Hotpot and Korean BBQ (kbbq) are two popular Asian style cooking methods that involve cooking meat and vegetables at the table. While they share some similarities, there are some key differences between hotpot and kbbq in terms of ingredients, cooking process, flavors, and dining experience.
What is Hotpot?
Hotpot refers to a stew cooked at the dining table in a communal pot of steaming broth. There are many regional variations of hotpot across Asia, but it typically consists of a pot of broth kept simmering at the table surrounded by plates of raw ingredients for diners to add themselves.
Some common hotpot broth bases include:
- Spicy mala broth – Popular in Sichuan cuisine, this broth contains chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns.
- Chicken or pork bone broth – A milder clear broth usually flavored with garlic, ginger, and green onions.
- Tom yum broth – A Thai style hot and sour broth made with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal.
- Kimchi broth – A Korean hotpot broth mixed with kimchi for a spicy and tangy flavor.
Common hotpot ingredients to add to the broth include thinly sliced meats like beef, lamb, chicken, or seafood, vegetables like napa cabbage, mushrooms, tomato, enoki mushrooms, tofu products, noodles, dumplings, eggs, rice cakes, and condiments like sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, cilantro, chili sauce.
What is Korean BBQ?
Korean barbecue refers to meat, seafood, and vegetables grilled right at the table over a small charcoal or gas grill embedded in the table. It is known as gogi-gui (grilled meat) in Korean.
Some popular types of Korean BBQ meats include:
- Marinated galbi or bulgogi – Thin slices of beef short ribs or other fatty cuts like brisket, marinated in a sweet soy sauce marinade.
- Samgyeopsal – Thick cut slices of pork belly.
- Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast meat.
- Seafood – Shrimp, squid, clams, fish.
The meat is cooked quickly over high heat. It is often wrapped in lettuce or perilla leaves and accompanied by ssamjang (a spicy paste dipping sauce), kimchi, noodles, rice, and other banchan (small side dishes).
Differences Between Hotpot and Korean BBQ
While both hotpot and Korean BBQ involve cooking at the table, there are some notable differences between the two:
Cooking Method
Hotpot uses a simmering communal broth, while Korean BBQ relies on high heat grilling.
Temperature
Hotpot broth keeps a steady gentle simmer. KBBQ grills maintain very high heat for searing the meat.
Equipment
Hotpot requires a pot and portable stove. KBBQ uses a built-in gas or charcoal grill in the table.
Ingredients
Hotpot uses thinly sliced meat and fresh vegetables added to the broth. KBBQ uses thicker, larger marinated meat cuts.
| Hotpot Ingredients | KBBQ Ingredients |
|---|---|
|
|
Broth/Sauces
Hotpot uses various seasoned broths that simmer. KBBQ uses salty-sweet marinades and spicy ssamjang dipping sauce.
Cooking Process
For hotpot, ingredients are added gradually by diners into the simmering pot. KBBQ involves grilling the marinated meat all at once.
Dining Experience
Hotpot dining tends to be more slow paced with ingredients cooked at the table bit by bit. KBBQ offers quick, high heat grilling with wraps assembled by diners.
Similarities Between Hotpot and Korean BBQ
While they have their differences, hotpot and Korean BBQ also share some commonalities:
- Both are cooked at the dining table.
- Typically eaten communally with a group.
- Customizable – diners can add ingredients to their liking.
- Offer an interactive, engaging dining experience.
- Popular social dining options.
- Contain protein, vegetables, noodles/rice, broth/sauces.
Regional Variations
There are many regional adaptations of both hotpot and Korean BBQ styles:
Hotpot Styles
- Sichuan – Spicy mala broth with chilies and Sichuan peppercorns.
- Haidilao – Chinese chain known for flavorful broth and high quality ingredients.
- Shabu shabu – Japanese style hotpot with thin slices of Wagyu beef.
- Sukiyaki – Japanese hotpot with sweet soy broth mixed at the table.
- Chongqing – Known for using only beef as ingredient and extra spicy mala broth.
- Taiwanese – Tomato or milk based broth and local ingredients like oysters, squid balls.
Korean BBQ Styles
- Seoul-style – Focuses more on the marinated meats.
- Jeju-style – Uses thicker cuts of pork belly.
- Pork-centric – Highlights different cuts of pork.
- Beef-centric – Specializes in premium beef like American wagyu.
- All-you-can-eat KBBQ – KBBQ buffets popular in America.
Fusion and Modern Takes
As both hotpot and KBBQ increase in popularity worldwide, chefs are experimenting with fusion approaches:
- Japanese shabu shabu hotpot with wagyu beef and ponzu dipping sauce.
- Creamy seafood coconut hotpot broth.
- Hotpot with cheese broth or cheese stuffed meatballs.
- Spicy kimchi jjigae hotpot.
- Bibimbap hotpot rice bowls.
- Korean BBQ tacos – bulgogi in corn tortillas.
- Grilled kimchi and cheese KBBQ.
- Galbi steak sandwiches with KBBQ meat.
- Bulgogi cheesesteak sandwiches.
Popularity and Trends
Both hotpot and Korean BBQ have seen a surge in popularity globally, particularly in recent years.
According to Google Trends data, worldwide search interest for both dishes has steadily increased over the past decade:
| Year | Hotpot Search Interest | KBBQ Search Interest |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 25 | 26 |
| 2010 | 55 | 58 |
| 2016 | 77 | 89 |
| 2022 | 100 | 100 |
Some trends contributing to their popularity include:
- The growth of Asian cuisine and restaurants internationally.
- Appreciation for interactive dining experiences and cooking at the table.
- Enjoyment of customizable dishes to suit individual tastes.
- Interest in communal dining and sharing plates.
- Appeal as social dining options for group gatherings.
Final Thoughts
While hotpot and Korean BBQ share similarities of cooking at the table and being social dining favorites, they have distinct differences when it comes to ingredients, cooking techniques, and dining experience. Hotpot simmers while KBBQ sears; hotpot gradually cooks items in broth while KBBQ grills meat all at once. Both dishes have numerous regional variations and are seeing growing popularity as they gain global fans. Ultimately, they are two excellent interactive Asian dining options with their own unique flavors and style.