Here’s a new conveyor-style hotpot buffet restaurant in Singapore with over 100 free-flow items from $22.90++. Wah…
Joylion Buffet Hotpot 喜狮锅 at Lentor Modern serves MORE THAN 100 free flow items on a conveyor belt, with weekday lunch (available 11am – 4pm) starting at $22.90++.
Soup is at an additional $1.80++, though they are complimentary for members. So for non-members, it would be $24.70++ onwards.
Weekdays dinners (4pm – 9:30pm), weekends and public holidays are priced at $32.90++, and this already includes the ingredients, sauces, drinks, fruits and desserts.
The restaurant sits on the basement level with direct access from Lentor MRT station, so getting there was very convenient.
The sight of the large orange bowls rolling by immediately made the meal feel more exciting.
Instead of walking repeatedly to a buffet counter, you can remain at your seat and watch for whatever catches your eye. Here’s more:
1. More Than 100 Free-Flow Items
Joylion offers more than 100 free-flow items, covering seafood, sliced meats, vegetables, handmade dumplings, cooked snacks, fruits and desserts.
The lunch rate offers genuine value, especially at a time when a simple restaurant meal can easily cross $20-$30, with no additional charges for sauces or non-alcoholic drinks.
2. Interesting Conveyor Belt System
There was a small sense of anticipation whenever unexpected items (like crispy fried chicken) came into view. I enjoyed watching the selection change as the kitchen placed fresh bowls onto the track.
Of course, the conveyor belt system has its drawbacks. Popular ingredients may be taken before they reach your section, especially when the restaurant is crowded.
(Oh yes, do use the coloured tongs provided to pick up the ingredients. You can take just one or two pieces if you only want a small portion.)
3. Individual Pots With A Choice Of Soup Bases
Every diner receives an individual mini pot built into the table, and soups are priced at an additional $1.80.
It also makes it comfortable for solo diners, since you can enjoy hotpot without ordering a large shared pot.
Soup choices include Mala Butter Pot, Tomato, Mushroom Soup, Tom Yum, Bone Soup, Pork Tripe and Chicken Soup, and Hua Jiao Chicken Soup (selection may change depending on availability).
My favourite was the Bone Soup Pot. The broth tasted comforting, savoury and slightly milky, but it did not feel overly rich. The flavour also deepened naturally as more ingredients cooked in it.
The Tom Yum Hot Pot came a close second. It had a tangy and zesty kick that worked particularly well with seafood, and the heat remained manageable.
4. Wide Seafood Selection
The seafood section included XL tiger prawns (both cooked and uncooked), scallops and oysters, while frog legs were among the more unusual hotpot ingredients available.
I picked up quite a number of XL tiger prawns, which were larger than the small frozen prawns commonly found at lower priced buffets (went well with Tom Yum soup).
5. Generous Sliced Meats and Familiar Hotpot Ingredients
There were several sliced meats available, including beef, pork belly, pork shoulder blade, and marinated chicken.
The pork belly had visible layers of meat and fat, and softened quickly in the boiling soup.
I liked the sliced beef in the Mala Butter Pot, which resembles the spicy beef tallow style commonly found at Chinese hotpot restaurants.
6. Hand Wrapped Dumplings
The kitchen team also prepares vegetable and pork wontons by hand. I added several to my Bone Soup and was pleased that the wrappers held together instead of splitting open in the bubbling broth.
7. Steaming Hot Xiao Long Bao
Seeing Xiao Long Bao moving around on a hotpot conveyor belt was a fun surprise. The bamboo baskets provided something warm and ready to eat while I waited for my raw ingredients to cook.
Of course, they should not be compared with the more delicate versions from a dedicated dim sum restaurant, but they were enjoyable within the buffet setting.
8. Cooked Food To Try While The Soup Boils
The buffet also included fish balls, meatballs, mushrooms, vegetables and noodles.
There was enough variety for diners who prefer familiar hotpot ingredients. And the good thing is that you can take only one or two pieces of each ingredient, which leaves more stomach room to try-try the other items.
The cooked food such as Signature Mini Burger, chicken nuggets and pizzas came in useful while I waited for my mini pot to reach a full boil.
9. Small Desserts And Fresh Fruit To Finish
The dessert selection was broader than I expected.
Sweet Potato Balls, French Mousse Cake, Flower Crust Egg Tarts, Monthong Durian Pizza, and Durian Mille Crêpe appeared on the conveyor belt, together with other small cakes and tropical fruits.
10. Sauces And Free Flow Drinks Are Included
The buffet price also includes the sauce station, where diners can mix their own condiments.
Hot and cold drinks are included as well. The selection featured tea, coffee, lattes, Milo (added a nostalgic touch) and other beverages.
Here’s the thing: not every item left the same impression. Some cooked dishes lost their texture on the belt, several desserts were sweeter than I preferred, and the 90 minute limit made the final part of the meal feel hurried.
However, Joylion delivers plenty of choice without adding a series of extra charges to the bill.
Just come with an appetite, focus on your favourite items and handmade dumplings, and keep an eye out for the freshest plates leaving the kitchen.
Joylion Buffet Hotpot 喜狮锅 Pricing
• Weekday Lunch 11am to 4pm (Mon to Fri): $22.90++ per person
• Weekday Dinner 4pm to 9:30pm (Mon to Fri): $32.90++ per person
• Weekends and Public Holidays: $32.90++ per person
• Soup Base: $1.80++ per person (Complimentary for members)
Prices are subject to service charge and GST. Do note that items on the conveyor belt rotate and may vary depending on availability and supply.
Joylion Buffet Hotpot 喜狮锅
Lentor Modern, Basement 1, Unit 08, 1 Lentor Central, Singapore 788887
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Joylion Buffet Hotpot 喜狮锅.
