hot pot
Hot pot is a communal dining method where a pot of simmering seasoned broth is placed at the center of the table. Diners cook a variety of raw ingredients—such as thinly sliced meats, leafy vegetables, mushrooms, dumplings, and noodles—directly in the bubbling liquid, often dipping them into custom-made sauces afterward. The term evokes a sense of warmth, social gathering, and shared experience. It is most commonly used in a casual, social context, as it is a slow-paced meal meant to be enjoyed over conversation with friends or family. It is a staple of East Asian cuisine, frequently associated with winter or celebratory occasions.
In conversation
Planning a dinner
It's freezing outside, do you want to grab some hot pot?
It's freezing outside, do you want to grab some hot pot?
That sounds perfect, I'm craving spicy broth.
That sounds perfect, I'm craving spicy broth.
Used as a suggestion for a comfort meal.
At the table
Is the beef done yet?
Is the beef done yet?
Almost, just give it another thirty seconds in the broth.
Almost, just give it another thirty seconds in the broth.
Highlights the interactive, cooking-at-the-table nature of the meal.
Examples
We are going out for hot pot tonight.
We are going out for hot pot tonight.
Nothing beats a spicy hot pot on a cold winter evening.
Nothing beats a spicy hot pot on a cold winter evening.
The secret to a great hot pot is the variety of dipping sauces available to the guests.
The secret to a great hot pot is the variety of dipping sauces available to the guests.
