The Place Located at Suntec City’s Japanese haven Eat at Seven, Ding Xian Hot Pot is amongst the latest steamboat restaurant to open in Singapore. Despite opening within the Japanese enclave, perhaps the only Japanese influence here is its Blazing Magma Soup option, which is a Japanese Spicy White Miso soup base.

Taking over the space of the now-defunct Nigiro Café, Ding Xian Hot Pot is a casual dining concept, which dishes out ala carte steamboat orders all-day and set lunches during weekday afternoons.

The Food Catering to a varied crowd, the soup bases here gives each diner a unique choice depending on your craving for the day. The most popular of which seems likely to be the Blazing Magma Soup (S$6 each), which is a Japanese Spicy White Miso Soup. Other selections include Sichuan Spicy Mala Soup, Tom Yam Soup and Clear Soup. That said, I will strongly encourage you to go for the Herbal Bak Kut Teh Soup. Boiled for hours with traditional Chinese herbs, the Klang-style herbal dark broth soup base makes a perfect soup base for an enjoyable steamboat meal.

What’s hotpot without making your own sauces? The sauces here are complimentary for diners, which is so rare these days.

What’s surprising about Ding Xian Hot Pot is that the meats are served fresh, instead of frozen – unlike the popular Hai Di Lao chain. We went for Iberico Pork Collar (S$5), Wagyu Beef Short Rib (S$12.90), and Ox Tongue (S$9) selections. All three plates of meats are very fresh, and at 8 slices each per portion, the pork collar and ox tongue are quite a steal!

Do avoid the Kampong Chicken Breast (S$3), and despite its affordable price tag, I find the flavour a rather bland option for steamboat. The Meat Ball Platter (S$14.80) is not on point as well, with some of the meat balls seemingly like frozen factory-made selections, not my favourite. If you are a fan of seafood, you will be glad to know that Ding Xian offers premium selections such as the Snow Crab Leg (S$17.80).

Other usual steamboat selections including Taro Thread (S$3), Lettuce (S$2) and Tang-O (S$3) are also available at relatively low pricing. The Ring Roll (S$3) is available here too, the fried beancurd skin made popular by Beauty in The Pot. A unique item here is their Collagen Ball (S$2), which you can drop into the soup base, giving a denser flavour to the soup, and of course the usual health benefits usually associated with collagen.

While waiting for your soup to boil, you can order some of the cooked food selections here too. Both the Healthy Drunken Chicken (S$6.80) and Seasonal Fiery Mala Fish (S$10.80) are on point. In fact, do not be worried about the Fiery Mala Fish, which is not that spicy to start. The Mala spices make the fish a whole lot more appetising.

Rants I would not have mind if Ding Xian takes on a more Japanese focus considering its location within Eat at Seven.

Will I Return Again? The affordable price point here is definitely a good reason to be back. With a rather satisfying soup base options coupled with noteworthy sliced meats, Ding Xian is worth considering for a casual meal if you happen to be in Suntec City.

This was an invited tasting, though all opinions expressed are our own.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 3/5
Ambience: 3/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Ding Xian Hotpot
3 Temasek Boulevard #03-315
Suntec City Mall
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6266 5338

Opening Hours
Daily: 11.30am to 3pm; 5.30pm to 10pm

Ranted by The Rantee