The cold, rainy season is upon us. And there’s no better way to warm our bellies up than with some piping hot steamboat! The savoury soup filled with tons of yummy ingredients is basically comfort food that’s just like chicken soup for the soul. But the best part about hotpot in Singapore is how you can always gather with loved ones to catch up as food is being cooked. That’s why it’s also a common go-to when Chinese New Year comes around! Whether it’s mala, collagen or even pickled soup, read on to find out more about where you can hit up for the best hotpot in Singapore!
Is there a difference between hotpot and steamboat?
You know how we’d sometimes call instant noodles” as Maggi Mee? Well, hotpot and steamboat are almost the same – except for one difference…
Hotpot revolves around a Chinese cooking method that originated in ancient China almost 3,000 years ago. It involves placing food in a pot, wok or bowl, and cooking this over a stove. But this doesn’t mean that it’s always a broth or stew. Hotpot could also be about steaming or stir-frying food. On the other hand, steamboat cooking only involves boiling and steaming.
Best hotpot places in Singapore: North
1. YUN NANS Stonepot Fish
Don’t be a fish in the well (get it?)! Make your way down to the North to give Yun Nans Stonepot Fish a go! This is the best hotpot place in Singapore to get your steamboat fix. A whole fish is placed in a granite pot, specially made in none other than Yun Nan, China. Dunked in a collagen broth, the pot cooks the entire fish evenly and keeps it warm for a longer period of time. It also extracts all the flavours from the fish, giving you a nutritious broth that’s rich in Omega-3!
The best part about this hotpot place in Singapore is how you can cook other ingredients after the fish is all ready. So get your chopsticks ready and dig into the goods at this best steamboat place in Singapore of 2023!
Address: Northpoint City, 930 Yishun Avenue 2, #01-103, S(769098)
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat – Sun: 11am – 10pm
2. Jin Li Steamboat Buffet
If you’ve heard of Vienna International Seafood & Teppanyaki Buffet, then this is one of the best steamboat spots in Singapore you should check out in 2023. With over 30 years of experience, Vienna Buffet is well-loved by generations for its variety of high-quality food offerings. So it’s no surprise that Jin Li Steamboat Buffet is on this list of best hotpot places in Singapore!
We especially love hitting up Jin Li Steamboat Buffet because of their hotpot system. There’s a mechanism that lifts up all the food from the broth, so you can easily get to all the goodies before they’re overcooked! And another one of the best things at this hotpot place in Singapore is their broth. All their soup bases are painstakingly stewed with top-quality fish maw and carefully-selected herbs. A bite of tofu and a spoonful of this nourishing soup is simply divine!
Address: Woods Square Mall, 6 Woodlands Square, B2-0405, S(737737)
Opening Hours: Daily, 10.30am – 11pm
3. Haidilao
It would be amiss to leave out Haidilao when it comes to the best hotpot places in Singapore. This is one of the best steamboat places in Singapore of 2023 that needs no introduction. Their fresh ingredients, rich soup bases and service surpasses all expectations – *chef’s kiss!*
Despite long waiting hours, Haidilao is one of the best hotpot places in Singapore that’s sure to make every minute worth it. The winter melon tea and snacks served as you wait, coupled with the fancy noodle dance, there’s nothing you can complain about here! Let’s not forget the little catchphrases you can tell the service staff to kope those freebies. Here’s a list of the catchphrases, you can thank us later:
- ”Your soup is really delicious” – free bag of soup base
- “Your snacks are really yummy” – free bag of snacks
Pro Tip: Simply let them know beforehand that it’s someone’s birthday and get ready for a surprise filled with cake and fruits!
Address: Sun Plaza, 30 Sembawang Drive, #02-0, S(757713)
Check out their other outlets here
Opening Hours: Daily, 10.30am – 6am
Best hotpot places in Singapore: South
4. Tong Xin Ru Yi
Need something to warm up your bellies after a night of drinks with your pals? Head over to one of the best steamboat places in Singapore in 2023 that’s located in Clarke Quay! Other than its late closing hours, Tong Xin Ru Yi is also known for its numerous broth options. In fact, there are up to 15 you can choose from!
We recommend going for their signature Golden Chicken Soup that’s made with kampung chicken and pumpkin. It’s sweet, subtle and easy on the stomach. Alternatively, there are spicy soups in different variations. Whether it’s marinated beef or catfish, you can bet that you’re only going to have the best mala hotpot in Singapore. Feeling adventurous? There’s also a Spicy Rabbit Soup that’s tantalising for those exotic taste buds!
Address: 6 Lorong Telok, S(049019)
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 4pm – 10.30pm
Sat – Sun: 12pm – 10.30pm
5. Uncle Fong Hotpot Restaurant
Even mala heads are going to have their spice level challenged at this best hotpot place in Singapore. Hailing from Hong Kong, Uncle Fong Hotpot Restaurant is one of the best mala steamboat spots to hit up in Singapore in 2023. And that’s thanks to their Chongqing-style options that promise a delectable spicy fare. Their signature Chongqing Soup Base is unbelievably spicy yet surprisingly tangy. But that’s what you’d get with most mala dishes.
That’s not all. Uncle Fong Hotpot Restaurant is renowned for its unique nine-grid steamboat pot. These grids help every diner recognise which areas are hotter in terms of temperature. The middle section is undoubtedly the hottest, so that’s the best for cooking your thinly-sliced meats. Meanwhile, ingredients that require lower heat and longer cooking time can be cooked in the outer grids. This foolproof method also means that there’s no longer a need to go about fishing for your lost ingredients!
Address: Great World, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #B1-108/109, S(237994)
Opening Hours: Daily, 11.30am – 10pm
6. PaoFan Paradise
You may be wondering what has paofan got to do with steamboat? We’re here to show you the magic that goes behind this beautiful marriage. Since paofan involves steeping rice into broth, Paofan Paradise has decided to let you steep the rice into a hotpot – because why not? You can take a scoop of rice and get some soup, or simply throw everything into the pot for a one pot wonder!
As another frontrunner on this list of best hotpot places in Singapore, Paofan Paradise’s speciality is definitely their broth. Stewed for at least six hours, the soup base is nothing short of decadent umami. And there is also no MSG added, so you can be assured that all that richness is coming from the ingredients. But what we absolutely love here is how regular white rice has been switched out to Paofan Paradise’s signature garlic fried rice. Take a scoop of that golden fried rice and dunk it into the soup – it’s a divine experience living out in your mouth!
Address: 107/109 Rowell Road, S(208031)
Opening Hours:
Wed – Mon: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm
Best hotpot places in Singapore: East
7. Coca
With over 60 years of experience, Coca is definitely a no-brainer when it comes to the best steamboat places in Singapore in 2023. Think authentic Thai flavours and Cantonese-style cooking. This may sound odd to you, but Coca has proven that the two are compatible!
There are seven soup bases like Tantalising Tom Yum, Double Boiled Treasure and our beloved go-to, Healthy Fresh Tomato. But while you’re there, we recommend going for the Hua Diao Phoenix. This soup base is essentially the elevated version of Double Boiled Treasure. It involves the addition of Chinese rice wine and other condiments to amp up the complexity of flavours. We suggest pairing this soup base with simpler ingredients like chicken and fishballs, to really enjoy the richness of the broth. And if you’re up for a challenge, give their Over The Top Coriander soup base a go. We’re sure it’s going to leave a lasting impression you won’t forget!
ShopeePay Deal: Choose ShopeePay as your payment method when you dine at Coca to enjoy further discounts with Shopee Coins.
Address: Kallang Leisure Park, 5 Stadium Walk, #02-01, S(397693)
Check out their other outlets here
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6 – 10.30pm
Sat – Sun: 11.30am – 10.30pm
8. Thien Kee Steamboat Restaurant
We know Golden Mile is famous for its many mookata restaurants, but that does not mean you can’t find a good hotpot restaurant there! Thien Kee is one of the best steamboat restaurants in Singapore in 2023 that’s located in Golden Mile Tower. This unassuming restaurant may look like a place that serves zi char but its food options are going to astound you.
Served a la carte, their wide range of ingredients will have you spoilt for choice. From cockles and shrimps, to sliced pork and fish maw, you can rest assured that there’s more than enough to fill your belly! But the true star here is the broth. Thien Kee takes their time to create a chicken broth that’s sweet and flavourful like no other. It’s revealed that it takes about eight hours for all the flavours from the chicken to be released in the soup. And while that’s impressive, Thien Kee takes it up a notch. They don’t just use leftover broth to make a new batch. Instead, they filter that broth to add extra umami into the new batch, making it more flavourful than the one before!
Address: Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Road, #B1-20, S(199589)
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 10pm
9. Shi Li Fang
Exceeded your budget for the month but still want some of the best hotpots in Singapore? We’ve all been there. But there’s no need to frown now that there’s Shi Li Fang! Starting from $9.90 per pax (we kid you not), it’s no wonder this is one of the best steamboat places in Singapore in 2023. Despite their wallet-friendly prices, Shi Li Fang has a wide selection of ingredients you can devour to your heart’s content. There’s Japanese Kurobuta Pork, Crab, Japanese Wagyu Beef and more! And let’s not forget about their broth options. With Tonic Chicken Soup, Nourishing Fish and a Beauty Collagen Soup that rivals those from more atas places, Shi Li Fang is definitely no lightweight.
The best part about this hotpot place in Singapore? They are ALWAYS running promotions despite their affordable prices. So keep an eye out for flyers and remember to ask the service staff! There could be 50% off certain meat items so you can really fill your bellies to the brim. Score some free plush toys if you visit them often enough – no compromise here!
Address: Eastpoint Mall, 3 Simei Street 6, #02-04, S(528833)
Check out their other outlets here
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 10pm
Best hotpot places in Singapore: West
10. Qi Xiang Hotpot
Free bubble tea and one of the best hotpots in Singapore? Sign us up! Known for their claypot chicken steamboat, Qi Xiang Hotpot is one of the best places to get the heartiest meals in Singapore in 2023. Their Signature Broth Soup is where you’ll get to savour the sweet and robust flavours of their claypot chicken. You can also choose from three spice levels for an extra kick. And if you need to give your palate a break, go for their Pumpkin Soup or Sour Vegetable Soup which are a lot lighter.
With over 90 items on their menu, you’ll be spoiled for choice. And Qi Xiang Hotpot doesn’t stop there. They even offer to peel the prawns if you don’t want to get your hands dirty. You can try rewarding them for the awesome service by singing the chorus of G.E.M’s 泡沫, but they’ll give you free bubble tea, so there’s really no end to their fantastic service! Not up for the challenge? Just sabo one of your cousins to sing and score free bubble tea for everyone over reunion dinner!
ShopeePay Deal: Choose ShopeePay as your payment method when you dine at Qi Xiang to enjoy Tom Yum or Laksa Soup Base at just $1!
Address: THE CHEVRONS, 48 Boon Lay Way, #03-06, S(609961)
Opening Hours:
Mon – Thur: 11am – 3pm, 4pm – 1am
Fri – Sat: 11am – 3am
Sun: 11am – 1am
11. Beauty In The Pot
Helmed by a restaurant company that’s behind Paradise Dynasty, Canton Paradise and more, you can bet that this is definitely one of the best steamboat places in Singapore in 2023. Beauty In The Pot emphasises on food for health. And with that, they’ve come up with broths that are delicious and nourishing. Specifically known for their Beauty Collagen Soup, this must-have is creamy and rich in luscious flavours. The pork bone broth has simmered for hours on end with Chinese herbs like ginsengs, wolfberries and more. Definitely worth every penny spent here.
Other than that, Beauty In The Pot is also well-loved for their platters. Their meat and seafood platters range from simple to luxurious. Their Specialty Meat Platter includes US Kurobuta Pork and US Marbled Beef Cubes, while their Boston Lobster Seafood Platter contains Hokkaido Fresh Scallops. These are perfect for those Chinese New Year reunion dinners since all the options are already chosen for you. But we recommend mixing things up just to keep your wallet healthy, but we’re not really going to stop you from spoiling yourself!
Address: Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green, #02-24, S(138617)
Check out their other outlets here
Opening Hours: Daily, 11.30am – 3am
12. Upin Hot Pot
Steamboat and live entertainment? Well, that’s something rather unheard of. But Upin Hot Pot is here to prove otherwise! Get ready to be impressed by their 变脸 performance, a traditional Chinese art form popular in Sichuan operas. Dig into your meal as you watch the performer quickly change faces as they dance along with dramatic music. We’re not kidding when we say “quick”, so try not to blink!
Upin Hot Pot is also known to be one of the best steamboat places in Singapore in 2023 due to their unique food options. There’s a Black Chicken Soup that’s prepared over 24 hours and a pig offal platter that’s perfect for those with an exotic palate. We’re talking about kidneys, liver, tripe and even pig brain! So buckle up as you’ll definitely be in for a treat at this best hotpot place in Singapore.
Address: West Coast Plaza, 154 West Coast Road, #01-02, S(127371)
Check out their other outlets here
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 12am
Best hotpot places in Singapore: Central
13. King’s Laksa Steamboat
We’ve all had laksa soup with our yong tau foo, but have you ever had it for steamboat? King’s Laksa Steamboat is one of the best hotpot places in Singapore to get your laksa fix. The yummy broth has a fragrance that wafts through the air, making anyone who smells it drool with envy. The laksa soup base has also been spiced perfectly. Additionally, the broth isn’t too jelak, so you can always down bowls of soup without feeling overwhelmed.
Other buffet options at King’s Laksa Steamboat include free-flow drinks. But let’s not forget the cooked food options. There’s har cheong gai (prawn paste chicken) and fried mantous too. While the prawn paste chicken is decadent and tasty, the mantous are definitely the highlight. After all, we wouldn’t want to waste any drop of that laksa broth. So get all the mantous you need to dip into that delectable coconutty broth for the ultimate pairing!
Address: 17 Teck Chye Terrace, S(545724)
Opening Hours: Wed – Mon, 12pm – 11pm
14. FuFu Pot
Hate sharing food? We hear you. FuFu Pot is where you get an individual steamboat all to yourself! As another one of the best steamboat places in Singapore in 2023, FuFu Pot is where you can try all the different soup options when you dine with your loved ones. There’s Stinky Tofu, White Curry and even Korean Army Stew! The marinated stinky tofu is one to be reckoned with. The earthy flavours really come through, but it’s not overpowering. So fret not and dig into the robust tofu flavours that are inspired by classic China street food!
What we love about FuFu Pot is how each steamboat is served with ingredients that have been carefully chosen. And that’s because each ingredient is meant to complement the soup broth perfectly. But if you’re feeling particularly hungry, there are meat, seafood and other options you can add to your meal. End your meal with their deep-fried Liu Sha Bao (salted egg custard bun) that’s oozing with sweet and savoury custard, or their cooling Aiyu Jelly dessert!
Address: Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, #06-07, S(238839)
Opening Hours:
Sun – Thur: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri – Sat: 11am – 11pm
15. Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant
Feel like splurging at one of the best steamboat restaurants in Singapore for your CNY reunion dinner in 2023? Visit Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant where your senses will be filled with luxurious offerings! With premium ingredients and service that you’d expect at a fine-dining restaurant, this is the best hotpot place in Singapore for that atas experience.
The special broth for the hotpot is Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant’s pride and glory. It is made from scratch everyday and simmered for hours to achieve a perfect harmony of flavours. For one, their Ginseng Chicken Soup does is rich, herby and creamy without being jelak. The ginseng aftertaste will have you feeling healthy and craving for another mouth! They’re also known for having one of the best mala hotpots in Singapore. So don’t forget to try their Sichuan Spicy Soup that leaves your taste buds tingling with delight. Don’t skip on the handmade meatballs either – they’re not just flavourful but also extremely QQ in texture. And if you’re spoiled by all the exquisite choices, go for their set menus that come with the soup, meats, noodles and a lot more!
Address: ION Orchard, Orchard Turn, #04-12A, S(238801)
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Warm your bellies at the best hotpot places in Singapore
Now that you know these best hotpot places in Singapore, it’s time to bring your kakis out for a hearty meal. But if you’re not feeling up to dining out at some of the best steamboat restaurants in Singapore in 2023, get these best steamboat pots and host your next gathering. Remember to also stock up on these best pineapple tarts and best love letters that’ll surely wow your guests!
