If you’re an Asian Chinese who is at least aware of the Lunar New Year, then I’m sure you know what this alumimium thingie is. And perhaps you have even eaten at least one steamboat meal in one of these.
Yeah, it’s the traditional hotpot which uses charcoal.
For over twenty years, I ate all my steamboat dinners during Chinese New Year reunions in one of these, until we moved on to using the electrical pot.
I remember we had to prepare the charcoal like an hour before dinner and place the hotpot on top of a thick wooden chopping board so as not to burn our dinner table. And mid way through dinner, we’ll remember to throw in a few pieces of charcoals to keep the fire burning. After dinner, the pot was always the last to go because it was just too hot to be moved. And afterwards, the chopping board remain hot with a black round burnt mark, accumulated over the years.
This year, my husband decided that we should use this for our reunion dinner. It’s nostalgic and he wants to introduce our son to this traditional cookware. Plus he thinks the soup will taste better.
At first, we thought we could get it from my mum but later found out that she had given it away to one of my brothers. So we went hunting for it around the neighbourhood stores, taking into consideration that we didn’t want to spend a bomb on it. We came across a Zebra brand hotpot but it was going for over $70. So we continued hunting and found this piece at a shop in Serangoon Gardens. It’s an Elephant brand and a very old stock. So old that it was lying dusty on top of the cupboards and my man had to get it down on his own with the help of a ladder.
Actually I don’t quite look forward to Chinese New Year, especially not when I have to think about preparing the food for the reunion dinner this time. But with this hotpot, things are looking a bit warmer.
I suppose sometimes slowing down and regressing can add a bit of fun to our lives eh?
Agreed… slow down to admire the flower and appreciate the procecss,huh
I find that steamboat is the most appropriate cusine for reunion dinner. The whole family sit around the table, dipping in the raw meat, chatting while waiting for it to be cooked…but spore is so humid already… so dont forget to on the air-con… in case everyone starts to rush as it getting too warm :p
wtpg: Steambot is nice, but agree must have the aircon or fan at least! Actually it’s nice to eat this in cold weathers.
Comment by wtpgrr — Wed, 7 Feb 2007 @ 6:03 pm
Hmmm…. I like the nostalgic feel of the old steamboat
SSF:
Hey btw, no news from the girl you know. Phone switched off and no replies to my 2 smses. Hope everything is okay with her.
Comment by sunshinensunflower — Thu, 8 Feb 2007 @ 1:41 am
I’ve never seen one of these contraptions. I can see how’d it slow down things, but might be fun once in awhile. Very interesting.
ally: If you have a chance to come to Asia or even to Chinatown where you’re based at, try one of these. It’s interesting.
Comment by ally bean — Thu, 8 Feb 2007 @ 2:33 am
I never like reunion dinner coz I have to eat with someone I really ‘DISLIKE’. Haiz…
ashes: Oh…I can understand how you feel neh. But never mind, think of the ang pows.
Comment by ashes — Thu, 8 Feb 2007 @ 9:25 am
I stil find that food cooked using charcoal taste better than those using gas.
Eileen: Actually hor, I never really noticed the difference…
Comment by Eileen — Thu, 8 Feb 2007 @ 10:55 am
the one my mum uses isn’t silver looking alumimum, it’s a dinky looking gold colour one…..
charcoal sure beats the gas stove anytime.
Jan: Ya, have seen that before but we prefer the silver looking ones.
Comment by Jan (My lovely Rays) — Thu, 8 Feb 2007 @ 10:57 am
would you believe i’ve only seen this in photos?! never had steamboat for a reunion dinner. so am completely intrigued. show pictures of the reunion dinner later this week!! must kaypoh and see if there’re special foods for CNY not found in the usual steamboat affairs during other parts of the year.
imp: I try. Except for the soup based which we intend to add some mirin, the rest should be usual fare I think.
Comment by imp — Fri, 9 Feb 2007 @ 12:27 pm
Hmmm. I’ve never tried steamboat like that before.
Irene: I think usually it’s the electrical hotpot that is used. This is very traditional.
Comment by irene — Fri, 9 Feb 2007 @ 12:46 pm
Haha…, was thinking goodness you kept the hotpot in such good condition, then after reading, realised you just bought it, haha…
Not sure charcoal steamboat tasted better (cannot remember the taste liao), but the temperature control is good and the soup don’t get dried up so fast.
ky: I also cannot remember if it indeed taste better. I hope we can use it to eat with success this sat!
Comment by kwai yoke — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 @ 3:08 pm