A successful hot pot starts with the freshest possible ingredients. Friends on the East Coast might argue the point, but we all know that frostbite tends to make people cranky. We re at least 10 degrees below median July temperatures.
Winter is hot pot weather.
Hot Pot Rules Freshness counts. Be imaginative and flexible. If you don t have kombu or dashi, use chicken or fish stock. Actually, any lightly seasoned broth or even plain salted water is fine. Be very careful whenever cooking at the table.