Special thanks to Qi Xiang Fish Head Steamboat for extending this food review invitation.
This is my second visit to Qi Xiang Fish Head Steamboat (奇香铜碳鱼头火锅) in Raja Uda. Since its opening, this restaurant has enjoyed overwhelming response from locals. In fact, it is not surprising to see all dining tables occupied every weekend.
Since my previous visit, Qi Xiang has revised its set meal menu. Each set includes soup and approximately 15 steamboat items. There are 3 sizes: medium set (中, 3-5 persons, RM138.00), large set (大, 6-8 persons, RM188.00) and extra large (特大, 9-11 persons, RM238.00). For less than 3 people, it is more economical to go for à la carte orders.
Typically, a set meal consists of Sliced Meat (肉片), Minced Meat (肉碎), Grouper Fish (石斑鱼), Prawns (中虾), Scallops (扇贝), Sliced Abalone (鲍鱼片), Fish Balls (鱼丸), Meat Balls (肉丸), Crab Filament (蟹柳), Quail Egg (鹌鹑蛋), Golden Mushrooms (金针菇), Button Mushrooms (蘑菇), Baby Corn (玉米仔), Tang O (茼蒿) and Yau Mak (油麦).
The steamboat pot is made from copper. Copper conducts heat more easily than iron. This allows charcoal to burn efficiently for the entire dining session. Steamboat soup is the chef’s own formulation. Prepared daily, the soup contains fried grouper (石斑鱼), evaporated milk (炼奶), taro (芋头), cabbage (包菜) and tofu skin (腐皮). The taste has been improved since my last visit; it is no longer too salty.
The set meal no longer includes appetizers and drinks, so these items need to be ordered separately. Suggested appetizers are Nestum Chicken (麦片鸡柳, RM7.90 for 10 pieces), Yam Samosa (芋泥角, RM5.90 for 16 pieces) and Wantan (云吞, RM3.90 for 6 pieces).
Name: Qi Xiang Fish Head Steamboat (奇香铜碳鱼头火锅)
Address: 4350, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-313-6888
Business hours: 5:00pm-10:30pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/qixiangfishheadsteamboat
Coordinates: 5.43005 N, 100.38382 E
Directions: From Jalan Permatang Pauh, turn right into Jalan Raja Uda. Drive northbound for approximately 2 kilometers. Qi Xiang Fish Head Steamboat is located on the left, just opposite Caltex gas station. There are parking spaces in front of the restaurant and at the nearby car wash center.