Transcultural Object Analysis
In Chinese culture, food plays an incredibly significant role, we prioritize meals as a family and cherish the genuine conversations at the dinner table. A particular dish that lies close to my heart, is a traditional Chinese delicacy, 火锅 huoguo, Hot Pot.
If you are unfamiliar with the term Hot Pot, let me take you back to the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E – 220 C.E.), where this beauty was born. In simple terms, Hot Pot, or sometimes known as Shabu-Shabu, is a bubbling vat of broth in which a group of diners share and collectively cook their ingredients such as meats, vegetables, and any other ingredients the people desire (McCarthy, 2018). Although there are several stories of origin and little supporting documentation, it is widely recognized that Hot Pot originated in the Han Dynasty. 铜鼎 Tong Ding, a bronze pot with two handles, was later acknowledged as the modern Hot Pot, and became commonplace as a cooking tool. While the wealthy may have access to finer meats and more varieties of vegetables, people from all social classes employed the same method of preparation for Hot Pot, just perhaps with less extravagance as compared to those with higher status (Zhang, 2019). I remember since I was young, I would help my parents prepare ingredients for Hot Pot. We always made sure that everyone would have at least one of their favorite ingredients at the dinner table.
I am fortunate to have travelled to several countries and experienced many diverse cultures. Although each culture was enriching in their own way, none truly made a strong impression. I believe Chinese culture distinguishes itself from the others as we not only preserve traditions, but we also preserve stories and reasoning behind what we practice. These stories are then told to future generations and the generations after that, contributing to the long-standing Chinese heritage. To enjoy Hot Pot, we normally place a flame-heated skillet of broth in the middle of the table, equidistant from everyone. In Chinese tradition, the round pot symbolizes reunion, while the blazing fire and rising steam signify prosperity. I remember my grandmother would always prepare an extravagant Hot Pot feast at the end of the year for Winter Solstice, which is observed as the longest night of the year. The reason behind it is because in the olden days, due to lack of modernization and mode of transportation, children in the family who worked far away from home could not return as often as they desired. Therefore, they reunite with their families in the winter after a period of separation, and this is the ideal time to eat Hot Pot to warm their bodies, relationships, and stomachs. Hot Pot is more than just a popular dish in Chinese culture; it also serves as a bonding tool in our community (Zhang, 2019).
The preparation of Hot Pot is so simple that anyone could do it if you have a pot and an induction surface. Today, the simple Hot Pot has revolutionized businesses, forming competitions on who would rise with the most innovative idea in the industry. As stated by Aguilar (2018), “When it comes to Chinese food in America however, most people know of noodles, Chow-Mein, or dumplings, but few have heard or tried the Chinese Hot Pot”. Yes, Aguliar has stated this perfectly, I believe the culture of Hot Pot should be presented more to the western world, it should be shared amongst everyone, especially those who need ideas for a family gathering. Slowly but surely, Hot Pot is modestly making an impact in western markets. The Hot Pot’s unique combination of ingredients has made it highly versatile, leading to different iterations of the meal in both the Western and other Asian nations (Aguilar, 2018).
If you have heard of Hot Pot, I am sure that the brand Haidilao is familiar to you. Hundreds of hot-pot restaurants are owned by Haidilao International Holding Ltd. both in China and internationally. Haidilao’s market capitalization in 2018 was valued at $12 billion thanks to the IPO price of 17.80 Hong Kong dollars ($2.27) per share, which was greater than Domino’s Pizza Inc.’s (Chiu, 2018). This brand has successfully revolutionized the Hot Pot culture, as they distinguish themselves by providing extraordinary customer services, not limited to free manicures and unlimited goodie bags to bring home, they set the bar remarkably high for their competitors. Their business soared exponentially, allowing them to make it to the top 20 most popular restaurants in the world, not falling too far behind Mcdonalds and Starbucks (20 World’s Most Popular Restaurants, 2021). I am glad to see more individuals around the world being interested in Chinese culture.
The 20-year-old me, away from college, staying in an apartment with a distance of 9317 miles from home, I do not think I could ever call another place home; it just does not feel the same. My study abroad journey has made me appreciate every moment with my family. The once a common family dinner has now become so rare and precious. Who would have known, as you grow older, the dinner table gets smaller, quieter, and lonelier. It feels like just yesterday, the familiar aroma of Szechuan peppercorns filled the rooms, my little cousin would be passing around chopsticks and there would be sounds of cutlery clinking while laughter filling the air. In contrast to western culture, where meals are served on individual plates, in my culture, we practice communal eating. We share food, experiences, and atmosphere at the dinner table (Ma, 2015). Western dining emphasizes personal choice and individual preference, but Chinese cuisine places a strong emphasis on the family and social harmony. I do not know when or where my next Hot Pot reunion with my loved ones will be, but I am sure it will bring me back to the once cherished family reunions of my youth. Maybe one day, I will be sitting at my own dinner table, telling my children the story and significance of eating the nourishing, warm, sentimental Hot Pot.
References
20 World’s Most Popular Restaurants. (2021, December 29). The Science Agriculture. https://scienceagri.com/20-worlds-most-popular-restaurants/
Aguilar, M. (2018, August 7). Hot Pot: From Food to Culture. Medium. https://medium.com/@michelleaguilar_90524/hot-pot-from-food-to-culture-ebd2eb050054
Chiu, J. (2018, September 18). Chinese Hot-Pot Chain Serves Up $963 Million IPO; Haidilao’s $12 billion market capitalization is bigger than that of Domino’s Pizza. Www.proquest.com. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2108077575?accountid=8500&parentSessionId=5ll%2FaTzWf1k7gKwG8wCYsk6Pvtp56EFobpJ59srq3aQ%3D&pq-origsite=primo
Ma, G. (2015). Food, eating behavior, and culture in Chinese society. Journal of Ethnic Foods, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jef.2015.11.004
McCarthy, S. (2018, September 15). What is Chinese hotpot and where does it come from? The questions that boiled over into a national controversy. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/2164254/what-chinese-hotpot-and-where-does-it-come-questions-boiled-over
Zhang, T. (2019, December 23). Chinese Hotpot: a Communal Food Culture. ArcGIS StoryMaps. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9c3a733c1411400e9f80310fa8b65a9e
