Last Updated on January 20, 2025 by Karen

This perfect blend of peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, chili oil, and Sichuan peppercorns lets you recreate the Copycat Haidilao Hot Pot Dipping Sauce at home!

Hot pot dinners are all about the experience – from the simmering broth to the fresh ingredients that you cook in it. But one thing that truly elevates the hot pot experience is the dipping sauce.

If you’ve ever visited Haidilao, a popular Chinese hot pot restaurant chain, you know that their dipping sauce is a deliciously flavorful condiment that makes everything taste better. But what if you could make this sauce at home, with no preservatives, and to your exact taste?

Inspired by a viral TikTok trend, this Copycat Haidilao Hot Pot Dipping Sauce recipe allows you to recreate that mouthwatering flavor right in your kitchen.

Why Make Your Own Hot Pot Dipping Sauce?

Making your own hot pot dipping sauce at home has many benefits. First, you have full control over the flavor profiles, ensuring you get the perfect balance of heat, richness, and umami. Commercial dipping sauces may contain preservatives or artificial flavors that you might want to avoid. When you make your own, you can skip those additives and focus on the key ingredients that truly elevate your hot pot meal. Plus, this recipe allows you to customize the sauce according to your personal taste—whether you like it spicier, nuttier, or sweeter.

With just a few common ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, peanut butter, and chili oil, you can create a harmonious blend that will enhance any hot pot dinner. Plus, it’s an easy way to impress your friends and family next time you’re hosting a hot pot party!

What Makes This Dipping Sauce Special?

This Haidilao-inspired dipping sauce is a rich, flavorful, and delicious sauce with a perfect mix of nutty flavors, heat, and savory umami. The combination of peanut butter, soy sauce, chili oil, and fermented soybean paste creates a dipping sauce that is packed with depth and complexity. The Sichuan peppercorns and chili oil provide a mouth-numbing, spicy kick that you’ll crave with every bite of your hot pot ingredients. Fresh herbs like green onion or cilantro add a refreshing finish.

Ingredients You’ll Need (see the recipe card below for the full recipe)

These ingredients are essential to creating a well-rounded dipping sauce for Chinese hot pot. You can usually find them at the local Asian supermarket or the Asian ingredient section of your local supermarket.

Peanut Butter: This provides a creamy, nutty base that gives the sauce its rich texture. You can also substitute with Chinese sesame sauce, tahini, or even homemade sesame paste (using a mortar and pestle and grinding toasted white sesame seeds until they turn into a paste)
Soy Sauce: For a salty, savory depth of flavor. I like to use low-sodium soy sauce for a less salty sauce.
Chili Oil or Bird’s Eye Chile: Adds spice and smokiness.
Sesame Oil: For that signature nutty aroma and richness.
Fermented Soybean Paste: Adds a touch of umami that makes the sauce irresistible. You can substitute with Japanese miso.
Sichuan Peppercorns: The key ingredient for that numbing, tingling sensation typical of Sichuan cuisine. They usually come in whole peppercorns or ground Sichuan peppercorn powder.
Sugar: Balances the heat and saltiness for a more rounded flavor.
Minced Garlic: For extra depth and aromatic intensity.
Green Onion or Cilantro: For a fresh, herbal garnish.

How to Make the Copycat Haidilao Hot Pot Dipping Sauce

Prepare the Ingredients: Start by mincing the garlic, chopping the green onion or cilantro, and measuring out the soy sauce, sesame oil, chili oil, and peanut butter.
Mix the Base: In a bowl, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, and fermented soybean paste (or Chinese sesame paste). Stir until smooth, creating a creamy base for the sauce.
Add the Aromatics: Mix in sesame oil, chili oil, minced garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns for that signature hot pot flavor.
Balance the Flavor: Taste and add sugar if you prefer a touch of sweetness. For an extra kick, you can add chili garlic sauce or chili crisp if you like it spicier.
Finish with Fresh Herbs: Once the sauce is well-mixed, garnish with freshly chopped green onion or cilantro for a pop of color and freshness.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve this flavorful dipping sauce alongside your favorite hot pot broth and hot pot ingredients, such as bean curd, meats, and vegetables, for a delicious meal!

Why This Sauce Works for Hot Pot

The Haidilao dipping sauce has all the main components that make a hot pot meal so special: rich umami flavor, spicy heat, and a creamy texture. Chili oil, soy sauce, and Sichuan peppercorns give it a deep, flavorful punch, while peanut butter and sesame oil add smoothness and nuttiness. This sauce can be used with cooked ingredients like beef, lamb, or tofu, or fresh ingredients like mushrooms, greens, and seafood. It’s the perfect sauce to dip your hot pot ingredients into as you enjoy a simmering hot pot dinner.

Tips for Perfecting Your Copycat Dipping Sauce

Adjust the Heat: If you’re sensitive to spice, reduce the amount of chili oil or bird’s eye chile and opt for a milder version of the dipping sauce.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs like green onion or cilantro add a vibrant, refreshing element to the sauce. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try Chinese leeks or chives for a different flavor profile.
Customize for Personal Taste: The beauty of making this at home is that you can adjust it to your personal taste. Feel free to play around with soy sauce, sesame oil, and peanut butter to create a sauce that’s uniquely yours. Most hot pot restaurants will have a sauce bar where you can use their hot pot sauces or customize your own with different sauce ingredients such as rice vinegar, shacha sauce (a type of Chinese barbecue sauce), oyster sauce, and chili peppers.

Serving Suggestions

This hot pot dipping sauce pairs perfectly with a variety of hot pot ingredients. Use it to dip bean curd, vegetables, and meat cooked in your hot pot broth, or drizzle it over your favorite hot pot base for an added layer of flavor. The dipping sauce is versatile and works with all types of ingredients, ensuring that every bite of your hot pot meal is packed with flavor.

This copycat Haidilao hot pot dipping sauce recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves the bold, spicy, and umami-rich flavors that make hot pot so enjoyable. By making this sauce yourself, you can control the flavor, avoid preservatives, and create a personalized dipping sauce that perfectly complements your favorite hot pot ingredients.

The next time you have a hot pot dinner, skip the store-bought sauces and try this flavorful homemade option—it’s guaranteed to impress.

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce and store it in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator.

Instead of peanut butter, can I use other nut butters?

You can substitute peanut butter with other nut butters like almond butter, but the flavor will vary slightly.

Is this dipping sauce spicy?

Yes, this sauce has a spicy kick, especially if you add chili oil or bird’s eye chile. Adjust the heat to your preference.

Where can I find the ingredients?

You can find the ingredients like fermented soybean paste and chili oil at a local Asian market or supermarket.

Print Pin

Copycat Haidilao Hot Pot Dipping Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

2 tbsp peanut butter
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp Chinese chive or cilantro finely chopped
1 tbsp fermented soybean paste or miso paste as a substitute
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp Sichuan peppercorn lightly crushed
2 tbsp chili oil adjust to desired spice level
1 clove garlic minced

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, and sugar. Stir until smooth and the sugar dissolves completely.
Add in the Chinese chive or cilantro, fermented soybean paste, and sesame oil. Mix thoroughly.
Add the minced garlic into the mixture and stir until well combined. The garlic will add an extra depth of flavor to the sauce.
Gently crush the Sichuan peppercorns using a mortar and pestle (or a rolling pin), and add them to the sauce for that signature numbing kick.
Pour in the chili oil and stir everything until smooth and evenly blended. Adjust the amount of chili oil based on your spice preference.
Let the sauce sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving with your hot pot.

This enhanced version of the Haidilao-inspired dipping sauce brings together rich, creamy flavors with a delightful garlic punch. The Sichuan peppercorn and chili oil still provide that signature spice and numbing heat, while the Chinese chive or cilantro adds freshness to balance the savory richness. Perfect for hot pot dipping!

Now, you’re ready to recreate the famous Haidilao hot pot dipping sauce and take your next hot pot meal to the next level!