Last Updated on 2020-02-20 , 9:38 am
Hai Di Lao is famous for a few things: the good service, the good food, the high prices and…the long queues. Has anyone ever searched “hai di lao price” on Google just to prepare themselves before going there?
And these aren’t just the usual, single-files of people standing and using their phones.
They’re lines of chairs, sometimes with tables, and everyone is carrying their own little tray of tidbits and they’re eating WHILE using their phones.
How tedious.
And once you get into the restaurant you should encounter the second thing Hai Di Lao is known for.
With a server assigned to your table trying her best to attend to your every need like a king or queen, she’ll drown you with screen cleaning cloths, aprons, free fruits, and hot towels. (I never understood why fancy places do this, what kind of message is “Welcome, please clean your face?”)
What a load of fussy hospitality.
But hey…
…how about paying less and skipping straight to the food?
The Hai Di Lao Self-Heating Hot Pot
You read that right.
These are cup (or bowl, really) noodles that you can cook with just room temperature water because they have their own chemical heat pack that can be activated with more room temperature water. Basically, they are like those self-heating combat rations, but for instant noodles.
It’s also reminiscent of the popular instant mala that went viral a while back.
They come in 3 or 4 different flavours, with the most popular being Spicy Vegetarian.
With each packet comes the outer and inner plastic containers for double boiling, along with a lid with a hole to trap the heat but let out the steam.
The noodles, in this case, are rice vermicelli, and of course, you’re given a soup base in the flavour of your choice.
But what’s unique are the ample ingredients. Don’t expect shriveled pieces of spongy meats and eggs, limp pieces of crab stick and dried vegetables in this pot: you’ll get slices of lotus root, potato, strips of bamboo shoot, kelp and black fungus.
In typical Hai Di Lao fashion, they’ve also provided free cutlery, wet wipes, and toothpicks.
Preparing this is isn’t too difficult. Add the noodles, soup base and ingredients to the smaller container and fill with room temperature water to the line.
Then put the heat pack into the larger container and add room temperature water.
Assemble the containers and lid as such and wait 12-15 minutes.
Then, of course, enjoy.
Where to buy?
Unfortunately, it’s pretty hard to find in physical stores in Singapore. You’re better off getting them online at Fairprice, Shopee or Qoo10 (although the latter 2 currently have no stock) or other online shops.
And before you rush to get your wallet, you should know that the privilege of not having to boil your own water doesn’t come cheap. Typical instant noodle bowls are under three bucks. These are about $13 although the prices do go up and down depending on the website.
Worth it?
In the end, this would be a whole different experience from dining at the restaurant, so they’re not really comparable.
Paying for this would probably be for the novelty (unless they’re truly restaurant standard) and not your usual midnight snack.
If we can get our hands on one, we’ll do a review. If not, then too bad; just read our other reviews.
Watch this for a complete summary of what REALLY happened to Qoo10, and why it's like a K-drama:
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