Shabu-shabu Hotpot

Step 1

Cut the konbu into 2-3 short pieces and place in a pot with 1L (2.1pt) water. Soak for 30 minutes.

Step 2

Bring the water with konbu to a boil over high heat. As soon as small bubbles start rising, remove the konbu (note 7). The broth is ready for Shabu-shabu.

Step 3

Cut Chinese cabbage leaves crosswise into 4cm (1½“) long pieces. If the leaves are very wide, cut the leaves vertically in half first.

Step 4

Cut shallots diagonally into 10cm long pieces. Cut shiitake mushrooms in half diagonally (note 2). If chrysanthemum leaves are long, cut them into two.

Step 5

Rinse shirataki and spread the bunch of strands on the cutting board, then cut into two or three portions so that each noodle is short (easier to pick them up).

Step 6

Plate the vegetables and beef slices on a large serving plate, clustering each ingredient together (see the photo in the post).

Step 7

Finely grate roasted sesame seeds in a mortar & pestle until they become slightly wet (oil from sesame seeds).

Step 8

Add the remaining Sesame Sauce ingredients to the mortar. Mix the sauce mixture well so that there are no lumps of miso paste. Leave it until required.

Step 9

In the centre of the dining table, place the broth in a pot on a portable cooktop with a ladle and a bowl of water next to it.

Step 10

Place the plate of meat and vegetables near the cooktop and two medium-sized bowls per diner with Sesame Sauce and Ponzu in each bowl.

Step 11

Bring the broth to a boil.

Step 12

Pick a slice of beef with chopsticks and shake a few times in the boiling water (about 10 seconds or so) to cook the meat. Then, dip the meat in the sauce of your choice and eat.

Step 13

Cook all the meat first so that you will have a better broth to cook the vegetables in.

Step 14

Add a small amount of vegetables of your choice to the broth and cook until tender. Dip the meat in one of the sauces to eat.

Step 15

After cooking beef slices, scum will surface. Use the ladle to remove the scum (try not to take too much broth with it) and wash it off in the bowl of water. Repeat this throughout the cooking as you see scum surfacing.