Shi Li Fang (Tiong Bahru Plaza)

I love pot. Like seriously, pot is hot. And hot pot is great especially on a rainy day like today. For legal reasons that’s a joke.⠀
⠀
I’ve taken to calling Shi Li Fang budget hai di lao, but perhaps I judged it a little too harshly. Sure, the meat ain’t topnotch, but it’s decently affordable, and they hit the spot real good. Veg is also pleasantly fresh, so you can feel somewhat less guilty. And finally, the soup bases, especially the chicken collagen one, are superbly sapid. ⠀
⠀
Yes, I know the soup base is an MSG bomb, but say it with me kids: we’re here for a good time, not a long time!

People call this the cheap mans HDL but tbh I don’t get the hype. Food is subpar, soup bases are chock full of MSG and the toys they use to bait people to eat there aren’t that cute. Would rather spend a bit more to eat at HDL or BITP.

Service at this branch is pretty okay, somewhat friendly. I do find the space rather small for a hotpot establishment (there's a vacant spot a few doors down that hasn't been taken up yet), but seeing how it isn't as crazy crowded as the Tanjong Pagar branch, perhaps a small space is a good move. I, for one, enjoy not having to queue!

Will continue to dine here & collect stamps on my membership card thing. Eventually I guess I'll redeem it for something - a stuffed toy or some kitchenware...

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats only
📶 Free WiFi available

My colleagues & I have our favourite sets/combinations to order - mine is the Tonic Chicken Soup, American Beef Set ($10.90++), option B for veggies & handmade noodles for carbs.

The American beef slices are of a good thickness, & generally have not too much fat on them (except on one occasion - again at Tanjong Pagar, but I do understand food quality & service varies a lot between branches).. But I still pick the fats out & leave them in a pile on my plate as I always do.

If you want something leaner, you can opt for the New Zealand beef set ($15.90++).

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats only
📶 Free WiFi available
📍 Shi Li Fang: 302 Tiong Bahru Rd, Tiong Bahru Plaza, #02-112, Singapore 168732

I'm not gonna lie & say that Shi Li Fang is the best hotpot place on earth. But it has always been there for me when I needed it most, at an affordable price point & filling me up enough such that I roll back to office feeling content.

So I'm super happy that they have opened their newest branch in Tiong Bahru Plaza - now I can just walk here from office, & I don't have to travel "all the way" to Tanjong Pagar to get my hotpot fix.

💳 Accepts credit cards
🌬 Air-conditioned seats only
📶 Free WiFi available
📍 Shi Li Fang: 302 Tiong Bahru Rd, Tiong Bahru Plaza, #02-112, Singapore 168732