Sichuan Hotpot is known for its powerful, spicy flavor and characteristic pungency. The combination of chili peppers and Sichuan pepper creates the typical málà flavor: spicy and slightly tingling at the same time.
With a good Sichuan soup base, thinly sliced meat, and fresh vegetables, you can easily make this popular Chinese hotpot at home.
What is Sichuan Hotpot?
Sichuan Hotpot originates from the Chinese province of Sichuan and the city of Chongqing. The hotpot is known for its rich broth with lots of chili and Sichuan pepper.
Traditionally, ingredients are cooked at the table in the hot broth. Everyone chooses what to put in the pot and how long it should cook.
The result is a spicy, flavorful, and cozy meal that you enjoy together at the table.
Ingredients for Sichuan Hotpot
For 2–4 people
For the broth
- 1 package Sichuan Hotpot Soup Base
- 1.5 liters of water or beef broth
- 2 cm fresh ginger
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 spring onion
Meat
- 300 grams thinly sliced beef
- 150 grams lamb, optional
Vegetables and other ingredients
- Napa cabbage
- Bok choy
- Lotus root
- Enoki mushrooms
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Broccoli
- Tofu
- Glass noodles
- Dumplings, optional
Dipping sauce
A creamy sesame or peanut dipping sauce pairs excellently with the spicy Sichuan broth. A spicy hotpot dip is also delicious if you like extra heat.
How to make Sichuan Hotpot
Step 1: Prepare the broth
Combine the Sichuan soup base with water or beef broth in the hotpot pan. Bring the broth to a boil.
Optionally add ginger, garlic, and spring onion and let the broth simmer gently for about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the ingredients
Cut all ingredients into bite-sized pieces and arrange them in different bowls.
Slice the beef as thinly as possible. Thinly sliced meat cooks quickly in the hot broth.
Step 3: Start with the firmer ingredients
Place ingredients like lotus root, broccoli, tofu, and mushrooms into the broth first. These take a little longer to cook.
Step 4: Add meat and vegetables
Then add bok choy, Napa cabbage, and the thinly sliced beef.
Thinly sliced beef usually only needs a few seconds to cook.
Step 5: Add the noodles
Place the glass noodles in the broth and cook them according to the package directions.
The noodles deliciously absorb the spicy flavor of the Sichuan broth.
Step 6: Dip and enjoy
Remove the ingredients from the pot and dip them in your favorite dipping sauce.
Meanwhile, place the pot on the table and keep adding new ingredients. This way, the hotpot continues throughout the meal.
Which ingredients pair well with Sichuan Hotpot?
The spicy broth combines well with ingredients that add different flavors and textures. Popular choices include:
- Thinly sliced beef
- Lamb
- Shrimp
- Tofu
- Bok choy
- Napa cabbage
- Enoki mushrooms
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Lotus root
- Glass noodles
- Dumplings
It's precisely this combination of meat, vegetables, mushrooms, and noodles that makes hotpot so versatile.
5 tips for a good Sichuan Hotpot
1. Use thinly sliced meat
The thinner the meat, the faster it cooks.
2. Don't add everything at once
Cook ingredients in small batches so the broth stays at a good temperature.
3. Start with firmer ingredients
Lotus root, broccoli, and tofu can cook longer than, for example, bok choy or thinly sliced meat.
4. Put several dipping sauces on the table
A creamy sesame or peanut dip provides a nice contrast to the spicy broth.
5. Adjust the spiciness
Sichuan Hotpot should be spicy, but you can adjust the intensity with the amount of soup base and water.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sichuan Hotpot
Is Sichuan Hotpot very spicy?
Traditional Sichuan Hotpot is quite spicy. If you prefer a milder version, use more water or less soup base.
What kind of pot do I need for Sichuan Hotpot?
An electric hotpot with temperature control is ideal. This way, the broth stays warm during the meal, and you can easily adjust the temperature.
Which dipping sauce goes with Sichuan Hotpot?
A sesame or peanut dipping sauce is a good choice because its creamy flavor contrasts nicely with the spicy broth. You can also opt for an original or spicy hotpot dip.
What does málà mean?
Málà is the combination of two distinctive flavors from Sichuan cuisine: mà, the slightly numbing and tingling sensation of Sichuan pepper, and là, the spiciness of chili.
Want to make Sichuan Hotpot yourself?
Sichuan Hotpot is one of the best ways to host a real hotpot evening at home. With a good soup base, fresh ingredients, and various dipping sauces, you can create a flavorful meal without complicated cooking techniques.
Discover our Sichuan soup base and Hotpot Boxes and bring the taste of Sichuan to your own dining table.