Home cooking attempt — Hot Pot from scratch

I spent an afternoon making Hot Pot from scratch following a traditional recipe. Getting Sichuan peppercorn right was the main challenge — it's not as straightforward as it looks. The deeply savoury and sweet result was rewarding once I got it right.

communal sharing at the table is culturally central. I served it with chrysanthemum tea as the recipe suggested and the pairing made sense. It took longer than I expected but the outcome was genuinely satisfying. Making Hot Pot yourself gives you a new appreciation for what goes into it at a restaurant.