The hottest hotpot and steamboat restaurants to check out in Singapore

Wang Lu Hot Pot has been around for a while, but it’s still a crowd favourite — thanks in part to its wallet-friendly promos, especially if you’ve got the right credit or debit cards. Think irresistible 1-for-1 sets featuring premium cuts like Wagyu beef. Affordable doesn’t mean compromising on quality either: the meats are fresh, the soup bases are varied, and the complimentary condiments bar lets you customise your dip just the way you like it. The cherry on top? Everyone gets their own individual hot pot bowl, so you can dip, cook, and savour your meal without having to share.

Wang Lu Hot Pot is located at multiple locations, including One Raffles Place, Causeway Point, Guoco Tower, Jurong Point and Sengkang Grand Mall 

If you’re a fan of tomato broth, this hotpot spot will be right up your alley. Famous for its rich, tangy tomato base, it’s the reason customers keep coming back for more. But that’s not all. Their handmade shrimp paste has also won over countless Singaporean diners, making it one of the most talked-about highlights here. With a wide variety of fresh ingredients and side dishes to pick from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The best part? It’s a lot more affordable than the bigger hotpot chains, so you can indulge in a hearty, flavour-packed meal (and even go for seconds) without breaking the bank.

Xiaoyanzi Tomato Hot Pot is at Clarke Quay Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen St, #03-87

Coming straight from Chengdu, Shu Da Xia hotpot restaurant is one of China’s Top 10 restaurants with over 600 outlets open worldwide. With their first outlet in Singapore open in Tampines 1, their mala is sure to bring you a refreshing, numbing flavour that has you craving for more with every bite you take.

The place offers Singe pots ($22++) duo pots ($20++), and trio pots ($18++). With their signature mala broth, this place brings you the rich umami flavour and tongue-tingling numbess that is unique to Sichuan cuisine. If you’re looking for milder options, they also offer a creamy Matsutake Chicken broth, a spiced Dang Gui Pork Bone broth, and several other soup options as well. They also have an extensive menu of unique dishes, such as Mala Chicken Gizzards ($8++) and Marinated Pork Ribs (from $8++) infused with their signature seasoning, striking the perfect balance of spice and tenderness, bursting with flavour in every bite. Not to mention their condiments bar, stocked with classic sauce essentials like spring onions and chilli padi, along with unique additions such as fermented tofu and crispy golden soybeans to customize your experience.  

Shu Da Xia Hotpot is at 10 Tampines Central 1, #03-16A, Singapore 529536

Hong Kong’s popular hot pot chain Uncle Fong, which has seen famous patrons like Hong Kong celebs Carina Lau, Julian Cheung and Stanley Kwan, has an 80-seater space at Great World that opened in April just last year. Fun fact: Uncle Fong’s founder is Fong Chi Chung, who’s also the man behind the Michelin-starred Putien.

The chain is best known for its authentic Chongqing-style soup base, simmered with premium spices and condiments like Chongqing Shizhuhong chilli, Sichuan Hanyuan pepper, beef tallow, Sichuan Pixian bean paste and Yunnan yellow ginger. Interestingly, the pot is also divided into nine sections, creating different heat zones for different ingredients.

Not great at stomaching spice? You can go for the Pork Bone, Tomato, Fungus & Mushroom, Coriander, and Preserved Egg broths. There’s also the light and mildly sweet Fruit and Vegetable Soup, specially created with Singapore’s humid climate in mind. Soups are charged per person ($7++ per pax), and up to $28++ per pot.

Apart from meat, seafood and vegetables, you can look forward to ingredients like hand-beaten prawn paste, coral mussels, Putien soft tofu, dried gong choi and sliced celtuce, alongside seasonal offerings like razor clams.

Uncle Fong is at #B1-108/109 Great World, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994

Nestled within Chinatown is Tianfang Pavilion Chaoshan Hotpot, opened by chef Fu, who’s from Northern China.

Your hotpot experience starts with choosing between five soup bases – the Signature Oxtail Soup ($20++) and Mushroom Soup  ($16++) are recommended, both of which take over 10 hours to prepare. Emphasis is placed on the beef cuts, and beef lovers can look forward to sampling a variety of cuts, from Japanese sirloin and beef flank, to Australian beef tenderloin, beef chuck and shank. There are also juicy hand-pounded Teochew beef meatballs that are available in limited quantities daily. Other dunking options include black pork meat, pork belly and lamb.

Hotpot aside, the restaurant serves up other Chaoshan specialties like Lobster Sashimi ($268++), Double-eating Squirrel Fish($46++), and Dry-fried Green Beans with Minced Pork and Preserved Vegetables ($12++).

For private parties, book the two private rooms that come with KTV so you can belt out your favourite tunes while diving in.

Tianfang Pavilion Chaoshan Hotpot is at 269 / 271 New Bridge Road, Singapore 088747

Hidden in a quiet, cozy spot atop a shabby rooftop at People’s Park Complex, Tiantai Hotpot truly is a hidden modern gem nestled within a seemingly empty area. Compared to usual hotpot chain restaurants, this place is made of concrete walls and bamboo chairs, embracing a utilitarian concept instead of an elegant, contemporary style.

Offering affordable prices with no service charge (yes — you heard that right!), you can opt for the Individual Hotpot or the Yin Yang Hotpot ($12) with three classic different flavours to choose from, Spicy Red Oil, Mushroom and Tomato. These flavours are unique to Chongqing, and their menu also includes specialty dishes under the “Chongqing Must-Try” section, such as Premium Thousand Layer Tripe ($9) and House Marinated Pork Intestines ($9). Not only do they offer reasonably-priced dishes, their Brown Sugar Ice Jelly is also priced at simply $1! Refreshing and light, it’s the perfect dessert to cleanse your palate and finish your meal after indulging in the rich, flavourful hotpot.

Tiantai Hotpot is at 1 Park Road, #06-01/02, People’s Park Complex, Singapore 059108

Additional reporting by Mandy Tan