HazelDiary

Fu Lin Men (which symbolises fortune bestowed upon one’s home) Dou Lao located at North Canal Road is founded by orthopaedic specialist and senior researcher, Professor Zhang Min from the costal province of Zhe Jiang. Fu Lin Men Dou Lao Restaurant was started in April 2015 by Professor Zhang and former banker, Simon Lim. I was invited to tasting with fellow foodie bloggers last Sunday for dinner session. The newly revamped menu is a creation by Master Chef Nian Shu Jin- 2 time winner of the Manchu & Han Royal Imperial Court Feast.

Dou Lao cuisine is known as the ‘royals’ of hot pots in modern China because it focuses on improving one’s health and vitality through food (食疗 – which means food therapy in Mandarin). The term, Dou Lao is also a play of words, meaning scooping everything-health, wealth and fortune together. So, what is the difference with steamboat? In Dou Lao, the cuisine uses of rare, top drawer ingredients its broths and the platters of freshly harvested meat, greens and seafood. No processed food, preservatives or chemical additives (eg. Bubble-removal additive). The personal Dou Lao pot is layered with skin-boosting collagen, easily digestible vitamins, protein, minerals and antioxidants.

Enough of the introduction, here are the some of the interesting dishes you can lookout for when you are dining with Fu Lin Men Dou Lao.

Soup Base- Fu Lin Men’s Signature Golden Imperial broth

There are total of 5 soups base in Fu Lin Men. We were served with individual pot and our soup base for the day was their signature golden imperial broth. Understand that it is a Manchu & Han Imperial Feast classic favoured by the royals especially females during the Qing dynasty. The broth is brewed for over 12 hours with fresh red carrot purree, chicken bone marrows, pork shin and thigh with skin and dry-aged cured ham (金华火腿). It is presented with gold flakes on top of the soup. I felt like a ‘princess’ that day. I personally love the flavours and essence of the broth. If I were to choose over HDL, I would prefer this.

Roars of Success Lion’s Mane Mushroom with Chicken Fillet S$12.00

Beer Marinated Marbled Beef S$28.00

Well-marbled beef slices were presented on the top of the shaving ice along with beer. The purpose is to soak the beef slices into the beef for at least 3 minutes before putting them into the hotpot. True enough, after several minutes of soaking and dipping it to the hotpot, the taste was distinctive.

Fortune Chalice S$38.00

This includes the Premium sea cucumber, abalone, mushroom and rice soaked in the essence of the broth.

Wild Bamboo Pith with Fresh Prawn Paste S$18.00

Freshly Cultured Sea Prawns with Marbled Beef S$18.00

This is definitely an eye-catching dish presentation that night. Marbled beef slice wrapped with fresh prawn to go into the hotpot looks good and taste good too.

Family Bliss Freshly Handcrafted Dou Lao Meat Balls S$7.00

These freshly handcrafted meatballs are made in-house. There are total of 6 types -Prawn meat ball with golden roe, beef meat ball with cheese, squid meat ball with chocolate, pork meat ball with water chestnut and white black fungus, seafood meat ball with golden mushrooms and squid meat ball with spinach. Every each meatball has the unique taste to explore.

Bountiful Blessings of Three Treasures S$28.00

It comes with Morel, Matsutake and Lion’s Mane Mushroom.

Premier Oxtail S$10.00

Fresh Beancurd Pockets with Fresh Seafood Paste S$10.00

Fresh Oriental Greens and Wild and Cultivated Mushrooms S$10.00

Fresh greens and some mushrooms are ideal for hotpot ingredients. These ingredients are an essential to balance off our meat intake. Enough said.

3-tier Beef Lamb Platter S$38.00

Kagoshima Pork S$23.00

Thinly sliced kurobuta pork from Japan.

House of Gold Pineapple Glutinous Rice S$9.00

It’s my first time trying glutinuous rice with pineapple and nicely presented on the pineapple shell. The taste of fruit sweetness within the glutinous rice and tasted light and comfort.

Grand Imperial Premium Bird’s Nest S$28.00

Lastly, we had the premium bird’s nest as our dessert for the night.The bird nest has the thick starchy texture and it tasted like barley.I would prefer the usual bird nest serving though.

Also, there is station where all kinds of sauces are available for diners to create their own individual blend. Alternatively, diners can request the staff to blend in-house sauce for you to dip. This is more DIY section according to each diner’s need.

What I enjoyed most is that each table is fitted with personal hot pot and complete with its individual temp-control knobs. For those who are particular of sharing foods or dietary restrictions during gathering with a bunch of friends, this is a good option. Everyone can enjoy their meal at their own preference, pace and timing too. Most importantly, the queue here is not as crazy as Hai Di Lao. And of course the services here are different from Hai Di Lao. Thus, if you want to get pampered with extended services such as complimentary manicure pedicure, children mini playground and more, you can’t find it here. But if you would like a different dining experience in terms of foods and ambience, Fu Lin Men would be an option to explore.

Additional Information: The other 4 soup base is created and name after the ancient study of feng shui.
Wood – represented by the vitality wild and cultured mushroom broth
Water – embodied in the milky Longevity toufu broth
Fire – represented by the Sizzlingly chilli broth
Earth – represented by the Nourishing tomato broth

[Thanks Minru, Nicole and Fu Lin Men Dou Lao for the invite.]

Fu Lin Men Dou Lao 福临门豆捞
Address:
16 North Canal Road
Singapore 048828
Tel: +65 6532 2777
Opening Hours: 11:00AM – 1:00AM (Daily)
Website: http://fulinmendoulao.com.sg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fulinmendoulao