[Food Review] Xinga Pot (鲜家煲) @ Damansara Uptown

When it comes to friends and family gathering, the first thing that pops up in my mind is of course hotpot! So, here we are at Xinga Pot (鲜家煲) for the first time to experience the delicious flavours of Hong Kong styled hotpot.

Xinga Pot is located along one of the most busiest streets in Damansara Uptown (right opposite Texas Chicken). Don't worry, it is easily noticeable from far with the red and green signage occupying Levels 1-3 of the block.

At Xinga Pot, each floor houses a different dining experience amidst the trendy Hong Kong styled cafe vibes. The first floor is an open dining concept with 7 tables of various sizes, suitable for smaller groups of 4-5pax or larger group of 8-10pax, who enjoys a good meal and great catch up session with your gang.

On the second floor, there are 4 private rooms (i.e. 3 smaller rooms for 6 pax and 1 mid-size room for up to 10pax) which are equipped with Karaoke system.

On the top floor, there is a hidden bar area where you can chill and drink, or host a small event for up to 30 pax there. If you prefer privacy, you can opt for the VIP room with karaoke system and private toilet (which can fit 15-20pax comfortably).

*Highly recommended* Signature Golden Fish Tripe Chicken Broth (鲜家黄金花胶鸡汤煲)

First timers must try their signature premium golden broth which is boiled for 8 hours with Canadian fish maw, fish tripe and free-range chicken. The thick broth is not only rich in collagen and excellent for beauty benefits, but also tastes extremely rich in flavours. Every spoonful is full of fish maw too!

The next time I come I'll probably try the Buddha Jumps Over The Wall Pot (佛跳墙汤煲) - which is the most premium broth on the menu. Perfect for Chinese New Year celebration. Make sure you pre-order at least 1 day in advance to avoid disappointment.

Xinga Combo (鲜家四大天王) (75g each)

❤ Black Truffle Prawn Paste (黑松露虾滑)

❤ Ebiko Prawn Paste (蝦子虾滑)

❤ Mushroom Pork Paste (东菇猪肉滑)

❤ Chilli Cuttlefish Fish Paste ( 辣椒墨斗滑)

Among the freshly made hotpot ingredients, the Xinga Combo is a must-try. Handmade from scratch, each of the meat paste exudes different flavours and my personal favourite goes to the Ebiko Prawn Paste - so fresh and bouncy, and I enjoy the delicious crunch of the ebiko too.

For the fresh seafood selections, there is a wide variety to choose from - red snapper slices, abalone, fish maw and the list goes on. We opt for some Tiger Prawns (老虎虾) and Clams (沙白) - they are so fresh and succulent when boiled in the sweet rich soup!

For seafood lovers, you can pre-order (min 1 day in advance) the premium selection of seafood such as geoduck, mantis shrimp, Boston Lobster, Alaska King Crab etc.

Sakura Sliced Pork Collar (樱花中嘴猪肉片)

If you prefer meats, I'd recommend the thinly-sliced pork collar - so fresh and juicy! Beef lovers can now enjoy the world's highest grade Miyazaki A5 wagyu beef (sliced) here too. The New Zealand sliced lamb (新西兰羊肉片), sliced Iberico pork secreto (黑毛猪肩秘肉) and marinated drunken chicken (爽滑醉鸡) are worth a mention too.

Meat dumplings, lobster balls, Taiwanese sausages, mushrooms, vegetables and other beancurd assortments are available here too. Just dip them into the hot boiling broth and enjoy the meal with the delicious soup.

Xinga Homemade Ramen (手工拉面)

Do you usually skip the noodles during a hotpot meal? Please don't do so in Xinga Pot because their Homemade Ramen is also a must-try item here. It is so springy and bouncy, best dipped in the rich creamy broth.

Don't forget the special condiments to spice up your hotpot experience too.

Verdict:

It is absolutely a great experience dining in Xinga Pot with the Signature Golden Fish Tripe Chicken Broth as the showstopper. The assorted handmade meat paste is highly recommended too. Worth revisiting? Definitely!

In order to avoid disappointment, please contact the hotline at 017-771 6522 for booking a table / room prior to your visit.

For more information, please visit:

Website: www.xingapot.com

Facebook: fb.com/xingapot

Instagram: @xingapot

Xinga Pot 鲜家煲

No. 58 (1st, 2nd & 3rd Floor),

Jalan SS 21/58,

47400 Petaling Jaya,

Selangor.

Hotline: +6017-771 6522

Business Hours:

4pm - 12am Tuesdays - Sundays

Closed on Mondays

Xiao Long Kan 小龙坎老火锅 @ Fahrenheit88 Kuala Lumpur

Chengdu's best hotpot experience is here in Malaysia!

Are you ready for a fiery hot challenge? I just challenged myself with the traditional spicy hotpot at Xiao Long Kan and nailed it! Xiao Long Kan is an award-winning hotpot chain restaurant from Chengdu, China and now it is bringing us the cultural signature of Chinese cuisine: the Sichuan Mala Hot Pot.

Taiwanese Chun Ciou Hot Pot Buffet 台湾自助式火锅 春秋战锅 @ Old Klang Road, KL

Welcome to the largest premium Taiwanese hot pot restaurant in Malaysia!

If you have been to Taiwan, do you remember those popular steamboat shops that you see along almost every street? For a taste of Taiwanese steamboat, you don't have to travel all the way there anymore because the first authentic Taiwanese imperial "served-to-table" hotpot buffet is now in KL! 

Originated from Taiwan, Chun Ciou Hot Pot (春秋战锅) brings us the best ingredients and recipes exactly like those in Taiwan. Tucked along the busy street of Old Klang Road (same side as Scott Garden, very near to Mid Valley), Chun Ciou is a stand-alone double-storey outlet in black with a huge signage on top which you can't miss upon passing by.

Chun Ciou boasts an elegant and heroic dining atmosphere with abundant Chinese historic elements.

The entrance opens to several dramatic craved Chinese statues standing boldly at the reception counter.

Even the waiting area is tastefully adorned with high red chairs that make this space very Instagram-worthy.

The vast caverns lead to a brick-walled restaurant with spacious seating on both levels, creating a lively but intimate dining experience. The traditional Chinese lanterns light up the room, around which comfortable spaced tables are adorned with classy tableware.

The interior exudes a contemporary feel to match the blend of modernity and classical Taiwanese hot pot food served. Most importantly, it is fully air-conditioned and the space, despite full-house, is not stuffy at all! 

The ambiance is made so comfortable for both lunch and dinner, especially when it is becoming a trend to have steamboat gatherings during lunch time now. 

The main highlights of the menu are all printed above. From the soup base and meats to the myriad choices of sides and desserts, they are all the "basics" in this Taiwanese hot pot place. 

Let's begin with choosing the two types of perfect broth in one pot to satisfy the palate:

精选汤底 Featured Soup Base

壽喜湯底Sukiyaki Soup

湖盐汤底Lakesalt Soup

高级豚骨汤底 Tonkatsu Soup

蒙古麻辣汤底 Spicy Soup

台湾药膳汤底 Herbal Soup

东炎汤底 Tomyam Soup

For the first time, I try the Lake Salt Soup Base (湖盐汤底) which is similar to our local Superior Soup (清汤) but slightly more savoury. My next favourite is the Sukiyaki Soup Base (壽喜湯底) which is very strong in flavours, suitable for dipping the meats.

While waiting for the broth to boil, we have some palate openers to whet the appetite--

Pickled Cherry Tomatoes (梅漬蕃茄), Golden Kimchi (黄金泡菜) and Pickled Lotus Root (芒香藕片).

Taiwanese Braised pork rice (卤肉饭)

As well as the famous Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan!! Love this bowl of melt-in-the-mouth pork with

gorgeous thick sweet and savoury gravy. This comfort food is so addictive that we can't stop eating.

Here we are spoilt with myriad choices of premium grade meats. And the best part is, you can order as many as you want, and the food will be delivered to your table by the attentive staff. Soups are constantly refilled and empty plates are never left to linger long on the table. 

特选肉品 Specially Selected Meats

将军霜降牛 Australian Striploin

霜王雪花牛 Australian Ribeyes

诸葛嫩肩里肌羊 Lamb Shoulder Roll

干将梅花猪 Pork Belly

莫邪烟熏猪前腿 Pork Shoulder

春秋鸡柳条 Chicken Fillet

金陵樱桃鸭 Duck Roll

*以上食材无限供应 Unlimited orders are available.

The thinly sliced pork comes in a good balance of  lean and fatty layers. Yummy!

[Highly Recommended!] 霜王雪花牛 Australian Ribeyes

How to best enjoy the beef? Just dip into the Sukiyaki broth for 3-5 seconds and enjoy it according to your preferred level of wellness.

To be honest, there are just too many types of meatballs (More than 20 types!!) to be chosen from!

After trying lots of them, I enjoy the Wasabi Ball (芥未丸), Black Sesame Mochi (黑芝麻糯米糍), Pork Tendon Ball (猪筋丸) and Handmade Meat Balls (手打肉丸). Some burst in the mouth with lots of juicy meaty goodness. 

This spicy (麻辣) ball is highly recommended for spicy lovers too!!

Be careful, the spicy juice will burst upon biting into the bouncy ball.

And the Black Sesame Mochi (黑芝麻糯米糍) is great for those who want a sweet finish.

火锅料 Other Steamboat Ingredients

章鱼烧 Taro Fish Ball

诚心丸 Sincere Ball

咖啦鱼丸 Curry Fish Ball

芝士海鲜豆腐 Cheese Seafood Bean Curd

芝士虾丸 Cheese Prawn Ball

虾球王 Premium Prawn Ball

红心丸 Red Heart Ball

香菇鱼丸 Mushroom Fish Ball

精品墨鱼丸 Premium Cuttlefish Ball

鱼包花枝 Fish and Squid Mixture

火腿肉丸 Ham Ball

白 鱼丸 White Fish Ball

鲍鱼片 Abalone Slice

百页豆腐 Special Tofu

玉字烧 Tamago

To balance the meal, we also add some noodles and vegetables into the broth. The slices of Pumpkin and Cabbage add natural sweetness into the soup.

副食 Side Dishes

乌冬面 Udon Noodles / 冬粉 Dongfen / 菠菜面 Spinach Noodles / 

腐竹 Beancurd Skin / 豆腐卜Beancurd Puff / 油条 Fried Breadstick

蔬菜类 Vegetables

红萝卜 Carrot / 白萝卜 White Carrot / 南瓜 Pumpkin / 卷心菜 Cabbage /

鲍鱼菇 Abalone Mushroom / 金针菇 Golden Mushroom / 香菇 Mushroom /

西红枣 Tomota / 山药 Chinese Yam / 红薯 Sweet Potato / 毛瓜 Chieh Gua /

木耳 Chinese Fungus / 大白菜 Bok Choy / 油麦 Yau Mak / 茄子 Eggplant

Another unique feature of Taiwanese Chun Ciou Hot Pot is the choice of sauces!

Here you can choose among 10 types of sauces and condiments to create your own combination of flavours and pair with the steamboat ingredients. I especially love the chilli sauce for a spicy kick. 

酱料 Sauces & Condiments

青葱 Green Onion

大蒜 Chopped Garlic

辣椒 Chilli Sauce

泰国辣酱 Thai Chill Sauce

水果酱 Fruit Sauce

沙茶酱 Satay Paste

酱油 Soy Sauce

香菜 Parsley 

芝麻酱 Sesame Sauce

豆腐乳 Fermented Bean Curd

You must try creating this Chun Ciou Signature Sauce (招牌酱汁) from the raw ingredients!

Just follow these 4 simple steps below:

Step 1. Put Sesame Sauce into the bowl (Put more for sweeter taste)

Step 2. Add Egg Yolk for a smoother texture

Step 3. Add finely-chopped fresh Spring Onions (Add more for better texture)

Step 4. Sprinkle some Shichimi Powder (Add more for spicier flavour)

Tadaa! Now we are done with this golden egg yolk sukiyaki sauce which helps enhance the meat texture and juiciness while bringing down the hot pot heat on the meat. 

Apart from the sauces and condiments, various beverages are available at the buffet bar,

ranging from cold drinks to hot Chinese tea.

甜品 Desserts

柠檬砂糖片 Sweet Lemon Slice

红豆汤 Red Bean Soup

冰淇淋 Ice Cream

Chun Ciou's desserts are equally great for both adults and children. The red bean soup is very thick and not too sweet for my liking. Here you can taste every bit of the red beans, adding nice texture to the dessert. 

The Sweet Lemon Slices (柠檬砂糖片) are more popular among female customers who

love tangy sweet flavours. The balance of sourness and sweetness is just perfect here. 

Taiwanese Chun Ciou Hot Pot Buffet 台湾自助式火锅 春秋战锅

Buffet timing: Lunch 12pm-3pm / Dinner: 5pm-11pm

Prices:

Weekday lunch: RM60++ (RM60 +10% + GST 6% =RM69.60) per adult

Weekday dinner, weekend lunch and dinner: RM75++ (RM75 +10%+ GST 6% =RM 87) per adult

Children from 110cm to 130cm tall: Half price

Infants from 90cm to 110cm tall: RM10++ (RM10 +10% + GST 6% =RM11.60) 

Reasons to Visit:
1. Everything is so Taiwanese here-- from the top notch quality Taiwanese-style services to premium ingredients and recipes from Taiwan.
2. Comfortable, modern, air-conditional atmosphere-- No sweats, and very cosy feeling when dining here.
3. Spoil with various choices-- Premium air-flown ingredients from Taiwan, high quality meats, special broths, unique sauces, and signature desserts.

Chun Ciou Hot Pot (春秋战锅)
Lot 306, Batu 3, 
Jalan Klang Lama,
58000 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 012-6882860, 016-5454348, 018-2776503
Facebook: fb.com/chunciouhotpotmalaysia

Waze: https://www.waze.com/livemap?zoom=17&lat=3.11024&lon=101.67791

Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/uFzzyRNQ2WN2

Resort Seafood Steamboat @ Resort Hotel, Genting Highlands, Pahang

As much as I love enjoying the chilly weather in Genting Highlands, I'd prefer having my meal there hot and fresh, for the comfortable sensation of warming the stomach. Latest in the Resort Hotel is the newly revamped Resort Seafood restaurant which serves my favourite communal food-- Steamboat! 

What's better than having a good bonding time with your friends and family while enjoying the invigorating pleasure of do-it-yourself cooking in a hot pot, up at 6,000 feet above sea-level? Ambiance wise, the restaurant boasts a warm, relaxed setting with ample seating that can fit up to 256 persons. I love spacious area like this one, as it does not make one feel stuffy or sweaty at all.

We ordered a Steamboat Set for 8 persons (RM456 for members / RM502 for non-members) which comes with a choice between Tom Yum soup or Herbal Chicken soup base, as well as a fairly generous portion of mushrooms, fish balls, bean curd roll, ostrich meat, chicken slices, pacific clams, Grouper slices, vegetables, eggs and noodles.

Sliced Fresh Grouper Fish（斑片）

 This is definitely for the meat lovers!

Apart from set meals for sharing, you can always order additional plates of meat to satisfy our carnivorous cravings. As for the rest of the ingredients, I am pretty satisfied with the level of freshness that can easily beat any steamboat chain in KL/PJ. 

Chicken Supreme Slices （鸡肉培根）

Grass Prawns （草虾）

 

Herbal Chicken Soup（药材鸡汤底）served in a Yin-Yang style black pot

The choices of refillable soup base is quite interesting, because a few that caught my attention were Resort Fish Head Soup (鱼头汤底) and Spicy (麻辣) Soup. However, I only managed to try the herbal chicken broth which was not disappointing at all. Simple but rich, nourishing and tummy-comforting!

A hearty steamboat is not complete without a wide array of sauces, and I was happy to find over 20 different types of freshly-prepared sauces at the self-service counter here. From smoothly light soya sauce to premium oyster sauce; green chilli sauce to fiery, slow-burning chili oil, I believe there must be one that suits your taste buds for an instant kick to the simmering hot food. 

Perfect thirst quencher, Freezy Asam Boi

Apart from the basic steamboat set, Resort Seafood restaurant is also an ideal venue for a casual fine-dining occasion, as it serves premium imported catch such as Canadian geoduck (best served with wasabi), Australian snow crab, Boston lobster. I'd love to try them during my next visit!

Steamboat Ice Cream @ RM88

As a finale of our sumptuous meal, we had a large portion of dessert for sharing, which was served in a black steamboat pot. Sitting on the pot was a thick layer of chocolate ice cream, topped with fresh fruits such as jackfruits, lychee, grapes and strawberries. 

Just to show you how big was our dessert!

Overall, it was a delightful meal with a big bunch of friends and having steamboat in the cool hills was indeed a great idea if you were running out of ideas on what to eat in Genting! 

Resort Seafood offers set steamboat menus, from RM108 nett to RM638nett

(two to eight persons, member/non-member prices vary), and a la carte dining (priced by item)

For further enquiries, please call 03-6101 1118 or visit www.rwgenting.com

Resort Seafood

Level 1, Resort Hotel

Business Hours:

Lunch (12noon to 2.30pm)

Dinner (6pm to 10pm)