Homemade Hot Pot Made Easy: Best Broths, Ingredients & Flavor Ideas

Hot pot is all about warmth, sharing, and comfort. With just a flavorful broth and a variety of fresh ingredients, you can create a cozy meal that brings everyone together. Whether you prefer something spicy, clear, or creamy, homemade hot pot is easier than you think.

In this post, Vietpower Travel walks you through broths, ingredients, sauces, and simple ideas so you can enjoy delicious hot pot right at home - anytime.

1. What is Hot Pot?

Hot pot is a shared meal where everyone cooks their own food in a simmering pot of broth. It's simple, social, and deeply comforting - a perfect way to connect over food.

Originating in Asia, hot pot has traveled far and wide. Every region gives it its own twist: different broths, local ingredients, and unique dipping sauces make each hot pot experience special.

In Vietnam, hot pot (or lẩu) is more than food - it’s a gathering. Whether with friends or family, people come together to cook, talk, and enjoy the moment. The broth warms your belly, while fresh meats, vegetables, and herbs bring color and flavor to the table.

Discover more posts on the same topic and dive deeper into Vietnam’s vibrant food culture. Explore our Vietnam food & cuisine category to find new dishes and local favorites worth trying.

2. 5 popular types of hot pot around the world

Hot pot is a beloved communal meal enjoyed across Asia. Each region has its own unique broths, ingredients, and flavors that reflect local tastes and traditions.

Vietnamese Hot Pot

Vietnamese hot pot focuses on freshness, light broths, and vibrant herbs. Broths vary from tomato-based to sour tamarind, crab paste, or coconut water. Ingredients usually include seafood, pork, mushrooms, tofu, and plenty of greens. A simple fish sauce–lime–chili dip completes the meal. It’s a bright, social style centered on sharing and conversation.

Chinese Hot Pot

Chinese hot pot is famous for its dual broths - one mild, one spicy - especially the bold Sichuan chili-oil base. Diners cook thinly sliced meats, mushrooms, greens, and tofu, then customize their own dipping sauces using sesame paste, garlic, soy, and chili oil. It’s one of the most iconic, communal hot pot traditions.

Japanese Hot Pot (Nabe)

Japanese nabe is subtle and seasonal, often using light kombu or soy-based broths. Thin meat slices, tofu, mushrooms, and cabbage are cooked gently to highlight natural flavors. Dipping sauces like ponzu or sesame add a soft, refreshing finish. Nabe is calm, comforting, and perfect for a relaxed meal.

Korean Hot Pot

Korean hot pot ranges from spicy kimchi jjigae to shared jeongol, both rich with fermented chili pastes like gochujang and doenjang. Common ingredients include meats, tofu, mushrooms, noodles, and seafood. Its bold, hearty flavors make Korean hot pot a warm comfort food meant for sharing.

Thai Hot Pot

Thai hot pot is fragrant and herb-forward, built on lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and chiles. Pork, seafood, glass noodles, and greens are cooked quickly, then paired with the classic sweet–spicy Thai suki dipping sauce. It’s bright, aromatic, and lively.

Explore more posts within this topic and uncover more of what Vietnam’s cuisine has to offer:

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3. Essential hot pot ingredients for a perfect meal

A great hot pot starts with a good balance of broth, proteins, vegetables, and something hearty to finish the meal. Here are the essentials you’ll want to prepare for a complete and satisfying hot pot at home.

Broth – the soul of every hot pot

The broth sets the tone for the entire meal. You can choose from light, spicy, sour, or creamy depending on your mood:

• Clear broths: chicken, pork bone, mushroom, or kombu – perfect if you want something light and clean.
• Spicy broths: Sichuan-style chili oil, kimchi broth, or Thai tom yum for a bold, aromatic kick.
• Rich & creamy broths: collagen bone broth, miso broth, or coconut milk–based broth for deeper flavor.

Vietnamese-style broths: tomato & pineapple, sour tamarind broth, crab paste broth, or coconut water–based broths for sweetness.

A flavorful broth is the foundation - once it’s simmering, everything else comes to life.

Proteins – the star ingredients

Fresh, thinly sliced proteins cook quickly and add richness to the broth. Popular choices include:

• Beef: ribeye, brisket, shank, or Australian beef slices.
• Pork: belly, shoulder, or thin pork loin.
• Chicken: boneless thigh or breast, lightly marinated for tenderness.
• Seafood: shrimp, squid, clams, fish fillet, crab, or mussels.
• Tofu & alternatives: soft tofu, fried tofu puffs, fish balls, beef balls - great for absorbing broth flavor.

Mix and match to create the variety you like - hot pot is flexible and fun.

Vegetables – freshness that balances the meal

Vegetables add color, texture, and natural sweetness to the pot. Some essentials:

• Leafy greens: bok choy, spinach, water spinach (rau muống), napa cabbage.
• Mushrooms: enoki, shiitake, oyster mushrooms, or straw mushrooms.
• Root vegetables: taro, daikon radish, carrots – these simmer well and enhance the broth.

Herbs: cilantro, sawtooth herb, Thai basil for aromatic layers.

The main ingredient is variety - vegetables keep the meal light and refreshing.

Carbs – to finish the feast

A warm, hearty carb is the perfect way to wrap up a hot pot meal:

• Noodles: instant noodles, udon, rice noodles, glass noodles.
• Rice: simple steamed rice for balance.
• Dumplings or wontons: add extra flavor and texture.

Once most ingredients are cooked, let the broth reduce a little and enjoy it with your noodle or rice of choice - comforting until the last bite.

Add-ons ingredients for more flavor

Small extras can elevate your hot pot experience:

• Corn on the cob
• Eggs (raw for dipping, or added into the pot)
• Tofu skin
• Seaweed
• Fresh chili, garlic, and lime for dipping sauces

Continue exploring similar posts to learn more about Vietnam’s diverse flavors and food culture:

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4. How to make delicious hot pot dipping sauces

No hot pot is complete without dipping sauces. They bring all the flavors together - salty, spicy, tangy, nutty - and let everyone customize their own taste. Here are some easy, crowd-favorite sauces you can make at home.

Vietnamese Fish Sauce Dip

This classic Vietnamese-style dip is bright, refreshing, and incredibly versatile. Made with fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, chili, and a touch of sugar, it brings a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. The simplicity of this sauce allows the freshness of seafood and vegetables to shine.

Because it’s light and fragrant, it pairs especially well with Vietnamese-style hot pots that use clear or sour broths. Just a small bowl of this sauce can elevate the entire meal.

Soy–Garlic Sauce

A savory soy–garlic sauce is ideal for those who love deeper, bolder flavors. By combining soy sauce with minced garlic, chili, and a little sugar, you get a smooth, salty dip that enhances the richness of beef, mushrooms, and tofu.

This sauce works beautifully with Chinese or Japanese-style hot pots, adding a subtle umami punch without overpowering the natural taste of the ingredients.

Creamy Sesame Sauce

Creamy sesame sauce brings a rich, nutty character to the hot pot experience. Mixing sesame paste or tahini with soy sauce, chili oil, and garlic creates a velvety dip that coats thin meat slices and noodles wonderfully.

It’s especially loved in Chinese hot pot traditions, where diners often enjoy a mild broth and rely on their dipping sauce for extra flavor.

Thai Suki Sauce

Thai suki sauce is vibrant and full of energy. With chili paste, lime juice, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and a splash of sesame oil, it delivers a distinctive mix of sweet, spicy, and tangy. This makes it a perfect companion for seafood, greens, and glass noodles.

Its lively aroma and bold taste bring a refreshing Thai-inspired twist to any homemade hot pot, especially those that use fragrant or spicy broths.

Korean Gochujang Sauce

Thick, spicy, and slightly sweet, Korean gochujang sauce offers a deep and comforting flavor. Made with gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and a bit of honey or rice vinegar, it creates a well-rounded dip that pairs beautifully with pork, chicken, and tofu.

This sauce is especially satisfying with richer broths or hot pots that include mushrooms and chewy noodles, adding a warm, robust Korean touch to the meal.

5. Homemade hot pot ideas you can make anytime

If you want a cozy, delicious hot pot without spending hours preparing, here are simple ideas you can make anytime. Each one uses easy-to-find ingredients and works perfectly for weeknights, gatherings, or even solo meals.

Simple Vietnamese Seafood Hot Pot

This is one of the easiest and freshest hot pot styles to make at home. Start with a light broth made from tomatoes, onions, and a bit of pineapple for natural sweetness. Add shrimp, fish fillet, squid, mushrooms, tofu, and lots of greens.

It’s bright, quick to prepare, and perfect for anyone who loves clean, refreshing flavors.

Sichuan-Style Spicy Hot Pot (Mala)

For those who enjoy bold and fiery dishes, a simplified mala hot pot is a great choice. Use store-bought mala paste or chili oil as your base, then add garlic, ginger, and dried chilies. Thinly sliced beef, mushrooms, tofu skin, and noodles work especially well here.

This style delivers heat, aroma, and depth - ideal for chilly evenings or sharing with spice-loving friends.

Japanese Miso & Mushroom Hot Pot (Nabe)

A gentle, comforting option for busy days. Simmer miso paste with kombu or dashi powder to create a warm, savory broth. Add mushrooms, tofu, napa cabbage, and thin pork slices. Everything cooks quickly and absorbs the subtle umami flavor.

This nabe is light yet satisfying, and pairs perfectly with a small bowl of ponzu or sesame sauce.

Coconut Milk Hot Pot

Creamy and aromatic, coconut milk hot pot is surprisingly easy to make. A simple mix of coconut milk, chicken broth, lemongrass, and lime leaves creates a fragrant base. Add chicken slices, shrimp, mushrooms, and vegetables.

The broth becomes naturally sweet and rich, making it a great option when you want something comforting but not too heavy.

Vegetarian Mushroom Hot Pot

For a plant-based meal, a mushroom-based broth is both flavorful and wholesome. Use a combination of shiitake, oyster, and enoki mushrooms to build natural umami. Add tofu, taro, leafy greens, and your favorite noodles.

It’s light, budget-friendly, and full of earthy aroma - perfect for anyone craving a simple, nutritious hot pot.

Conclusion

Homemade hot pot is a simple and comforting way to bring people together. With a good broth, fresh ingredients, and the right dipping sauces, you can create a delicious and satisfying hot pot experience anytime - whether you prefer something light, spicy, or rich. For more food tips, easy recipes, and travel inspiration across Vietnam, follow Vietpower Travel. Let us guide you to your next great meal and your next great journey.

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