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.