落とし穴２２掘：寒くなってまいりました (Part2)
"My, what a lovely aroma."
"Indeed, but we're just getting started. Now, for the miso. You might not have noticed, but this is red miso. It’s saltier and has a deeper flavor than the miso soup I usually make."
"I never knew there were so many kinds of miso."
I dissolved a generous amount of red miso into the broth, then ladled a little into a small dish to taste.
"Hmm, isn't it a bit too strong?"
"No, this is just right. In a hot pot, you keep adding ingredients as you go. Since the moisture from the ingredients will naturally dilute the broth, if you don't make it strong to begin with, the flavor will end up too thin. Usually, many hot pot styles involve dipping ingredients into a separate bowl of seasoned sauce, but today, I’ve decided to go with the miso flavor everyone is already accustomed to."
"I see."
"Now, pass me the sliced chicken."
"Eh? Isn't it a bit early to start simmering?"
"Not at all. Chicken provides a wonderful stock. It’ll pair with the miso to make it even more delicious."
Think of it like duck soba or *kamo nanban*. It isn't called "duck soba" just because there’s duck meat on top; the broth itself is made with duck. It creates a rich, savory depth. This is an application of that principle. Poultry tends to become quite rich when simmered, but when combined with miso, it hits an exquisite balance.
"Well, it’s an experiment of sorts. If it goes well, we’ll use this as the base, and if not, I’ll stick to just miso and kombu."
"Ah, I understand."
"Now, here’s a basic rule when adding meat to a soup-based dish. I’m using mirin today, but wine works too. Pour the mirin directly over the chicken and massage it in. Then, put it in the pot and add a little more mirin."
"What does that do?"
"It removes the meat's distinct odor while the alcohol components help tenderize it."
"Wow, you really know everything, don't you?"
It’s just basic knowledge if you’re from Japan, really.
After simmering the chicken for a while, I tasted the broth again.
"Whoa!? Amazing, I've never tasted anything like this!! But it's so delicious!!"
"Yeah, it’s coming along nicely. Alright, since there are eighteen of us... we’ll prepare six of these earthenware pots."
"Three people per pot, then. Understood. Leave the ingredients to me."
"I'm counting on you. I’ll focus on mass-producing the soup."
The preparations went off without a hitch, and soon, dinner time arrived.
"Oh? What’s this? That’s a stove, isn't it?"
"And this is raw meat and vegetables?"
"Wait, is this dinner?"
As expected, everyone was surprised by the sight of the hot pots, something they had never seen before. While stews exist on this continent, the culture of cooking and eating directly from a pot at the table simply doesn't exist here. It’s a culture born from the Japanese *irori*—a hearth around which people gather to share a meal.
"Heh heh heh..."
Ria and I began placing the meat, vegetables, and mushrooms into the pots and lighting the stoves in front of everyone. I didn't intend to be a "hot pot general" and lecture them on the proper order of ingredients or how to eat, but they were clearly intrigued. As the earthenware pots were covered and the savory aroma began to drift out, everyone grew restless with anticipation. Fortunately, everyone except Ria was already accustomed to using chopsticks, so there were no issues there. I placed ladles and small bowls near each pot.
"Alright, it should be ready now. Ria, open them from that side."
"Yes."
Ria and I opened the lids from opposite ends, and the rich aroma filled the room.
"Alright, everyone, use these ladles to scoop the ingredients into your small bowls. Well, you can use your chopsticks too, if you prefer."
I demonstrated, taking a bite. *Hafu-hafu*—it was hot, but the saltiness of the miso had soaked deep into the ingredients. It was delicious.
That was the signal for the First Great Hot Pot War to break out. To put it simply, it was so good that everyone started fighting over the ingredients.
"Oh my, Ratz, I believe I had my eye on that piece of chicken first?"
"No, no, I was definitely first!"
"The vegetables are so good."
Everywhere I looked, people were playfully jostling for position and devouring the food. Even as we kept adding more ingredients, they vanished in an instant.
"Phew, that was delicious, but something's missing~"
Riel patted her stomach, looking satisfied, yet claiming something was still lacking.
"Heh heh heh, well said, Riel. A hot pot always has a *shime*—a grand finale."
"A... finale?"
All eyes turned to me. Yes, the finale. The customary dish eaten at the very end of a hot pot meal.
"I’m going to alternate between these six pots, adding this rice and these noodles. What do you think happens when you put these into the miso broth, now packed with the essence of all that meat and vegetables?"
"!!?"
That’s right—the very end of the hot pot is the best part!
We spent the next hour or so eating until everyone was too full to move. We definitely overdid it, but I have no regrets.
So, that’s my hot pot night! Putting that aside, I wonder what kind of hot pot is your favorite? Being from Fukuoka, I’m partial to *mizutaki* and *motsunabe*. It’s getting colder, so please take care of yourselves. I might take a break tomorrow. See you later!