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Fire Garlic 1000 Layer Beef and Cabbage Hotpot

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If there’s one dish that makes winter feel like a warm hug from the inside out, it’s this Fire Garlic 1000 Layer Beef and Cabbage Hotpot. Think tender beef, delicate layers of cabbage, and a broth so garlicky it could lift your mood in one sip. This is the kind of hotpot that doesn’t just feed you, it cures you. Bad mood? Gone. Cold toes? Toasty. Empty stomach? Filled with joy.

The “1000 layers” part might sound like something only a master chef could pull off, but don’t worry, it’s really just a fancy name for stacking thin slices of beef and cabbage into the prettiest spiral of goodness. It’s a feast for the eyes andthe soul. The cabbage soaks up the savory broth, turning sweet and silky, while the beef stays tender and rich. Every slice you pull from the pot feels like unwrapping a little edible gift.

But the real star of this dish is the fire garlic sauce. It blends fresh minced garlic with gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, and a touch of sweetness, creating a bold, savory heat that will make your kitchen smell like the best restaurant you’ve never been to. It’s rich, deep, and packed with umami, the kind of flavor that demands a second bowl and probably a third.

I love serving this at small gatherings because it turns dinner into an experience. Everyone gets to watch as the “1000 layers” slowly collapse into tender perfection while that garlicky steam curls through the air. It is secretly one of the easiest “fancy” dishes you can make. No special equipment needed, just a good pot, fresh ingredients, and a little patience while the magic happens.

So grab your cabbage, your beef, and all the garlic your heart can handle. This Fire Garlic 1000 Layer Beef and Cabbage Hotpot isn’t just dinner. It’s an event, a love letter to comfort food, and your new favorite way to keep warm all season long. Let’s get cooking.

Fire Garlic 1000 Layer Beef and Cabbage Hotpot

Recipe by Julia Vuong
4.5 from 24 votes
Course: MainCuisine: Japanese, Korean
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

35

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb 1 thinly sliced shabu beef rolls

  • 1 1 medium sized Napa cabbage

  • 1 1 pack enoki mushrooms

  • 1 1 bundle vermicelli noodles

  • Fire Garlic Sauce
  • 3 tbsp 3 gochujang

  • 3 tbsp 3 gochugaru

  • 2 tbsp 2 soy sauce

  • 1 1 head of garlic

  • 1.5 tbsp 1.5 brown sugar

  • 1 tsp 1 sesame oil

  • 1 tsp 1 sesame seeds

  • 1 cup 1 water (add more if needed)

  • Toppings
  • sesame seeds

  • green onions

  • thai chilis

Directions

  • Stack the beef slices on each cabbage leaf. I like to stack 4 layers of cabbage and 3 layers of beef. Cut into 3 sections. Spiral around the pan until it’s fully stuffed. Stick in clusters of enoki mushrooms in-between the layers.
  • Combine minced garlic, gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and water. Pour the sauce all over the pan and turn on medium heat. Once simmering, cover with lid and cook for 10 minutes or until the cabbage has softened. Add in more water if needed. Add in the vermicelli noodles the last 3 minutes of cooking.
  • Garnish with more sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and thai chilis.
  • Enjoy!