Enjoy the comforting flavors of Japanese hot pots and stews you can make right in your kitchen. They’re simple, satisfying, and ideal for cold nights.
Favorite Japanese Hot Pots & Stews
As the weather cools and nights grow crisp, all I can think about are warm hot pots and hearty stews. I look forward not only to savoring them but also to the joy of preparing and sharing them with family and friends.
These dishes make the perfect centerpiece for cozy weeknight dinners or festive holiday gatherings. From shabu shabu and tomato chicken stew, here are my favorite recipes to warm your heart and home!
Nami’s Tips for Preparing Hot Pots & Stews
- Cutting tips: Many recipes call for plenty of vegetables and thinly sliced meats. Check out Japanese Cutting Techniques for tips that will elevate both the flavor and presentation of your dishes.
- Equipment: I usually prepare and serve hot pots and stews using:
- Donabe pots (traditional Japanese earthenware)
- Electric stainless steel hot pots or an electric skillet
- Heavy-bottomed pots like a Dutch oven
- For a complete guide on cookware and cooking tools, see my post: Nabe: Your Ultimate Guide to Japanese Hot Pot.
Share your results: If you try any of these recipes, I’d love to hear how they turn out in the comments!
Shabu Shabu
Shabu Shabu is a famous Japanese hot pot where everyone at the table cooks together. Diners swish marbled meat, tofu, and vegetables in a light broth and enjoy it with savory dipping sauce. It's an intimate yet casual meal that's fun and easy to pull off at home.
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Sesame Miso Hot Pot (Goma Miso Nabe)
Loaded with vegetables, mushrooms, and tofu, my easy Sesame Miso Hot Pot is an ideal dish to make with friends and family. With a savory and nutty broth, this Japanese one-pot recipe will warm your belly and soothe your soul. {Vegan Adaptable}
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Sukiyaki
Sukiyaki is a beloved Japanese hot pot that brings everyone to the table. Tender slices of marbled beef are seared and gently simmered with tofu, mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables in a shallow cast-iron pot. The broth brims with a harmony of sweet, salty, and savory flavors.
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Soy Milk Hot Pot
For a different kind of hot pot experience, try this Soy Milk Hot Pot! As the name suggests, the broth is creamy, mildly sweet, and delightfully nutty from soy milk and ground sesame seeds. It’s so delicious that my family always finishes every drop of the soup.
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Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
Kimchi Jjigae is a spicy Korean stew of pork belly, tofu, and Korean fermented napa cabbage simmered in a delicate anchovy broth. My simple version is full of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors.
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Chanko Nabe (Sumo Stew)
Chanko Nabe or Sumo Stew is a robust hot pot filled with all kinds of vegetables and tons of protein in a rich dashi and chicken broth. Traditionally eaten by sumo wrestlers, this well-balanced meal is also enjoyed in Japanese homes and at some restaurants.
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Oden (Japanese Fish Cake Stew)
Few dishes capture the spirit of Japanese winter like oden. This hearty one-pot meal combines fish cakes and vegetables simmered in a savory soy sauce-based dashi broth. Make it ahead—day-old oden is famously the most flavorful!
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Mille-Feuille Nabe
Mille-Feuille Nabe is another popular hot pot enjoyed in Japanese households. “A thousand layers“ of napa cabbage leaves and pork belly slices are beautifully packed and simmered in a warming dashi broth.
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Mizutaki (Japanese Chicken Hot Pot)
Mizutaki is a Japanese Chicken Hot Pot in which chicken, assorted vegetables, mushrooms, and tofu are cooked in a light kombu dashi broth. Dip the freshly cooked ingredients in the savory and citrusy ponzu sauce.
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Hokkaido Salmon Hot Pot (Ishikari Nabe)
For a taste of Hokkaido, try this Salmon Hot Pot (Ishikari Nabe)! Tender salmon, potatoes, and corn are gently simmered in a savory miso broth for a wholesome, hearty meal.
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Hot Tofu (Yudofu)
With just tofu and kombu stock, you can enjoy protein-rich and nourishing Hot Tofu (Yudofu) at home. This tofu hot pot is possibly the easiest tofu dish that you can make! {Vegan/vegetarian adaptable}
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Kimchi Gyoza Nabe
Kimchi Gyoza Nabe is a Korean-inspired Japanese hot pot filled with succulent Japanese dumplings, spicy kimchi, tender vegetables, and hearty mushrooms. It‘s a simmering bowl of savory deliciousness!
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Yosenabe (Japanese Hot Pot)
Yosenabe is a basic Japanese hot pot where you can cook whatever ingredients—chicken, seafood, tofu, and all kinds of vegetables—in a delicious dashi broth.
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Nikujaga (Japanese Meat and Potato Stew)
Japanese Meat and Potato Stew (Nikujaga) is one of the most iconic home-cooked dishes in Japan. This comforting dish features thinly sliced beef and chunks of potatoes simmered in a savory and sweet broth. It's easy to make and tastes even better the next day!
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Miso Tomato Chicken Stew
This Miso Tomato Chicken Stew is packed with rich flavors and umami goodness. With just a few simple steps, you’ll enjoy a deliciously hearty stew featuring tender chunks of chicken and perfectly cooked vegetables.
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Japanese Cream Stew (White Stew)
Japanese Cream Stew is flavorful and creamy yet surprisingly light. This classic yoshoku (Western-style) white stew is packed with tender chicken, mushrooms, and vegetables and makes a comforting meal. It‘s easy to make from scratch or with instant cream stew mix.
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Hayashi Rice
Hayashi Rice, or hashed beef, is a rich Western-style stew of thin-sliced beef and mushrooms in a velvety demi-glace sauce. Served with steamed rice, this uniquely Japanese creation is a home-cooking staple and popular comfort food for all ages!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on Nov 8, 2016, and it’s been updated in December 2019.
