This is the Chinese version of Swiss fondue, Korean BBQ, Japanese shabu-shabu, French raclette, etc. It is communal cooking and eating at its best. This recipe will create enough food for eight to 12 people, depending on appetite and cultural origin, i.e., we Chinese eat like there is no tomorrow. We would hate to leave this planet hungry!

Ingredients

You can add other seafood, meats and vegetables. This is what the Tsai family ate:

• 2 pounds flank steak, sliced thinly against the grain
• 2 pounds chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 1 pound large shrimp, U-15's peeled and de-veined (15 shrimp per pound)
• 20 fish balls
• 2 pounds bay scallops
• 3 packages soaked mung bean noodles
• 4 Shanghai cabbage, whole leaves
• 4 baby bok choy, whole leaves
• 1 napa cabbage large chopped
• 2 quarts chicken stock
• 1 pound shiitake mushrooms, de-stemmed
• Boiling water

For the table, jars/small bottles of the following to make your own dipping sauce:

• Samba Oelek
• Peanut butter
• Chinese sesame paste
• Sesame oil
• Oyster sauce
• Rice wine vinegar
• Shaoxing wine
• Thin soy sauce
• 2 cups chopped scallions
• 2 cups chopped cilantro
• Eggs (optional)

Directions

EQUIMENT NEEDED:

• Electric wok to keep cooking liquid boiling
• Small Chinese strainers
• Rice bowls and side plates
• Chopsticks
• Chinese spoons
• Spoons for all of the above condiments
• Huge appetite

FISH BALLS:

• 2 pounds Chilean sea bass or other fatty white fish
• 4 eggs, separated
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 3 minced Thai bird chilies
• 1/3 cup sliced scallions