It's 2020! Besides boba being the latest trend in Malaysia, hotpots and steamboats are now gaining its popularity as well.
Here's a list of the 'hottest' hotpot restaurants in Penang that all hotpot and steamboat lovers would definitely love.
1. Haidilao
Located at Gurney Paragon, Haidilao is one of the most highly awaited hotpot restaurants in Penang. It is most certainly a place that hotpot lovers should not miss out on. Also known for its wonderful customer service, freebies, and various mouth-watering choices of soup flavours to choose from, it is absolutely a must-try for everyone!
Location: Gurney Paragon, 163D-L4-13 & 13A, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating hours: 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Open daily)
Status: Non-Halal
2. Xiao Long Kan
After making its way from China, Xiao Long Kan finally opened its first store in Penang last year.
Located at Sunrise Tower, this restaurant is well-known for its mala (Chinese: 麻辣) hotpot, which will be the ultimate favourite for spicy lovers.
Moreover, Xiao Long Kan can also be deemed as one of the most Instagramable hotpot restaurants for those who love food photography. Customers will feel as though they are being directly transported to China as everything there seems to remind people that they are signing up for an authentic Chinese meal, from the interior decor to the eating utensils to how the staff are dressed.
Location: 190-192, Persiaran Gurney, Sunrise Tower, 10250 Penang.
Operating Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. (Open daily)
Status: Non-Halal
3. Hong La Jiao
Besides Haidilao and Xiao Long Kan, Hong La Jiao is also another favourite spot for hotpot lovers. Just by looking at the long ques, it is sure that this place has certainly a lot to offer. Famous for its authentic Szechuan Spicy Steamboat that comes with a wide-range of steamboat ingredients and condiments, it is definitely worth a try.
Location: 251-A, Ground Floor, Jalan Burmah, 10350, Georgetown, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hours: 6:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. (Open daily)
Status: Non-Halal
4. Sawara
Now let's bring down the heat for a while. Sawara is popular for its fish steamboat with milky fish head soup as a base. Having all the common ingredients for a decent hotpot, visitors will surely love the homemade fish paste as well as the fish dumplings.
Location: 393, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Open daily)
Status: Non-Halal
5. Gia Xiang Steamboat Restaurant
Gia Xiang Steamboat Restaurant is known for having 2 different kinds of soup in their hotpots. It serves its signature spicy broth, milky yam and fish broth, tomato broth, and many more!
Customers must try their milk yam and fish broth that is known to be a good combination of sweet and savoury flavours. Other than that, customers can also dish out on dry and spicy hotpot.
Location: No 6 & 8, 8-Row, Jalan Krian, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hours: 5:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. (Open daily)
Status: Non-Halal
6. As You Like HK Chicken Pot
Located in Jalan Chow Thye, this restaurant is famous among Malaysians for its mala hotpot. Visitors will definitely taste the difference as it consists of more than 60 ingredients. Moreover, people will also love the fact that customisable spiciness and numbness is available based on their preferences.
Location: 56, Jalan Chow Thye, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hours: 6:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. (Open daily)
Status: Non-Halal
7. Guo Xiang Fu
Guo Xiang Fu is famous for its seafood dishes. Its signature dish is porridge broth with fresh seafood. What's even better is that it is served in a clay pot. Select your favourite seafood dishes and throw them all in for a wholesome meal. Besides that, they serve spicy milk soup base as well!
Location: 10, Jalan Seang Tek, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hours: 5:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. (Open daily)
Status: Non-Halal
8. Eam Huat Charcoal Steamboat
If you are looking for a traditional charcoal steamboat, Eam Huat Charcoal Steamboat is the place for you.
Known to be the best spot for charcoal steamboat, this restaurant takes no reservations. Nobody likes to be in a queue waiting to taste their savoury offers. Thus, be sure to be there as early as 6:00 pm! Also, do take note that there’s no air conditioning available in this restaurant.
Location: 7, Medan Penaga, Kampung Batu Lanchang, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hours: 5:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. (Open daily, except Tuesday)
Status: Non-Halal
9. Zhui Guo Zu
Does it sound familiar when we talk about the steamboat with bear-shaped spices? Upon cooking, the spices will melt into the hotpot, turning the soup into a thick and spicy broth. Everyone can give it a try at Zhui Guo Zu! In this hotpot restaurant, customisable broth preferences are available. The Insta-worthy hotpot also comes with a variety of fresh dishes, and homemade fish balls and shrimp balls.
Location: 138-01-05, Anson Cube Jalan Anson, 10400 George Town, Penang.
Operating Hours: 5:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. (Open daily)
Status: Non-Halal
10. Flavor Food
You have heard about spicy mala soup and milky fish soup. But, have you heard about coconut chicken steamboat? Situated in Jalan Burma, Flavor Food is famous for its coconut chicken steamboat. Like any other hotpot restaurant, there will be some waiting time if no reservations are made. The restaurant also serves many types of handmade ingredients. Be sure to give it a try!
Location: 217 M, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hours: 5:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. (Open daily)
Status: Non-Halal
There you have it - 10 of the 'hottest' hotpot restaurants in Penang. Enjoy!
