Xita Lao Tai Tai (西塔老太太)

by | Nov 25, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Restaurant Overview

Location: Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street, #04-06, Singapore 188067

Concept: Korean-influenced Clay Stove Barbecue restaurant featuring signature marinades and nostalgic interior design

Accessibility: Bugis MRT (EW/DT Line), Exit C – 5 minutes walk

Operating Hours:

  • Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm

Contact:

  • Tel: +65 6908 4181
  • Website | Facebook | Instagram available

Ambience & Atmosphere

Xita Lao Tai Tai creates a charming and nostalgic dining environment that transports guests into a warm, communal setting. The restaurant features:

  • Nostalgic Interior Design: Charmingly decorated with traditional elements that evoke a sense of comfort and familiarity
  • Communal Dining Setup: Perfect for group gatherings and celebrations, designed to encourage sharing and conversation
  • Clay Stove Grilling Experience: Each table features Korean-style clay pot stoves that create an interactive, smoky atmosphere
  • Festive Decorations: Seasonal touches enhance the celebratory mood, especially during holiday periods
  • Service Style: Staff-assisted grilling takes away the hassle, allowing diners to relax and enjoy their meal without worrying about cooking techniques

The atmosphere is lively and convivial, ideal for gatherings with friends and family. The smoke and warmth from the clay stoves add to the authentic barbecue experience, while the attentive staff ensure a comfortable, fuss-free dining experience.

Menu Highlights

Festive Set BBQ Platter (Seasonal)

Price: $108 (Members) | $151.80 (Regular)

What’s Included:

Main BBQ Meats (4 Types):

  1. Xita BBQ Meat Tower – Assorted cuts, well-seasoned and generously stacked
  2. Pork Belly – Deeply marinated, crispy outer layer with melty center
  3. Pineapple Glazed Beef Rib Fingers – Tangy-sweet glaze, tender meat
  4. Secret Marinated Chicken Chop – Juicy and tender with comforting flavors

Appetizer:

  • Cold Dressed Chicken – Chilled, refreshing, clean-tasting

Desserts:

  • Joyful Sesame Balls – Crispy exterior, chewy interior with sesame filling
  • Strawberry Ice Burst – Light, fruity, refreshing (on the sweeter side)

Accompaniments Included:

  • Kimchi
  • Fresh lettuce for wraps
  • Potato salad
  • Pumpkin soup
  • Iced slushies

Recommended À La Carte Additions

Pork Collar

  • Leaner than pork belly yet wonderfully succulent
  • Grills beautifully over claypot heat
  • Crowd-pleasing staple that pairs perfectly with the festive set

Golden Tofu

  • Crispy and satisfying
  • Provides pleasant contrast to richer meats
  • Light side dish option

Seafood Pancake

  • Crispy texture
  • Note: Reviewers found it slightly too oily

Golden Glutinous Rice Ball

  • Satisfyingly chewy with slight sweetness
  • Popular side dish

Clam Soup

  • Light, clear broth
  • Subtly sweet from fresh clams
  • Perfect palate cleanser between grilled items
  • Comforting to sip during the meal

Detailed Dish Analysis

Xita BBQ Meat Tower ⭐ Highlight

The centerpiece of the Festive Feast features assorted meat cuts beautifully stacked and decorated for the season. Each portion is well-seasoned, tender, and perfectly sized for sharing among the group. The variety ensures everyone finds something they enjoy.

Pineapple Glazed Beef Rib Fingers ⭐ Must-Try

The tangy-sweet pineapple glaze serves dual purposes: tenderizing the meat and adding bright, tropical notes that complement the beef’s natural richness. The grilled pineapple slices accompanying the dish are a delightful bonus, offering caramelized sweetness.

Pork Belly ⭐ Essential BBQ Item

Deep marination allows the fat to render properly during grilling, creating the perfect contrast between crispy, golden outer layers and soft, melty interior. This is a barbecue essential that disappears quickly once served.

Secret Marinated Chicken Chop

The secret marinade keeps the chicken exceptionally juicy throughout the grilling process. The comforting, crowd-pleasing flavor profile makes it accessible to all diners, including those who prefer milder tastes.

Cold Dressed Chicken

Served chilled as an appetizer, this dish offers a refreshing, clean-tasting start to the meal. It provides a cooling contrast before the hot, smoky grilled items begin arriving at the table.

Dessert Duo

The Joyful Sesame Balls provide textural satisfaction with their crispy-chewy contrast and nutty sesame filling. The Strawberry Ice Burst offers a fruity, cooling finish that cuts through the richness of the barbecue, though those sensitive to sweetness should note it leans toward the sweeter side.

Clay Stove BBQ Cooking Guide

While Xita Lao Tai Tai’s staff expertly handle the grilling for you, understanding the clay stove barbecue technique enhances appreciation for the cuisine.

Korean Clay Stove BBQ Basics

Equipment:

  • Korean clay pot stove (or clay pot barbecue grill)
  • Charcoal or gas heating source
  • Metal grilling grate
  • Tongs and scissors

Key Techniques:

  1. Temperature Control
    • Clay stoves retain heat exceptionally well
    • Start with high heat to sear, then reduce for cooking through
    • Fat drippings create flare-ups that add smoky flavor
  2. Meat Preparation
    • Slice meats thinly for quick, even cooking
    • Allow marinated meats to reach room temperature before grilling
    • Pat dry excess marinade to prevent burning
  3. Grilling Order
    • Begin with leaner cuts (beef, chicken)
    • Follow with fattier cuts (pork belly, pork collar)
    • The rendered fat seasons the grill for subsequent items
  4. Doneness Guide
    • Pork Belly: 3-4 minutes per side until crispy and golden
    • Beef: 2-3 minutes per side for medium
    • Chicken: 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through
    • Use scissors to cut into smaller pieces while on grill

Inspired Recipe: Korean BBQ Pork Belly at Home

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Pork Belly:

  • 800g pork belly, skin removed, sliced 0.5cm thick
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons ginger, grated
  • 5 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons Korean rice wine (mirin)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons honey

For Serving:

  • Fresh lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or red leaf)
  • Kimchi
  • Ssamjang (Korean BBQ paste)
  • Thinly sliced garlic
  • Sliced green chilies
  • Sesame oil with salt for dipping

Instructions

Marinating (4-24 hours before):

  1. In a large bowl, combine garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, brown sugar, gochugaru, black pepper, and honey. Whisk until sugar dissolves.
  2. Add pork belly slices and massage marinade into meat. Ensure every piece is well-coated.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. The longer marination allows flavors to penetrate deeply.

Grilling:

  1. Remove pork belly from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature.
  2. Heat your grill, cast iron pan, or clay stove to medium-high heat.
  3. Shake off excess marinade from pork slices (reserve marinade).
  4. Place pork belly slices on hot grill. Don’t overcrowd – leave space between pieces.
  5. Grill for 3-4 minutes on first side until edges turn golden and crispy.
  6. Flip and grill another 3-4 minutes until cooked through and both sides are caramelized.
  7. Brush with reserved marinade during final minute of cooking for extra flavor.
  8. Remove from heat and cut into bite-sized pieces with scissors.

Serving Korean BBQ Style:

  1. Lay out fresh lettuce leaves on a plate.
  2. Arrange small dishes of kimchi, ssamjang, sliced garlic, and chilies.
  3. To eat: Take a lettuce leaf, add a piece of grilled pork belly, a dab of ssamjang, kimchi, and optional garlic/chili. Wrap and eat in one bite.

Chef’s Tips:

  • Don’t skip the resting time after removing from marinade – it helps achieve better caramelization
  • The fat should render out and create crispy edges
  • If using a home grill pan, wipe excess fat periodically to prevent excessive smoking
  • Serve immediately while hot and crispy

Pineapple Glazed Beef Rib Fingers Recipe

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Beef:

  • 800g beef short ribs (flanken cut or finger-style)
  • Salt and black pepper

Pineapple Glaze:

  • 200ml pineapple juice (fresh or unsweetened)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
  • Fresh pineapple slices for grilling

Instructions

Preparing the Glaze:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to simmer.
  3. Cook for 10-12 minutes until reduced by half and slightly thickened.
  4. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook for 2 more minutes until glossy. Remove from heat.

Preparing the Beef:

  1. Season beef ribs with salt and pepper on both sides.
  2. Let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Grilling:

  1. Heat grill to high heat.
  2. Grill beef ribs for 3-4 minutes per side for medium doneness.
  3. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, brush generously with pineapple glaze on both sides.
  4. Grill fresh pineapple slices alongside the meat for 2 minutes per side until caramelized.
  5. Remove from heat and let rest for 3 minutes.
  6. Brush with additional glaze before serving.
  7. Serve with grilled pineapple slices on the side.

Value & Membership Benefits

Membership Program:

  • Members receive significant discounts on set meals
  • Festive Set: $108 (member) vs $151.80 (regular) – saving of $43.80
  • Access to special deals and exclusive promotions
  • Recommended for regular diners

Value Analysis: The Festive Set for 4 people at $108 (member price) works out to $27 per person, which includes:

  • Four types of premium BBQ meats
  • Appetizer
  • Banchan accompaniments
  • Two desserts
  • Pumpkin soup
  • Beverages

This represents excellent value for a quality Korean BBQ experience in a prime location, especially considering staff handle all the grilling.

Delivery & Takeaway Options

Note: Based on the review provided, specific delivery and takeaway information was not mentioned.

For the most current delivery options, we recommend:

  1. Direct Contact: Call +65 6908 4181 to inquire about takeaway services
  2. Delivery Platforms: Check popular Singapore delivery apps:
    • GrabFood
    • foodpanda
    • Deliveroo
  3. Restaurant Website: Visit their official website for latest information on delivery partnerships

Considerations for BBQ Takeaway:

  • Clay stove BBQ is best enjoyed fresh and hot at the restaurant
  • The interactive grilling experience is a key part of the dining concept
  • Some items like the BBQ tower may not travel well
  • Cold dishes and soups may be more suitable for takeaway

Dining Tips & Recommendations

Best For:

  • Group gatherings (4+ people ideal for festive set)
  • Birthday celebrations
  • Holiday dinners
  • Corporate team bonding
  • Casual friend meetups

Booking Recommendations:

  • Make reservations, especially during weekends and festive seasons
  • Request tables with good ventilation if sensitive to smoke
  • Mention any dietary restrictions when booking

What to Wear:

  • Casual attire recommended
  • Avoid delicate fabrics as BBQ smoke may cling to clothing
  • Consider bringing a jacket as some may leave with smoky scent

Optimal Dining Strategy:

  1. Start with the Festive Set as your base
  2. Add Pork Collar as supplementary protein
  3. Order Clam Soup for palate cleansing
  4. Skip the Seafood Pancake (reviewers found it too oily)
  5. Pace yourself – the set is generous for 4 people

Perfect Pairings:

  • Iced slushies help cool down between hot bites
  • Lettuce wraps provide refreshing contrast to rich meats
  • Kimchi cuts through fatty flavors effectively

Final Verdict

Overall Rating: Highly Recommended

Strengths:

  • Excellent value, especially for members
  • Staff-grilled service eliminates hassle
  • High-quality, well-marinated meats
  • Generous portions suitable for sharing
  • Comfortable, festive atmosphere
  • Convenient central location near Bugis MRT

Minor Considerations:

  • Seafood pancake may be too oily for some
  • Strawberry Ice Burst is on the sweeter side
  • BBQ smoke atmosphere may not suit everyone

Best For: Groups seeking a fun, interactive dining experience with quality Korean BBQ in a festive setting without the work of grilling themselves.

Bottom Line: Xita Lao Tai Tai offers a wonderful Korean clay stove BBQ experience that balances authenticity with convenience. The Festive Set provides exceptional value and variety, while the staff-assisted grilling allows diners to focus on enjoyment rather than cooking. Perfect for celebrations and gatherings this holiday season.

Review based on invited tasting by Shermine, November 2025 Prices and menu items subject to change – verify with restaurant before visiting