Haidilao – The Best Hotpot in Singapore
If you have read my blog until now, you would know that I haven’t ever reviewed any restaurant. Simply because I don’t see any really great restaurant that is worth a review. Unless I’m paid to do so. Nevertheless, on my latest trip to Singapore at the beginning of 2019, I had a chance to have dinner at Haidilao, a truly awesome restaurant that brings outstanding experience to its customers. And that brings me to the thought of introducing this restaurant to everyone.
But First, Let’s Talk About Haidilao
I literally had no idea about Haidilao in the beginning, until my friend continuously mentioned the restaurant in our plan to travel around Singapore. I then kept forgetting about it. Honestly, I just really remember the restaurant after I experienced it. And from that time, Haidilao has a solid position in my mind, which forces me to research more about it.
So the restaurant built its first brick in 1994. Up to now, Haidilao has a chain with over 300 stores directly managed in 100 cities, making it the top hotpot empire in the world! You can now easily find the restaurant in Singapore, China, Australia, the United States, Hongkong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
How Was My Awesome Experience!?
Actually, I went to Haidilao, in Vivo City, once before, right when I arrived in Singapore after leaving Batam on my 5-day trip. The restaurant was full of its consumers so I had to leave, or wait about 40 minutes. At the moment, I really didn’t know if that restaurant was worth my waiting, as that situation never happened in my country. Therefore, I chose option 1, with the thought that the restaurant is as normal as others.
I then one more time got to Haidilao. This time it was in Somerset after I came back to Singapore from Cameron Highlands. As my friend kept mentioning the restaurant, we decided to go there for our last dinner in Singapore. For the second time, Haidilao restaurant has amazed me with its perfect food and services.
The Best Care from The Entrance
My excitement started right after I entered the restaurant’s area. At the entrance, Haidilao had a bar with a lot of different drinks to serve customers who were waiting for their turns. There was even a nail salon for the ladies. My friend told me that they used all the premium nail-care products. After we were taken to our table, a waitress brought us a warm face towel right after we sat down on the soft sofa. Then she asked to bring us some drinks. We had choices between barley, jujube, or their special tea. As my expectation, the drinks and a dish of fruit are brought to us immediately to enjoy before the main meal. Additionally, the restaurant had our aprons and even phone cases to protect our phones.
The Best Meal from the Haidilao Menu
The Soup Bases
Talking about a hotpot, perhaps I should mention the soup base initially. At Haidilao, they have different soup bases for customers to choose including the Tomato, the Sichuan Spicy with dried chili and green pepper, the Butter Spicy with butter, Maowen native red pepper, and Guizhou pepper, the Mushroom with a lot of mushrooms, of course, and the Three Delicacy with fresh meat concentrated bone and the milky white soup.
The special is, you can order up to 4 different kinds within 1 pot. In other words, you can enjoy almost all Haidilao soup bases in just one time visiting the restaurant. That’s awesome, tho!? For the first time, my friend ordered us the Tomato and the Three Delicacy. It was her favorite, then my preference, too.
The Dishes
I will leave the meat part for you to explore. Honestly, I forgot what I had exactly ordered at that time. Perhaps a bit of this pork, and that beef, and some vegetables. Anyways, what’s clearly stored in my memory is the mixed meat between prawn and pork, and the well-known Haidilao noodle dance. When ordered, a waiter did a performance at our table. What could be better than enjoying a hotpot while watching a noodle dance, and then eating that noodle? Believe me, it’s the best thing you don’t want to miss out at the restaurant. Furthermore, the noodle is a must-have part to fulfill the excellence of the hotpot.
The Dipping Sauces
A meal couldn’t be complete without a good sauce, or a hotpot. At Haidilao, customers will have a counter with about thirty kinds of condiments to create their own dip. Those condiments include:
- Korean Style Chilli Sauce
- Chilli Oil
- Crushed Peanut
- Preserved Pickles
- Beef Sauce
- Sesame Oil
- Crispy Soy Beans
- Special Chilli Sauce
- Pepper
- Chives
- Soy Bean Sauce
- Minced Beef
- Oyster Sauce
- Sesame Sauce
- Seafood Sauce
- BBQ Sauce
- Chinese Chives Sauce
- Thai Chilli
- Chopped Garlic
- Mushroom Sauce
- Coriander
- Chopped Celery
- Fermented Bean Curd Sauce
- Vinegar
- Dark Soy Sauce
- etc.
Of course, I made a lot of different dips. Later on, I just went with my top favorite. The counter also has fruits such as cherry tomato, watermelon, and honeydew. Moreover, there is the Lao Ban-style Soya Beancurd served at the restaurant. You shouldn’t forget that really great dessert.
The Best After Service
Haidilao surely knows how to impress its customers. The story was:
“I was leaving the restaurant with my mind full of the special tea flavor that they brought to me. I then approached a woman standing at the bar at the entrance, asking her if I could take home a glass of that tea. She told me to wait a minute and brought me two glasses of tea they just made”.
I heard that you can even ask the restaurant for a souvenir, or soup base. There was also a freezer with a lot of ice cream inside. I’m sure you will have a happy day! My friend took us 2 small boxes.
Finally, The ‘Best’ Bill!
I just mean the dinner cost us quite a lot of money. I won’t list it specifically here. Generally, it was over $100 SGD for two. Usually, I don’t spend this much on dinner. However, not only the best food I have eaten but the best service I have ever experienced, it was worth every penny spent.
Anyway, don’t forget to watch the iconic Haidilao noodle dance, and bring home a cold ice cream to sweeten your day!
IF YOU LOVE THIS HAIDILAO HOTPOT REVIEW, ‘PIN IT’ NOW!
Khoi Nguyen
Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.
33 Comments
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Khoi Nguyen
You’re welcome! And make sure to check this restaurant at least once. You will definitely love it 😉
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Amber
I need to get here! I hadn’t heard of Haidilao before today. The food looks delicious and it sounds like a great time.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yes this definitely a place for hotpot that you need to go. Perhaps you want to search more to see how’s Haidilao best service
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GiGi Eats Celebrities
I need to pop my HOT POT cherry! I have NEVER had it before and I am really unsure as to why!
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Khoi Nguyen
Go to Haidilao for your hotpot, otherwise you will regret for not giving a try 😉
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Tara Pittman (@momknowsbest15)
This looks like a fun dining experience. I love that they cook the food at the table.
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Joanna
Sounds like an interesting restaurant. I have never tried this type of hotpot before and I am intrigued, especially because of the soups. I have tried hotpot in China but it was a totally different concept.
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Khoi Nguyen
So you definitely should go to Haidilao. I believe it will make you think about hotpot again
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Mavs Escala
We are planning to visit Singapore soon and I will definitely consider this one.
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Khoi Nguyen
I’m sure you will love it. Don’t forget this one!
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Alexandra Cook
I’ve never been to Singapore so I’ve never heard of this place. However, I sure wish I were closer to it because, wow, it looks good.
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Amy-Lynn Denham (@amylynnwriting)
LOL I love the bit about the bill. Like Alexandra above me, I have never been to singapore and I’m not sure if I’ll ever make it but this certainly looks like a good experience.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yasss! This definitely an experience in Singapore that you have to try 😀
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monidipa51
I’m going to singapore for work reasons on 22nd of this month. Will check out this restaurant. Good review.
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Khoi Nguyen
Thank you! I’m sure you will love this restaurant and come back many times while you’re in Singapore 😉
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Anagha
I like restaurants which give warm welcome from the entrance itself. Those dishes look nice. I will check them out during my tour .
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Khoi Nguyen
You should visit this restaurant. I’m sure you will be amazed by Haidilao’s services!
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Candace Hampton
Great post!! Everything looks so yummy. I like that the restaurant is willing to give away souvenirs. Can’t wait to visit Singapore.
Candace Hampton
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Khoi Nguyen
Enjoy your trip in Singapore, and don’t forget to visit this restaurant 😉
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blair villanueva
This is a perfect comfort food during rainy season! OH boy now I want it 😀
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蚂蚁乐居
真心不错，不得不支持一下先！
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Khoi Nguyen
Thanks for your comment! 🙂
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mjvllc
I love a good cup of tea, hot or cold! That looks wonderful!
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Khoi Nguyen
yeah it was. A good drink to try at the restaurant
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Swathi
Heard lot about hot pot never had a chance to eat an authentic hot pot. your review is great. When I visit Singapore I will try this.
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Khoi Nguyen
Yes that definitely your best decision. I believe Haidilao will amaze you!
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bmcharnley
Ooooooooh i love Hot Pot! I bet this one is so amazing! Thanks for sharing
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Khoi Nguyen
This definitely the top, you must enjoy it!
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Alicia
I have always wanted to visit Singapore, but have not had the opportunity to yet. This sounds like a great place to visit though if/when I do!
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Khoi Nguyen
Yes it truly is, you should visit this way right when you are in Singapore!
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Tom Lim
Love the review!
Happy makan everyone!
Tom & Kate,
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Khoi Nguyen
Thanks for your comment!
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Krysten (@WeirdGirlBlog)
Mmm that looks yummy! I would love the opportunity to check that out sometime. Thanks for sharing!