If it hadn't been for a friend who is crazy about hot pot, I probably wouldn't get to try Mey Lin Express at SM Light Mall. Going home, I always pass by it but I didn't really pay attention thinking it's just another little Asian restaurant. I mean, I love hot pot, but there are default choices of hot pot restaurants in my mind when craving for one.
Little did I know, Mey Lin Express is also from Vikings Group of Restaurants. I am a fan of Vikings Group's Four Seasons Buffet and Hot Pot. Since it's under the same umbrella, I figured it could be well worth the try.
Well, I'm happy to report that it did not disappoint.
Mey Lin Express is a perfect venue for those who wants to eat straight up good hot pot / shabu-shabu without having to deal with too many overwhelming choices of ingredients just like you normally would when dining at let's say, Four Seasons.
Though it also features variety of delicious ingredients one may choose from whenever they fancy a grander serving, choices are not as overwhelming. And since it is not an eat-all-you-can hot pot restaurant, you have to pay for the excess stuff you you'll consume on top of what's included in your hot pot set.
Aside from hot pot choices, they also sells bento meals. There are decent choices of Asian food to choose from, but nothing I can not find elsewhere. So for this particular visit, I stick with my goal of trying out the hot pot offerings.
How things work at Mey Lin Express is that you can make your own Shabu-Shabu Hot Pot or you may choose your own Shabu- Shabu set menu. Set menu available include Angus Beef Shabu-Shabu, Seafood Feast Shabu-Shabu, Protein Meat Shabu-Shabu, Seafood and Beef Shabu-Shabu, Seafood and Pork Shabu-Shabu, Chicken Shabu-Shabu, Beef Shabu-Shabu, Pork Shabu-Shabu, Vegetarian Shabu-Shabu, Dimsum Shabu-Shabu.
Based on experience, what's included on set menu are decent enough to satisfy cravings and even hunger of a hefty eater such as myself. But if you fancy more than what's on the set, there are decent choices of ingredients you may add to your set for additional price.
Soup base are refillable, choices include Chinese Herb Soup, Spicy Mala Soup, Laksa Soup, Sate Soup, Sinigang Soup, and Chicken Pork Soup.
For heavy meat-eater, you may also opt to add more to what's already on the set. 100g of Angus beef will only cost you Php289. While Beef Karubi, Chuck Eye Roll, and Pork Belly will only set you back Php149 per 100g.
And yes, just like how they do it at Four Seasons, you have the liberty to make your own shabu-shabu sauce. Everything's unlimited save for the raw egg.
Every Shabu-Shabu Set Meal include a plateful of different vegetables with dim sum balls and two kinds of noodles. On top of that is your choice of meat depending on the set you opt for. Every set comes with a cup of rice.
For this particular visit, we had the Dim Sum Shabu-Shabu Set meal (Php208) with Chinese Herb Soup which earthy flavor go well with everything on the set. If you love dim sum, this can be a good choice because aside from the ones included on the set plate, you will be given 5 pieces more of dim sum. For additional charge, you can add more if so inclined.
We also had the Pork Shabu-Shabu (Php249) with Laksa soup. A companion who's craving for Laksa noodle opt for this one and good thing that she enjoyed it to bits. This friend has always been a picky eater, so when she told me that the went back the next day to try out other Shabu-Shabu set, I figured hey, Mey Lin Express has its own charm.
My choice of set was the Seafood and Beef Shabu-Shabu set (Php299) with Sate Soup. I have always been a hefty eater and I am all for eat-all-you-can hot pot restaurant but this set satisfy me to the core. I love that with its affordable price, one may easily satisfy their craving and fill their tummy.
The personal serving size is one of the many things I love about it because you would have the liberty to choose your own soup and flavor it the way that suits to your liking. Unlike when you have to share a big pot with everyone who have their own preferences. The fact that the soup is refillable is an added bonus.
I also like the fact that if you think what's included on your set may not be enough for you, you always have the option to avail other ingredients of your choice, but of course, for additional price. I love their variety of dim sum so I added some on my set - not regretting it at all.
I'm really glad that I a friend convinced me to give Mey Lin Express a try, otherwise I would've missed this little gem of a hot pot nook that's affordable but impressive.
Needless to say, I highly recommend you to go and visit Mey Lin Express at SM Light Mall especially if you love hot pot. It's perfect for the weather we have these days, don't you agree?
By the way, I also uploaded a video of our Mey Lin Express dining experience, do check it out. I would also appreciate it if you subscribe HERE!
Mey Lin Express
G/F SM Light Mall
Madison St. cor. EDSA
Mandaluyong City
