Preheat oven to 350°F.

Cream butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth — about 3 minutes. The mixture should be pale and fluffy.

Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

Dissolve baking soda in hot water, add to the mixture with the salt.

Stir in flour until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Drop rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.

Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and just beginning to turn golden. Centers will look underdone — that's correct. They firm up as they cool.