Seafood Hotpot: a refreshing hotpot with fish and seafood

Shrimp, mussels, squid, and fresh fish in a steaming broth. Seafood Hotpot is a light and flavorful hotpot variation where the natural taste of seafood takes center stage.

Seafood is also ideal for hotpot. Many ingredients cook quickly and release extra flavor into the broth during cooking.

Whether you choose a light broth or a spicy variant: with seafood, you can easily create a complete hotpot for everyone at the table to enjoy.

Why seafood works so well in hotpot

Seafood requires relatively little cooking time.

Shrimp, for example, cook in just a few minutes, while thinly sliced fish and squid are often ready even faster.

Additionally, fish and shellfish release their flavor into the broth while cooking. This makes the broth richer and richer throughout the meal.

The result is a hotpot that often feels lighter and fresher than variants with a lot of meat.

Which seafood can you use?

The great thing about Seafood Hotpot is that you can easily combine different types of seafood.

Shrimp

Shrimp are perhaps the easiest choice.

Preferably use raw, cleaned shrimp. They only need a few minutes in the hot broth.

Mussels

Mussels release a lot of flavor into the broth.

Add them a little earlier than shrimp and remove them from the pot as soon as the shells have opened.

Mussels that remain closed after cooking should not be eaten.

Squid

Squid can be cut into rings or thin strips.

Be careful not to overcook them. Briefly cooking them results in a much better texture.

Fish

Fairly firm types of fish work best in hotpot.

Think, for example, of:

• Cod
• Salmon
• Sea bass
• Tuna

Cut the fish into bite-sized pieces so you can easily remove them from the pot with a hotpot spoon.

Scallops

Looking for something more luxurious? Then scallops are an excellent addition.

They cook quickly and have a soft, slightly sweet taste.

The best broth for Seafood Hotpot

With seafood, you can go in different directions.

A light broth allows the flavor of the seafood to shine through, while a spicy broth creates more contrast.

A simple broth can be made with, for example:

• 1 liter of water
• 1 cube of fish or vegetable broth
• 2 cm ginger
• 2 spring onions
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Bring everything slowly to a boil and let the broth simmer for about 10 minutes.

Then you can prepare the ingredients directly at the table.

Prefer a spicy Seafood Hotpot?

Seafood also combines surprisingly well with a spicy broth.

For example, you can add chili, garlic, and ginger to the base.

Or use a ready-made spicy hotpot base if you want to get to the table quickly.

The combination of spicy broth and sweet shrimp or tender fish creates a beautiful contrast.

Vegetables that pair well with seafood

Seafood can be combined with almost all classic hotpot vegetables.

Good choices include:

• Bok choy
• Napa cabbage
• Shiitake
• Enoki
• Carrot
• Corn
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Scallion

Mushrooms, in particular, are delicious because they absorb the flavors of the broth well.

Noodles complete the meal

Want to make your Seafood Hotpot a complete meal? Then add noodles at the end.

Glass noodles, rice noodles, and udon all work well.

Because the broth has absorbed a lot of flavor from the seafood by then, the noodles are often extra delicious at the end of the meal.

How to make Seafood Hotpot

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

Clean the shrimp, wash the mussels, and cut the fish and squid into bite-sized pieces.

Then cut the vegetables and arrange everything separately on a platter.

Step 2: Make the broth

Bring the broth to a boil and place the pot on the table.

Make sure the broth keeps simmering throughout the meal.

Step 3: Gradually add the ingredients

Start with ingredients that take a little longer to cook, such as sturdy vegetables.

Then add the fish and seafood.

Shrimp and squid usually cook quickly, so you can add them later.

Step 4: Eat immediately

Remove the ingredients from the pot as soon as they are cooked.

Dip them in your favorite sauce if desired and enjoy.

Step 5: Finish with noodles

When the broth has become rich from all the seafood, add noodles.

This way, you conclude the meal with a flavorful bowl of noodles.

Which dipping sauce pairs with Seafood Hotpot?

Fresh and slightly spicy sauces pair particularly well with seafood.

Fresh lime-soy sauce

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 spring onion
• Optional: chili

Mix everything and serve in small bowls.

The freshness of lime pairs well with shrimp, fish, and mussels.

Spicy chili sauce

For those who like a little more kick, you can combine soy sauce with chili, garlic, and a touch of rice vinegar.

This creates a simple yet powerful dipping sauce.

A useful tip: don't overcook seafood

This is perhaps the most important tip for Seafood Hotpot.

Seafood cooks quickly.

Shrimp, for example, only need to cook for a few minutes, and squid can even become tough if you leave it in the pot for too long.

Therefore, pay close attention and remove ingredients from the broth as soon as they are cooked.