Popular HotPots in most countries are all unique in their own way. The Chinese like theirs in an herbal soup base. The Koreans like their steamboat placed in the middle with the BBQ on the side and both flavours do not mix. The Japanese usually have theirs in a  soup or stew style in the Nabemono (Japanese HotPot style) and consists of thinly sliced beef slowly cooked and simmered with vegetables at the side and other ingredients in a shallow iron pot in a mixture of soya sauce, sugar and mirin.