Yosenabe is a traditional Japanese hot pot filled with a variety of meats, seafood, tofu, and vegetables simmered in a light and flavorful broth. This simple one-pot dish is comforting, nutritious, and perfect for chilly days. Enjoy this easy homemade version of yosenabe with a delicate umami-packed broth!
Yosenabe (Japanese Hot Pot)
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆1
servings20
minutes20
minutesIngredients
- For the Yosenabe Broth:
300ml (1¼ cups) water
2 tbsp white dashi (Substitute: 1 tbsp soy sauce + ½ tsp dashi powder + 1 tbsp sake)
1 tbsp mirin (Substitute: ½ tbsp sugar + ½ tbsp sake if unavailable)
1 tsp light soy sauce (Substitute: regular soy sauce if needed, but use slightly less)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp apple cider vinegar (Adds subtle sweetness and balance.)
¼ tsp sugar
- For the Hot Pot Ingredients:
100g (3.5 oz) thinly sliced pork (Substitute: chicken, beef, or seafood if preferred)
1 fillet of cod (or any mild white fish)
2–3 leaves of napa cabbage, chopped
⅓ stalk of leek, sliced diagonally
2 cm (¾-inch) slice of carrot, cut into rounds or thin strips
1 shiitake mushroom (or any mushroom of choice)
¼ block of tofu (silken or firm, based on preference)
Directions
- Prepare the Ingredients
Chop the napa cabbage, slice the leek, and cut the carrot into thin rounds.
Remove the stems from shiitake mushrooms.
Cut the tofu into small cubes.
Slice the fish fillet into bite-sized pieces. - Make the Broth
In a medium-sized pot, combine water, white dashi, mirin, soy sauce, salt, apple cider vinegar, and sugar.
Heat over medium heat until it starts to simmer. - Cook the Hot Pot
Add the harder vegetables first (carrots, napa cabbage stems, and shiitake mushrooms) and simmer for 3–4 minutes.
Add the tofu, fish, and leeks, then simmer for another 3 minutes.
Finally, add the thinly sliced pork and napa cabbage leaves, cooking until the pork is fully cooked (about 2 minutes). - Serve & Enjoy!
Transfer to a bowl and enjoy as is or with a side of rice.
Optional: Serve with ponzu sauce, grated daikon, or yuzu kosho for an extra flavor kick.
Notes
- ✔ For a richer broth: Add kombu (kelp) or bonito flakes while heating the water.
✔ For variety: Try adding udon noodles, glass noodles, or rice cakes for extra heartiness.
✔ For extra umami: Add a dash of miso paste or a drizzle of sesame oil.
✔ For a spicy twist: Mix in a spoonful of kimchi or a dash of shichimi togarashi (Japanese chili pepper).
✔ For meal prep: Chop ingredients ahead of time and store them in the fridge for a quick and easy meal.