On our way to Geneo to pick up the TriFactor race pack, we decided to pop by Xiao He Shan 小和山优选快餐 for lunch. The hubby had spotted their $12.80 nett Chinese buffet on a previous mall visit and hasn’t stopped going on about it since. So of course, we had to finally give it a go.
Located in Grantral Mall at Macpherson, this unassuming spot serves up Chinese-style ‘cai png’ buffet that’s making waves among budget-conscious foodies. The price point alone had us intrigued – unlimited Chinese food for $12.80 sounds almost impossible in today’s Singapore.
How the Xiao He Shan Buffet System Works
The process couldn’t be simpler. Walk in, tell the lady boss your party size, pay via PayNow, then it’s self-service throughout. No fuss, no waiting around.
Being first-timers, the friendly lady boss took time to show us the ropes. She explained the rice options, pointed out the soup station, showed us the soft drink corner. Her instructions were clear: eat as much as you want with no time limit. The only rule? Since we were just two people, we should stick to the 4-seat table rather than hogging the bigger tables meant for larger groups.
Timing is Everything
We arrived just after 11:30am when they opened for lunch. Only one other diner occupied the small space. What a difference half an hour makes. Past noon, office workers flooded in, literally filling up the entire restaurant.
The buffet spread wasn’t completely ready when we walked in – kitchen staff were still busy preparing dishes and bringing out the final 4-5 items. No complaints there, fresh food beats sitting under warmers all morning.
The Food Spread: Over 20 Dishes That Deliver
The selection impressed immediately. Over 20 dishes dominated the warmers, most of them substantial meat offerings. Standouts included stir-fried lala clams, fried prawns, and poached fish. Not bad for a $12.80 Chinese buffet.
Going in with rock-bottom expectations (that price point, honestly), I sampled every single dish. Surprise – nothing disappointed. Every dish showed proper execution. The kitchen clearly understands Sichuan cuisine but tweaks the cooking for local palates. Nothing felt overly salty, oily, or tongue-numbing.
My favourites from the Xiao He Shan buffet turned out to be quite a spread. The fried crispy prawns were addictive—you could eat the whole thing, shells and all. The lala clams were fresh, while the saliva chicken packed a punch. I loved the braised pork with quail eggs for its rich, comforting flavours, and the tomato egg was simple home-style perfection. The pork belly with green peppers was tender and full of flavour, and the stir-fried brinjal was silky and well-seasoned.
Even taking just a little of every dish left me properly stuffed after one round. The second round? Just tried the new dishes that appeared – dishes I’d missed during the first sweep.
The Sides and Extras
Beyond the mains, several decent options fill out the experience:
Desserts and Snacks
- Assorted cakes – old-school butter cream style
- Fresh fruits – cherry tomatoes, sliced oranges, bananas
- Fried mantou with condensed milk – not bad but seriously carb-heavy
- Fried fish cake rolls – like those from yong tau foo stalls
Rice and Soup
Two rice choices available: standard white rice or red rice. The seaweed egg drop soup runs a bit starchy but is flavourful.
Drinks Selection
Soft drinks include Fanta Orange, Pepsi, and Sprite. No dispensers – you open the bottles yourself and grab ice from the cooler bucket. Hot green tea available too. Want it chilled? Same drill with the ice bucket.
The Value Proposition: Unbeatable in Singapore
At $12.80 per person, this ranks among the most value-for-money meals in Singapore. The restaurant stays modest – nothing fancy here – but the air conditioning keeps things comfortable. Fresh, hot dishes get constantly replenished whenever trays run low. The warmers do their job keeping everything at proper serving temperature.
These dishes need rice. Unless you’re a massive eater, multiple rounds aren’t realistic. But at this price point, you don’t need to eat your money’s worth anyway. The value speaks for itself.
Anyone who does grocery shopping knows current ingredient costs in Singapore. Seeing unlimited servings of meat dishes, lala clams, fish, and prawns (albeit small ones) for $12.80 feels almost surreal. Rising costs and inflation make such affordable feasts increasingly rare.
The Practical Stuff
Clear your own tray and cutlery when finished – standard self-service protocol. The space limitations mean peak-hour waits are inevitable. But the turnover moves quickly enough.
The variety impressed me. Beyond the meat focus, plenty of vegetable dishes round out the selection. Perfect for those who want balanced nutrition.
My Honest Verdict
Will I return? Absolutely—whenever I’m in the area. We love Sichuan food, and this Xiao He Shan buffet delivers incredible value. The spread is varied, the flavours hit the spot, and at $12.80 nett, it’s hard to beat.
This isn’t fine dining—you won’t find fancy plating or premium ingredients. What you do get is honest, well-executed comfort food that leaves you satisfied without burning a hole in your wallet. Just remember to show up early and bring a big appetite.