So what’s the difference between these two popular Chinese hot pot cuisines?
At first glance, it might be difficult to tell the difference between these two types of hot pot. The word “steamboat” is often used interchangeably with “hot pot.”
But “steamboat” can refer to a variety of different hot pot cuisines, so what exactly is the difference between them? Read on to learn more about the subtle yet significant differences between these two popular Chinese hot pot cuisines.
What is Hot Pot?
Hot pot is a Chinese cooking method in which food is placed in a heat-retaining vessel, such as a pot, wok, or bowl, and is then stovetop- or oven-baked or steamed until the food is cooked.
Hot pot is one of the oldest Chinese cooking methods, dating back at least 2,500 years.
The essential ingredients and cooking method of hot pot remain virtually unchanged from the original Han period (206 BC-AD 220) recipes.
Hot pot is a relatively easy cooking method that requires very few utensils other than a pot, a ladle, and a steamer. Because of its simplicity, hot pot is also one of the most suitable cooking methods for people with food allergies and dietary restrictions.
A traditional Chinese dish with a variety of sauces and spices, hotpot refers to a cooking method where food is placed into a pot of boiling water. This allows the food to cook evenly without any additional heat being added. Hotpot is popular in China, Vietnam and other parts of Asia.
There are many types of hotpot, including steaming (where food is cooked in a covered pot over steam), stir-frying (which involves cooking on a flat-top grill) and stewing (where food is cooked in a large cauldron).
Hotpot can also be combined with other dishes, such as stir-fried vegetables or rice.A traditional Chinese dish with a variety of sauces and spices, hotpot refers to a cooking method where food is placed into a pot of boiling water.
This allows the food to cook evenly without any additional heat being added. Hotpot is popular in China, Vietnam and other parts of Asia.
There are many types of hotpot, including steaming (where food is cooked in a covered pot over steam), stir-frying (which involves cooking on a flat-top grill) and stewing (where food is cooked in a large cauldron). Hotpot can also be combined with other dishes, such as stir-fried vegetables or rice.
What is Steamboat?
Differences Between Steamboat and Hot Pot
Both dishes are quite similar. Sometimes the terms can be used interchangeably depending on the Asian region in question.
Here are a few key differences between the two cuisines:
- Hot pot dishes are typically served in a broth that is brought to the table and is either empty or filled with other ingredients.
- Steamboat dishes are typically boiled and steamed
- While both hot pot and steamboat are prepared at the table, hot pot typically involves communal eating, where everyone shares a single pot of food.
- Hot pot is typically eaten during the day, often as part of a lunch or dinner buffet.
- Steamboat is typically served at night, as a takeout or eat-in restaurant meal.
Final Notes and Considerations
Steam boat is a hot pot variation originating from China.
While hot pot involves dipping food into a simmering broth at the table, steamboat involves a large pot of broth sitting at the table and ingredients are cooked in it by being placed on top of a rack that sits in the steaming broth.
It is very similar to Japanese hot pot, except that it usually uses a more refined broth and more delicate ingredients that can be easily overcooked.
There are many similarities between steamboat and hot pot, and both use high heat to cook meat. The main difference is the type of broth they use.
Hot Pot uses a clear, light broth while Steamboat uses a thick, cloudy broth. Steamboat also uses a different type of meat than most hot pots as well. Hot Pot typically uses beef while Steamboat uses chicken or fish.
However, there are some places that will use beef in their Steamboat. In addition, there are some places that offer specials like crab, lobster or crab legs in their Steamboat.
This is where the clear broth comes in handy because these types of meat tend to be more expensive than beef.
