Momiji Shabu Shabu (hotpot buffet) by the Suki Group of Restaurants once again tops the ranks for the most value-for-money buffet places in Singapore, right after the success of Momiji Japanese Buffet Restaurant at City Square Mall.
The hotpot concept Momiji Shabu Shabu presents an array of over 100 items in the buffet line, a selection of cooked food, sushi, fruits, soft drinks, teas, hot beverages, desserts, and raw ingredients for the hotpot.
Most unique about this hotpot concept is the collagen soup base, which is derived from the simmering of kampong chicken and fresh vegetables, taking up to 6 long hours to fully dissolve the chicken bones and for every bit of goodness to go into the broth. The collagen (the main structural protein found in animal connective tissue, yielding gelatine when boiled) broth when cooled solidifies into a silky smooth “pudding”. Upon getting seated, diners will need to wait approximately 15 minutes for the collagen “pudding” to melt into a liquid state before feastings begin. Subsequent top-ups of soup are made available in the liquid state for diners’ convenience.
Only one soup base is available, but that doesn’t deter the crowd one bit. Himalayan Pink Salt is available at each table in a salt grinder for diners to add flavour to the soup. Diners can also customise the flavour of the soup to their liking with shoyu and hot kimchee paste, also provided at each table. For us, a simple addition of salt and shoyu makes wonders to the soup, as each ingredient we add slowly infuses the soup with more flavour. The soup tastes best at the very end of the meal.
Premium hotpot ingredients include Kurobuta pork, Asari clams, half-shell scallops, deep red sea prawns and more.
The fatty pork belly is given thumbs up, but I can’t say the same for the quality of the beef. I would suggest skipping the beef altogether as it is not worth the stomach space.
The selection of house-blended meat pastes stuffed in bamboo is a must-have! The minced pork is a top pick.
Apart from the usual raw eggs, Momiji goes the extra mile by putting up half-boiled eggs for lazy diners like us! Just crack the half-boiled egg into the soup and voilà!
We also like the selection of vegetables, such as pumpkin and winter melon amongst other greens. It is also a delight to find silken tofu, quail eggs and a variety of mushrooms.
There are 12 different dipping sauces available; the sesame and the black sesame are my top picks. My own dipping concoction comprises the regular and black sesame sauce, chilli oil, chopped spring onion, minced garlic, chilli padi and a touch of shoyu.
Over at the cooked food station, the fried rice is a must-try. Short and plump Japanese grains are used!
The fried chicken wings are only good when fresh out of the fryer. Well-marinated, it is succulent with a crispy crust.
Chawanmushi is my ultimate favourite food at buffets: light, smooth and comforting.
Look at the wide variety of sushi! These are bound to fill you up so I’d suggest going slow on these, although the unagi (Japanese eel) sushi is really appealing.
The ebi sushi with avocado is highly sought after. The smooth and creamy texture of the sliced avocado go exceedingly well with the moist sushi rice and crispy breaded prawn within.
For sweet endings, go for the cream puff as well as the sesame mochi.
At just $24.90++ per adult for dinner on weekdays, Momiji Shabu Shabu comes highly recommended. You might be able to spot our little darling there pretty often as it has become our regular buffet spot!
Pricing:
Lunch, Mondays to Fridays, 11.30am to 2.30pm: $19.90++ per adult, $17.90++ per senior citizen (60 y/o & above), $13.90 per child (below 12)
Lunch, Saturdays, 11.30am to 2.30pm: $22.90++ per adult, $20.90++ per senior citizen, $13.90++ per child
Brunch, Sundays & Public Holidays, 11.30am to 4pm: $24.90++ per adult, $22.90++ per senior citizen, $15.90++ per child
Dinner, Mondays to Thursdays, 5pm to 9.30pm: $24.90++ per adult, $22.90++ per senior citizen, $15.90++ per child
Dinner, Fridays to Sundays/Eve of Public Holidays/Public Holidays, 5pm to 10pm: $28.90++ per adult, $26.90++ per senior citizen, $15.90++ per child
Momiji Shabu Shabu
Balestier Shaw Plaza, #04-01
Singapore 329783
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