Pour the water into a pot and heat. Add the piece of dried kelp. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the kelp softens.

Add the soy sauce, chicken bouillon granules, sake, sugar, grated ginger, ground sesame seeds, and sesame oil. Stir well. When it comes to a boil, your hot pot broth is ready.

Add vegetables that take longer to cook, like carrots and daikon radish, first. After about 5 minutes, add meat, seafood, tofu, and the rest of the vegetables.

If any foam or scum appears on the surface, skim it off with a ladle.

Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauces like ponzu or sesame sauce, and condiments such as shichimi pepper.

[December 21, 2023] This recipe ranked in the top 10 for 'dried kelp' searches. Thank you very much!