Microwave Hot Pot

A cozy one-bowl meal that comes together in under 10 minutes… no stove, no fuss!

This recipe was inspired by my close friend @cafemaddy (check her out on Substack, IG, TikTok, and YouTube), who shared a version of this a while back. Everything goes into one bowl, cooks in the microwave, and comes out perfectly saucy, steamy, and satisfying. No pots, no pans, and barely any cleanup.

Now I know some people might be upset when they hear this, but I promise the microwave is not the enemy. In fact, it’s one of the most underrated tools in the kitchen! As a dietitian, I love that microwaving can actually help retain nutrients by using less water and cooking food quickly. More importantly, it makes balanced meals feel accessible and realistic, especially when you’re low on time or energy!

This dish has a little bit of everything. Protein from tofu and beef. Fiber and antioxidants from the bok choy and mushrooms. A salty, savory sauce that ties it all together. And napa cabbage layered on top to help steam everything to tender perfection. It’s the kind of meal that feels warm and grounding, without requiring much effort at all.

Ingredients

• 2.5 oz enoki mushrooms, trimmed

• 1 cup bok choy, chopped

• 1/3 block firm tofu, cubed

• 4 oz thinly sliced ribeye beef

• 3 leaves napa cabbage

Sauce

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1/2 tbsp mirin

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 tsp minced garlic

To serve

• Steamed rice

• Yakiniku dipping sauce

Instructions

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, add enoki mushrooms, chopped bok choy, tofu cubes, and sliced ribeye beef.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together soy sauce, sesame oil, mirin, water, and garlic. Pour the sauce over the ingredients in the bowl.

3. Lay napa cabbage leaves over the top to cover.

4. Cover the bowl (use a microwave-safe lid or plate) and microwave for 6 minutes.

5. Carefully remove from microwave. Using kitchen scissors, cut the cooked ingredients into bite-sized pieces.

6. Serve over steamed rice and dip into yakiniku sauce as you eat.