numbing broth
Taiwanese hot pot is central to Lunar New Year celebrations
Yunnan hot pot features a variety of wild mushrooms
Hot pot is enjoyed across East and Southeast Asia

What is Hot pot?

Hot pot is a communal meal built around a pot of simmering broth placed on the table. Diners add raw ingredients—such as thin slices of meat (often beef or mutton), leafy greens, mushrooms, tofu, dumplings, seafood, and noodles—directly into the broth to cook. The cooked pieces are then dipped in sauces for extra flavor. The ingredients are usually sliced thin so they cook quickly and evenly. The broth itself can be mild or spicy, and its flavor deepens as more items are cooked in it.

Where does Hot pot come from?

Hot pot traces its roots to China, with early forms dating back to the Zhou dynasty, where individual bronze pots were used. The copper hot pot, developed during the Three Kingdoms period, is considered the direct ancestor. Hot pot became especially popular during the Qing dynasty, favored by emperors and featured at grand banquets. Over time, it spread across China and into neighboring countries, evolving into many local styles. Since the 1990s, hot pot has become well known worldwide, particularly in places with Chinese communities.

How is Hot pot made?

To prepare hot pot, a pot of broth—sometimes spicy, sometimes mild—is set to simmer on a portable burner at the table. Plates of raw ingredients are arranged for diners to choose from. Each person cooks their selections by dipping them into the hot broth until done. Dipping sauces, often made with sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce, or chili, are served alongside. The broth’s flavor develops as ingredients are cooked, and the meal continues as diners add and remove food at their own pace.

How and when is Hot pot eaten?

Hot pot is usually eaten as a main meal, often for lunch or dinner. It is a social event, commonly enjoyed with family or friends, especially during festivals or celebrations like Lunar New Year. Each person cooks their own food in the shared pot, using chopsticks or small wire baskets. Dipping sauces are an essential part of the experience, and the meal can last for hours. In some regions, rice or noodles may be served at the end, cooked in the now richly flavored broth.

Kinds of Hot pot

There are many regional versions of hot pot. In China, northern styles focus on meat and simple broths, while southern styles use spicy broths and a wider range of ingredients. Chongqing hot pot is famous for its numbing, spicy broth with Sichuan pepper. Yunnan hot pot highlights wild mushrooms. In Taiwan, hot pot is often eaten at Lunar New Year, with ingredients chosen for their symbolic colors. Across East and Southeast Asia, countries like Japan (nabemono), Vietnam (lẩu), and Cambodia (yao hon) have their own takes, using local broths and ingredients.

What Hot pot means

Hot pot is more than just a meal; it is a symbol of togetherness and celebration. In Taiwan, it is a key dish for Lunar New Year, representing family reunion and good fortune. The variety of ingredients is believed to bring health and blessings. In Cambodia and Laos, hot pot is a favorite for gatherings and special occasions. Its popularity has led to many restaurants specializing in hot pot, and it is now enjoyed in many parts of the world as a festive and interactive dining experience.

Questions people ask about Hot pot

What is hot pot made of?

Hot pot uses a simmering broth at the table, into which diners cook thinly sliced meat, vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, dumplings, seafood, and noodles. The exact ingredients vary by region and personal preference.

Where does hot pot come from?

Hot pot originated in China, with early forms dating back to the Zhou dynasty. It has since spread throughout East and Southeast Asia, with each region developing its own style.

How do you eat hot pot?

Each diner selects raw ingredients and cooks them in the shared pot of simmering broth. Once cooked, the food is dipped in sauces and eaten. The meal is social and often lasts for a long time.

Is hot pot always spicy?

No, hot pot can be made with mild or spicy broths. Some regional styles, like Chongqing hot pot, are known for their heat, while others use clear or mushroom-based broths.

Is hot pot vegetarian or does it contain meat?

Hot pot can be made with or without meat. Common ingredients include both animal and plant-based foods, so it can be adapted for vegetarian, vegan, or meat-based diets.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Hot pot", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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