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Beijing Hot Pot Dipping Sauce (京式火锅蘸料)

Sharing a nutty, savory, Beijing-style dipping sauce for hot pot that I’ve eaten my whole life. It uses a few fermented ingredients to create a super umami taste that pairs well with many types of hot pot soups. {Vegan, gluten-free adaptable}For gluten-free, replace the soy sauce with tamari.

Prep Time
8 mins
Total Time
8 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Chinese sesame paste (or unsweetened natural peanut butter, or tahini) (*Footnote 1)
  • 1/4 cup water (or warm hot pot broth) (*Footnote 2)
  • 1 block red fermented bean curd
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons Chinese fermented leek flower sauce (Optional) (*Footnote 3)
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic , grated (2 cloves)
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro , minced (or to taste) (Optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the sesame paste into a big bowl. Add the water, one tablespoon at a time, and use a spatula or a spoon to blend the water in until it forms a smooth paste. Add more water and repeat, until it forms a smooth sauce that is slightly runny.
  2. Add the red fermented bean curd. Break it apart while mixing it into the sauce, until fully incorporated.
  3. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix, until everything is fully dissolved into the sauce. Taste it and adjust it according to your taste. If you do not use the leek flower sauce, the sauce will be milder. You can add a bit more soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic to boost the flavor.

Notes

  • Shop for premium sesame paste that is made with 100% sesame seeds. Do not get the ones that are made with a combination of sesame seeds and peanuts.You can use unsweetened peanut butter or tahini, both will be delicious but with a very different nutty note.
  • You can use cold or warm water. If you use hot pot broth, portion out the broth when it’s warm but not boiling. If you add boiling broth to the sesame paste it might separate.
  • Start with 1 teaspoon if you’ve never tried the sauce before. Gradually increase the amount if you like the taste.