Tag: hai di lao

Hai Di Lao Soup Base: Where To Buy, How Much It Costs & Packaging Issues

The winter season is nigh upon us. While there are no snowflakes falling from the sky or visible breaths of smoke when we talk; it’s still holiday season! It’s time for reunions with friends and family; and there’s no better place to meet up and catch up then home sweet home. Looking to prepare steamboat at home? We’ve done the research, so you will know where to buy Hai Di Lao soup base for your year end reunions!

Hai Di Lao needs no introduction. With 4 outlets in Singapore, the Sichuan originated hot pot cuisine still easily commands at least a 2-hour wait thanks to the plethora of fresh ingredients, excellent service, and mouthwatering soup base.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Image Credits: With the Hai Di Lao soup base, you can easily recreate Hai Di Lao in the comfort of your own home this coming holiday season.

[caption id="attachment_19210" align="aligncenter" width="671"] Image credits: Hai Di Lao soup base packaging

To all you eagle-eyed shoppers, you may have noticed that the Hai Di Lao soup base comes in 2 different packagings.

[caption id="attachment_19238" align="alignnone" width="263"]

Fret not, the only difference lies in the packaging. Beneath the wrapper, both soup bases taste equally awesome without any difference in quality or ingredients.

The first packaging is designed for soup bases that are to be sold in China. The second packaging is meant for soup bases destined for importation into Singapore.

In order to meet AVA regulations, the product name has to be printed in English, and the packaging design was also changed to differentiate the sale destination of the products.

Also, read Riverside Grilled Fish – For Lovers Of Tongue-Numbing And Spicy Ma La Goodness!

Where to buy Hai Di Lao soup base

1. Buy Hai Di Lao soup base at supermarkets

According to gazillion forum posts and blogs, it is possible to buy them at 2 local supermarkets: Giant and Sheng Shiong.

There are a total of 62 Giant outlets and

The Hai Di Lao soup bases are neatly arranged on the shelf, together with other Chinese sauces and pastes.

Here are the prices and what is available:
Mushroom flavour: $4.00
Tomato flavour: $4.60
Mala Xiang Guo flavour: $4.60
Shrimp flavour: $4.90
Mala flavour: $5.40.

Sheng Siong Supermarket

FYI: To beat a steamboat craving in the unearthly hours of the night, just know that Sheng Siong Supermarket is open 24 hours.

Here are the prices and what is available:
Mushroom flavour: $4.00
Tomato flavour: $4.50
Mala Xiang Guo flavour: $4.50
Clear soup: $4.90

Also, read Top 5 Steamboat & Hotpot Places That Rival Hai Di Lao

2. Buy Hai Di Lao soup base online

Thinking of buying the Hai Di Lao soup base online?

Why not? 1.

2.

Hai Di Lao Tips: Essential Hacks That Will Save You Time, Money, And More!

Hai Di Lao? Yes, you heard it. When it comes to this legendary hotpot establishment, tales abound. By now, you must have amassed your own encyclopaedia of “black market” Hai Di Lao tips to take your Hai Di Lao experience to greater heights.

To add to your plethora of knowledge, we have gone undercover and infiltrated the depths of the Hai Di Lao world, right down to unearthing their new outlet in VivoCity!

Today, we are proud to present our findings – Hai Di Lao tips that are 100% legit and guaranteed to work.

Queue-killing hack

To beat the queue, arrive very early… anytime before 5pm is fine. Preferably, call before you head down. Otherwise, you’ll be faced with a horrendous queue that’ll shock the living daylights out of you.

Anytime from 10 pm is good, as the dinner crowd would be gone by then and Hai Di Lao is open till 6 am.

To ensure that your table is ready by 10pm, call in early to take a queue number and let them know that you’ll arrive at 9pm.

[caption id="attachment_16494" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Credits: Hai Di Lao[/caption]

Each time you dine there, you will chalk up points, which can be used to redeem gifts at no extra charge.

Every $1 you spend entitles you to 1 point. The gifts change every 6 months, so snap up that Philips steam iron before it disappears!

#1 Soup hack – thick (浓) soup base

To get the most bang for your buck, be sure to request for thick (浓) soup base during refills. Otherwise, what you get will be a more diluted version of the original soup base.

They’ll hand you a bowl of thick (浓) soup, but don’t pour it all in at once! Instead, you can adjust how thick and savoury you want your soup to be.

#2 Soup hack – 4 soup bases

If you believe that variety is the spice of life, Hai Di Lao offers 4 soup bases at virtually the same price, or even cheaper, as compared to that of 1 or 2 soup bases.

The price of 4 soup bases also depends on your ultimate choice and combination of soup. Based on our experience, it was always cheaper or the same price as choosing 2 soup bases.

[caption id="attachment_16493" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Credit: youngberghill

If you come with wine or alcohol, Hai Di Lao will even open your bottle and serve it to you and your companions, free of charge!

Now, who’s up for a glass of spirits?

Mini pot hack

If you think germs and bacteria are creepy… or if your idea of fashion is a Hazmat suit, Hai Di Lao’s individual hot pots are perfect for you.

Credits: Credit: be the next Freddy Krueger try Hai Di Lao’s paper crane challenge.

[caption id="attachment_15563" align="aligncenter" width="1532"] Credits: wfenzz[/caption]

For every 30 paper cranes you fold, Hai Di Lao will reward you with a free $6 dish of your choice.

Fret not if you do not know how to fold these cranes, the staff will teach you how!

Health hack

Fats? *shudders* Coagulated fats? *fear intensifies* 

Congratulations, you have just discovered the hidden horror… and we’ll let you know how to overcome it. Not with a crucifix, but with your trusty ol’ ladle!

The longer you boil your soup, the more concentrated it becomes. This causes the soup to become loaded with nitrates, fats and excess protein.

[caption id="attachment_16186" align="aligncenter" width="1824"] Credit: butter believer[/caption]

That white film floating on the surface of your soup isn’t the trail left by the Loch Ness monster.

It’s actually coagulated fats, nitrates and protein, which is no good for you. So, ladles up, and scoop away the white stuff!

Redeemable manicure hack

Who would pass up the opportunity of a free manicure? Not me!

The good news is, Hai Di Lao’s renowned manicure services are redeemable. Should the long queue prevent you from getting your manicure before dining, all is not lost.

[caption id="attachment_16496" align="alignnone" width="640"] credit: cdn-geo dayre[/caption]

Should you wish to celebrate your grandma’s birthday there, the restaurant also offers a free platter of longevity buns to senior citizens on their special day.

This is in addition to the small gift that Hai Di Lao will present to the birthday guest, and the birthday songs that they will croon in 3 different languages.

[caption id="attachment_16185" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] credit: c3.staticflickr[/caption]

Protect-your-phone hack

A cracked phone screen is the ultimate nightmare for every phone user. This is why Hai Di Lao offers free phone screen protectors to keep your phone screens shiny and spanking new.

[caption id="attachment_16198" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Credit: 1 Harbourfront Walk, #03-09, VivoCity, Singapore 098585
Telephone numbers: +65 6250 7557 (for reservations) +65 6250 7667 (for enquiries)
Opening hours: 10.30am – 6am

Price: varies depending on the dishes ordered
Official website:

Header image credit: where to get Hai Di Lao soup base!

Top 5 Steamboat & Hotpot Places That Rival Hai Di Lao

(Image credit: Groupon)

Does the 1 hour+++ wait at Hai Di Lao turn you off? After all, who has the time and patience to wait that long? Luckily, there are other equally great restaurants to satisfy your daily dose of steamboat and hotpot cravings. The team at Discover SG has scoured the land in search of the best alternative places to enjoy your favorite simmering stews and yummy ingredients.

1. Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant

As its namesake suggests, Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant is imperial and amongst the best in Singapore. A critic’s choice for its quality ingredients, this classy establishment boasts a selection of 10 soups and 12 sauces to fulfill your hotpot fantasies. Although more expensive than other places, it is money well-spent for a truly memorable and grand experience.

Outlet & Opening Hours
ION Orchard 04-09
TripleOne Somerset 01-21

Daily: 11:00am – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 11:00pm

2. Manbok Chinatown Korean BBQ & Steamboat

With Korean BBQ restaurants flooding our little red dot, a restaurant will have to be unique to make a name for itself. In the spotlight is Manbok, a quaint restaurant that combines BBQ with steamboat, all at a reasonable price. The cosy interior and wafts of delicious food cooking only served to heighten the senses, making this an ideal choice for a great night of food.

Outlet & Opening Hours
279 New Bridge Road

Daily: 11:30am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 11:00pm

3. Tsukada Nojo

Tsukada Nojo is a Japanese-style steamboat restaurant synonymous with its collagen soup, BIJIN NABE. The broth gets its delectable flavours from a Jidori chicken. (Jidori chicken refers to a type of mixed-breed vegetarian free-range chicken imported from Japan within 24 hours of slaughter) The result is a special broth that is not only nutritious (great for your skin and hair!), but also savoury and fragrant. In addition, you may also enjoy a sinful selection of Japanese dishes that are available ala carte.

Outlet & Opening Hours
Chinatown Point 02-37
Plaza Singapura 03-81
Westgate 03-04

Check website for opening hours

4. Huay Kwang Thai Kitchen

Nestled in fan-favourite Upper Thomson Road, Huay Kwang Thai Kitchen is a hidden Mookata gem. For the uninitiated, Mookata is a combination of hotpot and grill. Open until 2am on Friday & Saturday, this is a great place for supper with family and friends. This lovely Thai joint offers a simple yet appetising soup base (cabbage and pork bones) to satisfy your tastebuds.

Outlet & Opening Hours
224R Upper Thomson Road

Sunday to Thursday: 5:00pm – 11:00pm
Friday to Saturday: 5:00pm – 2:00am

5. JPOT Hotpot

This steamboat franchise from JUMBO Group (famous for excellent seafood) has consistently garnered rave reviews for its good service and food. Reward your palates with eight delicious types of soup base, a smorgasbord of fresh ingredients, and to top it all off, a DIY station to mix and match your favourite sauces. A dining experience without the nitty-gritty, JPOT Hotpot is the next best thing.

Outlet & Opening Hours
VivoCity 01-53
Tampines 1 03-16
Parkway Parade B1-17

Check website for opening hours.

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(Featured image credits: SG Food on Foot)

Where to buy Hai Di Lao Soup Base for your Reunion Dinner this CNY Eve!

Most of us have probably eaten at or at least heard of the famous Hai Di Lao Hot Pot chain of restaurants which is revered for their fresh ingredients as well as their great service. Just thinking about their amazing soup base, savoury meat and crunchy vegetables will cause just about anyone to salivate right on the spot and rush to one of their outlets for some hot pot.

Owing to their reputation, the three outlets boasts waiting times of up to 2 hours before you finally get your turn to serve the harmonious medley of piping hot soup and cooked meat into your mouth. As expected, the quality of its food and services is also accompanied by above-average price tags. Definitely not something that the average citizen would be able to afford on a regular basis.

https://www.instagram.com/p/3BRTmVPlOd/

However, there is another alternative. What if you could enjoy the tantalizing bliss on your taste buds without the hassle of the long queues and enjoy it whenever you want? What if you could answer to your cravings for Hai Di Lao hot pot in the comfort of your own home AND at a cheaper price?

Just the other day I overheard a friend saying that the Hai Di Lao soup base can be purchased at local supermarkets. The name I heard was Sheng Siong Supermarket. Of course I had to clarify, so I started digging around and did some research. I’ve not been to the local supermarkets myself yet, but I found some other people on Instagram who did!

Look at that! Having Hai Di Lao at home.. It must be one of the greatest feelings in the world.

According to the comments of these people who have bought the product, the soup base is available at both Giant and Sheng Siong Supermarkets.

But wait: how much does it cost?

According to the photo above which was uploaded recently, you can roughly see the price tag indicator displaying a big $5 with some blurred out smaller digits. It’s probably safe to say that it’s below $6! That’s quite a steal for a serving size of 3-5 people (excluding the ingredients of course). Despite a lacking in the variety of soup bases compared to what is offered within the Hai Di Lao outlets, we have to be thankful that they are even available at all!

To purchase this famous soup base, simply head down to your nearest Giant or Sheng Siong outlet.

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