Korean-style shabu-shabu hot pot (샤브샤브)

Step 1

Combine 8 cups of stock and 1 teaspoon salt in a shabu-shabu pot (or a large pan, or a deep skillet). Mix well and set aside. Put the other 4 cups of stock into a different bowl. Set aside.

Step 2

Combine the peanut butter, garlic, fish sauce, squeezed lemon juice and honey in a small bowl. Mix well with a spoon and set aside.

Step 3

Combine doenjang, garlic, vinegar, honey, and ground sesame seeds in a small bowl. Mix well with a spoon and set aside.

Step 4

Put your gas burner (or electric burner) in the middle of your table. Place the pot with 8 cups of stock on the burner. Put the beef, seafood (if used), vegetables, mushrooms, noodles, and the sauces on the table. For each table setting add a small plate, 2 small bowls for sauces, 1 empty bowl (for noodle soup later), a personal straining ladle, and some chopsticks. Put one set of tongs and a ladle for handling the shabu-shabu on the table.

Step 5

Everyone sits down at the table, around the burner. Pour some drinks, if you want! Turn on the heat under the pot. When the stock starts boiling, add some of the vegetables and cook for about 1 minute. Pick up some beef, and some seafood (if used) with the tongs and add them to the boiling stock. Cook for just a few seconds. To eat, fish out beef or seafood first. Put in on your small plate, and then use chopsticks to dip it into one of the sauces and eat. Vegetables and mushrooms may take a little longer to cook, so you can eat those a little later. If you want to cook slower, you can lower the heat on the burner. When the stock gets too low, replenish it with some of the extra 4 cups stock you have kept in a separate bowl.

Step 6

When you and your guests are almost finished eating, increase the heat under the pot to medium high and add the noodles (or soaked rice) and cook for a few minutes. Stir with a ladle until the noodles (or rice) looks a little translucent and is cooked nicely. Drizzle in the beaten egg - without stirring - until it sets. Gently stir the noodle soup with a ladle. Transfer some to individual bowls and enjoy!