These Steamboat Spots In S’pore Confirm Will Make You Steaaammm
Hai Di Lao is arguably the most popular steamboat spot in Singapore. They’ve been drawing crowds with their insanely good tomato broths and noodle-bending staff.
However, while Hai Di Lao is great, I refuse to wait over an hour just for a table. Especially when I’m hungry. Here’s a list of great alternatives to satisfy that steamboat craving.
1. JPOT
JPOT only offers individual hotpots, which is great because I’m picky when it comes to the ingredients that goes into my hotpot.
They offer a wide variety of ingredients and 9 different soup bases. My personal favourites are the Tom Yum Soup and the JPOT Superior Broth.
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Image Credit: JPOT[/caption]
The other unique soup bases include the Laksa, Chilli Crab Soup, Bak Kut Teh Soup, Fish Head Soup and Porridge. Yes, that’s right. You can choose to cook your ingredients in a pot of porridge.
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Image Credit: JPOT[/caption]
You have to order their Wagyu Ribeye, Handmade Jumbo Pork Ball, and their Handmade Fish Balls. The marbling on the Wagyu Ribeye is perfect and is so tender it barely holds its form on my chopsticks.
The Handmade Fish Balls come in a platter of 6 and are different from the conventional fishballs. The fishballs are made fresh and you can actually taste the fish instead of just a generic fish paste. One platter is never enough.
You can view their complete menu here.
That’s not all, with 16 sauces and condiments available, you can create your own dips for your hotpot experience.
JPOT is the place to go if you’re looking for a genuinely good and fuss-free steamboat meal.
JPOT
Address: 10 Tampines Central 1 #03-16, Tampines 1 Singapore, 529536
Opening Hours: Daily: 11am – 11pm
Contact no.: 6532 3536
Website
2. Shi Li Fang
Shi Li Fang is one of the few affordable steamboat places in Singapore.
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Image Credit: @agacialim[/caption]
They have a good variety of broths available. Choose from their Tonic Chicken Soup, Specialty Mala Soup, Beauty Chicken Collagen Soup, Nourishing Fish Soup, Ravishing Tomato Soup, and Tasty Mushroom Soup.
Their Specialty Mala Soup is actually milder and drinkable, unlike Hai Di Lao’s intense Mala broth.
Be sure to order their Japanese Kurobuta Pork, Japanese Wagyu Beef, and their Fish Roe ‘Glue’. The quality of the meat is surprisingly decent and the Fish Roe ‘Glue’ is a paste that has been incorporated generously with Fish Roe.
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Image Credit: Shi Li Fang[/caption]
Shi Li Fang is one of the best and most wallet-friendly steamboat places to chill and catch up with your friends.
Shi Li Fang
Address: City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, #02-53/54, Singapore 208539
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6636 7899
Website
Address: Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road #07-10/11, Singapore 238896
Contact no.: 6238 0800
Address: Thomson Plaza, 301 Thomson Road #01-106, Singapore 574408
Contact no.: 6456 0800
Address: Chinatown Point, 133 New Bridge Road #B1-30, Singapore 059413
Contact no.: 6636 3833
Address: Hougang 1, 1 Hougang Street 91 #01-23, Singapore 538692
Contact no.: 6282 6678
Address: J-Cube, 2 Jurong East Central 1 #02-08A, Singapore 609731
Contact no.: 6694 2122
Address: West Coast Plaza, 154 West Coast Road #02-24, Singapore 127371
Contact no.: 6266 2858
Address: Icon Village, 12 Gopeng Street #01-41, Singapore 078877
Contact no.: 6222 8518
Address: Bedok Point, 799 New Upper Changi Road #03-38/39, Singapore 467351
Contact no.: 6581 8885
3. Beauty In The Pot
Beauty In The Pot is a hotpot concept that offers 2 signature broths – the Beauty Collagen Broth and Spicy Nourishing Soup.
The Beauty Collagen Broth is essentially Shark’s Cartilage Soup while the Spicy Nourishing Soup is a Pork Bone Soup with 3 levels of spiciness available.
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Image Credit: @pnakswasdi[/caption]
If you’re at the newer OneKM outlet, they offer 4 more broths besides the signature 2.
There’s the Herbal Drunk Chicken Broth, Cooling Coconut Broth, Longevity Wild Pine Mushroom Broth, and the Vitamin C Tomato Sweet Corn Broth.
Some of the must-order ingredients include their homemade Fish Tofu that is freshly prepared daily and is exclusive to Beauty In A Pot, as well as their Ebiko Prawn Paste that uses 100% fresh prawns.
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Image Credit: @zoeeeyang[/caption]
While Beauty In The Pot might be a little pricier, the freshness and quality of the ingredients makes the meal more than worth the money.
Beauty In The Pot
Address: OneKM, 11 Tanjong Katong Road #02-21, Singapore 437157
Opening Hours: Daily: 6pm – 10.30pm
Contact no.: 6284 8820
Website
Address: OneKM, 11 Tanjong Katong Road #03-38, Singapore 437157
Opening Hours: Daily: 11.30am – 3am
Contact no.: 6284 8820
Address: The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road #05-15/16, Singapore 238843
Opening Hours: Daily: 11.30am – 6am
Contact no.: 6284 8820
4. Hao Lai Wu
Located at 8 Sago St, Hao Lai Wu is conveniently located next to the famous landmark, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. A spot that’s hard to miss, you and your friends won’t have any trouble finding each other at this place.
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Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]
To cater to all of us Singaporeans whenever hunger strikes, the owners of Hao Lai Wu insist on keeping their store open from 11am – 3am daily! Up and hungry at ungodly hours? Hao Lai Wu’s got you covered!
Choose from 6 different soup bases – Mala, Tom Yum, Tomato, Chicken, Salted Veggie and Pork Bone.
Hao Lai Wu provides its customers with a wide range of fresh ingredients, sides, and sauces.
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Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]
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Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]
From fishcakes, marinated meats, a wide variety of seafood, and even fried mantous, Hao Lai Wu doesn’t skimp on their ingredients.
If you’re looking for a new supper, dinner or lunch spot to have your next family or friend gathering, head over to Hao Lai Wu.
Hao Lai Wu
Address: 8 Sago St, Singapore 059012
Operating Hours: 11am – 3am daily
Contact no.: 6221 0065
Website
5. Guo Fu Hotpot Steamboat
Guo Fu Hotpot Steamboat is a steamboat restaurant that’s known for their free flow Xiao Long Bao.
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Image Credit: Guo Fu Steamboat[/caption]
They have 10 soup bases available for you to choose from – the Elderly Tonic Soup, Beauty Soup, Male Vitality Soup, Cordy Soup, Curry Beef Soup, Vegetarian Soup, Kimchi Soup, Mild Spicy Soup, Spicy Soup, and Herbal Soup.
The quality of the ingredients here is fresh. Don’t forget to order the Sliced Special Beef and try not to go crazy on the free flow Xiao Long Bao and Shallot Pancakes.
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Image Credit: @fizzle.rascal[/caption]
After all, it is a steamboat restaurant.
Guo Fu Hotpot Steamboat The top layer of the 4-Tier Cheesy Hotpot & BBQ Pagoda Steamboat is a steamer. The second tier is a dipping tier (choose from Cheese, Salted Egg or Mongolian dip), and the next is a BBQ hot plate for grilling. Finally, right at the bottom is a hot pot tier that is divided down the middle so you can enjoy two different soup bases (choose from Chicken, Tom Yum, Mala, Herbal Tonic, Tomato). Talk about having options! Choose from the Supreme ($38.90/pax), Premium ($29.90/pax) and Deluxe ($19.90/pax) Buffet, which entitles you to different kinds of ingredients to cook with your Pagoda steamboat. Take note that the Pagoda steamboat set is only available after 3pm. Flame Cafe You can also expect a free flow of meats, vegetables, desserts and soft drinks, so you can stuff yourself silly after a whole day of activity! All ingredients are prepared fresh daily, so you can be sure you’re eating only the good stuff. Price: Children 5 – 11 years old: $15 nett | Adults, Mon – Thu: $27 nett | Adults, Fri/Sat: $29 nett | Adults, Eve of PH/PH: $30 nett Marina Bay Steamboat @ Satay By the Bay Also read End Off Your Festival Of Feasts On A Sugar Rush This Dessert Week (Header Image Source:
There’s something to be said about Singaporeans’ devotion to a good, hearty steamboat or BBQ. Clearly, this is something Hao Lai Wu recognises because they offer both steamboat and BBQ simultaneously, along with one of the widest arrays of ingredients we’ve seen in a single space. Located at 8 Sago St, this shopfront is conveniently located next to the famous landmark, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. A spot that’s hard to miss, you and your friends won’t have any trouble finding each other at this place. To cater to all of us Singaporeans whenever hunger strikes, the owners of Hao Lai Wu insist on keeping their store open from 11am – 3am daily! Up and hungry at ungodly hours? Hao Lai Wu’s got you covered! We loved the charming, lived-in atmosphere permeating the entire shop. From the moment the DiscoverSG team stepped in, we were taken with the lively, boisterous crowd, the communal cooking over steamboat bowls and BBQ grills, and the cheerful eating of family and friends. Here, you can choose from 6 different soup bases: Mala, Tom Yum, Tomato, Chicken, Salted Veggie and Pork Bone. We went with the house special, Mala soup, as well as Chicken soup. The main reason why we ordered the chicken soup was so we had a simple soup base that would allow us to properly appreciate the freshness of the ingredients served here. Hao Lai Wu provides its customers with a wide range of fresh ingredients, sides, and sauces. It prides itself in its authentic Chinese cuisine, from the spices they put into their Mala soups to the drinks they import directly from China. We settled down on the re-purposed oil drums and found that they came with detachable seat covers you could lift, to reveal a storage space for your bags or any knick-knacks you were carrying! With your belongings safely stowed away, the only thing you need to focus on is the mouthwatering food before you! We were given an incredibly warm welcome with a crazy influx of dishes. We had cute fishcakes… marinated meats… an understated but heavenly dish of fried mantous… and a TON of seafood. And I mean a TON, because when all the food was brought out, this was what our table looked like: Someone even cooked an omelette for us on the spot as the food was on its way out! Filled with delicious, juicy sprigs of green onion, red chillis, and tiny morsels of mock crab meat, we loved every last bite of it. Being able to eat with a whole group of people, cooking and serving one another for 2-3 hours straight, and being given 3 different ways to cook your food (Mala steamboat, Chicken steamboat and BBQ), this is definitely a great place to gather with family, loved ones and friends. As we said our goodbyes with expanded tummies and hearts, we left with 3 takeaways: 1. Come to Hao Lai Wu HUNGRY. You won’t survive if you’re simply peckish. 2. The Mala is truly delicious, and will leave you sweating as you reach for more. 3. The Mala soup should only be attempted by spicy food lovers. If you’re afraid of McDonald’s chilli sauce, you may want to pass on the Mala. If you’re looking for a new supper, dinner or lunch spot to have your next family or friend gathering, why not try Hao Lai Wu? We guarantee it’ll be worth your while, leaving you happy and satisfied both in the tummy and the heart. Hao Lai Wu
Address: China Square Central, 20 Cross Street #01-31/32/33, China Court, Singapore 048422
Opening Hours: Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Contact no.: 6557 0906
Image Credit: DiscoverSG[/caption]
Address: Level 1 Centro Bianco Building, 73 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534818
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 10am – 1am; Fri – Sat: 10am – 3am; Sun: 10am – 1am
Contact no.: 6288 6346
Image Credit: Burpple User Kevin Marling[/caption]
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Satay By The Bay, #12/13/14 Marina Bay, Singapore
Opening Hours: Daily, 5pm – 11.45pm
Contact no.: 8180 8112
WebsiteLive It Up Like You’re In Hao Lai Wu – Enjoy Steamboat And BBQ In Lit Crystal Pots Till 3AM
The mother lode[/caption]
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Sauce galore![/caption]
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Choose your own side, from kimchi to french fries[/caption]
This place looks like something out of a Hong Kong film in the 70s[/caption]
So much food to choose from![/caption]
The Honey Pomelo juice was surprisingly refreshing[/caption]
Adorable mouse-like fishcakes[/caption]
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That’s mock shrimp! Fooled you, didn’t it?[/caption]
Meat, anyone?[/caption]
Warm, crispy mantous[/caption]
Seafood[/caption]
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Just look at this crab![/caption]
Half of these are seafood[/caption]
We had omelette made for us on the spot![/caption]
Seriously, $1.95/100g is a steal[/caption]
Address: 8 Sago St, Singapore 059012
Operating Hours: 11am – 3am daily
Contact no.: 6221 0065
Hai Di Lao Tips: Essential Hacks That Will Save You Time, Money, And More!
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/2BTZjqP_6O/?taken-at=224521440[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/3tOFqAtxaI/?taken-at=224521440[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BAo1WlpvYa-/?taken-at=224521440[/embed]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.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/3BsQ5QhwCb/?taken-at=307580105[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/9ZgeWqo_zR/?tagged=manbok[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/80Lj9FDMlM/?tagged=manbok[/embed]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.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/_4A2hIjRY8/?taken-at=216428526[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/_gjz9iLYWA/?taken-at=216428526[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/7XrfQEQ6UC/?taken-at=216428526[/embed]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.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/7AerygOH0J/?taken-at=7858314[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/-q5IqBiImM/?taken-at=7858314[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/8gM9K4O8LG/?taken-at=7858314[/embed]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.
[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/1TBVw5iUtM/?taken-at=236156683[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/__mKJXMpni/?taken-at=236156683[/embed] [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/_ZZVL3qBSi/?taken-at=236156683[/embed]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)
