If you love the idea of hot pot but don’t have the time (or patience) for all the setup, this Easy One-Pot Hot Pot is for you. It’s got all the comforting, cozy flavors of traditional hot pot but with a no-fuss approach—everything goes into one pot, cooks together, and is ready to enjoy in no time. Pair it with a creamy peanut dipping sauce and your taste buds will be in heaven. Perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or whenever you’re craving a warm, satisfying meal without the extra work.
What is Hot Pot?
Hot pot is a classic communal meal where a simmering pot of broth takes center stage. You typically cook thinly sliced meats, seafood, tofu, and veggies in the broth, then dip them in a flavorful sauce before eating. It’s fun, interactive, and endlessly customizable.
But let’s be honest—sometimes, you just want all that goodness without spending time prepping individual plates of ingredients or standing over the pot while everything cooks. That’s where this one-pot version comes in.
Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Hot Pot
Quick & Easy – No need for special equipment or multiple steps of cooking. Everything goes into the pot and cooks together on the stovetop.
Nutritious & Satisfying – Loaded with fresh vegetables, protein, and noodles for a balanced meal.
Rich, Bold Flavors – A savory broth and a creamy peanut dipping sauce make every bite packed with flavor.
Completely Customizable – Swap in your favorite proteins, veggies, and noodles based on what you have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Hot Pot:
Napa cabbage & bok choy – These leafy greens soak up the broth beautifully and add a fresh crunch.
Carrots – Thinly sliced for a hint of sweetness and vibrant color.
Tofu – Medium to firm tofu holds its shape well while absorbing the flavors of the broth.
Mushrooms – Enoki, king oyster, seafood, or shimeji mushrooms all add an earthy, umami-rich depth.
Thinly sliced beef – Cooks quickly and adds a rich, hearty bite.
Frozen udon noodles – These chewy, thick noodles are perfect for soaking up all the delicious broth.
For the Broth:
Dashi or chicken broth – A light yet flavorful base that ties everything together.
Soup soy sauce – Adds a savory depth to the broth (regular soy sauce works too!).
Mirin – A touch of sweetness to balance the flavors.
Sugar – Just a bit to enhance the overall taste.
For the Peanut Dipping Sauce:
Peanut butter – Creates a creamy, nutty base for the sauce.
Oyster sauce – Adds a deep umami flavor.
Rice wine vinegar – Brightens up the sauce with a slight tang.
Sweetener (agave, maple syrup, or honey) – Balances out the richness.
Sriracha or chili crunch – Optional, but great if you like a little heat!
Cilantro & water (to adjust consistency) – Adds freshness and makes it easy to drizzle.
How to Make Easy One-Pot Hot Pot
1. Prep the Ingredients
Chop your veggies, cube the tofu, and lay everything out for easy assembly. The key to a smooth cooking process is having everything ready to go before you start.
2. Mix the Dipping Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar, sweetener, and sriracha (if using). Add a bit of water to thin it out to your preferred consistency. Set aside. You can find the recipe for my peanut dipping sauce here.
3. Layer the Pot with the Sturdier Ingredients First
In a large pot, start with napa cabbage, bok choy, mushrooms, carrots, and tofu at the bottom.
4. Pour in the Broth & Seasonings
Add the dashi or chicken broth, soup soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Bring everything to a gentle boil over medium heat.
5. Add the Meat & Noodles
Once the broth is bubbling, add the thinly sliced beef and frozen udon noodles. Cover and cook for about 4-5 minutes until the meat is fully cooked and the noodles are tender.
6. Serve & Enjoy
Ladle the hot pot into bowls, making sure everyone gets a good mix of broth, vegetables, protein, and noodles. Serve with the peanut dipping sauce on the side.
Tips for the Best One-Pot Hot Pot
Use Thinly Sliced Meat – Pre-sliced beef from an Asian grocery store works best. If slicing at home, freeze the meat slightly to make it easier to cut.
Vary the cook times – Depending on the type of vegetable, I recommend varying the cook time. For hearty leafy greens like kale or cabbage or root vegetables like daikon and carrots, for example, you can add these at the very beginning. For more delicate greens like spinach or watercress, you can add them towards the end as they don’t require as long to cook. Do the same with the noodles based on the recommended cook times on the package.
Boost the Broth – Add a piece of dried kombu or a few slices of ginger for extra depth.
Make Extra Sauce – This peanut dipping sauce is so good, you’ll want more for drizzling over leftovers.
Go Vegetarian – Swap the beef for extra tofu or seitan and use vegetable or mushroom broth instead of dashi.
Customizations + Substitutions
For the broth – I prefer the umami and savory flavors of dashi broth but you can also use chicken or beef broth in its place. For vegetarian/vegan options, you can also use a mushroom or vegetable broth.
Swap your favorite vegetables – No bok choy? Use spinach. Not a fan of mushrooms? Skip them! You can swap and customize with whatever vegetables you want. Some of my go-to hot pot vegetables include squash, corn on the cob, broccoli, and sugar snap peas, etc.
Try a different noodle – Ramen, vermicelli, sweet potato, or really any noodle can work for hot pot. Be sure to adjust the cook time accordingly for the noodles so they don’t overcook and become mushy.
Add more bulk – Add dumplings, wontons, or even rice cakes to your hot pot to make it more filling.
Make a variety of sauces – When you go to a hot pot restaurant, there is usually a sauce bar where you can choose from a vast array of dipping sauces. My favorite is always the peanut sauce but other popular ones include sesame, soy, or ponzu sauce. Be sure to have some fresh chopped cilantro, garlic, green onions, as well as chili oil on hand to add into the sauces!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time? Yes! While it’s best fresh, you can chop all your ingredients ahead of time and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just toss everything into the pot—it takes less than 10 minutes to cook.
What If I Don’t Have Dashi Broth? No worries! Chicken, beef, or vegetable broth all work well. For an extra umami boost, add a splash of fish sauce or a spoonful of miso paste.
What Can I Use Instead of Beef? You can use thinly sliced pork, chicken, or even seafood like shrimp and scallops. Just be sure everything is thinly sliced so it cooks quickly.
Can I Use Different Noodles? Yes! Ramen, vermicelli, or even glass noodles work well—just adjust the cooking time based on the package instructions.
How Do I Store Leftovers? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat on the stove with a bit of extra broth to keep everything from drying out.
Make This Easy One Pot Hot-Pot Tonight!
This creamy white sauce pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner—quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or packing it for lunch, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit. Give it a try tonight, and let me know how you like it!
Easy One-Pot Hot Pot
Make a comforting and flavorful hot pot in just one pot! This easy one-pot hot pot recipe brings all the delicious flavors of traditional hot pot without the extra prep. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal!
Pair with a creamy peanut dipping sauce and your hot pot dreams are complete!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Entree, Dinner, Soup
- Cuisine: Asian, Japanese, Chinese
Ingredients
FOR THE HOTPOT
4 leaves napa cabbage, chopped
4 oz thinly sliced carrot
8 oz or half a block of medium to firm tofu, cubed
8 oz mushroom (e.g. enoki, king oyster, seafood, shimeji or combination)
12 oz thinly sliced beef
12 oz bok choy
2 sheets frozen udon noodles (you can also use ramen noodles)
FOR THE BROTH
4 cups dashi broth (you can also use chicken broth)
3 tbsp soup soy sauce
2 tbsp mirin
2 tsp sugar
FOR THE PEANUT SAUCE
Find the recipe for the peanut dipping sauce here.
Instructions
1. Add napa cabbage, bok choy, carrots, mushroom, and tofu to a large pot. Add broth and seasonings.
2. Once the broth has come to a low boil, give everything a gentle mix and add meat and noodles. Continue to cook with lid closed for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until meat is cooked through and noodles are al dente.
3. Ladle into individual bowls and serve immediately with dipping sauce.
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