My friends and I enjoyed a magical evening of homemade hot pot. Here are the seven things you need for your own legit hot pot night.

1. A willing and knowledgeable hostess. In this case, my friend Tiff.

2. A smorgasbord of ingredients to cook. We had beef, pork, lamb, fish, calamari, tripe, lobster balls, fish balls, shrimp balls, beef balls, tofu, two different kinds of mushrooms, and some veggies.

3. A tool belt of fancy hot pot utensils.

4. A burner and divided pot.

5. A soy sauce and chili station.

6. Something tasty to wash it down with.

7. Good friends to help you enjoy it all.