Disappointing lamb hotpot ... . .
Decided to try a lamb spine (羊蝎子) hotpot at /Chuan Yang Ji Geylang Outlet.
Google review is at 4.9, so we were very excited.
We went for lunch on a weekday & there's a 50% promotion on the hotpot, which came up to be around $25.
Lamb hotpot Rating⭐/5:
The hotpot looks good but taste wise was really not on par. Lamb has hardly any taste. Broth gives a brownish color (beneath the red oil), is supposed to be herbal but hardly any herbal taste. The red oil gives the impression that it's slightly spicy but nope, no spicy taste at oil, pure layer of oil garnish.
Honestly, a home water hotpot taste better. It's like throwing your $ & calories for this lamb hotpot.
Lamb skewerRating ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5:
Relatively thick chunks of meat, lean cuts, giving you a nice good chew when you bite into them & well seasoned.
Will I come back? Service is good but .. Maybe for the skewers but there are other Chinese restaurants that serves good bbq skewers too.
#hotpot , #lamb , #skewers , #foodsg , #foodreview
From my experience, lamb spine hotpot (羊蝎子) is beloved for its rich, flavorful broth and tender meat, but at times even popular restaurants with glowing reviews can miss the mark. At Chuan Yang Ji Geylang Outlet, while the presentation was appealing and the portion size generous, the lack of authentic herbal aroma in the broth was noticeable. This broth is typically expected to have a deep, savory complexity from a blend of herbs, and a slight spicy kick from the red oil layer, but here it felt more like an oily garnish without real heat or flavor. For those new to lamb spine hotpot, the meat usually carries a natural gaminess and absorbs the broth’s scent, elevating the overall taste. If the seasoning or simmering isn’t done properly, the lamb can taste bland or chewy. This might explain the underwhelming result compared to homemade versions, which are often simmered slowly to intensify flavor. On the other hand, the lamb skewers stood out with their thick, lean cuts and good seasoning, delivering a satisfying chewy texture. Skewers are a great, often more grilled alternative that represent the heart of Chinese BBQ culture well. This highlights that even if the hotpot experience was lacking, some dishes from the same kitchen might still be worth trying. When assessing a restaurant known for a specialty like lamb spine hotpot, it’s helpful to consider consistency and personal taste preferences. Budget-conscious diners might especially want to keep an eye out for promotions but also be mindful that price doesn’t always guarantee taste. For future visits, I would recommend trying the lamb skewers or exploring similar hotpot spots in Singapore with better seasoning reputations. Checking multiple recent reviews and comparing them can also help set realistic expectations before a visit. Overall, sharing honest feedback can guide others while encouraging restaurants to improve their recipes and service quality.
