Here's what an authentic Cantonese hot pot should look like:

1. Hot pot base

Cantonese hot pots usually come with two base choices, a chicken soup base and a clear soup base. The chicken soup base is made from fresh chicken meat and chicken bones, which is flavorful, while the clear soup base is made from fresh fish bones and other seafood, which is light and refreshing. Depending on your personal taste and preference, you can choose either or both bases to enjoy together.

Cantonese hot pot emphasizes the freshness and quality of ingredients. Typical choices include a variety of meats such as sliced beef, lamb, and pork, seafood such as fresh shrimp, fresh scallops, and fish balls, and a variety of vegetables such as tofu, bean sprouts, and enoki mushrooms. In addition, side dishes commonly used in Cantonese hot pots include specialty ingredients such as fish skin and raw dried noodles.

3. Dipping Sauce

Dipping sauce is an essential part of Cantonese hot pot. There are a variety of dipping sauces to choose from, so you can select according to your own taste. Common dipping sauces include spicy sauce, garlic paste, pepper salt, salsa, cilantro chili sauce, and so on. Depending on your personal preference, you can try different concoctions to mix up your favorite flavors.

4. Cooking Method

The cooking method of Cantonese hot pot is very simple. The ingredients sitting in the hot pot base are cooked in a hot broth. The general rule is to cook beef and lamb slightly, while fish and seafood can be cooked just a little. Vegetables should be cooked for a slightly shorter period of time to maintain their crunchy texture. Each person can control the cooking time of the ingredients according to their own preferences.

Cantonese hot pot also has some unique condiments, such as olives, fermented bean curd, and pickled salted lemon fish. These condiments add aroma and texture to the ingredients and enhance the overall flavor of the hot pot. You can try adding different seasonings according to your personal taste to enrich the flavor of the hot pot.

Overall, Cantonese hot pot focuses on freshness and original ingredients, with light, fresh flavors that highlight the freshness of the ingredients themselves.

With the choice of a la carte ingredients, unique seasonings and hot pot base, you can mix different flavors to suit your personal tastes to enjoy a hot pot experience with good food and time with family and friends.

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