Where We Are Going Today: International Dragon Hotpot

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Updated 04 November 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: International Dragon Hotpot

On the fourth floor of Sana Mall in Batha, a red dragon guards the entrance to International Dragon Hotpot, Riyadh’s new self-service dining spot combining hotpot, Korean barbecue, karaoke, and desserts — all for SR59 ($16).

The place was lively when I visited, filled with the sound of clinking tongs, laughter, and the occasional karaoke performance. The concept — unlimited food, drinks, and music — was too tempting to skip.

The experience starts at the counter, where diners pick from meats, seafood, noodles, and vegetables before choosing a broth to cook at their table.

It is fun and interactive, although the broth was rather plain, needing soy sauce and seasoning to enhance the flavor.

The setup will appeal to Asian diners in Riyadh, especially Filipinos who enjoy this communal dining style. 

The Korean barbecue section offered flavorful marinated beef and chicken — sweet, savory and smoky — although some cuts were a bit tough.

The ice cream station was a highlight: simple, creamy and satisfying.

Service was friendly and helpful, and the bright, cozy space with karaoke rooms added a lively atmosphere. When someone started singing, the energy lifted instantly.

It is a good choice for groups, celebrations, or a casual night out, although there is room for the taste experience to improve.


Where We Are Going Today: Under 500

Lean beef burger at Under 500. (Supplied)
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Where We Are Going Today: Under 500

  • Both their soups, the lentil and the roasted tomato, are wonderful; I’ve been enjoying pairing either one with a main (a combo special Under 500 offers)

A place for all the gym rats and diet fiends, Under 500 offers fairly tasty meals complete with nutritious goodies, all of which are, well, under 500 calories.

I’ve quickly grown fond of this cloud kitchen — I won’t tell you it is the most delicious food you’ll ever have, but would absolutely recommend it if you want good meals that will leave you feeling energized and satisfied.

They have a wide selection of options; pasta, sandwiches, salads, bowls, rice meals, soups and some breakfast options.

First things first; all of their food smells amazing. They definitely load it up with spices to kick up the flavor since they are being conscious about what to put in it.

Both their soups, the lentil and the roasted tomato, are wonderful; I’ve been enjoying pairing either one with a main (a combo special Under 500 offers). The lentil, though it may need an extra pinch of salt and pepper, gives you a little taste of home while the roasted tomato is creamy and packed with Italian flavors.

They also add fresh kale to the lentil soup, an unusual choice I was a little iffy about but have grown to enjoy for its texture.

Another favorite is the grilled chicken burger, topped with a chipotle mayo, tomato salsa, guacamole and sauteed mushrooms in a multi-cereal bun. Be warned that it is a little messy, but very tasty.

Also recommended is their cheesesteak sandwich, made with tenderloin beef strips and topped with grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms, mixed peppers and mild cheddar cheese in a whole wheat baguette; perfectly good and enjoyable.

Their chicken quesadilla is also not a bad choice for a light meal — a little thinner than I would like maybe and I wish the salsa was spicier, but I did enjoy the flavors of this dish.

Now their hot meals; while yet to try their pasta, I have become well acquainted with the rice dishes.

The kabsa, chicken tikka biryani and their famous butter chicken are all solid picks. For me, the best out of the three is the butter chicken, which comes with a small side salad made up of cucumbers, tomato and pomegranate seeds (again, unusual choice but I don’t mind it).

A meal I would not order again is the chicken mushroom with mashed potatoes — the chicken and sweetcorn mash were good and so were the steamed vegetables on the side, but the mushroom sauce was not the right taste at all — much too tangy and no true mushroom flavor.

I have been recommended the steak and eggs and the honey mustard salmon bowl, and have to say the salmon quinoa looks very interesting with the grilled vegetables on the side; all of which I look forward to trying.

Overall, will Under 500 blow your mind? No. Will you find yourself reordering from it because of its reliability, decent cost, health factor and pretty good flavors? Yes, so try it out.