Hotpot etiquette

In Asian culture dining is considered an important social occasion, and people often eat with a large number of friends or family. As a result there is specific etiquette to follow when eating in big groups, ranging from the food served (diners do not generally have their own personal dish), to the utensils used for eating and the way in which you eat. Often, Asian hotpot is served ? a great example of a dish that can be shared by many diners, it is simple to prepare and delicious to eat.

Known as “huo guo”, Asian hotpot centres around a communal pot of simmering, flavour-intense broth on a small stove that cooks food at the dining table. The broth is traditionally clear, but can also be spiced with chillies and Sichuan peppercorns. Foods including thinly sliced meats, seafood and vegetables are added to the simmering both to cook, as well as to give the broth flavour.

Essential to any hotpot meal is the special utensils used. Individuals are equipped with their own pair of chopsticks for eating with, as well as a pair of extra long communal chopsticks which are used to transfer the raw food in and out of the broth. It is important to remember never to use your individual chopsticks for this as it is considered unhygienic and impolite. Similarly, when using dipping sauces, transfer the sauce to your plate rather than dipping your food in the communal pot.

Once food has been cooked in the broth, strainers and ladles are used to take it out. In many Asian restaurants each diner is often given their own strainer, making it easier when cooking ingredients such as beef or lamb which require a very short cooking time.

Chinatown boasts some of the best traditional hotpots London has to offer so head over and try one for yourself. Ikkyusan on Gerrard Street, and Hung’s on Wardour Street both feature large dining areas perfect for big groups wanting to cook a feast at their own table. For more adventurous foodies, the deliciously spicy Mongolian hotpot at Little Lamb on Shaftesbury Avenue also comes highly recommended. Alternatively why not make your own and invite your friends round with our hotpot recipe featured below.