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Hotpots are usually the best and easiest option for group or family gatherings, and recently, Jin Ho Mia has introduced some interesting hotpot flavours to spice up your get-togethers.
Jin Ho Mia is a Hokkien term which translates to ‘Very Good Life’, literally. Judging by the food served, you really are enjoying a good life when you dine there.
The newly-opened restaurant in Alexandra Retail Centre has a large seating space, but we were told that it would be fully packed during lunch. Jin Ho Mia serves only rice bowls during lunch hours and hotpots during dinner time.
We were there for dinner and without any delay, we were served the Ah Boy Pot ($33.80).
This hotpot comes with Jin Ho Mia Pork Balls, Lobster Balls, Bacon, Roasted Pork, Luncheon Meat, Chicken Chipolata Sausages, Long Cabbage, Xiao Bai Cai, Enoki Mushrooms, Tau Gua, Tau Kee, Onsen Egg, Raw Egg and Instant Noodles.
We chose the fish broth because we were told that the sweetness from the broth would bring out the essences of the different meats.
It was our first time having roast pork in a hotpot, but we were pleasantly surprised. The meat soaked up the broth very well, while the crackling skin remained crisp.
Luncheon meat is something that is hard to hate, and we were all fighting over the few slices in the pot.
The chicken chipolata however, was a tad bland. We would have preferred the usual frozen ones that you can get from NTUC.
The onsen egg was a nice touch, and we only wished there was more in the hotpot.
The homemade pork balls were very well made and were springy yet soft, and also very flavourful. We all agreed that it was one of the best meatballs we’ve ever had!
The lobster balls were also the real deal — you could see strips of lobster meat throughout and it did not have the artificial taste that lobster balls from most restaurants have.
After warming our tummies with fish broth, we moved on to the highlight of the day – the Tok Kong Pot ($48.80).
This comes with Flower Clams, Tiger Prawns, Snow Crab Sticks, Roasted Pork, Long Cabbage, Xiao Bai Cai, Enoki Mushrooms, Tau Gua, Tau Kee, Onsen Egg, Raw Egg, Instant Noodles and half an Alaskan Crab.
We chose the cheese broth for this hotpot, and yes, you read that right. Not a common sight in other hotpot restaurants, we were told that the cheese broth would bring out the freshness of the seafood.
The soup tasted somewhat like Maggie mee with lots of cheese in it, which turned out to be quite salty. It’s definitely an acquired taste and might not be for everyone.
Usually, only half an Alaskan crab is included, but you can always top up an additional $16 to have a full crab — that’s quite a steal! The crab was very fresh, with a lot of meat that was juicy and sweet.
The tiger prawns were fresh and also slightly bigger in size as compared to the ones you’d normally get in other restaurants.
Everyone at the table was fighting for the tau kee, which is also my favourite part of any hotpot. Nothing’s quite like having the flaky, crispy beancurd skin soak up all the deliciousness from the broth and other ingredients.
Our hotpot quota for the month was filled, and we were lucky enough to sample some of the rice bowls that are only served during lunch.
Those who work near Alexandra Retail Centre will be rewarded daily with this mouth-watering and healthy selection.
We tried the crowd favourite first, the Tom Yum Pao Fan ($14.80). This bowl comes with Roasted Pork, Corn, French Beans, Oyster Mushrooms, Onsen Egg and rice that’s submerged in a Tom Yum broth.
It was something like a Mui Fan dish that you’d order at a zi char place, but with Tom Yum broth instead. The broth was tangy, sour, and not too spicy, pairing perfectly with the slightly heartier roast pork.
We then moved on to the Salmon Poke Bowl ($14.80). This was filled with Salmon, Onsen Egg, Corn, Avocado, Cherry Tomatoes, and a choice of brown or Japanese rice.
The combination, unfortunately, tasted slightly bland and lacked the seasoning that most poke shops marinate the salmon in. It did, however, tasted very healthy.
I don’t think I will ever get enough of healthy rice bowls or hotpots, and will definitely return to try out the other soup bases and rice bowls.
Get some kakis together and order a few rice bowls to share, or if you work nearby, come for the hotpot dinner as an after-work treat!
Expected damage: $15 – $30 per person
