Despite the sweltering hot weather in Singapore, the one thing that we can all unanimously agree on is how lovely it feels to gather around a hot pot with our loved ones whilst dunking slices of meat and assorted raw ingredients into a pot of steaming hot broth.

Singapore has an abundance of hot pot restaurants, with many of them sprouting long queues that can last hours on end. With that, the real question is; are the queues at some of these places worth joining? Or is it just another overrated hot pot restaurant that doesn’t warrant the long wait?

If you’re looking for the answer to that question, we have here a list of our 8 favourite hot pot restaurants in Singapore that we feel are worth the long, snaking queues.

Photo Credit: Beauty In A Pot

BEAUTY IN THE POT

This place is one of the more well-known places on the list due to the fact that they open till 6am in the morning, which is great for the hungry insomniac.

What makes this place stand out from the rest are their rich, collagen-based soup bases that are great for the skin, body and soul. When they said you’ll be getting beauty in a pot, they meant it!

OneKM Mall
11 Tanjong Katong Road, #02-21
Singapore 437157
Tel: +65 6284 8820
Daily: 11.30am – 6am
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

CAPTAIN K 

Popular for its multi-tiered seafood tower, Captain K is the place to be at if you love having fresh seafood in your hot pot. Here, they do not compromise on the quality and quantity of their meat so you can be assured that you are getting the best hotpot experience.

We also love how this place is open till 1am on weekends, allowing us to indulge in hot pot goodness after a round of drinks.

122 Middle Road, #01-00
Midland House
Singapore 188970
Tel: +65 6255 5744
Mon: 5.30pm – 11m
Tue to Thu & Sun: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Bugis

HAI DI LAO 

The most highly rated on this list has to be Hai Di Lao that is famous for its 2-3-hour-long queues. Despite being deemed as overrated, we feel that it is worth the hype. The service here is incredible and they never fail to serve up fresh, quality food.

We also love how they have such a wide range of ingredients and broths that leave us spoilt for choice. Even though the queues can get pretty ridiculous, we feel that it is worth the occasional indulgence.

313 Somerset
313 Orchard Road, #04-23/24
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6835 7227
Daily: 10.30am – 6am
Nearest Station: Somerset

HUA TING STEAMBOAT 

This underrated hot pot restaurant serves up a pretty impressive spread at affordable prices. We love how flexible it is here and you can opt for one of their set menus or go all out with their extensive a la carte selection.

Located in the heart of Orchard Road at Claymore Connect, this place is easily accessible and great if you happen to be in town.

Claypot Connect
Mezzanine level #01-08, 442 Orchard Road
Singapore 238879
Tel: +65 6739 6628
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Stevens/Somerset

JINJI TEOCHEW STEAMBOAT 

This no-frills Teochew steamboat restaurant is our go-to place for an affordable, authentic Teochew hot pot feast. The wall is plastered with photos of celebrities who have tried and loved the food here, so you know you’re in for the good stuff when you dine here.

What is reassuring and somewhat amusing is how the owner promises that if the food is not tasty, they will refund you back every cent.

176-178 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427447
Tel: +65 6348 8924
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm
Mon to Sun: 5pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

Photo Credit: Li Ji Chuan Chuan Xiang

LI JI CHUAN CHUAN XIANG

Li Ji Chuan Chuan Xiang serves a variety of delicious dishes which they carefully prepared using the freshest ingredients but the key thing they are known for is their unique coconut broth hot pot. Opened until 5.30am daily, they’re a decent joint to head to after a night of tippling at the bars just next door.

76 Prinsep Street,
Singapore 188663
Tel: +65 6251 7717
Daily: 12pm – 5.30am
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut / Bencoolen

PARADISE HOT POT

For an affordable, authentic Hong Kong-style steamboat experience, you should check out Paradise One Pot. Here, they too offer up individual hot pots with your desired broth.

We love how there are a whopping 14 different soup bases here for you to choose from as well as an extensive array of a la carte items for you to dunk into that steamy, hot soup.

CompassOne Mall #03-05,
1 Seng Kang Square
Singapore 545078
Tel: +65 6386 4838
Mon to Fri: 11.15am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Seng Kang

SPICE WORLD HOT POT

If you’re looking for a more extravagant (and overly dramatic) hot pot experience, then Spice World Hot Pot is the place for you. Here, they serve up dishes with authentic Sichuan flavours that will satisfy your hot pot and spicy food cravings at the same time.

We absolutely adore their quirky decor as well as their unique dishes such as their adorable Teddy Bear Spicy Butter and their Premium Barbie Wagyu Beef.

Clarke Quey #01-06/07 3B
River Valley Road
Singapore 179021
Sun to Thu: 10.30am – 4am
Fri to Sat: 10.30am – 6am
Nearest Station: Fort Canning

Anyone that’s ever had to make a last minute reservation at a restaurant would have surely come across Quandoo. Utilising the best in cutting-edge technology, the platform’s array of interactive features makes reservation processes convenient and seamless, and its global network of over 17,000 restaurants means that you literally have a world of choices at your fingertips.

As the colossal restaurant reservation platform celebrates its fourth anniversary in Singapore, the brand—to show its appreciation—will unveil a host of great-value pre-paid smart offers, in partnership with 11 selected restaurants. Whether it’s local favourites, fine dining establishments or even places where you and your buddies can indulge in karaoke and board games, there’s bound to be something for you.

These smart offers will be available from now until 20 December 2018 and for selected restaurants, all the way until 31 December 2018. To enjoy these specially curated dining experiences, users can pre-pay and book via their website.

Calling all gourmands and foodies alike, this is one limited-time-only offer not to be missed. Here are 11 restaurants where you can enjoy great savings through Quandoo’s smart offers.

GOOD CASUAL EATS

MUCHACHOS

It’s hard not to love Mexican food when everything that goes into it tastes amazing, be it a taco, a burrito or a quesadilla.

At Muchachos Singapore they believe that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, which is why they pride themselves on stuffing and topping their various menu offerings with only the freshest produce and the feistiest flavours.

Offer: 
1-For-1 Burritos: S$12 for 2 People (U.P. S$24)
Applies to fish, chicken, pork or vegetarian burritos
Now to 20 Dec 2018
Mon to Sat: 11am – 10pm

1-For-1 Burritos: S$13.50 for 2 People (U.P. S$27)
Applies to beef, California and breakfast burritos
Now to 20 Dec 2018
Mon to Sat: 11am – 10pm

182 Cecil Street, #01-01
Frasers Tower,
Singapore 069547
Tel: +65 6513 0215
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

PARK BENCH DELI

Styled to look (and feel) like a cosy American deli, but with a smörgåsbord of sandwich offerings that draw influences from all over the world, Park Bench Deli is quite possibly one of our favourite food places in the CBD.

Besides collaborating with chefs and restaurants on a frequent basis, Park Bench Deli has a regular menu of hearty, delectable sandwiches that are stacked high and insanely flavourful. From sweet to savouries, you’re bound to find something that’ll tickle your fancy.

Offer:
2-For-2 Sandwiches: S$36 for 4 people (U.P. S$72)
Now to 20 December 2018
Mon to Fri: 2pm – 4pm, 5pm – 9pm

179 Telok Ayer Street,
Singapore 068627
Tel: +65 6815 4600
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 4pm, 5pm – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS

THE MIND CAFE

Promising a solid, fun night out that will not require a single drop of alcohol is The Mind Cafe. This board game cafe opens till as early as 6am on weekends and is stocked with hundreds of board games.

Rather than full-on meals, we recommend grazing on the munchies, washed down with their wide assortment of drinks.

Offer:
Game Night: S$15 per Person (U.P. S$26)
Now to 20 December 2018
Mon to Sun: 5pm – 9pm

60A Prinsep Street,
Singapore 188664
Tel: +65 6334 4426
Mon to Thu: 2pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 6am
Sat: 10am – 6am
Sun: 10am –2am
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

HI! JOYFUL

With their variety of one-dish-wonders that really go over the top in terms of their enormous portion sizes and variety of ingredients, dining at this casual restaurant will surely guarantee a fun experience and a full belly.

Hailing all the way from Qingdao, China where massive, scrumptious seafood feasts like these are hugely popular, you can be assured that these folks know how to prepare one heck of an authentic experience. What’s more, you even get to sing karaoke while you eat!

Offer:
4 Of Us Karaoke Party: S$208 for 4 People (U.P. S$260)
Now to 31 December 2018
Mon to Sun: 7pm – 12am

27 Smith Street,
Singapore 058941
Tel: +65 6222 9555
Daily: 11am – 1am
Nearest Station: Chinatown

DA LONG YI HOTPOT

A haven for lovers of Chinese hot pot, Da Long Yi Hotpot is located in the heart of town and opens until 6am daily. While it’s decked out in Oriental-style furnishings that will have you feeling as if you’re in a period drama, don’t be fooled by its gimmicky aesthetic because their food speaks of something much more.

Specialising in a Chengdu-style hot pot, their soup bases are fiery yet immensely fragrant and possess lots of depth. Their raw ingredients are freshly prepared and carefully sourced to ensure only good quality meat and vegetables is served.

Offer:
Dining Voucher: Pay S$64, get S$80 (20% off)
Suitable for 2 to 3 pax
Mon to Sun: 11am – 6pm

181 Orchard Road, #08-08,
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6509 0002
Daily: 11am – 6am
Nearest Station: Somerset

CITY HOT POT SHABU SHABU

Offering a good variety of Interesting soup bases, quality ingredients as well as a lovely view of the CBD, City Hot Pot Shabu Shabu is perfect for get-togethers among friends and colleagues after work.

The soup bases here are extensive, with some uncommon soups such as their Fish Soup with Milk and Korean Kimchi. Select your soup base and get plenty of meat and seafood to swish in it. If you’re a meat lover, you’ll be glad to know that City Hot Pot offers quality, well-marbled cuts such as wagyu chuck eye roll at reasonable prices.

Offer: 
1-for-1 Classic hotpot sets: S$25.88 for 2 People (U.P. S$51.76)
Now to 20 Dec 2018
Mon to Thu, Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm

1, One Raffles Place, #04-26/27/28,
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6536 2185
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

INDULGE IN GASTRONOMY

NOX DINE IN THE DARK

A restaurant that promises a truly unique dining experience, NOX Dine In The Dark takes diners on a gastronomic trip that eliminates one of the quintessential elements of enjoying food—sight. Dining in total darkness, every course you savour promises to be a heightened experience.

The food served here is intrinsically French but the menu changes daily, meaning that no two visits will ever guarantee the same experience.

Offer:
3-Course Dinner: S$120 for 2 People
Now to 20 December 2018
Mon to Sat: 6pm onwards
Sun: 8.30pm onwards

269 Beach Road,
Singapore 199546
Tel: +65 6298 0708
Daily: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Nicoll Highway

IGGY’S

Hidden within Hilton Singapore, Iggy’s is one of Singapore’s best-known restaurants. The contemporary and elegant look nicely complements the mood and the cuisine, that is both elegant yet creative and playful.

The restaurant offers a highly seasonal menu that reflects the dynamism of the international culinary scene by way of the Singaporean palate. Their dishes may appear simple to the common eye but there’s a lot of technique that goes behind each dish and the ingredients used are top notch. 

Offer:
Festive Menu 2018: S$180 for 1 Person (U.P. S$323.68)
18 to 20 December 2018
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 7pm – 10pm

581 Orchard Road, Level 3,
Hilton Singapore
Singapore 238883
Tel: +65 6732 2234
(Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 1.30pm, 7pm – 9.30pm

THE HEAVYWEIGHT MEALS

THE COOPERAGE

If you’re in the search of good food and better drinks in a casual yet refined place on a weekend, comfortably away from the bustle from the main nightlife districts, look no further than The Cooperage.

This whiskey-forward bar boasts an extensive array of rare labels that’s fit for any connoisseur. But if that’s not a priority, they also have a full dinner menu with items ranging from charcuterie to Black Angus tomahawk that is charred over an open flame.

Offer:
Tomahawk Sharing Platte: S$158 for 4 People (U.P. S$186)
Now to 20 December 2018
Mon to Sun: 3pm – 9.30pm

42 Hong Kong Street,
Singapore 059681
Tel: +65 6535 0074
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Thu: 3pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 3pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

Offering diners an Australian-style steakhouse experience, this relaxed joint boasts a substantial variety of steaks served with sides of your choice.

The Aussies love their steak and they enjoy lots of it, so expect generous hunks of steak bigger than your average restaurant steak. Grilled to perfection with just the right amount of char, meat lovers will be spoilt for choice.

Offer:
3-Course Dinner: S$88 for 2 People (U.P. S$117.58)
6 to 20 December 2018
Mon to Sun: 6pm – 10pm

277 Orchard Road, #04-01
Orchard Gateway,
Singapore 238858
Tel: +65 6702 6842
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

CARNIVORE BRAZILIAN CHURRASCARIA – CHIJMES

Nestled in the courtyard of historic CHIJMES, Carnivore Brazilian Churrascaria will make you forget everything you ever knew about conventional steakhouses. Here, the atmosphere is vibrant, the staff are lively and the food is delicious right down to the bone.

Serving up traditional Brazilian churrascaria—barbecued meat, Latin American style—your dining experience begins when you’re comfortably seated at your table. Enthusiastic wait staff bearing skewers of fresh-grilled meat will come up to your table to carve moist slivers of succulent meat table-side—right onto your plate. For just one price, the amount of premium meat that you get to enjoy is limitless.

Offer: 
Buffet Dinner: S$35 for 1 person (U.P. S$56)
1 to 20 December 2018
Mon to Sun: 6pm – 11pm

30 Victoria Street, #01-30,
CHIJMES,
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6334 9332
Daily: 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Bras Basah

This post is brought to you by Quandoo.

Sunny Singapore has seen a recent slew of hot pot restaurants as of late which can only confirm one thing—that we Singaporeans are absolutely crazy about it. In fact, before colossal brand Hai Di Lao made hot pot trendy again, steamboat dinners used to be limited to family reunions during festive occasions. But the philosophy behind it stays the same—the act of bringing people closer together through the cooking and sharing of food from a communal pot.

But while restaurants such as Hai Di Lao and Beauty In The Pot remain at the top of the hot pot rankings, especially so for their array of tasty soup bases, fresh ingredients and out-of-this-world service, prices there are not necessarily affordable. Thankfully, we have cheaper alternatives such as Shi Li Fang that offer hot pot meals with an equally extensive range of fresh ingredients without compromising on the quality whatsoever.

Affordable prices, reasonable service and food that tastes just as good as their bigger counterparts? Count us in!

BIZARRE DECOR THAT IS STRANGELY WELCOMING

Decked out in perhaps some of the most unorthodox restaurant decor around, dining at Shi Li Fang—irrespective of which outlet you visit—will have you feeling as if you were dining in a toy store. With plushies scattered all around and waiters donning Pikachu hats, it truly does not get any more bizarre.

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8 DELICIOUS SOUP BASES

While there are plenty of soup bases to choose from, the ones we find ourselves returning to constantly is the tomato, mushroom and collagen chicken (extra top-up of S$3.50).

The tomato is mildly savoury with a sourish-sweet undertone that gives anything you cook inside it a sweet, umami note. The mushroom, on the other hand, boasts the same sort comfort you would derive from a piping hot bowl of cream of mushroom (sans the cream) and the chicken collagen is just the epitome of comfort.

Regardless of whether you opt for a single pot, a double pot, a triple pot or a quadruple pot, prices still remain at S$12.80.

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EXTENSIVE RANGE OF INGREDIENTS

The ingredient options here are aplenty with several meat options such as beef, pork, lamb, chicken, as well as assorted offal to fill your pots with.

If you happen to be hankering for some hot pot but find yourself having to eat out alone during lunchtime, then do consider their lunch set options that cater to individuals and groups—just as affordable and a surefire way to get you pumped to take on the rest of the workday.

Shi Li Fang has outlets at Chinatown Point, Orchard Central, City Square Mall and Thomson Plaza.

Shi Li Fang (Orchard Central)
181 Orchard Road, #07-10/11,
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6238 0800
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photos are credited to Shi Li Fang Hot Pot.