How to Host a Hot Pot Party

[@ascendantP]

Thanks for the complete breakdown on the costs! It really helped me decide if I should buy my own meat slicer. Because my local Chinese hotpot is a buffet @ $25/person, even after taxes and tip, it would have cost us at least 40% more buying all the ingredients and making it ourselves (We usually order an average of 2.3 orders of sliced meat per person per visit). The broth at our restaurant doesn't have a to-go option, so that would have been another issue for us to get the same level of flavor from the broth.

[@BeatTheBush]

You have to compare apples to apples. It will always be cheaper to get the same ingredients yourself at the supermarket. The price is high due to the SRF Wagyu and many orders of expensive shrimp paste.

[@ascendantP]

@@BeatTheBush Yep, definitely comparing apples to apples. I am not using your prices for meats as we typically order ribeye for beef, lamb, and pork belly. I'm not using expensive cuts of beef such as Wagyu. Also, I was using our supermarket prices of meats that are not sliced yet as we will be assuming we will be using our own meat slicer.

[@zenalu9568]

The $25 all you can eat is not bad. It depends on much beef/lamb you can consume. Because the ingredients is not cheap anyway.

[@tilasole3252]

Our local-ish hotpot isn't too expensive, IF you do not go over board and stay within your budget. Their broth is free (not sure there is a minimum of ingredients bought), so you just have to buy the mushrooms, meats and vegetables. If for one person, or sharing for two, I'd say you could get away with eating at $30 or $40 total. This was several years ago, so prices have probably changed, but the idea stays the same. Supermarkets have risen in price as well, especially on meats. It's good to be at least partially vegetarian 😅

[@tilasole3252]

Loved the video. Hot Pot is one of my favorite, but also seldom eaten soups. It's about to be Fall soon and then Winter, the perfect time for Hot Pot with friends! Would love to see a video where you make the soup base your self and try to be more frugal. $280 is expensive! UNLESS, the guests were also chipping in. It could significantly reduce the cost. You buy the broth and basic staples and everyone else buys their favorite ingredients and brings it with them.

[@Austin-fc5gs]

I noticed you use butane. Have you considered using an induction heater to save on that recurring cost?

[@BeatTheBush]

This table was actually on a deck a bit far from any outlet. I do have an induction setup for home hot pot use. The butane is great for hot pot at a campsite!

[@lollypokemon]

Love hotpot. Hotpot at home is the best !

[@jeanwangg]

love hot pot! do you know where to find the ingredients for Hai Di Lao's golden broth?

[@BeatTheBush]

Nope. Seems like there is chicken soup, msg, and turmeric in it.

[@cholinzhan3393]

There is a soup base selling in supermarkets called ‘shujiuxiang(蜀九香）’ being my all-time favorite (specifically in the US though😂). You can either choose beef tallow version or plant-based oil version. I always go with the beef tallow version because it gives more flavor. For the shrimp paste, my recipe is to add shrimp, little bit water and corn starch into the blender, then blend until it becomes sticky. You can adjust the texture by the ratio of those three ingredients. Of course it’s not as good as Haidilao but I’m okay with it😂

[@tilasole3252]

I will have to check this out. Is it a one time use deal or you put into the pot what is required? Also what is the average price?

[@cholinzhan3393]

@@tilasole3252 May I know if you mean the soup base? It’s over $10 so it’s expensive. But you can choose other soup base with beef tallow like ‘haidilao beef tallow hot soup base’. It’s only less than 5 bucks but beef tallow is really good. Usually they suggest you add all the ingredients of the soup base into your pot for the best flavor. But you can feel free to adjust the amount by your preference.

[@tilasole3252]

@@cholinzhan3393 I meant the soup base, yes. 🙂 I was not sure if it came in a container you could close and save in the fridge for a week or two.

[@AccessDEANied]

i never thought to get haidilao's broth and shrimp paste to go. gonna have to try this next time. can you get the noodle show to go as well? =P

[@BeatTheBush]

Lol. They will give you noodles... and a link to a video lol.

[@annie14892]

I prefer more salad and mushroom options than too much meat. Great breakdown 👌

[@tilasole3252]

Salad? You mean vegetables you out I to the hotpot or salad on the side? I do love me some bok choy and shiitake, myself.

[@DY-Hak1]

Do you have to add water to the soup base you purchased from he restaurant?

[@BeatTheBush]

Yes, you fill the pot up, leave about 1" from the top.

[@tilasole3252]

​@@BeatTheBushyou fill the pot 1" from the top with the soup base or the water?

[@tilasole3252]

If I was coming over, I'd bring food and or drinks. Don't want to be a bad guest and not be invited back next time 😅

[@777RL]

Show us your hot pot parties

[@BeatTheBush]

I'll ask the participants but I know for sure a few does not want to be recorded.

[@davidtam28]

hi btb I love your video and I love hotpot as well - could I become your friend so that you could invite me next time :D I have found that if I have hot pot at home I will only top up the frozen ones fish balls when they run out and ask around do people want more of them out so that there will be no waste

[@BeatTheBush]

Well, that'll be wild. A subscriber hot pot party. I may have another subscriber gathering soon in the east bay, so watch out for that.

[@Christinchong]

@@BeatTheBushyes please! 😊

[@tilasole3252]

Any where near Fort Irwin? 😅

[@tilasole3252]

You can be cheap in life You can be cheap to your self You can be cheap to your co-workers You can even be cheap to your loving wife But you can never be cheap with freinds at a hot pot gathering The wife 🤨

[@tilasole3252]

Who the hell doesn't eat noodles? 😅