Xiao Long Kan Hotpot Orchard – Authentic Sichuan Spice on Orchard Road
A Fiery Hotpot Experience in Orchard
Located at 321 Orchard Rd, #02-08 Orchard Shopping Centre, Xiao Long Kan Hotpot (小龙坎) brings the bold, numbing heat of authentic Sichuan hotpot to the heart of Orchard. Known for its ornate Chinese décor, trio soup bases, and spice levels that’ll make even seasoned mala warriors sweat, it’s become a hotspot for late-night gatherings and hearty feasts.
For more dining inspiration, check out our Orchard Road Food collection.
Menu Highlights: Spice, Variety & Comfort
What keeps diners coming back is the mix of rich, aromatic broths and generous ingredient options. Popular picks include:
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Trio Soup Base – choose up to three broths in one pot. Mala, tomato, and pork bone are crowd favourites (Lemon8).
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| Trio hotpot at Xiao Long Kan Orchard with mala, tomato, and mushroom soup bases alongside premium beef and seafood. |
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Premium Beef Slices – thicker cuts compared to most hotpot chains, cooked just right in boiling broth.
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Fresh Seafood & Vegetables – prawns, fish slices, mushrooms, lotus root, and greens to balance the spice.
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DIY Sauce Station – a must for hotpot lovers; though some reviews note condiments are charged separately (Wanderlog).
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Classic Sichuan Flavours – mala oil, numbing peppercorns, and buttery broths that are rich and indulgent.
If you’re looking for Orchard desserts after a fiery meal, don’t miss our review of Whiskdom’s gooey brownies.
Ambience & Service
Step inside Xiao Long Kan Orchard and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight into Chengdu. Wooden lattice panels, red lanterns, and ornate fixtures create a dramatic, immersive setting — ideal for group dinners or even date nights if your partner can handle the heat.
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| Ornate Chinese-inspired interior at Xiao Long Kan Orchard — perfect for group dinners or private gatherings. |
Service: Most diners find staff friendly and attentive, though peak dinner times can mean longer waits and slower topping-ups. Making a reservation is recommended, and sites like Quandoo can help with bookings.
What Recent Reviews Say
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Burpple (Nov 2024): The ambience is “quite nice,” with soup bases “nice, not dilute” and ingredients fresh. However, some felt it didn’t stand out compared to bigger hotpot chains (Burpple).
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Lemon8 (2024–2025): Trio soup bases received praise, especially the mala. Thicker beef cuts were highlighted as a plus, and VIP rooms noted for ambience.
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Wanderlog (2025): Averaging 4.0/5 stars from hundreds of reviews, with customers praising authentic Sichuan flavours and décor but raising concerns about oily broth, high pricing, and condiment charges.
Who It’s For & When to Go
Best for:
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Mala lovers craving authentic Sichuan spice.
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Groups of friends or family dinners — sharing is the way to go.
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Late-night supper seekers (open till late).
When to go:
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Weeknights if you want to avoid long queues.
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Peak hours (Fri & Sat evenings) for lively atmosphere.
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Book ahead if you want a private dining room.
Orchard Foodies Take 🍴
Xiao Long Kan Orchard is not for the faint of heart. If you’re the type who sprinkles chilli flakes on everything, this is your happy place. The mala broth is as authentic as it gets — numbing, fiery, and addictive.
Yes, the price is higher than your average hotpot chain, and yes, you’ll leave smelling like you wrestled a chilli pepper. But the ambience, authenticity, and quality ingredients make it worth the splurge.
Our tip? Bring friends, go for the trio soup base, and don’t skip the premium beef slices. And if you’re spice-shy, stick to tomato broth while you watch your braver friends sweat it out.
For another bold Chinese dining option in Orchard, read our review of Nong Geng Ji’s fiery Hunan dishes.
Stay spicy till next time, The Greedy Gang @ Orchard Foodies
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