Eating family-style is huge in Singapore. One can never resist a cuisine consisting of different varieties of food. Call it what you want - a hotpot, shabu-shabu, or steamboat. It all consists of seafood, sliced pork, leafy green vegetables, and an assortment of other foods in a boiling bowl of stock in the center of the table.

This kind of tradition traces back to the Chinese people where they gather during the Chinese New Years’ eve and have dinner. This is an annual feast when family members renew their love and respect for one another. It is also called tuanyuan or weilu, which means “gathering around the family hearth”. This ceremony is significant sociologically because it ensures family connection and cohesion.

Food is provided in abundance during this gathering regardless of the family's riches or poverty since the Chinese believe that having an excess of food at tuanyuan would bring the family great material fortune in the new year.

In addition, other dishes prepared by certain households include abalone soup, chicken, mushrooms, duck, fish, mixed vegetables (chapchye), roast pig, and steamboat.

Steamboat is a popular eating pastime of Singaporeans. However, the term was originated in Malaysia. The meal is often served fresh at the table and cooked in a cauldron in the middle. The cauldron's core has a chimney via which wisps of steam and heat escape. And, since Singaporeans are essentially the same race as Malaysians, they also refer to it as Steamboat.

Steamboat can include different ingredients that people can devour, from broths, leafy vegetables, and seafood to various meats. Each country has different ways of how they enjoy steamboats. In Singapore, Seafoods are part of their food culture and is also prepared during the Chinese New Year. Never miss out on these seafood ingredients to fully experience the Singaporean style of eating Steamboats.

1. Crab
2. Squid
3. Clams
4. Prawns
5. Lobster
6. Abalone
7. Fishball
8. Fishcake
9. Mussels
10. Fish Maw
11. Fish Paste
12. Fish Slices

Preparing the said seafood ingredients ensures that the dirt is thoroughly cleaned and filtered. One may choose to strain this seafood to prevent it from breaking apart while cooking.

In addition, the best way to eat steamboat is to be patient. People develop upset tummies because they are too anxious to dig into it as soon as they watch the soup stock begins to boil. Complete the contents of the pot before adding more stock and additions. Don't add anything midway through, and don't save the soup for another day since it will become sour if you don't strain it correctly. If done correctly; it’ll surely be no leftover until the last drop of broth.

Source:

https://www.seriouseats.com/singapore-stories-all-you-can-eat-steamboat-buffet-chinese-hot-pot

https://styledegree.sg/the-ultimate-steamboat-hotpot-ingredients-list/

https://guide.michelin.com/sg/en/article/dining-in/ask-the-expert-restaurant-secrets-steamboat

https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_948__2009-01-02.html