The Culture and Origins of Chinese Hot Pot

Everybody knows Chinese hot pot started in Chongqing. Over the past thousand years, it's gone from food for dockworkers to a favorite dish for people of all ages. Chinese hot pot culture has evolved too—from just spicy broth at first to all kinds of flavors today. Let's dive into how Chongqing hot pot began and changed over time, and see how Chinese hot pot culture became what it is now.

How Chongqing Hot Pot First Started

The most common story goes back to the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, when boat trackers worked along the Yangtze River in Chongqing. Boats often got stuck on rough waters, and trackers had to pull them free. After a hard day, they'd build a stone stove by Chaotianmen Dock, boil river water with Sichuan pepper and chili they carried, then toss in leftover ox organs like tripe and liver from butchers. Eating this with strong liquor helped them relax and fight off the cold. This simple meal became the foundation of Chongqing hot pot and the start of Chinese hot pot culture.

Cool Celebrity Stories About Hot Pot

There's another story that Genghis Khan invented hot pot. When he was leading wars, he saw his soldiers spent too much time grilling mutton the traditional Mongolian way. To save time, he had mutton cut into small pieces and boiled in water—maybe how northern-style mutton hot pot began!

Legend also says Cao Cao from the Three Kingdoms loved hot pot. Once, he saw his men dump all ingredients into the pot at once, mixing flavors badly. So he invented the divided pot. Is that how today's popular nine-square-grid hot pot was born? Whether true or not, these stories show how Chinese hot pot culture has always been creative.

Hot Pot for Everyone in Tang and Song Times

Food lovers' passion pushed hot pot to grow. During the Tang and Song dynasties, hot pot became super popular across China, an important part of Chinese hot pot culture. The Tang poet Bai Juyi even wrote a poem about it: "New-brewed wine like green ants, red clay stove glowing. As snow starts falling at dusk, care for a cup with me?" Can you imagine going back in time to eat hot pot by the stove in the snow?

Emperor Qianlong's Big Love for Hot Pot

Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty was a hot pot fan, especially of mutton shabu-shabu. During his six trips to southern China, locals served him hot pot everywhere he went. He even threw a huge hot pot party for all people over 60 in the country—can you picture thousands eating hot pot together in a square? That shows hot pot in Chinese hot pot culture isn't just food; it's a way for people to gather and celebrate.

So Many Hot Pot Types Today!

Whether those stories are real or not, hot pot is definitely loved by everyone. Who would've thought that in the 21st century, Chinese hot pot culture would have so many types: Chongqing old hot pot, Chengdu skewer hot pot, Beijing mutton hot pot, lamb spine hot pot, beef tallow hot pot, clear oil hot pot, green pepper hot pot, frog and fish head hot pot, malatang, Japanese oden, Hong Kong-style hot pot, Chaoshan beef hot pot, Macau doulao hot pot, Guizhou sour soup hot pot, Yunnan mushroom hot pot, pork tripe and chicken hot pot, cured rib hot pot, coconut chicken hot pot... Among them, Chongqing hot pot stays popular for its spicy-numbing flavor and deep cultural roots.

Hope this helps you understand more about Chinese hot pot culture and its history! If you want to open a hot pot restaurant or find authentic Chongqing hot pot base, contact Chongqing lahuolaozao—a professional Chongqing hot pot base factory that can help you find the perfect flavor for your area.

Thank you for learning about the manufacturer of Lahuaolaozao hot pot base located in Chongqing, China.