Able to take pleasure in one among Japan’s coziest meals? Nabemono, or nabe, are Japanese scorching pot dishes cooked proper on the desk. On this information, I’ll stroll you thru the fundamentals so you can also make a heat, comforting Japanese scorching pot at dwelling anytime.
Fast Overview
When the climate turns chilly or wet, many Japanese households flip to nabe (鍋). A pot of simmering broth, recent substances, and everybody cooking collectively on the desk—that is the center of a Japanese scorching pot meal.
Why you’ll love nabe:
- A comfortable, shareable meal that brings everybody collectively
- Simple to customise along with your favourite proteins and greens
- Comforting broths that heat you from the within out
On this information, you’ll study what nabe is, the important gear, key substances, and the hottest Japanese scorching pot recipes to attempt.
What’s Nabemono (or Nabe)?
Nabemono is the Japanese time period for scorching pot dishes cooked and loved on the desk.
- Nabe (鍋) means “pot.”
- Nabemono (鍋物) means “substances cooked collectively in a pot.”
The meal is easy and communal. Everybody provides substances to a simmering broth, waits for it to prepare dinner, and enjoys it piping scorching. It’s interactive, cozy, and really homey.
Whereas nabe is a basic winter meal, it’s additionally excellent for informal gatherings, holidays, and household dinners. In case you love heat one-pot meals, you’ll take pleasure in nabe all yr lengthy.
Important Nabe Gear
You solely want a number of easy instruments to make Japanese scorching pot at dwelling. These preserve the broth scorching on the desk and make the meal simple and enjoyable.
Fast listing
- Donabe pot (or one other sturdy pot)
- Moveable butane range (or induction cooktop)
- Butane canisters
- Serving utensils – skimmer, ladles, slotted ladles, cooking chopsticks
- Tableware – medium bowl, small bowl, and chopsticks
1. Donabe pot
The donabe (土鍋) is probably the most conventional pot for Japanese scorching pot. It holds and distributes warmth effectively, which is ideal for simmering scorching pot on the desk. Donabe pots are available in many sizes and designs, so when you prepare dinner nabe usually, investing in a good-quality donabe is effectively price it.
The place to Purchase
Begin with JOC Items, the place we fastidiously curate donabe straight from trusted Japanese kilns. It’s also possible to discover them at Japanese or Asian grocery shops, specialty ceramic retailers, and on Amazon, although the standard can differ.
Donabe Measurement Information
Donabe sizes are measured by the diameter of the pot. For big teams (6 folks or extra), utilizing two donabe pots works greatest.
- Small (6.5–8 in / 16.5–20 cm, 6号) – Serves 1–2
- Medium (8.5–11 in / 22–28 cm, 7号〜9号) – Serves 2–3
- Giant (12 in / 31 cm, 10号) – Serves 4–6
⚠️ Earlier than your first use, season your donabe correctly so it should final for years. Observe my step-by-step information in The way to Season and Take care of Your Donabe.
Different Pots
No donabe? You may nonetheless take pleasure in nabe with these choices:
2. Moveable butane range
A conveyable butane range retains the broth scorching on the desk—the normal solution to take pleasure in nabe!
📌 Most donabe pots want a fuel flame and can’t be used on normal electrical or induction cooktops until particularly famous.
Many households use a single-burner butane range for tabletop cooking, grilling, and scorching pot. It’s additionally very helpful for emergencies, tenting, or highway journeys.
Moveable Range Choices
We’ve used a number of Iwatani stoves through the years, they usually’re dependable:
I’ve additionally listed a number of further Iwatani choices for you.
Different choice: In case you are utilizing a stainless-steel pot, you can even use a moveable induction cooktop.
3. Butane canisters
You’ll want butane canisters (カセットガス) to your moveable range.
⚠️ Security Tip: At all times prepare dinner in a well-ventilated house. (Butane burners usually don’t produce carbon monoxide.)
Skilled Tip: Preserve additional canisters available in winter. Chilly temperatures weaken the flame, and scorching pot meals usually final a very long time. Additional gas makes positive your nabe stays scorching till the tip.
4. Serving utensils
Set out a number of shared utensils so everybody can prepare dinner and serve with ease:
An identical nabe software set with lovely picket handles appears to be like tidy on the desk and makes serving a lot simpler!
5. Tableware and drinkware
Give every visitor a small private setup:
You may additionally need:
Japanese Scorching Pot Elements
A scrumptious nabe begins with a superb dashi (Japanese soup broth), then layers in greens, protein (generally protein, then greens), and a easy end of rice or noodles.
Fast listing
- Dashi (Japanese soup inventory)
- Meat and seafood
- Tofu and soybean merchandise
- Greens and mushrooms
- Rice or noodles
- Dipping sauce
1. Dashi (Japanese soup inventory)
The widespread broths for Japanese scorching pot embrace:
2. Meat and seafood
- Thinly sliced beef or pork (about 1–2 mm thick) cooks in seconds in scorching broth and provides a beautiful richness. Nicely-marbled cuts like ribeye, sirloin, pork stomach, or pork loin give a delicate, silky texture and a naturally candy taste. As a result of the meat is wealthy and tender, a number of slices go a good distance.
- Rooster thigh stays juicy and tsukune (rooster meatballs) add physique and richness.
- White fish or salmon maintain their form and add a clear, delicate style.
- Shrimp, scallops, and clams prepare dinner rapidly and produce deep umami.
- Squid or crab add nice texture and pure sweetness; nice for winter scorching pots.
Nami’s Tips about The way to Slice Meat Thinly
Butchers at Japanese or Asian grocery shops chill the meat barely to allow them to slice it paper-thin.
You are able to do this at dwelling, too! Observe my simple step-by-step tutorial on The way to Slice Meat Thinly for greatest outcomes.
In case you reside close to Japanese or Korean grocery shops, they usually promote high-quality thinly sliced meat for decent pot.
3. Tofu and soybean merchandise
Tofu is a nabe staple and soaks up the flavorful broth superbly. Listed here are some choices:
4. Greens and mushrooms
Basic greens for nabe embrace:
- napa cabbage
- carrot
- daikon
- Tokyo negi (Japanese lengthy inexperienced onion)
- chrysanthemum greens (shungiku)
- gobo (burdock root)
- mizuna
They add sweetness, texture, and many colour to the pot.
It’s also possible to use what’s out there domestically, similar to bok choy, broccoli, spinach, watercress, zucchini, and extra. Add agency stems first to the broth, then leafy greens.
Japanese mushrooms are one other must-have. They add deep umami and an exquisite texture to the broth. My favorites are:
- shiitake mushrooms
- enoki mushrooms
- shimeji mushrooms
- maitake mushrooms
- king oyster mushrooms
Every brings its personal taste and form to the pot.
5. Dipping sauce
The broth is scrumptious by itself, however dipping sauces make nabe additional enjoyable. Listed here are the 2 most typical sauces:
- Ponzu – A citrusy soy sauce that brightens the dish, particularly fatty meat.
- Goma dare – A creamy roasted sesame sauce that pairs effectively with marbled beef and pork.
You may customise your bowl with toppings like:
Have enjoyable creating your individual excellent combine!
6. Rice or noodles
End the meal with shime, the ultimate course.
- Add cooked rice to the remaining broth and simmer for Zosui (rice soup).
- Or add cooked udon noodles and simmer till tender.
It’s the right solution to take pleasure in each final drop of the flavorful broth.
Nami’s Greatest Ideas for Nabemono
Cooking and consuming nabemono is all concerning the shared expertise. Listed here are my greatest ideas that will help you prepare dinner Japanese scorching pot like a professional!
- Observe the cooking order. Begin with substances that construct taste, like rooster, fish, or meatballs. Add root greens that take longer to prepare dinner subsequent, like daikon, carrots, or gobo, then mushrooms and end with thinly sliced meat and leafy greens.
- Don’t overcrowd the pot. Too many substances without delay lowers the broth temperature. Add substances in small batches so all the pieces cooks evenly.
- Add substances to a boiling broth. Wait till the broth is effervescent earlier than you add new substances. This retains the broth temperature excessive on a regular basis.
- Skim the broth sometimes. Proteins and greens can create foam or scum on the floor. Skim sometimes to maintain the broth clear and clear. I often skim whereas Mr. JOC provides substances—teamwork!
- Style and alter. As you prepare dinner, the broth might turn out to be stronger or lighter. Modify with a bit extra dashi, water, or seasoning.
- Follow good sharing etiquette. When cooking with company, keep away from fishing round for particular items within the pot. Because the host, you possibly can provide to assist newcomers prepare dinner their substances, which makes the meal welcoming and enjoyable.
Standard Nabe Recipes
Listed here are a few of my most beloved Japanese scorching pot recipes so you possibly can decide one to begin with!
Shabu Shabu
Shabu Shabu is a well-known Japanese scorching pot the place everybody on the desk cooks collectively. Diners swish marbled meat, tofu, and greens in a lightweight broth and revel in it with savory dipping sauce. It is an intimate but informal meal that is enjoyable and simple to tug off at dwelling.
Sukiyaki
Cozy up at your subsequent get-together with family and friends with my home made Sukiyaki recipe. On this dish, we sear marbled beef and simmer it with tofu, mushrooms, and greens in a sweetened soy sauce. This family-style dinner will heat your stomachs and hearts with its genuine Japanese flavors.
Mille-Feuille Nabe
Mille-Feuille Nabe is among the hottest scorching pot recipes to prepare dinner at dwelling in Japan. “A thousand layers“ of napa cabbage leaves and pork stomach slices are superbly packed and simmered in a warming dashi broth. It comes collectively rapidly for a weeknight dinner or scorching pot celebration that you’ll treasure throughout the cold-weather months.
Chanko Nabe (Sumo Stew)
Chanko Nabe or Sumo Stew is a sturdy scorching pot full of every kind of greens and tons of protein in a wealthy dashi and rooster broth. Historically eaten by sumo wrestlers, this well-balanced meal can be loved in Japanese houses and at some eating places.
Yosenabe (Japanese Scorching Pot)
Yosenabe is a primary Japanese scorching pot the place you possibly can prepare dinner no matter substances—rooster, seafood, tofu, and every kind of greens—in a scrumptious dashi broth.
Sesame Miso Scorching Pot (Goma Miso Nabe)
Loaded with greens, mushrooms, and tofu, my simple Sesame Miso Scorching Pot is a perfect dish to make with family and friends. With a savory and nutty broth, this Japanese one-pot recipe will heat your stomach and soothe your soul. {Vegan Adaptable}
Soy Milk Scorching Pot
Scrumptious Japanese Soy Milk Scorching Pot recipe with napa cabbage, mushrooms, and thinly sliced pork cooked in a creamy and savory soy milk broth.
Mizutaki (Japanese Rooster Scorching Pot)
Mizutaki is a Japanese Rooster Scorching Pot by which rooster, assorted greens, mushrooms, and tofu are cooked in a lightweight kombu dashi broth. Dip the freshly cooked substances within the savory and citrusy ponzu sauce. It‘s the most effective wintery meals to take pleasure in!
Monkfish Scorching Pot (Anko Nabe)
Expertise the warmest communal eating at dwelling with this extremely flavorful Japanese Monkfish Scorching Pot referred to as Anko Nabe. The wealthy soup broth will blow you away. Such a enjoyable solution to prepare dinner and eat collectively, it‘s one among our household’s favourite meals within the winter months!
Tsukune Scorching Pot (Tori Dango Nabe)
Tsukune Scorching Pot, or Tori Dango Nabe, is a Japanese scorching pot recipe the place ginger-flavored rooster meatballs are simmered in a dashi-based broth together with a wholesome mixture of tofu, greens, and mushrooms. Cooked on the desk in a donabe clay pot, it’s a heat and comforting family-style dinner for fall and winter nights.
Motsunabe Recipe
Heat up with a bowl of wealthy and savory Motsunabe—a regional Japanese scorching pot dish with plump beef offal, garlic chives, cabbage, and tofu simmered in a creamy miso broth. It is full of deep umami goodness!
Editor’s Be aware: This put up was initially revealed on March 5, 2019. It was up to date on November 24, 2021, and republished on November 26, 2025 with extra useful info.
