Originating from Macau, Fu Lin Men Dou Lao is a partnership between orthopaedic specialist and senior researcher, Professor Zhang Ming from Zhe Jiang and former banker, Mr Simon Lim.
The three-storey steamboat joint has a different theme on each level. Mountain theme on the first floor, floral theme on the second floor and ocean theme on the third floor. The restaurant can hold up to 220 people and has 7 private rooms of different sizes.
The private room on the third floor is spacious; comes with an LCD projector and is suitable for company events and meetings.
I like how each table is fitted with personal hot pots so that every customer can customize the soup base and ingredients based on their liking. Good for people with dietary restrictions too.
One can choose their desired soup base from the five types of nourishing broths; Signature Golden Imperial Soup, Vitality Wild and Cultured Mushroom Soup, Longevity Toufu Soup, Sizzlingly Chilli Soup and Nourishing Tomato Soup.
Signature Golden Imperial Soup ($10) – Specially created by award-winning celebrity Chef Nian Shu Jian, the Signature Golden Imperial broth is simmered for more than 12 hours with fresh red carrot puree, chicken bone marrows, pork shin and thigh as well as dry-aged cured ham (金华火腿). The broth is topped with edible gold flakes and oxtail upon serving. There is also a non-beef option for people with dietary restrictions.
This nourishing soup is rich and flavourful on its own and I can see why it is favoured by the royals during the Qing dynasty.
Try their Sizzlingly Chilli Soup ($7) if you prefer a fiery kick to your hotpot. The mala soup here is aromatic and slides down one’s throat smoothly without causing coughing fits from the spices like how most mala soup do.
Dipping sauce to go with the food is essential. One can concoct your own dipping sauce with the various condiments available at $2/pax (free flow).
Roars of Success Lion’s Mane Mushroom with Chicken Fillet ($12) – Enjoy the deep-fried mushroom and chicken fillet after a quick dip in the soup.
Bountiful Blessings of Three Treasures ($28) – A mushroom platter consisting of 3 different types of mushrooms; Morel, Matsutake and Lion’s Mane Mushroom. The mushrooms have mild earthy taste as compared to other variants.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom, also called Monkey Head Mushroom, is rich in nutrients and is reported to have medical benefits.
Fresh Beancurd Pockets with Fresh Seafood Paste ($10) – Fresh seafood paste encased in beancurd skin, topped with ebiko.
Fresh Oriental Greens and Wild and Cultivated Mushrooms ($10) – Assorted vegetables and mushrooms. I like how the carrot is shaped into ingots and coins.
Wild Bamboo Pith with Fresh Prawn Paste ($18) – Bamboo Pith, also known as bamboo fungus, is a delicacy during the Qing Dynasty. The netted fungus is tender, has a spongy texture and pairs well with the fresh prawn paste.
Family Bliss Freshly Handcrafted Dou Lao Meatballs ($7) -Half dozen of unique meatballs with flavours like prawn meatball with golden roe, beef meatball with cheese, squid meatball with chocolate, pork meatball with water chestnut and black fungus, seafood meatball with golden mushrooms and squid meatball with spinach.
The squid meatball with chocolate was interesting. Imagine molten chocolate oozing out when you bite the meatball. I wonder if chef got the inspiration from glutinous rice balls.
Freshly Cultured Sea Prawns with Marbled Beef ($18) – The showstopper of the night. This dish made a grand entrance with the dry ice.
Beer Marinated Marbled Beef ($28) – One is to dip the thinly sliced beef into the beer for a few minutes before cooking.
Meat lovers can also order the Beef Lamb Platter ($38) or Kagoshima Pork ($23).
Fortune Chalice ($38) – A comforting bowl of rice with sea cucumber, abalone and mushroom, drenched in rich and thick gravy made using the Signature Golden Imperial Soup.
Those who crave for something sweet after a hearty steamboat meal can opt for desserts like Grand Imperial Premium Bird’s Nest ($28) or House of Gold Pineapple Glutinous Rice ($9).
Grand Imperial Premium Bird’s Nest ($28) – Cooked in coconut cream, the bird’s nest is too rich and starchy after a substantial meal. Still prefer bird’s nest cooked with crystal rock sugar.
House of Gold Pineapple Glutinous Rice ($9) – Sweet pineapple chunks mixed with sticky glutinous rice.
With desserts and alcohol available as well, Fu Lin Men Dou Lao is indeed a one-stop steamboat restaurant that is suitable for both business and casual gatherings.
Chinese New Year is around the corner and instead of the tedious process of preparing your own steamboat dinner, why not head to Fu Lin Men Dou Lao for your reunion lunch/dinner? The restaurant has come up with various CNY set menus.
For more information about the CNY set menu, visit their website. Reservations required.
Fu Lin Men Dou Lao
Address: 16 North Canal Road Singapore 048828
Telephone: +65 6532 2777
SMS/Whatsapp/Wechat: 9099 1777 (for reservations)
Email: reservations@fulinmendoulao.com.sg
Website: http://fulinmendoulao.com.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fulinmendoulao
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fulinmendoulao/
