The famous Kumachan Onsen hotpot from Sapporo, Hokkaido has just opened its first outlet in Singapore, serving up what’s probably some of the cutest hotpots you’ve ever seen! The popular hotpot chain has a couple of outlets across Japan, and they’re known for their adorable teddy bear-shaped hotpots in various flavours of thick collagen broth.
Kumachan Onsen Shabu Shabu & Yakiniku makes its debut at Orchard Central, and it’s Singapore’s first ever teddy bear hotpot specialty restaurant! There’s 6 different “hot spring” teddy bear hotpot flavours you can choose from, in 3 teddy bear colours: white, red and brown. Pick from soups like Soymilk, Gochujang, Chicken Mabo, Bonito and more. Hotpot sets start from an affordable $15.80 each, and come with unlimited soup refills, your choice of meat platter and an assorted vegetable basket. You can also enjoy complimentary free flow sauces and condiments from the DIY bar.
Soymilk Soup
Collagen Soup
Gochujang Soup
The teddy bears themselves are also made from collagen broth, making them super jiggly. As the teddy bear melts in the pot, it resembles a bear “relaxing” in an onsen tub—hence the name of the restaurant—and that’s when you can start adding your hotpot ingredients. We tried their Soymilk Soup, Gochujang Soup and Collagen Soup. The classic Soymilk and Collagen soups are rich and comforting, though nothing new when it comes to hotpot. But for something a little more unique, the Gochujang is a good option, with a subtly spicy and tangy kick that’s reminiscent of tomato soup.
Double Beef Karubi ($21.80); Beef Karubi & Beef Tongue ($21.80)
Collagen Soup with Beef Karubi & Beef Tongue ($21.80)
Gochujang Soup with Premium Beef Karubi ($23.80)
For hotpot meats, we liked the Beef Karubi ($16.80) cut best, with thin slices of well-marbled beef that cooks quickly in the boiling soup. Other half-half options also include Double Beef Karubi ($21.80), Beef Karubi & Beef Tongue ($21.80) or Beef Karubi & Chicken ($16.80). Did we also mention you can also enjoy a yakiniku BBQ for free? There’s a grill at every table, and you can request to use them for free to grill your meats and enjoy both hotpot and BBQ at the same time. The Premium Beef Karubi ($23.80) cut is our pick for grilling. If you’re only coming for yakiniku, they also have affordable yakiniku set meals starting from $8.90.
You can also upgrade your hotpot and BBQ experience by adding on $2 for extra steamed chicken dumplings or noodles; and also additional sides like Scallop Corn Butter ($7.90), Mushroom Butter ($10.90), Chicken Sausage ($6.90) and more. Kumachan Onsen has no pork or lard, and they’ll be halal-certified soon.
Taste: 8/10
Price: $$; ~$20-$25 per person
Favourite item(s): Collagen Soup, Gochujang Soup, Premium Beef Karubi
Would we come back: Definitely, for a hearty & affordable hotpot meal!
Kumachan Onsen Shabu Shabu & Yakinku
Address: Orchard Rd, #07-10/11 Orchard Central Singapore 238896
Opening Hours: 11am-10pm daily
