04th October 2019, Houston

Chinese hotpot is part and parcel of Chinese culture in more ways than one. While most people wonder, ‘Which is the finest BBQ hot pot buffet near me?’ they fail to recognize the immense historical background against which modern times continue to thrive, both commercially and aesthetically. To the uninitiated, entry to a hotpot joint might be no less than a cultural shock. However, once one is aware of the protocol, it is a breeze.

A Brief History of Chinese Hotpot

According to historians and scholars, the concept of Chinese hotpot is believed to have originated in the ancient Jin dynasty. Hotpot practices can be traced to the dining habits of Mongolian riders. It is believed that these horsemen used their helmets as vessels over open fire.

The shields of the horsemen is said to have acted as a frying pan of sorts. It is widely known that the Chinese resisted the advent of the Mongols. However, the former was wise enough to embrace the good of the other side. With the advent of the Song dynasty, hotpot proliferated all the more.

One of the most popular hotpot delicacies is the Sichuan variant which consists of a red broth full of spices of all kinds and the iconic Sichuan pepper. It is important to note that hotpot is milder towards Beijing and hotter towards Manchuria. While regional differences abound, hotpot continues to be fairly symmetrical in terms of taste and cooking methods.

Techniques of Picking Chinese Hotpot

According to a prominent chef in one of the buffet style restaurants in Houston, choosing hotpot begins with picking the broth. You may go for sour, sweet or spicy Sichuan broth.

Then, choose your ingredients, starting from meat and seafood to noodles and tofu. Next, prepare a nice dipping sauce. Keep in mind that the sauce serves to complement the flavor and act as a cooling agent. Finally, pick your chopsticks and begin eating.

Chinese hotpot reflects the quintessence of Chinese cuisine. Although predominantly a result of foreign influence, it is nevertheless Chinese, both in terms of flavor and cultural significance. And it is here to stay for another hundred years.