Shabu-Shabu with Sesame Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 liter (4 cups) dashi broth 1 liter (4 cups) dashi broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon mirin 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 tablespoon sake 1 tablespoon sake
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 200g (7 oz) thinly sliced beef or pork 200g (7 oz) thinly sliced beef or pork
• 200g (7 oz) fresh seafood (shrimp, scallops, etc.) 200g (7 oz) fresh seafood (shrimp, scallops, etc.)
• 200g (7 oz) firm tofu, cut into cubes 200g (7 oz) firm tofu, cut into cubes
• 1 Napa cabbage, sliced 1 Napa cabbage, sliced
• 200g (7 oz) mushrooms (shiitake, enoki, etc.) 200g (7 oz) mushrooms (shiitake, enoki, etc.)
• 2 green onions, sliced 2 green onions, sliced
• 100g (3.5 oz) udon noodles 100g (3.5 oz) udon noodles
• Sesame Dipping Sauce: Sesame Dipping Sauce:
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon mirin 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 teaspoon grated ginger

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, bring the dashi broth to a simmer. Add soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
2. 2.
   Arrange the sliced beef or pork, seafood, tofu, Napa cabbage, mushrooms, green onions, and udon noodles on separate plates.
3. 3.
   Prepare the sesame dipping sauce by grinding the sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle until coarse. In a small bowl, combine the ground sesame seeds, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, sugar, and grated ginger. Mix well.
4. 4.
   Place the pot of simmering broth in the center of the dining table along with the plates of ingredients and the sesame dipping sauce.
5. 5.
   Each diner takes a slice of meat or seafood and swishes it in the hot broth until cooked to their desired doneness. The meat should be cooked briefly, just until it changes color.
6. 6.
   Dip the cooked meat or seafood into the sesame dipping sauce and enjoy. Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients.
7. 7.
   As the broth simmers, add the vegetables and udon noodles to cook until tender.
8. 8.
   Serve the cooked ingredients with a ladle of the flavorful broth and enjoy the Shabu-Shabu experience.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef or Pork — For the best results, choose thinly sliced cuts of beef or pork. If you can't find pre-sliced meat, freeze it for about 30 minutes to make it easier to slice thinly.
• Seafood — Opt for fresh seafood like shrimp, scallops, or fish fillets. Make sure to remove any shells or devein the shrimp before cooking.
• Tofu — Use firm tofu to prevent it from falling apart during cooking. Pat it dry with a paper towel before cutting into cubes.
• Napa Cabbage — Slice the Napa cabbage into bite-sized pieces for easy cooking and serving.
• Udon Noodles — Cook the udon noodles separately according to the package instructions and rinse them with cold water to prevent them from sticking together.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor of the broth, you can add a few slices of ginger, garlic, or a splash of sake.
• Experiment with different dipping sauces like ponzu or spicy miso for a variety of flavors.
• Don't overcook the meat or seafood to maintain its tenderness.
• Use chopsticks or a slotted spoon to retrieve the cooked ingredients from the hot pot.
• Enjoy the leftover broth by adding cooked rice or noodles for a comforting soup.

Serving advice

Serve the cooked ingredients in individual bowls, accompanied by a ladle of the flavorful broth. Provide each diner with a small dish of the sesame dipping sauce for dipping the cooked meat or seafood.

Presentation advice

Arrange the plates of ingredients in an attractive manner, showcasing the vibrant colors and textures. Place the hot pot in the center of the table, surrounded by the plates. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions or sesame seeds for an appealing presentation.