Winter and Japanese hotpot dishes go hand in hand. These one-pot wonders, known as nabe, are the ultimate comfort food combining fresh vegetables, tender meats, and flavorful broths. Not only are they incredibly easy to prepare, but they’re also perfect for gathering around the table with family and friends.
1. Chanko Nabe (Sumo Stew)
Get to know sumo wrestling by trying Chanko Nabe, a nutritious hotpot that’s been feeding champions for generations.
This dish is pretty versatile and my version includes tender chicken meatballs and vegetables in a light, umami-rich broth that’s both satisfying and wholesome.
Chanko nabe is a traditional dish eaten by Japanese sumo wrestlers. Packed with vegetables, tofu and delicious homemade chicken meatballs in a light dashi and chicken broth, why not enjoy this nutritious and warming dish at home?
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2. Oden
Get ready to try something new this winter—Oden, a Japanese hotpot that shows you don’t need a lot of ingredients to make something super flavorful.
This recipe, made from scratch, takes the simple dashi broth and makes it into something special, with each ingredient chosen to complement the others.
Oden is a traditional Japanese one-pot dish enjoyed during the colder months. Made with an assortment of fishcakes, tofu, eggs, meat, and vegetables simmered in a light soy sauce-flavored dashi broth, oden is the perfect comfort food. Enjoy making this unique winter dish at home!
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3. Shabu Shabu
Shabu shabu is a great way to enjoy winter dining with friends, with thin slices of beef being cooked in a clear broth until they’re just right.
Traditionally reserved for restaurant dining, this home-adapted recipe demystifies the art of shabu shabu!
Shabu shabu is a popular Japanese hot pot dish that involves cooking thinly sliced meat and vegetables in a simple broth and then dipping them in a variety of flavorful sauces. In this article, I will guide you through the steps of preparing authentic shabu shabu at home, including how to choose the right ingredients, make the dipping sauces and finish off your meal with tasty noodles.
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4. Sukiyaki
Winter celebrations in Japan come alive with sukiyaki, where prime beef ribbons dance in a sweet-savory symphony. Perfect for special occasions, this celebratory dish reaches its peak during winter gatherings.
I also have easier versions such as Sukiyaki don and Sukiyaki udon!
Wow your guests with this homemade Sukiyaki, a luxurious yet surprisingly simple dish made with thinly sliced beef, grilled tofu and a beautiful display of vegetables cooked in a sweet and rich “warishita” sauce.
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5. Motsunabe
Looking for something unique? Check out motsunabe — a legendary offal hot pot from Fukuoka.
Think you don’t like offal? This hot pot might change your mind. Each piece turns butter-soft, while the intensely flavored broth begs to be slurped up with noodles at the feast’s end.
Motsunabe is a flavorful hot pot dish made with offal, cabbage, and chives cooked in a delicious broth. Although it comes in a variety of flavors, my recipe uses a homemade soy based broth flavored with garlic and chilies, it’s seriously addictive and goes perfectly with noodles!
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6. Curry Hotpot
What happens when curry meets hot pot? A gentle kombu base carries warming spices straight to your soul, while chicken drumsticks and plump shrimp make every spoonful count.
Everyone who loves the warming embrace of Japanese curry but craves something new will find joy in this innovative preparation.
This Japanese Curry Hot Pot is a hearty dish packed with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables simmered in a spicy curry-infused broth. It’s the perfect comfort dish for a cold evening!
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7. Ishikari Nabe
Born on Hokkaido’s rugged shores, Ishikari nabe tells a fisherman’s tale in every steaming bowl.
Fresh salmon and winter vegetables simmer in rich miso broth, creating a symphony of sea and earth that’s crowned with spicy sansho pepper.
This Ishikari Nabe is a nourishing hot pot from Hokkaido made with tender salmon and hearty vegetables cooked in a flavorful miso broth.
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8. Chicken Mizutaki
Mizutaki proves that sometimes less means more! Hakata’s famous chicken hot pot starts with nothing but water, yet ends up delivering pure comfort through perfectly simmered chicken, bones, and seasonal vegetables.
Those who appreciate the art of subtle flavors will discover why this ranks among Japan’s four great chicken hot pots.
Learn how to make Hakata’s famous chicken mizutaki hot pot from scratch at home! This comforting dish is made by simmering homemade meatballs and a variety of vegetables in a simple yet elegant chicken bone and kombu broth. Mizutaki is not just a hot pot recipe, it’s an experience!
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9. Nabeyaki Udon
Take udon beyond basic with nabeyaki udon! This hearty hot pot serves chewy noodles in rich dashi broth, crowned with crispy tempura shrimp and tender chicken thigh.
Anyone seeking the ultimate Japanese comfort food will fall hard for this luxurious twist on classic udon.
Nabeyaki Udon is a true bowl of comfort during the colder months. Thick udon noodles served in a delicious dashi broth topped with juicy chicken thigh, tempura shrimp, and a variety of vegetables; what more could you want?
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10. Mille Feuille Nabe
Stack it, steam it, and enjoy it! Mille-feuille nabe takes basic pork and cabbage and turns them into a thousand-layer hot pot that’s as beautiful as it is tasty.
Each layer soaks up pure dashi broth, while ponzu sauce adds bright finishing notes.
Learn everything you need to know about ponzu! This unique Japanese condiment is made with dashi ingredients soaked in citrus juice, vinegar and soy sauce. It’s the perfect balance of salty, sour and sweet and can be used as a dipping sauce, in cooking, as a marinade or even to make salad dressings!
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11. Kimchi Nabe
East meets East in kimchi nabe, where Korean heat meets Japanese nabe.
This collaborative hot pot combines pork belly with spicy-sour kimchi in a rich dashi broth, while tofu and mushrooms add heartiness to every spoonful.
Warm up with this delicious and comforting Japanese-style kimchi nabe. Made with crispy pork belly and cabbage kimchi simmered in a rich dashi broth with tofu and vegetables, not only is it warming and comforting, but it’s also packed with flavor!
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12. Botan Nabe
Botan nabe proves that wild things can be beautiful too.
Wild boar slices, carefully arranged into perfect peonies, dance with tofu and vegetables in a harmonious blend of white and red miso broth.
Learn how to make Botan Nabe at home with thin slices of wild boar shaped like a peony flower simmered in a sweet miso broth with tofu and vegetables. This beautiful dish is one of Japan’s most unique hot pot recipes!
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