Popular China hotpot chain opens 1st abroad outlet in SG, serves addictive mushroom soup & bubble tea

I’ve by no means personally had the will to have hotpot alone however apparently, it’s big in China. One of the main Chinese hotpot eating places that gives this solitary eating expertise is Xiabu Xiabu. After opening over 1,000 (!) retailers throughout China, they’ve taken their model worldwide to the comparatively dependable shores of Singapore.

This trailblazing restaurant is situated very conveniently on the bottom ground of the Lazada One constructing on Bras Basah Road. There is each indoor and outside eating however the open-air part was receiving the ultimate touches after I visited final week.

Decor-wise, it’s neat and tidy. Comparisons to Haidilao got here to my thoughts after I entered; Xiabu Xiabu is brilliant and informal whereas Haidilao sports activities softer lighting and is extra intimate.

What I attempted at Xiabu Xiabu

One of the primary issues I observed on the different tables was that Xiabu Xiabu’s round pots have a 2-in-1 design. This is as a result of, it doesn’t matter what soup base you order, they can even offer you their signature Mushroom Soup.  

I contemplate myself the hotpot queen— okay, simply princess— and I had by no means had a soup base pressured upon me. Just the thought instantly made me sceptical. Extra soup? Why, I by no means!

For the principle soup base, I ordered my favorite: Tomato Soup Base. My eating accomplice requested for Golden Sauerkraut Soup Base. Noob.

A full set comes with the default mini soup base, the soup base you choose, a big vegetable platter (however we noticed some beef balls and mussels), your selection of protein set, condiments, dessert and a normal drink (selection of both Da Hong Pao Tea or Aged Pu Er Tea). Note, they solely serve chilly teas, no fizzy comfortable drinks.

Our orders arrived and I glanced suspiciously on the brown mushroom one. All my reservations crumbled as quickly as I took a sip. It’s virtually embarrassing to confess however the concoction was tremendous!

This great base is comprised of stir-fried King Trumpet mushrooms, Straw mushrooms and Blaze mushrooms, amongst others.

Can you think about how good the mushroom base really is? It overcame the damaging psychological bias I had after which went on to utterly blow me away. Even the Golden Sauerkraut base turned out to be wonderful.

Xiabu Xiabu will get its bases 80% heading in the right direction. Minus 20% because the Tomato soup base turned out to be barely diluted by way of flavour (I desire mine to be tremendous wealthy).

For meat, I ordered the Popular Beef Set (S$28). There are 3 selections right here: 100g of USDA Choice Shortplate, 140g of Australian Oyster Blade or 140g of Australian Beef Thin Flank.

I used to be delighted with my collection of the USDA Choice Shortplate. The meat was fantastically tender and filled with flavour.

My eating accomplice requested for the Signature Chicken Set (S$28) that’s 200g of boneless rooster drumstick. I frowned at his too-basic selection however after I tried the rooster, I used to be shocked to seek out that it was particularly good.

Wow, this Xiabu-squared was actually subverting my expectations right here.

Noodle followers, you’ll be thrilled to know that there’s a collection of noodles included as a part of your set meal. Pick from Spinach Noodles, Carrot Noodles, Udon, Bean Vermicelli and Instant Noodle. It’s limitless… so go loopy!

One factor that didn’t change was my apathy for bubble tea. From what I might inform from the opposite diners, these drinks are greater than high-quality. Me, I desire the texture of ice-cold fizz on my tongue between gulps of sizzling soup any day of the week.

I obtained a semblance of that from the dessert machine. It’s virtually a model of ice kacang, with shaved ice (you grind it your self!) all of the syrups and condiments you want, in addition to little jelly items.

The gem of the dessert is the chewy raisins, although. Those little fellows are divine!

Final ideas

Xiabu Xiabu is coming into a Singapore hotpot market that’s somewhat crowded. I don’t see its one-person hotpot choices seeing spectacular response. However, it does many issues proper, too. Chief amongst them is the Mushroom soup base— I’m a believer!

My solely gripe with this place is that the collection of condiments is barely underwhelming (there’s no chilli paste to be discovered, and a few my different favourites). Hopefully they’d have added extra by my subsequent go to!

Expected harm: S$28 – S$40 per pax

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