How Much Food Per Person
Hot pot is a long, slow meal — plan for more than you think you need. These quantities are tested across dozens of home sessions:
| Category | Per Person | For 2 | For 4 | For 6–8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meat / Seafood | 120–180g | 250–350g | 500–700g | 800g–1.1kg |
| Vegetables (total) | 150–200g | 300–400g | 600–800g | 1–1.3kg |
| Tofu | 50–80g | 100–150g | 200–300g | 400–500g |
| Noodles / starch | 50–80g dry | 100g | 200g | 300–400g |
| Broth base | 1/4 block | 1 block | 1–2 blocks | 2–3 blocks |
| Water for broth | — | 1.5L | 2–2.5L | 3L+ |
Broth
Pick one or two. For mixed groups, a split yin-yang pot with one mild and one spicy base works best.
- Beginner choice: Tomato or mushroom base — no spice, widely loved, forgiving with all ingredients
- Classic choice: Sichuan mala base — look for tallow (牛油) in the first 3 ingredients
- Easy to find: Haidilao (海底捞) or Little Sheep (小肥羊) at any Asian grocery or on Amazon
- DIY option: Simmer chicken bones, ginger, and scallion for 30 minutes — good clear broth
Also buy: 2L of water or unsalted chicken stock, kept hot in a kettle for topping up.
Meat & Seafood
For 4 people, choose 2–3 items totalling 500–700g:
- Thinly sliced beef (肥牛) — 200–300g. Pre-packaged rolls at Asian grocery stores. Cooks in 15–30 seconds.
- Shrimp — 200g (shell-on or peeled). Cooks in 2–3 minutes.
- Lamb slices (羊肉卷) — 200g if your group enjoys lamb. Classic Beijing-style pairing with sesame sauce.
- Fish balls / beef balls — 1 packet (200g). Pre-cooked; just heat 2–3 minutes.
- Maodu (毛肚, beef tripe) — 150g for adventurous groups. Cooks in just 7–8 seconds.
Vegetables
Plan 3–4 types for 4 people (600–800g total):
- Enoki mushrooms (金针菇) — 1–2 packs (200g). 30–45 seconds. Most popular hot pot vegetable.
- Napa cabbage (白菜) — 1/4 head (200g). 1–3 minutes. Cheap, sweet, excellent broth absorber.
- Lotus root (莲藕) — 1 segment (150–200g), pre-sliced. 5–8 minutes. Adds crunch and visual appeal.
- Corn on the cob — 1–2 cobs cut in rounds. 8–10 minutes. Kids love it; adds sweetness to the broth.
- Spinach or bok choy — 1 bunch (100g). 15–30 seconds. Disappears fastest — get two bunches.
Tofu & Noodles
- Firm tofu (老豆腐) — 1 block, cut in cubes. 3–4 minutes.
- Tofu skin (豆腐皮 / yuba) — 100g dried, pre-soaked. Silky and rich. Beginner favourite.
- Sweet potato noodles (红薯粉) — 200g dry. Pre-soak 15 minutes. The most popular hot pot noodle.
- Optional: Frozen dumplings (gyoza) — 10–12 pieces. Cook last, 7–10 minutes. Great for groups with kids.
Where to Shop
Everything is available at any well-stocked Asian grocery store:
- US: H Mart, 99 Ranch Market, Mitsuwa, T&T Supermarket (Canada)
- UK: Wing Yip, See Woo, most large Chinese supermarkets in major cities
- Australia: Asian grocery stores in Chinatown areas; Costco stocks some items
- Online: Amazon carries Haidilao soup bases, tofu skin, glass noodles, and most dry goods
If you can only go to a regular supermarket: buy beef, shrimp, any mushrooms, napa cabbage or bok choy, firm tofu, and any thin noodles. It won't be authentic, but it will work.
Dipping Sauce Basics
The minimum for one person: sesame paste or tahini (2 tbsp), soy sauce (1 tbsp), sesame oil (1 tsp), minced garlic (1 clove), scallion (1 stalk). See the full dipping sauce guide for 5 regional recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan 120–180g (4–6 oz) of meat or seafood per person. For a 4-person hot pot, that means 500–700g total across 2–3 types. Err on the side of more — thin slices disappear quickly.
Asian grocery stores carry everything: thinly sliced meat (often pre-packaged), fish balls, maodu, enoki mushrooms, tofu skin, and soup bases. Large H Mart, 99 Ranch, or Mitsuwa locations are well-stocked. For soup bases, Haidilao and Little Sheep brands are available on Amazon.
Frozen vegetables and store-brand noodles are the most affordable. Beef slices cost less than premium cuts like wagyu or prime ribeye. A complete hot pot for 4 people can cost $30–50 USD by buying smart at an Asian grocery.
Yes, but ask the butcher to slice it paper-thin (2–3mm). For beef, a partial freeze for 30 minutes makes slicing much easier. Asian grocery stores sell pre-sliced rolls frozen — these are the most convenient option.