Is catching your own seafood at the dinner table too much, or just the right kind of thrill? New Thai Tanic Live Seafood Hotpot answers with tanks full of wriggling prawns and crabs, inviting diners to grab their dinner straight from the water. Situated on Bukit Pasoh Road in Singapore’s Chinatown-Outram area, this restaurant transformed hotpot dining into a full-body experience with its “catch-your-own” concept.
The “Catch-Your-Own” Concept
This isn’t just about picking a plate from the buffet line. New Thai Tanic built its identity around the active participation of diners. Instead of receiving pre-arranged seafood, guests used tongs to snatch live prawns and crabs from tanks lining the seating areas. Once caught, the seafood went into ice baths at the tables—a quick stun before heading into the bubbling broth.
The daily seafood volume served reportedly ranged from 300 to 500 kg. This concept wasn’t just about freshness; it was designed to simulate a sea-to-table ritual, adding a sense of immersion to the dining process not often found in city eateries.
Seafood Buffet Selection
Beyond the thrill of live catches, New Thai Tanic offered a broad seafood spread, ensuring no diner left with an empty stomach. “The Ship” section featured a chilled display packed with clams, mussels, squid, and fish. Oysters appeared frequently as a highlight.
Live Seafood from Tanks:
- Prawns
- Mud crabs
- Flower crabs
Chilled Seafood Station:
- Mussels
- Clams
- Squid
- Fish
- Oysters
Hotpot Broth Variety
Hotpot purists and flavor chasers were equally catered to with multiple broth options. Diners could pick a single base or pay extra to enjoy two, three, or even four broths simultaneously. Ranging from mild herbal infusions to fiery chili-heavy concoctions, the broths formed the core of the cooking experience.
Beyond Seafood: Other Ingredients and Stations
While seafood took center stage, the supporting cast held its own. Hotpot essentials such as leafy greens, mushrooms, tofu, and meats were available across different stations. This allowed guests to customize their meals beyond the usual crustacean fare.
Other Hotpot Additions:
- Beef slices
- Chicken
- Leafy vegetables
- Tofu
- Mushrooms
- Root vegetables
Cooked Food and Dessert Options
The buffet didn’t stop at raw ingredients. A cooked food section featured grilled fish, chicken wings, fishcakes, and sausages. For dessert, diners could head to the waffle station—yes, Belgian-style waffles made fresh and served hot.
Cooked Items:
- Grilled fish (made-to-order)
- Chicken wings
- Sausages
- Fishcakes
Dessert:
- Belgian waffles
Themed Dining Experiences
New Thai Tanic wasn’t shy about spectacle. During October 2018, Halloween took over the restaurant with grisly arrangements like beef shaped into severed feet and lamb wrapped around skull molds. These seasonal gimmicks added visual punch and reflected the restaurant’s willingness to entertain as much as feed.
Ambiance and Facilities
The restaurant occupied the second floor of a heritage mansion. With cushioned, high-backed chairs and casual decor, it mixed formality with comfort. Seating capacity was capped at about 100 guests, with alfresco and VIP room options available.
A reception area on the ground floor welcomed walk-ins. During peak periods, an SMS queue system helped manage waiting times. Complimentary drinks in the waiting area softened the delay.
Features:
- Heritage building location
- VIP room available
- Outdoor seating option
- SMS queue system
- Complimentary drinks for guests in queue
Pricing
The price range generally fell between S$28 and S$59.90++ per pax, depending on the day, time slot, and promotional periods. Some listings vaguely noted “S$40 and under,” though variations existed depending on soup base upgrades and extra selections.
Operational Status
As of the last available information, the status of New Thai Tanic remained ambiguous. OpenTable listed it as “Not available,” encouraging diners to call ahead. Food Advisor Singapore still published opening hours, and Burpple featured it in roundups of seafood buffets. Whether it remains open today requires direct confirmation at the listed number: 8722 7678.
Customer Reviews: Mixed Takes
Positive Feedback:
- Flavorful food
- Cozy and interesting atmosphere
- Reasonable value with promotions
- Memorable dining concept
Negative Feedback:
- Some claimed the live seafood was not as advertised (only prawns or none at all)
- Reports of poor cleanliness
- Limited seafood variety during off-peak times
- High cost without discounts
Animal Welfare Reactions
The practice of catching live seafood at the table sparked discussions among viewers outside Singapore. Videos circulated on social platforms drew criticism from animal rights advocates, who questioned the ethics of stunning crustaceans tableside. Though local diners may view it as part of the novelty, the practice was not universally accepted.
Is New Thai Tanic Worth a Visit?
For anyone seeking an interactive dinner beyond the typical hotpot buffet, New Thai Tanic offered a format that merged action with flavor. But the success of the experience seemed to depend on timing. Arriving during well-stocked hours could make the difference between fishing prawns out of tanks or walking away with a plate of frozen shrimp.
Those considering a visit should weigh both the experience and the reports. If it’s still operational, it’s worth calling ahead to check the availability of live seafood—and perhaps confirming the cleanliness and freshness standards before making a booking.
New Thai Tanic wasn’t just about what ended up in your soup—it was about how it got there.
