Occupying a bungalow unit along Jalan Kelawai, 重庆老火锅 Chong Qing Lao Huo Guo is one of the preferred steamboat restaurant in Penang. It offers the steamboat based on the concept order and eat (not buffet style), with various ingredients available to pick. Moreover, the restaurant also boasts on their spicy ma la soup which appeals to Malaysia market. We were intrigued to try the restaurant here since it was launched but we waited till the hype over before we formally stepped in, and the verdict was nothing other than an average overpriced steamboat.
We were definitely excited to try their spicy mala soup and herbal soup but none out if turned out to be exceptional. The spicy mala soup has a pungent mala taste but it was over seasoned with salt. Meanwhile, the herbal soup tasted no difference from regular chicken stock.
There is a wide selection of ingredients offered but only a few turned out to be interesting. Squid balls were disastrous as it exhibited a strange taste and the gyoza was awfully served with icing on it, not to mention the tasteless filling. Luckily, thin pork slices were okay, and exotics eaters can go for frogs meat. In fact, some buffet steamboat or pre-order set serves better ingredients....
Considering the high price tags, the expectations were definitely higher but it was a let down.
Glad there were a huge selection of sauces provided but I was told every headcount is charged RM 2 for it. Forgot to take a closer look at the bill before we recycled it.
Overall, there ought to be some steps taken to provide fresher ingredients or more affordable price tags, otherwise we found no reasons to come back for a return trip.
Chong Qing Lao Huo Guo
41, Jalan Kelawai, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
+60 6042295155
Operation hours: 12 pm –2 pm, 5 pm –12 am (Daily)
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