Xiao Lao Wang at Damansara Uptown: Restaurant Review

Xiao Lao Wang has nurtured a following of loyal fans who’ve adored this hotpot specialist ever since its early days in Sungai Buloh; this year, the restaurant moved to Damansara Uptown, remaining a terrific destination for gatherings of family & friends.

A Soul-Warming Broth Base of Boiled Kampung Chicken and More

This was our maiden visit to Xiao Lao Wang, so we opted for the two recommended broths that form the ideal introduction to its specialities. Start with the signature – a soul-warming broth base of boiled kampung chicken, pork stomach & herbs, a wholesome-tasting combination that evokes the sort of thick, traditionally nourishing Chinese soups cherished for generations. The flavours are comfortingly familiar, but Xiao Lao Wang still manages to make them distinctively delicious in its own fashion. RM38.80++ for a small pot to feed two to five people, RM43.80++ for a large fit for six to ten patrons, both with refillable broth.

Hong Kong-Inspired Tomato Hotpot

For customers who prefer even sweeter, punchier dynamics, the Hong Kong-inspired tomato hotpot (RM43.80 for small, RM53.80 for large) is robust with flower crab & corn, well-partnered with both meat & seafood add-ons. Steaming-hot revitalisation; for patrons who crave variety, there’s a third hotpot soup that features salmon head with tomatoes, as well as a dry hotpot filled with spicy kampung chicken – it’s fun to envision making repeat trips to XLW to experience the full selection.

A Wide-Range of Add Ons

Xiao Lao Wang’s wide range of add-ons are easy to endorse too – from kitchen-made, nicely textured sotong paste (RM16.90) to juicily fresh tiger prawns (RM18.90), pork tendon balls (RM12.90) to pork belly (RM15.90), & much, much more (Australian Wagyu beef, U.S. sirloin, lamb, frog, smoked duck, Japanese squid, mussels, scallops, pork neck & liver, fish balls, quail eggs, various vegetables, mushrooms, tofu & dumplings – the list goes on & on). Everything we tried tasted hearty & well-prepared.

The enjoyment of savouring the soups with their ingredients as the nuances & dimensions evolve throughout the course of the meal is completely satisfying. Service feels helpful & attentive. At the end, you can order rice to turn the hotpot into a congee.

The Sauce Buffet

Greatly enhancing the sense of pleasure, Xiao Lao Wang also offers a special ‘sauce buffet’ – customers can mix & match multiple choices such as light soya sauce, spicy sauce, fermented bean curd sauce, sesame sauce, chunky mushroom sauce & chilli sauce with minced radish, ginger, garlic, spring onions, Chinese coriander & pickled mustard to create their own memorably mouthwatering masterpieces to accompany their lunch/dinner. Many thanks to Xiao Lao Wang for having us here.