Tian Tai Hotpot – The Most Dystopian Hotpot Experience in Singapore

If you think you’ve tried every type of hotpot in Singapore, think again. 

Nestled on a dilapidated rooftop of People’s Park Complex, Tian Tai Hotpot might just be the most dystopian dining experience in the city. Imagine having your steamboat under the open sky, surrounded by scaffolding, rubble, and half-abandoned construction gear. This is hotpot ala Wong Kar Wai-Chungking Express vibe.

Where Are We Even Going?

Let’s get one thing straight: finding Tian Tai is no easy feat.

Buried deep in the maze of People’s Park Complex, you’ll feel like you’re on an urban quest just to reach this place. There are almost no signs, except one tiny one next to Staircase 7 at Level 6. If you take the wrong stairs, you might end up in an actual construction site, wondering if you have wandered into the Twilight Zone.

A Scene From the 1970s

The ambience? Let’s just say “rustic” doesn’t even begin to cover it. Concrete walls, a faded wooden signboard, and a white tattered cloth with the word "hotpot" in Chinese hanging limply across the space.

It’s gritty, raw, and almost cinematic — as if you’ve been transported to a 1970s back alley in old Chongqing. But once you’re seated, you’ll start to appreciate its authentic charm. It's grungy but strangely cozy, especially when the hotpot starts bubbling .

What We Ordered

Despite the dramatic setting, the menu is surprisingly extensive and affordable. Most items are under $10, and there’s no service charge. 

You can choose two broth options with your hotpot base, and help yourself to the DIY condiment station.

Here’s what we had:

Spicy Oil and Mushroom Flavour Soup Base ($18)

A classic yin-yang hotpot. The mushroom broth was earthy and comforting, but the "mild" spicy oil was still super fiery — not for the faint-hearted!

US Beef Brisket ($9)

Thinly sliced, with good flavour, but almost paper-thin — it disintegrated in the broth.

Spanish Premium Iberian Black Pork ($10)

Our favourite of the night. Juicy, slightly fatty, and held its texture well. Worth every dollar.

Double Pepper Chicken Slices ($7)
A letdown. The slices were so thin, they literally disappeared into the soup after cooking. We can hardly find an intact piece in the broth.

Lucky Little Sausage ($9)

A must-try. This quirky Chongqing item came with 11 sticks of mini sausages. Salty, chewy and oddly addictive.

Crispy Fish Slices ($12)

Surprisingly fresh, with a clean bite and no fishy aftertaste.

Romaine Lettuce ($3) & Napa Cabbage ($2)

Fresh and decent portions. You can’t go wrong with greens in a hotpot.

We have also ordered noodles to complete the meal. 

What Could Be Better

While Tian Tai offers a one-of-a-kind vibe, there are a few downsides:

• Meat portions, while affordable, were very thin – more garnish than main dish.

• Spice level is very toned down — even the "mild" mala felt muted by local standards.

• Toilets are located outside the restaurant and are, let’s say, “in sync” with the surrounding gritty theme, including the smell.

• Queue gets long after 7PM on weekends — come early or prepare to wait.

Still, the pros far outweigh the cons, especially if you’re into quirky experiences.

Verdict – Hotpot With a Time Machine

Dining at Tian Tai Hotpot is like stepping into a time machine.  It's gritty, nostalgic, and oddly romantic in its own urban way.

The food? Decent, with a few standout items like the Iberian pork and the mushroom broth. While some meats were too thin for our liking, it’s all part of the rough-and-ready charm. We spent about $82 for two and still had room for more, but honestly, the experience made up for the light portions.

If you're looking for an offbeat dining spot, Tian Tai Hotpot is worth the trek.

Wacky Tips

✅ Follow our staircase hack — go via Staircase 7 from Nam Soon Travel (4th floor)
✅ Arrive before 6:30 PM on weekends to avoid long queues
✅ Get the Iberian pork and the Lucky Little Sausage
✅ Bring your sense of adventure — you’ll need it for the toilets

Here’s how to get there (the correct way):

• Go to Level 4 of People's Park Complex

• Find Nam Soon Travel

• Walk to the end of the corridor, turn right, and head straight

• Look for a staircase, climb two floors to Level 6

• At the exit door, you’ll see a small Tian Tai sign

• Push the door open, turn right, and voila — you’ve arrived

It feels like you're sneaking into a secret rooftop fight club — but instead of a fight, it’s bubbling broth and mystery meats.

Have you been to Tian Tai Hotpot? Share your experience in the comments below — or better yet, send us your secret Singapore food gems to explore!

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