Friends are always perplexed when they learn that I don't like to eat hotpot (火锅) or what is popularly known as steamboat in Singapore. Yes, I just can't see the allure of it no matter how hard I try. Here are the reasons why not.
1) It's too hot in Singapore to enjoy sitting in front of a steaming pot of broth. It's worse if it's a spicy (麻辣) broth. OK there's aircon in the restaurant, but I still find it too hot. I would only enjoy it in the throes of winter, which is something that will never happen in Singapore. I don't like perspiring when I eat.
2) The variety of food available here is pathetic. If I really have to have hotpot, I'm only going to have it in Hong Kong where there's a great variety of broths and food to choose from. There are also more condiments that are available to concoct your own dipping sauce, e.g. sesame oil, peanut sauce, fried garlic, fried ginger, fried shallots, chilli oil, fresh red chilli, chilli flakes, spring onions, XO sauce, etc. The quality of food in Singapore just doesn't quite match up to what I've had in Hong Kong.
3) I don't like cooking my own food when I go out to eat. When I dine out it's because I want to eat something that someone else whom I think is a more competent cook to cook for me. I honestly don't see any fun in preparing food for myself unless I'm actually preparing a homecooked meal. I want to see and savour the chef's skill. I want to be impressed and wow-ed.
So please don't suggest having hotpot if you're going to dine out with me here. I might go to the restaurant just 'cos everyone else wants to eat it, but I wouldn't eat. It's true – I sat out a dinner last night and spent the entire time drinking tea and chatting with my friends while they ate. Of course, I had the good sense to have my own dinner before joining them. OK, call me a hotpot/steambot snob or whatever, but I'm not having it in Singapore!
Posted by DSD at March 28, 2008 8:43 AM