We understand the allure of hot soups when the night sets in so here are five hot pot hot spots that open past midnight.
The Central Mall, 6 Eu Tong Sen St, #03-87
Opening hours: 11am to 3am, daily.
Conveniently located in The Central Mall at Clarke Quay, Upin is the go-to after a long night out at the bars across the river. They close at 3am everyday so they’ve got you covered when you’re craving something hot, spicy and soupy in the middle of the night. Opened by the folks who were once a part of the Hai Di Lao team, Upin is on the lower end of the price scale - their beef is a real steal - however, they don’t serve their dishes in half portions; so it’s best to pay them a visit in a large group so you’re able to try more dishes. Free-flow drinks can be ordered for $3 a head and access to sauces, seasonings and fruit, $4 a head.
3D River Valley Road, #02-04, Clarke Quay
Opening hours: 10.30am to 6am, daily.
Here’s a heavyweight in the world of hot pot hot spots in Singapore. The waiting time for a table at Hai Di Lao can range anywhere from half an hour to two hours. And people wait. Why? Hai Di Lao changed the concept of restaurant service when they announced that the guests that are waiting their turn at their restaurants will be given free flow drinks, ice cream, popcorn and manicures. Yes, you can get your nails done at Hai Di Lao. But if you want to beat the crowd, head down after dinner. They've got your best late-night interests at heart with all their outlets (Clarke Quay, VivoCity and 313@Somerset) calling it a day only at 6am.
Hao Lai Wu (好来屋)
8 Sago Street
Opening hours: 11am to 3am, daily.
What stands out at Hao Lai Wu is the very pot of which they use. While other hot pot restaurants opt for a metal pot placed on hot flames or a pot built into the tables, Hao Lai Wu's makes use of clear crystal pots that turn a bright red when it's being cooked in. Contrary to popular belief, the reason for adopting these pots isn't one for mere aesthetics. These crystal pots are children-friendly as they do not scald lingering fingers and limbs. Parents can eat here with a peace of mind.
Beauty in The Pot 美滋锅
The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road, #05-15/16
Opening hours: 11.30am to 6am, daily.
Another hot pot heavyweight is Beauty in the Pot, which is so named for its signature collagen-rich soups that promises to restore the skin's elasticity among other things. Like Hai Di Lao, Beauty in the Pot stays open until late. Diners can rock up at 3am and still expect full service and food. The Beauty Collagen broth is one of their signatures and is prepared by slowly simmering the cartilage of sharks until it achieves a lusciously creamy consistency and colour. A single pot of the soup goes for $26 and when paired with a soup of a different flavour, $14. The herbal drunken chicken soup is another key favourite ($22, $12). And if you can't make it down to Orchard for your hot pot fix, there's also OneKM at Tanjong Katong.
Da Miao Hotpot
The Cannery, 3C River Valley Road, #01-11
Opening hours: 11.30am to 4am, daily.
They're relatively late to the hot pot game but Da Miao is a force to be reckoned with. Hailing from Sichuan, Chengdu, where mala (translates to numbingly spicy in English) is a staple in their cuisine, Da Miao serves a mean mala soup. The usual hot pot suspects make an appearance on the menu but if you're feeling adventurous, their selection of offal - pig's trachea ($16) and fresh tripe ($16) - is worth a shot. And already making waves since they opened several months back is their deep-fried mantou paired with condensed milk; a true post-drinks delicacy.
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