Macao: Xin Asian Hotpot & Seafood

Our most memorable and gut busting meal in Macao was at Xin in Sands Cotai which was connected to our hotel, Sheraton Macao Hotel.

 

Seeing freshly made noodles at the beginning of the long buffet table told me this was going to be a special meal. 

 

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an industrial slicer right next to the meat selection in a hot pot buffet before.

 

I’m a cheap hot pot buffet eater. Instead of getting a lot of meat I go nuts over balls (get your mind out of the gutter) and mini Japanese hotdogs and dumplings. They even had freshly meat and fish balls that barely hold their shape. 

 

The display of 5 different noodles on glass platters was a nice idea but the tongs they provided wasn’t good for getting noodles. You should have seen the mess of noodles sliding down from one level to another. 

 

I was excited with the three kinds of fresh mushroom.

 From this display I got fried tofu triangles and what I thought was canned abalone. 

They also had so many unique kinds of sauces I’ve never seen before. There was red dragon chili, jalapeño ponzu, mustard miso, ginger soy, hoisin, peanut, sour chili sauces. It’s up to the diner to mix and match sauces and garnishes to their liking.  

Add as much or as little green onions, minced garlic, chili and onions as you like. 

 As if all those ingredients weren’t enough. There was also a lot of prepared dishes which unfortunately I wasn’t able to try anymore. 

 

This extensive buffet cost MOP$198 for lunch and $358 for dinner. What surprised me was each person was given their own hot pot and you can choose your own broth from the list below. 

 

If you won the jackpot and want to have even more high priced food than those at the buffet then you can opt for any of these luxury upgrades. 

 

We each chose our own broth. 

 

I had the Nonya laksa broth which I loved. It wasn’t too spicy and everything I cooked in it took on the rich broth.

My first plate was filled with shellfish, some beef, a couple of balls, dumplings, mushroom and a few strands of noodles I was able to salvage from those ineffective tongs.

My second plate was more imported mussels and the yummy Japanese hotdogs and yellow soft beancurd. 

My mom’s plate had a healthier selection. 

We all enjoyed eating what we initially thought was really tender canned abalone slices. We didn’t bother cooking these in the broth and just ate them as is. I think this was geoduck. 

After dinner I was ready to roll myself out the restaurant instead I rolled to JUST LOOK at the desserts. Ok, fruit I can pass.  

Ugh oh mini egg tarts. 

Double ugh oh mochi balls. 

 

I couldn’t believe they had so many super tempting desserts in their spread.

 

 

The egg tart was delicious, the mochi ball too sweet and the strawberry pie just ok. Not pictured but consumed was a second egg tart, coffee jelly and a bowl of coconut sago soup.

I joined the Starwood Preferred Guest program right after I reserved my room at the Sheraton. I presented my SPG number and got a 10% discount on our tab which essentially just covered the service charge. 

 

This hot pot buffet shouldn’t be missed. Going for lunch is a more affordable option. I just don’t know if the spread is the same. Their menu also offered several dim sum sets as well as a la carte dishes for those who don’t wish to partake of the buffet. 

Xin 
Level 1 Shoppes Cotai Central, Sands Cotai Central
telephone: (853) 8113-1200
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