For lovers of bold, spicy flavours, Uncle Fong Hotpot (方叔叔重慶老火鍋) at Great World City and now, at their second outlet at Suntec City offers an authentic Chongqing-style hotpot experience that captures the fiery spirit of Sichuan.
Founded by Fong Chi Chung, the mastermind behind the previously Michelin-starred Putien restaurant at Kitchener Road and the Putien group of restaurants, Uncle Fong Hotpot combines a meticulous selection of fresh ingredients with a unique approach to traditional hotpot, drawing on years of culinary exploration and passion.
We were recently invited to a hotpot tasting at the Suntec City with Uncle Fong himself, whereby he shared his personal love for Chongqing-style hotpot and how he started Uncle Fong Hotpot because he could not find the same authentic flavours he enjoyed in Chongqing, China.
The Broth: A Fiery Masterpiece
The star appeal of Uncle Fong’s culinary offerings is the signature Chongqing Mala soup base, a rich broth simmered with five essential ingredients: Sichuan Hanyuan pepper, Chongqing Shizhuhong chilies, Pixian bean paste, Yunnan yellow ginger and refined beef tallow. These choice ingredients are skilfully fried and allowed to ferment slightly before forming a rich, aromatic hotpot base. A traditional hotpot purist, Uncle Fong ensures his restaurant adhere to a strict policy of zero artificial additives.
Due to Singapore’s strict regulations on imported animal products, it is challenging for restaurants to offer authentic Chongqing hotpot, which traditionally uses beef tallow for a richer taste. Over at the ubiquitous Haidilao hotpot, I spoke to the restaurant manager at a tasting and they encountered this same issue. To overcome this, Uncle Fong ingeniously developed his own homemade beef tallow preparation method in Singapore, maintaining the original, robust flavour of Chongqing hotpot.
The Mala base delivers an intense, tingling spice that builds gradually and stays with you through each bite, catering to foodies who enjoy the deeply complex, numbing heat typical of Sichuan cuisine. The best Mala base is supposed to numb your tongue and tease your palate instead of burning it outright leaving you with spicy notes and nothing else.
You will enjoy the rich flavour of the aromatic broth at Uncle Fong Hotpot, without the greasy, burnt aftertaste.
Specialty Ingredients for an Elevated Hotpot
Uncle Fong Hotpot prides itself on its carefully curated ingredients, some of which are uncommon finds in Singapore’s hotpot scene.
For instance, we sampled items such as 屠场鲜毛肚 (fresh beef tripe), 鲜黄喉 (yellow throat – a specialty mala hotpot ingredient made from beef or pork arteries), 顶级黑尾耗儿鱼 (a type of filefish that goes well with mala hotpot), 桂花蚌 (osmanthus mussel), 珊瑚蚌 (coral mussel), 莆田老豆腐 (putien aged tofu), 7 脆干贡菜 (Gong Cai – a type of crispy, dried vegetable made from the stems of Celtuce or Chinese Lettuce) and 无骨鸭掌 (boneless duck web).
We have never had some of these items before and found the two mussels, yellow throat, aged tofu and the Gong Cai to be particularly interesting discoveries that we would order again next time.
The Art of Dipping: A New Take on Flavour
A key element of dining at Uncle Fong’s hotpot is the dipping sauce.
Unlike the usual spicy dips at many hotpot spots, the oil dip serves a more functional role, helping to neutralise the heat. This approach allows diners to savour the ingredients without overwhelming their taste buds, though for spice lovers, the chili powder and peanut dipping mix provides an extra layer of boldness.
The newest Uncle Fong Hotpot outlet at Suntec City is modern yet cozy, with fiery red accents that hint at the bold flavours within. Thoughtfully equipped with a high-grade deodorising system, the restaurant minimises lingering food aromas, ensuring diners can comfortably head back to work or continue shopping post-meal. We will be back again when we have a craving for an authentic Chonqing-style hotpot in Singapore!
Uncle Fong Hotpot Restaurant 方叔叔重慶老火鍋
📍Suntec City: 3 Temasek Blvd # 02-391
Tel: 6513 9565
📍Great World: 1 Kim Seng Promenade # B1-108/109
Tel: 6232 7800
