Popular Chinese hotpot restaurant Hai Di Lao 海底捞 has opened another outlet at Orchard Road after 313@Somerset, this time at Plaza Singapura, Level 4.
This is the 6th branch in Singapore (the 2nd in town) after outlets at Clarke Quay, 313@Somerset, IMM, Vivocity and Bedok Mall.
So the good news, it opens up to 6am daily, and (I get the important information out first) the reservation numbers are 6250 0330 and 6250 0990.
Founded in 1994, Hai Di Lao is a Sichuan style hot pot restaurant, integrating features of hot pots from various regions.
Its strategy was to change the standardised Chinese restaurant model, to provide innovative and personalised services.
Even while the wait to get a table can be long, diners can ‘entertained’ with free manicures, food such as popcorn, watermelon slices and drinks, and games.
For the Plaza Singapura branch, I was given keropok (crackers) while waiting.
I also noticed a massage chair and photo booth where customers would be given a one-photo print-out.
I liked the ambience of this branch.
The vibes were energetic, staff extremely friendly (as usual) and getting a window seat meant you could people-watch the shoppers at Orchard Road just outside.
Hai Di Lao has possibly undergone a brand-revamp, and therefore the décor, logo and uniform look more contemporary and clean.
Service was almost faultless. Staff pass you an apron, provide a plastic cover for your phone, cover your (expensive) bag, ask if you are thirsty and pour you drinks, pass you fruits, call shuai ge (handsome) and mei nv (beautiful) even before the meal starts.
I wonder how their training manual is like.
(By the way, service staff can’t always call customers <”Shuai ge, mei nv”. In a food court, you think they are patronising; in a café I think people will just roll their eyes.)
If you like variety, I would recommend a Quadruple Pot, where you can choose 4 soup bases from Tomato, Spicy Sichuan, Mushroom, Chicken, Seafood, Sichuan Pickles, and Three-Delicacy Hotpot.
I previously had Laksa soup base at Vivocity and loved it, especially when paired with noodles and vegetables. Somehow, the current version was diluted and lacked the laska essence… so our table didn’t like it.
The tomato soup base, with a slight acquired taste, remained as our favourite.
The hand-pulled noodles remains as one of its highlight. Typically with 2-3 staff trained at each outlet, they are dedicated specifically to perform theatrics while preparing the noodles.
Sauces are at an additional $4 per pax. But this made a lot of difference, taste wise.
Everyone would have their own little ‘strange’ concoction. Mine was roasted peanut with HDL chilli sauce and sesame sauce (hahaha).
If not, you can ask the server to mix you a special “Hai Di Lao Jiang”.
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
313 Somerset
313 Orchard Road #04-23/24 Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6835 7227
+65 6835 7337
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
Other Related Entries
5 Best Steamboat aka Hotpot Restaurants In Singapore
Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant (Great World City)
Hai Di Lao 海底捞火锅 (313@Somerset)
Da Miao Hot Pot (Clarke Quay)
Beauty In The Pot (The Centrepoint)
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