Seems like most Malaysian that reaches the shore of Singapore will certainly hit onto Hai Di Lao 海底捞 Chinese Hotpot. I went to the one at 313 Somerset as my friend mention the one in Clark Quey is with crazy queue. I am not exceptional for this as I am keen to try what is special about this as I did visit their outlet in Korea last year.
A bit about them: Founded in 1994, Hai Di Lao is a Sichuan style hot pot restaurant, integrating features of hot pots from various regions by focusing services as their main priority in their competitive market. Since then, they have made it big. If I read correctly, the group now is a Billion dollar industry in revenue which is very impressive.
Queuing in any of their outlet will be crazy as average waiting time is 3-6 hours, unless you go to their early opening hours such as 10am – 3pm or after 2am which is less than an hour. My friend came early to take number and waited for 3 hours. No reservation is allowed. It is all by walk in. (win liau loh). While waiting, you are given pop corn, drinks and also watermelon slices.
By focusing on services, they really meant it. For parents with kids, they have a kids play room. For those ladies out there, they have pedicure service for free. If you are unable to claim while waiting, you are able to utilize back again next visit.
According to my friend, all of their outlet is pack.
Upon seated, you will be given a wet tissue for your hanphone wipe, then given with a hot tower to clean up your hands, follow by a mini bag to store your phone by preventing soup pour over your phone if you leave it on the table. Then they have mini blanket to cover your bags.
Staff here is pretty impressive as their service is indeed top notch. They prepare most of the basic items for you and it is like 1 floor staff to 3 -5 tables. Attentiveness is amazing.
Lets start off with their signature soup as you can order 4 max. So we order max of it. My usual will be, Sichuan Pickles hot pot and sichuan spicy hot pot is a must then the other 2 we chose , tomato soup (trying it out) and chicken soup.
With the tablet, you are able to customize the flavour of each soup base.
Sauces is additional SGD 4 per pax with unlimited refill which is a must to take. If you are unsure, do ask the staff to assist you by asking them to mix their Haidilao special mix sauce (which i just realise upon writting this post)
here you go on the soup base:
SiChuan pickled soup is always one of my favourite whenever I get to order. Love the sourness of it that opens up your appetite and usually I make it as my drinking soup base.
SiChuan Spicy hot pot I would prefer medium spicy and above with less numb as spiciness and numbness to me is pretty well balance up. the soup base here is not too bad as not too overpowering that I have but I think it has tone down their flavour to local taste (if were to compare to Korea).
Tomato soup base is rather interesting, not the Hong Kong style but it is decent enough to act as a main soup base too. mild creamy, fragrant and it seems every one is attacking on it.
Chicken soup is also a must have where it make a balance for the rest of the strong flavour soup. So you have a clear soup to balance it up and also cater to some friends who cant take spicy soup. At least 4 soup base is happy for everyone.
I know a few items which is must order such as their mini dumpling. which is da bomb. Made fresh and the skin is so smooth and ingredient in is taste quite premium. Order another plate after that.
Besides that, their meat is also one of their signature. Just look at those cut and colour of it. Order trio mix with lamb, beef and pork.
and of course order another additional pork belly to hit on. Their bean curd roll is also must order. meat ball is awesome too,
Another item to order is their signature dance noodle. Slight chewy, and dip into sichuan spicy soup is just . . . .
Upon finishing, you will have ice cream to eat along which is the same as the one in Korea that I had. nothing to shout about.
Overall, their service here is top notch if were to compare to Korea outlet. I felt that I have eaten better hotpot as per compare to this for soup base especially. Hai Di Lao win by 2 things. Their service and quality of ingredient. My total bill came to SGD 165 for 4 pax which I think is quite reasonable. Not too sure about other places as this is my first time dining hotpot in Singapore.
Well, if I will come back if queue less than 1 hour or early morning or as supper. 3 – 6 hours is just pretty crazy. Well, Happy eating.
-= KA CHING =-
Food rating 7.5/10 , ingredients and service is pretty awesome. Worth to give it a try! -Stamped-
-WARNING –This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-
Location:
313 Somerset
313 Orchard Road #04-23/24 Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6835 7227
+65 6835 7337
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 6am
Other outlets:
Hai Di Lao Hot Pot
Plaza Singapura #04-01, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6250 0330
+65 6250 0990
Opening Hours 10:30am – 6:00am Daily
Hai Di Lao Hot Pot branches
Vivocity #03-09 1 Harbourfront Walk, Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6250 7557
+65 6250 7667
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 6am
Clarke Quay
3D River Valley Road #02-04, Singapore 179023
Tel: +65 6337 8626
+65 6337 8627
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 6am
IMM
IMM #03-01, 2 Jurong East Street 21 Singapore 609601
Tel: +65 6896 4111
+65 6896 4222
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 4am
