Hai Di Lao - Mala Steamboat
Finally, we were here to try the Famous Hai Di Lao which had created a lot of hype recently. Hearing so much good review about this place, especially on their service and free manicure provided during your waiting time, makes me wanted to visit this place more. But Hai Di Lao do not accept reservation after 6pm, which is quite impossible for me to go before 6pm.
Thanks to Lynette who went there to chop the slot for us at 7pm, despite reaching at 6 plus and placed reservation for 7pm, there is a long queue ahead of her. We finally got our seat around 8.30pm. It's a long wait despite it was a weekday night. The business is brisking good.
Forget about the free manicure as there is only one manicurist serving the large crowd. At the waiting area, there is free snacks, drinks and fruits provided. The pop corn is really nice, we had quite a few serving of the pop corn. By the time, we got our seat we were quite overdosed with the pop corn.
The free snacks provided during the wait, unlimited top up...
While we are waiting, we browse the menu and was shocked to see this....
If you think the queue is so freaking long because the restaurant is small, you are wrong..cause the restaurant is huge. This is only part of the restaurant. (Sorry for the blur photo)
We had chosen the black chicken and Mala broth...the broth is really GOOD!!! Seldom, when I eat Mala pot I can drink the broth as they are either too spicy or too salty. The Mala soup here is just right..yumz..definitely one of the best Mala Soup in Singapore. ($20)
Unlike other steamboat eatery, Hai Di Lao charges $4 per pax for sauces. It include fruits, peanuts and pickles as well. The fruits is the same as what we ate outside at the waiting area which is free there.
All Patrons of Hai Di Lao are provided with an apron to keep your clothes clean. They also provide bands for ladies to tie their hair, zip lock bag for handphone and spectacle cloth for those who are wearing glasses.
Dumpling ($8), the dumpling was in a very cute shape and it taste good..
Chinese Cabbage $4
Black Pork $12 & Sliced Fish $12
Assorted Meat Paste $22
US Beef Slice $18...I prefer the black pork more...
Crispy Meat $10
Mushroom platter
Fish ball $8
Dan Dan Mian $4 ...the dan dan mian is delicious the peanut and chili oil is very fragrant
Hot & Spicy Rice Noodle ($4), it was average
Fried Rice $6 , it was average as well
Handmade noodle $3 per strand (1 strand equals to one small bowl) , it was really "handmade noodle" the Shifu will come to your table and perform his "La Mian" skill, while performing he would also pretend to hit you with his noodle....very interactive. Thou the noodle is nothing special that taste like our normal ban mian but $3 for this entertaining act ...I think is well worth it!
Overall: I think Hai Di Lau service is really remarkable. It really set a new standard for the local restaurant service standard. The waitress is very attentive, our drinks is constantly fill up. The waitor and waitress is very efficient despite the restaurant being very busy. I would really like to come back again but the long queue is making me think twice & thrice. Hopefully, they will start accepting reservation soon.
Total Damage for 6 : $237.75
Rating : 4.5/ 5
Hai Di Lao
Add: 3D River Valley Road #02-02 Clarke Quay S(179023)
Tel : 63378626
(They operate till 3am)
