Who needs chicken soup for the soul when you can have seafood hotpot paofan this good to warm the cockles of your heart!
(UPDATE: Paofan Paradise had ceased operations since December 2023)
To the best of my recollection, almost everyone I know who doesn't get an allergic reaction from seafood loves a nice seafood hotpot or seafood soup. And the reason behind this is none other than the allure of the unique umami-ness that only fresh seafood can offer. Note the keyword here: "fresh".
And fresh seafood is what they serve up in the delicious Lala Seafood Hotpot Paofan here at Paofan Paradise. For the benefit of the non-locals, "lala" is the local term that we use in Singapore to refer to clams, whereas "paofan" is a local fare with its roots in Teochew cuisine that soaks cooked rice or puffed rice in a bubbling hot flavourful broth that's typically made from seafood, before it's served.
If you haven't savoured this Lala Seafood Hotpot Paofan, it is important to know that this is in a class of its own, and not to be compared to the food court versions you'd find elsewhere. In fact, the high-quality seafood and ingredients, plus the secret-recipe broth that go into making this paofan can only mean that this a surefire comfort food that's of a premium quality. And to me, this comfort food is best enjoyed on a rainy or chilly day, which happens to be such a day when I made my visit to the restaurant.
Lala sets the tone
Above: Julienne fresh ginger and cut chilli padi first goes into the hotpot for a quick stir-fry with some oil, and fresh white clams would join the frolic next
The hotpot paofan at this restaurant is not so much of a DIY thing. That actually sits well with me, as I only need to sit back and enjoy all the showmanship before tucking into the good food.
To start off cooking the hotpot, the crew member would stir-fry some julienne ginger and cut chilli padi with a drizzle of oil. And after the ginger and chilli padi have been sweated in the hotpot, dozens of fresh white clams would then make their entry to join the frolic, followed by a light drizzle of Shaoxing wine. This is when everything gets really smokey in the hotpot, but also the moment when an invigorating waft of delicious aromas develops and wakes up every single olfactory nerve in my nose. Woah!
Above: The white clams were put through a baptism of fire to release its full flavours, before a secret-recipe broth was poured into the hotpot
But the real climax of the modus operandi was when the crew member surreptitiously gives the stir-fried ingredients a good squirt of sorghum liquor and throws in a baby flame in a deft move. Poof! In an instant, the interior of the hotpot was on fire. And that almost burnt off my eyebrows, as I definitely wasn't expecting it! LOL.
After the spectacle, a secret-recipe broth made from pork bones, chicken bones, and other ingredients that the business owner calls "secret ingredients" was poured into the hotpot.
Above left: Paofan in the making
Above right: Seafood platter that's waiting to make an entry into the hotpot
The broth's then brought to a boil before part of it was scooped into a receptacle full of garlic egg fried rice. Following that, fresh prawns, scallops, slipper lobsters (crayfish), fish balls, pork balls, and cabbage were added to the rest of the broth to cook in the hotpot.
A seafood bonanza
Above: Woohoo! What a seafood party!
To be sure, I am impressed with the amounts of seafood and other ingredients that go into this hotpot. But I'm even more impressed that I'm actually able to finish every bit of this hotpot — all by myself!
Above: Fresh seafood and springy fish balls and pork balls galore in the hotpot
But with a hotpot this good that comes with fresh premium-quality ingredients and a delicious broth and paofan, I guess there's no reason why I shouldn't. In fact, conquering this delectable hotpot paofan was truly an enjoyment to me, as every bite and sip struck a resounding "yums!" in my heart.
Above left: An intensely umami broth that's so very sweet and flavourful!
Above right: Not just any cooked rice, but garlic egg fried rice with an intense wok-hei, goes into making Paofan Paradise's signature Lala Seafood Hotpot Paofan
It's also worth mentioning that the broth that's so sweet and flavourful contains absolutely no MSG. And every sip of the delicious broth just impresses me even more! The yummy broth also makes a key difference to the paofan, which takes the garlic egg fried rice with a strong wok-hei to the next level.
Find comfort in this comfort food
Above: This is the first Chinese signboard that I've to read upwards from the bottom
Despite its location in a nook along Rowell Road, I believe that this is definitely a place to head down to, if you're looking for great comfort food ideas, especially during cold weather. And the chic and welcoming vibes that the restaurant's decor gives off also make the place very comfortable. For that, I'm sure that your friends and family will love to stick around for a nice hotpot and a few beers to go with.
By the way, if you're wondering why the LED neon signboard outside the shop on a white pillar reads weirdly opposite, that's because you'll need to read it upwards instead. Apparently, due to fengshui concerns, the Chinese characters were repositioned to be read that way. Interesting!
Locate it
Address:
Paofan Paradise
107/109 Rowell Rd
Singapore 208031
Operating Hours:
Opens daily, except Tuesdays:
11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.;
5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Call:
9164 1448
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