Unique origin and culture
Chongqing hot pot has a deep historical origin and unique cultural connotation. It originated in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties in Chongqing, on the banks of the Jialing River, Chaotianmen and other wharves, where boatmen and slender laborers used to eat and drink in a crude way. At that time, these hard laborers in order to drive away the cold, dampness, cheap tripe, ox blood and other ingredients, into the boiling hot spicy pot to cook and eat, over time, it formed the now famous Chongqing hot pot.
In Chongqing, hot pot is not just a cuisine, but also a lifestyle and a social medium. Friends and family gather around the hot pot to talk and share life’s moments in the steaming heat. This lively atmosphere reflects the warm and generous character of Chongqing people, and makes the hot pot an important symbol of Chongqing culture.
The mystery of the rich and mellow pot base
The soul of Chongqing hot pot lies in its rich and mellow pot base. It is mainly made of butter as the base material, with a lot of dried chili peppers, peppercorns, ginger, garlic, spices and other spices carefully fried. The full of red oil, rolling in the pot, exudes a spicy aroma, which can instantly arouse people’s appetite.
The butter gives the hot pot a unique mellow taste, so that the ingredients are covered with rich flavor after shabu-shabu. Dried chili peppers and peppercorns are the key to the spicy excitement, and they work in tandem to create a unique taste experience as the numbness and spiciness intertwine on the tongue. Different hot pot restaurants also have their own unique recipe, some will add black beans to add sauce, some will add rock sugar to make the flavor more mellow, these subtle differences, resulting in Chongqing hot pot rich and diverse flavors.
Diverse Ingredients
Chongqing hot pot has a wide variety of ingredients to satisfy different people’s tastes. Meat is essential, such as tender tripe, crisp duck intestines, and juicy sliced beef. Mao maw is regarded as the classic ingredient of Chongqing hot pot, which becomes crispy and delicious with a strong spicy flavor after just a few swirls in the pot.
In addition to meat, a variety of vegetarian dishes are also good partners for hot pot. Potato slices, lotus root slices, seaweed, bean sprouts, etc. are cooked in the pot until they become flavorful and absorb the hot pot broth, making them very tasty. There are also some special ingredients, such as brain flower, which after a long time of shabu-shabu cooking, become soft and dense and melt in your mouth. Although it may be a bit special for some people, it is the favorite of many Chongqing hotpot lovers.
Unique dipping sauces
The dipping sauces of Chongqing hot pot may look simple, but they have unique combinations. It is usually based on sesame oil, garlic paste, cilantro, chopped green onion and oyster sauce. Fragrant oil not only plays a cooling effect, but also relieves the spicy stimulation of the hot pot, while adding a special flavor. The addition of garlic paste adds a unique flavor to the dip, while the cilantro and scallions bring a refreshing taste.
This dip pairing complements the ingredients of the hot pot. As the shabu-shabu ingredients are gently wrapped in the dip, the aroma of the sesame oil blends with the flavors of the ingredients themselves as well as the spicy taste of the hot pot, creating a wonderful taste experience.
Global Reach
Nowadays, Chongqing hotpot has gone out of China and has a large number of fans all over the world. More and more foreigners are attracted by its unique flavor and walk into hot pot restaurants to try this hot and spicy cuisine. Chongqing hot pot restaurants can be found in New York, London, Sydney and other international metropolises.
Chongqing hot pot is not only a spread of food, but also a spread of Chongqing culture. It allows the world to understand more about Chinese food culture, and it also makes the city of Chongqing’s popularity in the international arena continue to rise. If you haven’t tasted Chongqing hot pot, then you must find a chance to try it, I believe it will bring you an unforgettable taste journey.