Seoul Garden Singapore: Shabu-Shabu to the Next Level

A few months ago, when I stopped over Singapore for my last food binging before going back to the land of Shawarma, we went to my fave shabu-shabu spot in Singapore - Seoul Garden.

I discovered this amazing place way back in 2008 when we celebrated a birthday of a good friend.  Honestly, it was a pricey place, even if I was working that time.  The price would just give you a step back before handing in your hard-earned dollar.  The good thing though, it was worth every buck you pay.  You will definitely have your tummy bursting with so much Chinese and Malay food.

The first time I tried this restaurant was at Bugis Mall.  Actually, my second and third time was also there.  I didn't know they have other branches.  Anyway, we had it from Tampines Mall.  We came early so there were a lot of tables available.

We went there on a weekday so we paid for SGD 24.99 and SGD 6.99 for my niece who was soundly sleeping.  First stop, all the marinated meat section, which we dumped on the grilling plate.  In the middle of the grilling plate is a bowl where we could make our own soup too. 

We tried to be creative in making soup.  Unfortunately, we were too distracted between eating the cooked meat and the ready to eat goodies.  Honestly, it was overwhelming.  I wanted to try everything.  I was particularly curious of the Malay desserts.  And as my sister assured me, they were really really good.  She's right!  They didn't disappoint.

I was so full, that we have to walk it off on the floors of Mustafa Center (again!).  If ever I get to stop again in Singapore, no doubt, I' ll still drop by Seoul Garden, even if its expensive, the food is just simply great.

Another Shabu Session

It was a year ago when I first discovered shabu-shabu here in Abu Dhabi.  I even promised to sample the other resto in the next few days, unfortunately I was not able to fulfill it.

But the other night, we finally got the chance to sample the "other" shabu-shabu in town.  I'm sorry to say but I didn't get the name of the restaurant.  Because its in Chinese character.  My Chinese knowledge is limited to numbers and a few bad words (courtesy of my Chinese lessons way back in elementary days, oh but the bad words i learned it in high school, just so we're clear.)

Anyhoo, the location of the restaurant is a bit seedy.  It is at the top of Philippine House Restaurant in Najda St.  A door that leads inside has two non-working escalators, so you have to climb up manually.  Once at the mezannine floor turn left and another left, you'll see a door with bead curtains and blinking lights in Chinese characters.  Since its the only restaurant on that floor, we hesistantly went inside.  Once you get pass the cashier's counter, you'll see a buffet table.  Table is not for the food, it is actually for the condiments and sauces you create for your own hot pot. 

 
We were ushered to a table near the glass window with small Chinese lanterns hanging overhead.  I will give this restaurant an A for ambiance.  It sure does feel like I'm inside an Asian restaurant.  So were given this A3 size sheet which serves as the menu.  The waiter explained that there single serving hot pots and there is also the big one that can cater to 2-3 person.  We chose the medium size with one basic soup and one spicy soup.  An electric induction stove.  While our soup simmers, our ordered ingredients arrived, we had chicken, beef, frozed fried tofu, chicken balls, crab sticks, chinese cabbage, bok choy, carrots, potato and cauliflower.  Plus noodles and rice, we started dunking the ingredients. and stirred while it is being cooked.

What I love about this shabu-shabu is the sauce and dips that you can mix and match.  We were not able to finish off everything.  So we had it packed to take home.  All in all, the dinner was pretty filling and lip smacking the chili was enough to keep my lips burning for an hour.  We are definitely coming back and will be trying the single hot pot instead of the big one.  Total dinner damage was AED 164.00. Stiff? Oh yes!  But we were able to bring home some stuff and the dinner was super filling. *burp* 

Addicted to Shabu-Shabu

From the Japanese word that means, "swish-swish" - shabu-shabu became a rage for the yuppies who are in search of a new to dining out in style.

I first heard of shabu-shabu when I was in Singapore. We went to this Seoul Garden in Bugis. I thought it was Korean sans the name. But after a few tinkering with Google i have found out that its actually Japanese. Anyhoo, they are all the same to me because of their common denominator - noodles.

One hot Thursday afternoon, we have decided to eat out to this shabu-shabu for lunch. Though its not really a good thing slurping hot soup on a 38 degrees temperature, we decided to check the place.

Hiding among the buildings along Airport Road. This restaurant could definitely bring out the noodle monster in me. The name of the restaurant is something you would defintely forget after 30 seconds of reading it. The name above the entrance door is Inner Mongolia Xiao Wei Yang Catering China. How's that for a mouthful?





But the plate says Little Lamb. quite confusing, I'll stick to the little lamb name thing. It's more recognizable and easy to remember. So we ordered a big hot pot with the shape of yin yang symbol. The other half is for the ordinary soup and the other red one is the spicy one. Thin slices of beef and chicken were next to be delivered on our table. Then the noodles, the seafoods and the vegetables. We dunked everything into the hot pot and wait for it to boil.



After a few stirring, it was boiling and everyone can't wait to dig in. We sample the spicy first, and yes it was as good as I imagine it to be. Tangy and spicy. Just the way I like it. The noodles were also good but too slippery.



We also ordered grilled chicken wings. Definitely the best chicken wings I have tasted. This I think this is one of their best sellers. No wonder people are queueing just to dine in this restaurant. We were 11 sharing that huge hot pot and we only paid AED 252.00 Not bad.

But apart from this restaurant, I was also informed that another shabu-shabu is also offering the same but with better tasting food. That remains to be a quest I have to conquer. Till next weekend I guess.

For now, I will settle for a good meal at this LIttle Lamb.