Peanut and Sesame Paste: Top Picks for Hot Pot and Noodles

The secret to a great social hot pot or a comforting noodle dish often comes down to one key ingredient?: the sauce. At the heart of many Asian sauces is a dynamic duo: a creamy blend of peanut and sesame paste. But with so many jars on the shelf, how do you find the hidden gem that delivers that highly sought-after authentic flavour?? This guide is here to help you navigate the options and choose the perfect product for your needs, whether you're a hot pot aficionado, a noodle enthusiast, or simply a curious foodie looking for new tastes.

Buyer's Guide: How to Choose the Right Peanut and Sesame Paste

To make the right choice, a few simple criteria can guide your selection and ensure the perfect taste and texture for your dishes.

1. The Peanut-to-Sesame Ratio: A Matter of Balance

This is the number one criterion: the proportion of peanut to sesame. A peanut-dominant paste will offer a mild, rich flavour and a very creamy texture, often associated with satay sauce. Conversely, a high sesame content will bring deeper, more roasted notes and a characteristic slight bitterness, which is highly prized in Northern Chinese cuisine. A balanced blend, like a 50/50 sesame and peanut paste, proves to be incredibly versatile for many recipes.

2. Ingredients and Texture: Simplicity is Key

An Asian peanut butter made for cooking differs from its Western counterparts in its composition. Look for short, simple ingredient lists: peanuts, sesame, and sometimes a little oil for texture. Some pastes are 100%?natural (only ground seeds), while others may contain sugar or salt. Texture is also a key point: a smooth paste will dissolve more easily to create a perfectly uniform peanut sauce for Chinese hot pot.

3. Culinary Use: From Hot Pot to Noodles

Your recipe will ultimately guide your final choice. For a peanut paste for noodles, like in the famous Dan Dan noodles, you'll want a paste that blends well with broth, chilli oil, and soy sauce. For hot pot, a creamy and flavourful base is essential. Brands like Haidilao offer blends specifically formulated for this purpose, such as the very convenient Haidilao sauce.

Recommended Peanut and Sesame Pastes

We've selected a few gems for you, each with its own unique qualities to meet every need.

PCD Peanut Butter 500g

What sets it apart: This peanut butter is made from Tasmanian peanuts (Australia), which are rich in oleic acid. With 90%?peanuts, its clean ingredient list makes it a high-quality base for multiple uses, far beyond just Asian cuisine.

Highlights:

• High in protein: It contains 27g of protein per 100g, making it a great option for athletes and those on a plant-based diet.
• Simple ingredients: Formulated without preservatives, artificial colours, or flavours.
• Versatility: Its pronounced peanut flavour is ideal for customisation. Perfect on toast, in smoothies, or as a base for a sauce where you control the addition of other flavours (sesame, soy, etc.).

Who is it for? For those looking for a high-quality, high-protein, and versatile peanut butter that is equally at home in Asian recipes and for everyday use.

Liu Bi Ju Sesame Peanut Butter 300g

What sets it apart: With a heritage dating back to 1436, Liubiju is a true institution in China. This paste embodies that tradition with a perfectly balanced blend of 50%?sesame and 50%?peanuts, ground using time-honoured techniques to preserve all the natural aromas.

Highlights:

• Perfect balance: The 50/50 ratio offers a complex flavour that is both mild and roasted, without one taste overpowering the other.
• Heritage and authenticity: Produced by a "China Time-honored Brand," a guarantee of traditional craftsmanship.
• Creamy texture: Ideal for thinning to create sauces for hot pot or hot dry noodles (reganmian).

Who is it for? For fans of authentic Chinese cuisine looking for a balanced sesame and peanut paste that is true to traditional flavours.

HAIDILAO Peanut & Sesame Paste

What sets it apart: From Haidilao, the famous restaurant chain specialising in Chinese hot pot, this paste is designed to help you recreate the authentic restaurant experience at home. Its ratio of 80%?peanut butter and 20%?sesame paste is optimised for hot pot.

Highlights:

• Designed for hot pot: The formula has been developed to provide the creamy, aromatic sauce base typical of Haidilao restaurants.
• Convenience: Ready to use, just thin it with a little water or broth to get a perfect sauce in seconds.
• Rich and creamy flavour: The dominant peanut flavour provides a wonderful creaminess, subtly enhanced by the hint of sesame.

Who is it for? For die-hard hot pot fans who want a quick and easy solution for preparing an authentic, tried-and-tested peanut sauce for Chinese hot pot.

Craving Other Peanut Treats?

If your love for peanuts isn't limited to savoury dishes, why not indulge in its sweet variations? For a 100%?indulgent break, many confections also put peanuts in the spotlight.

Discover our range of Peanut Butter Candies for a touch of sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you thin peanut paste for a sauce?

To achieve a sauce-like consistency, simply thin out the paste gradually with a warm liquid, whisking vigorously to prevent lumps. You can use water, chicken or vegetable broth, or even the broth from your hot pot. For even more flavour, feel free to add soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, or minced garlic.

What is the difference between regular peanut butter and Asian peanut butter?

Asian peanut butter is generally less sweet and salty than its Western counterparts. Its texture, which is often more fluid, is designed to be incorporated into sauces rather than just for spreading. It can also be made from peanuts that are roasted differently, giving it a distinct aroma.

Can you use peanut and sesame paste for a satay sauce?

Absolutely. A peanut and sesame paste makes an excellent base for a satay sauce, with the sesame flavour adding a welcome complexity. For a classic satay sauce, you just need to add the typical ingredients: coconut milk, curry paste, lime juice, fish sauce, and a hint of chilli.